So, You Want To Learn How To Fly?

Learning to fly is the dream of many but the reality of few. Why? Because so many people brush away the idea as too expensive, difficult or simply impossible. This is an entirely unfounded assertion, with a bit of effort and a lot of patience your dream can rapidly become reality. I could fly a plane before I could drive a car, and it hardly cost me a penny.

Listed below are several different organisations and scholarships that could see you achieve your dream. For the more mature readers I have also included cheaper alternatives and a few tips to achieving that dream. It is only through flying yourself that Leonardo Da Vinci's famous quote truly strikes home;

"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

Just remember, you only live once!

For those of you who are aged between 13-18 then the ATC is easily your best option to get some real flying experience.

The ATC is a military themed youth organisation under the command of the Royal Air Force. It offers like-minded young men and women the chance to learn and experience aviation. The activities it offers are wide and diverse, most cadets will get to shoot target rifles, go on camps at active RAF stations and even go abroad (I went to Germany, Cyprus, Jersey, and Singapore!).

The ATC also does a significant amount of adventure training activities such as mountain climbing, kayaking, canoeing, and coastal traversing to name but a few, all with fully qualified instructors.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, the ATC also importantly gives you the regular opportunity to fly both powered and unpowered aircraft with RAF pilots. If you are lucky enough you could even find yourself flying with the Red Arrows or in a frontline fast jet aircraft!

Above this basic level the ATC also offers flying scholarships of 12 hours, FREE OF CHARGE! You will go up to Dundee and spend two weeks being taught to fly, and the majority of students end up going solo in that time.

In addition to flying scholarships the ATC also offers Gliding scholarships as well as paragliding, skydiving and hang gliding courses, all free of charge. The ATC is the best thing that happened in my life, and I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

The ATC is based throughout the country, almost every town and city will have at least one squadron, check out the link below for their website and click on 'squadron finder' to find an ATC squadron near you!

The Air League is a not-for-profit organisation that endeavours to generate national understanding of the importance to the UK of aviation and aerospace, and to excite the interest of young people in these areas by helping them to become involved.

In order to achieve these noble goals the Air League offers a whole range of fantastic scholarships, from ballooning to flying, if you want a career in aviation or just want to achieve that dream then the Air League is ideal.

They offer around 50 residential 12 hour powered flying scholarships a year, while competition is tight it is certainly worth the effort of applying (if you don't try, you don't get).

Hint: Recent rule changes now dictate you must be a member - don't let this put you off! What is £30 when you're achieving your dreams! (This will also likely cut down the amount of applications, therefore increasing your chances)

GAPAN, or the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, is a highly influential force in the world of UK aviation and their scholarships are well sought after.

They have a wide range of scholarships available ranging from basic PPL levels to instrument rating and CPLs, naturally these are extremely competitive. Once again though - If you don't try you don't get! Don't be put off by the prospect of applying, or let their website intimidate you, to paraphrase Dr Pepper, what's the worst that can happen?

So you've missed out on the Air Cadets? Don't worry, all is not lost!

Many universities (but not all) are affiliated with a University Air Squadron, which is essentially a society that is run by the RAF rather than the Students Union.

The UAS's exist to build knowledge and understanding of the RAF within the leaders of the future, you will get professional RAF training on their Grob Tutor aircraft (the banner picture of this Hub). It is entirely voluntary without any deployment capability, but that's not the best bit... you also get PAID to do it. Yes that is correct, you didn't read it wrong, you will get paid (around £40 a day) to be taught to fly.

The UAS also teaches its members military tactics and discipline, meaning you will go on exercises and occasionally do some marching but don't be put off by this, it's great fun.

Another huge advantage of the UAS is the ability to organise expeditions, if the RAF have a base there (or sometimes even if they don't) you have potential to visit. I know people who have been to the Falklands, America, Canada, Cyprus and many others.

The UAS is a fantastic way to learn to fly, it requires one night a week and some weekend commitment but you will meet fantastic people and do some fantastic things. Doing this will make sure your university experience stands out, both on your CV and when compared to your peers.

If you've left university and are too old for the scholarships there are still options to fly without the huge associated costs.

Gliding

There are many gliding clubs based throughout the country, gliding is a cheap alternative to powered flight without any loss to the experience. Can you imagine flying over the misty British countryside with only the wind making a sound? It's an amazing experience and one you will never forget..

The costs involved are significantly less than powered flight, and there is no upper age limit! Personally I prefer gliding for relaxation, the ability to soar over mountain ranges using thermals to keep you in the air is one I shall always love and cherish.

Remember, the Air League and ATC also offer gliding scholarships - Don't miss out!

Microlights

If you're set on getting a Private Pilots License but cannot afford to do the full 36 hours required then consider mircolights, they are significantly cheaper and count towards your hours (so long as you have around 20 hours in aeroplane your Microlight license can be converted to a standard PPL). More and more flying clubs are going down this route as the costs involved up to half that of a standard aeroplane.

The controls and experience is very similar so do not worry about getting a second rate experience, enjoy the opportunity to see flying from a different perspective and before you know it that PPL will be yours.

Here are a few basic principles that you should keep in consideration if you're trying to keep costs down.

Smaller Airfields

Using an international airport to learn to fly will ensure you're bankrupt in no time. Aerodromes have what is called landing and take off fee's, these do what they say on the tin - every time you take off or land you need to pay a set fee.

The bigger the Airport the higher the fee, try and stick to small privately owned airfields that are mainly used by flying clubs, this will keep costs down without damaging the quality of your experience.

Prior Preparation

Don't throw yourself at a PPL without any idea what you're doing, do some research and get a general idea of things like the control surfaces, instruments etc. If you want to save yourself considerable time and money then I would suggest looking at the aviation exams before you go into your training. There is nothing worse than being told you can progress no further because you need to pass the Air Law exam!

HINT: The books required for the aviation exams are expensive, I'd suggest you speak to your potential flying club and see if membership gives you access to any materials that could be of use.

Choose your type!

Don't go in expecting to learn on an F-15! The bigger the aircraft the more expensive it is to hire, stick with a small and easy to fly plane, such as the Cessna 152 (it may look like a flying shed but it is an amazing aircraft to learn in).

Pick a club or School and stick to it!

Picking a flying club or School is an important decision, do your research and NEVER, EVER pay in bulk upfront, aviation is a volatile business and schools go bust all the time, don't get caught out! If it goes bust and you've paid up front then you will lose it all.

Try and stick with your flying club, as with any learning environment you're more at ease around people and instructors you know. Plus if it is a club then other members may offer to take you out for free which is always an added bonus!

I hope I have demonstrated, at least in theory, that flying is not an impossible task. Take heed and follow your dream, who knows, you may end up an airline pilot after all!

If you're ever thinking about it just keep in mind what the Greek philosopher Socrates once said;

'Man must rise above the Earth -- to the top of the atmosphere and beyond -- for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives.'