Bored of Surrey.

BarryH · 24 Jun 2003

The master plan for the change of boat is hitting a bit of a brick wall. The selling bit is going well. Its the buying another one bit that isn't. Shes cottoned on to me and now I'm suffering........I bloody hate wimmin'

So nothing to do with boats. Looking for another hobby to occupy my spare! time. Always had an inkling to fly a helicopter. I know theres some fly boys on the forum. So how much, where, who and can your average joe like me do it!

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wakeup · 24 Jun 2003

Minimum 45 hours flying time required usually at £200 per hour (depedning upon location, helo etc) including instructor. Allow for 55 hours cos the weather never allows you to do all parts of syllabus to the min so £11k plus you'll need to sit all the exams, meidcal, need books, and other accessories allow another £500 -£1k. That should get you there. Need to fly 12 hours pa after that to retain licences but cheaper per hour coz less instructors rate.

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sailbadthesinner · 24 Jun 2003

i looked at flying
it is very cheap in cyprus for some unknown reason to do your private pilots licence for fixed wing.
in the uk its about 200 pound an hour for chopper lessons for the first few
then some schools give you a reduced rate

the wife has put her foot down for the time being and i am looking at paragliding instead

<hr width=100% size=1>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good

BarryH · 24 Jun 2003

Bluddy hell! I don't want to buy the thing, just learn to fly one. Looked in the yella pages. Don't seem to be anything round here apart from light planes at Redhill.

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wakeup · 24 Jun 2003

Well you could try fixed wing, that's usually about £80 per hour. Once you've got that you can convert to rotary wing in 35 hours instead of 45.

Or you could go to the states to get you licence at a dollar for pound equivalent.

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burgundyben · 24 Jun 2003

think flying anything with an engine is as expensive as owning a boat, you can go gliding for much less, try calling Lasham, not too far from Slurrey in north Hants

<hr width=100% size=1>Sod the Healey - I think I'll buy an E-Type.

BarryH · 24 Jun 2003

Hmmm, gliding........falling with style! Nah me thinks I'll stick with some sort of propulsion. Phoned Redhill, They'll do tasters staeting from 90 quid for half an hour. They rekon most people bottle out and have to change underwear afterwards. Not like flying in your average 737 apparently, you don't say. Going to bite the bullet and go along at the weekend. Chap says better to go for fixed wing first as its cheaper than helicopter and more accessable.

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adrianbarker · 24 Jun 2003

Barry, Barry, Barry

Why don't us Forumites get together a petition send it to your SHMBO 'd on why you should get another boat.

Honestly all this flying malarky. it will not do anything for you !

Whereas boating well, what a family get together opportunity surely - or do you REALLY want out ?

<hr width=100% size=1>They want HOW much ? !!

h4nym · 24 Jun 2003

try <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.flyer.co.uk>http://www.flyer.co.uk</A> for info on flying... but DONT DO IT!

My SWMBO has been hassling me for a while after I firmly stamped on the thought she floated of "selling Cinnamon and doing the extension"...

Seeking support from my best mate while we were sailing one evening: "What d'u reckon, Paul... this or a bigger house?"
After much silent reflection... "Sell the house and get a bigger boat"

wakeup · 24 Jun 2003

Just like to point out speaking from experience that flying isn't a familly friendly hobby. Lot of book work, exams and planning involved, and whilst it is very satisfying and you get a great adrenalin rush from flying, you can never really relax. If you are taking the familly somewhere you really can't relax like you can on a boat. So don't be fooled into thinking it would make a great familly hobby if you can fly them every where. This is why I took up boating, far more opportunity to relax and share the experience.

Just my 2c worth!

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BarryH · 24 Jun 2003

Who mentioned the rest of the hoards...sorry family. I've got other hobbies which also exclude the family. Clay shooting, target and rough shooting fishing, motorcycles. So one more won't make any difference to them. Its not for them anyway, its for me. Makes me sound rather selfish, but I do things with them........honest.

Its something I've always wanted to do. So I'm going to do it. I might brick it big time, but until I've tried I won't know.

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Sybarite · 24 Jun 2003

http://www.ultralightflyer.com/airbiketandem/

I'm tempted by this. It looks a hoot.

John

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tcm · 24 Jun 2003

Re: The big problem with flying

I agree with wakeup. Flying is a bit shite. It is raving mad about saftey (which is fair enuf and is not the main prob) but MAINLY....no drinking! Not even a little bit. "bottle to throttle 24 hours"

Hence. Wife fancied flying, so i sed off you go then and bought the lessons. Then we bought a little airyplane. Then we went to various towns in france whilst she watched me get a bit sloshed in quite nice restaurants, and then fly back. Then we sold the plane. Sailing and boating is much easier, and more fun if you don't go anywhere, whereas often you turn up at airfield and they say ooh no, far to cloudy, hazy so just wait for an hour. Two hours later, go home. Bum.

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wakeup · 24 Jun 2003

Bricking It

I doubt you'll brick it, people I have taken up in a light aircraft that brick it also brick it in my power boat and vice versa. It's really is just like driving a powerboat in three dimensions plus theres alot more techy stuff to play with and a lot more radio work. I am sure, unfortunately for your wallet, you will enjoy it. First solo is without doubt a life defining moment. Have fun.

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wakeup · 24 Jun 2003

I used the term relaxed..

but TCMs hit the nail on the head when he says Pissed! You can't just pull up here in a plane for a pick niq and have some booze then a two hour snooze in the sun and then carry on. Its stress all the way. Boating is the Ds Bs for relaxtion...

<hr width=100% size=1>Edited by wakeup on 24/06/2003 17:02 (server time).

MedDreamer · 24 Jun 2003

Re: Bricking It

Helicopter pilot once told me how to do it - looked bloody impossible to me, you need the same co-ordination as someone who plays the drums! And if you get it wrong its more than the gelcoat and your pride that get hurt

Get another boat and when SWMBO asks where the money is going throw her off the scent by telling her you're spending it on another woman.

<hr width=100% size=1>Martyn

BarryH · 24 Jun 2003

Re: Bricking It

Egads no. Been there done that. Got a slap in the face with a hot pan, kicked in the nuts and threaten'd with the vets!

This flying thing has got nothin' to do with replacing the boating. Boating is boating and flying is......well never done it so don't know. In any case. You don't think I'd tell here how much it costs do you. What do you think I am....mad!

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boatone · 24 Jun 2003

Re: Bricking It

Quote....What do you think I am....mad! ......unquote.

Dont press me on this, I might be persuaded to express an opinion/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatsontheweb.com/> Website, Photo Gallery, Chat Room, Burgees</A>

oldgit · 24 Jun 2003

Barry.if you do intend to try fixed wing flying be aware of the Popular Flying Association.Any aircraft flown under the rules and regs of this outfit can be self maintained avoiding the expensive CAA licenced engineers only route of keeping your aircraft flying.
Modern composite PFA licenced aircraft will run rings around the 50 year old spam can heaps used by many PPLs.
Have a look at http://www.pfa.org.uk
Ps will be in the funny aircraft that appears to be flying backwards/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif in memorium of H1.

DIW · 24 Jun 2003

Totally agree with 'Wakeup', thats why I am having a break from flying at present,am finding Boating much more relaxing and family friendly. Another point IMHO worth mentioning - when the weathers foul at least you can mess about on your boat and just enjoy being onboard, with Aircraft all you can do is your pre-flight checks then sit in the club house waiting for the weather to clear. frustrating or what.

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Bored of Surrey.

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