The­ process of learning to fly is essentially the same regardless of the type of aircraft you are going to fly.

What do you want to fly?

You might start by thinking about why you want to fly and what type of aircraft you want to qualify on, but most people get into flying without sufficient knowledge to make these decisions alone. If you are one of these just dive in and raise this with the flying schools and instructors you meet early in the process.

Where and with whom do you want to learn?

You next need to find a flying club which is convenient for you from a travelling point of view (the nearer it is the better) and an instructor you like and respect. You are going to spend a lot of your time with him or her so it's worth investing a little of it at the beginning of the exercise to make sure you get on.

When considering your choice of flying club you may well be tempted by glossy adverts in flying magazines which offer intensive courses abroad, and the prospect of getting your license in a matter of weeks, at a lower cost than the UK equivalent.

While intensive training overseas without constant interruptions by inclement weather is clearly a benefit and can get some students to their goal more quickly, it involves learning to fly in, quite literally, a foreign environment. Local procedures will probably be different from the UK, as will be the regulations, the geography and the behaviour of the atmosphere. You may well end up with your 'ticket' in a shorter period of time but it's my opinion that in most cases you will be a less well qualified person to fly in the UK than one who has trained there. Spending a little more time absorbing “air-sense� from your instructors and fellow-aviators, and learning about the procedures and the weather in the country in which you will be flying will make you a more confident pilot better able to relax and really enjoy your flying. That said, some UK flying schools have an overseas operation that allows you to split your training between home and abroad which for some is a most acceptable compromise.

Cost and method of payment

Having decided on the aircraft type, the flying club, and the instructor you need to consider the cost, and how you are going to pay for it.

The cost will depend on the type of aircraft you choose and where you intend to train, but typically for a National  Private Pilots License (microlight)  in the UK you should be budgeting for around £3-3500. If you want to learn to fly powered parachutes or hang gliders it may cost a little less and Group A aircraft (the Pipers, Cessnas, and Cirrus SR20/22s you see at many flying clubs), a good deal more.

Most schools offer an hourly rate which you pay for as you go. Some offer a block purchase scheme which allows you to buy blocks of hours in advance at a discounted rate. One or two may even offer an all-inclusive discounted price for which you pay everything up front.

In choosing which is right for you keep in mind that it will usually take you 3-12 months to complete your course depending on your availability and the weather. If you are going to pay up front you need to be sure that your chosen flying school is sound and will still be around when you are ready to qualify.

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