What flying lesson/experience to book??

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Member for

13 years 11 months

Posts: 104

My parents have said that I have around £200 for my 21st birthday present and I am to spend it on a flying lesson/experience!

My problem is, I have no idea what to get! I liked the idea of a flight in a Harvard, but the cheapest flight I can see in one of them is £400!! (Was considerably cheaper when I looked a while ago nearer my birthday!)

So my question is.....what would you suggest? A more conventional training type flight in a cessna or similar, a tiger moth flight, or put some of my savings to a Harvard flight?!?

Many thanks

ajw

Original post

Member for

13 years 5 months

Posts: 919

You'll not get alot of change from 200 quid for a trial lesson in anything more sporty than a Piper Warrior. (£150 average pe hour).

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,606

It all depends where you are, what's in the area, if you're willing to travel. I'd be tempted by a Chippie. Sweet handling semi-warbird.

Member for

13 years 11 months

Posts: 104

Forgot to add my location! I'm in Berkshire, but studying in Norwich. Ideally somewhere in the south. On the coast, somewhere near here, up towards oxford, over to swindon. But I will travel for the right thing!

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Not sure of the exact costs but I'd think that £200 might get you an experience flight in a Stearman and the same (as well) in a Cub at Old Buckenham. (Near Norwich)

That would be my call (Having just done 3 circuits in the Old Buck Cub this very afternoon)

Moggy

Member for

14 years 8 months

Posts: 10

I would think a glider ride would be a good bang for the buck.
Pleasant learning environment, and something different if you've had some powered experience.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,606

It'd buy you half an hour in a Pitts with Alan Cassidy.

You probably wouldn't want a whole hour!

:p

Best post I think this week and fair point :D

Member for

13 years 2 months

Posts: 865

i went up in a Rapide for £65 two years ago for 3/4 of an hour, great fun.... i just approach the private owners and haggle a price to suite my budget..

i was due to go for a flight in a yak 11 for £300 last year was fell ill (man flu) at the last minute so didn`t go.. i did look up the price for a flight in a Spifire a couple of years ago. it worked out at about £2,500 for the hour with £500`ish of that being used just to fire up the Merlin.

Don't forget the pictures.

Member for

13 years 11 months

Posts: 104

The chipmunk looks good...my Grandfather flew both the Harvard and the Chipmunk in his RAF days. But I think I may have to push the boat out and go for the Harvard. Unless I go for a cessna or similar and get more flying time for the money!?

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

It will be interesting to see which you go for in the end. I am sure, whichever you choose he will love every second.

Moggy

Chipmunk is probably cheaper than a Harvard. There were(are) some privately owned chippies in South Africa and I was fortunate enough to get a flight (for free) in one back in the 80s.

Member for

18 years 4 months

Posts: 2,810

I vote for a Chipmunk, nearer to a warbird flight without being too much to take in and far cheaper. I have about 30 hours In Chipmunks and over 400 in Cessnas so I do have experience to quote from.

Most are based in South of the Uk and this one is in your budget..
http://www.sky-dreams.co.uk/experiences/aeroplane-flights/vintage-warbird-flight-experiences/chipmunk-flight-experiences/30-minute-chipmunk-trial-flight/index.html

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,606

Halton or Wycombe then for the Chippie. I flew one for only the second time soon after starting my instructor ticket. The thing is completely text book perfect :)

Member for

16 years 10 months

Posts: 313

Forgot to add my location! I'm in Berkshire, but studying in Norwich. Ideally somewhere in the south. On the coast, somewhere near here, up towards oxford, over to swindon. But I will travel for the right thing!

In the south and on the coast? If not too far you could always try Shoreham. Dragon Rapide flying weekend still scheduled for 6th/7th August.

We have 2 organisations offering experience flights on interesting types - the Real Flying Co. Ltd. with Stampe and Chipmunk and Harvard available too, and PerryAir Ltd. with Tiger Moth, Stampe and according to their website Pitts and Chipmunk as well.

Harvard is obviously very noisy but much more like a warbird, but if you don't fancy an open cockpit flight in a lovely old biplane, then at half the cost I would go for the Chipmunk over the Harvard every time. IMHO far nicer aeroplane.

Wicked Willip :diablo:

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

I'd say go for the Chipmunk but then I would as I am just a little biased. I enjoyed some wonderful moments in them as a cadet including one flight of aeros. Yep without a doubt that's the one that would have me reaching for my wallet as would an Auster AOP-9.

Member for

13 years 11 months

Posts: 104

Hmmmmm. Plenty of options, which to go for :confused:

I've also had an offer of a piper cub flight for sub £100 which sound evry tempting too!!

Member for

20 years 8 months

Posts: 8,505

Any tail dragger or glider will teach you one thing most trikes won't. Your feet are not just for walking on.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 2,606

Just make a decision on something and stick to it. You can do a lot as if you like your first go, you'll end up coming back ;)