PPL(A) in Germany, next to full-time job, half a year in
Dear r/flyingeuropa community!
I have been a follower and commenter in this subreddit for a while now. As I've passed an important milestone in my PPL(A) training recently, I thought it's a good time to do a post myself and share my thoughts and experiences. Perhaps it's helpful to someone or just stems a good exchange with fellow community members.
I signed a training contract with my local flight school (FFL in Essen/Mülheim EDLE) on 2nd of April. I am approaching the training next to my full-time job and to fulfil a life-long dream. Since then:
- ~2 months of online theory (CAT eLearning) followed by 10 hours in presence at my flight school
- Pre-test at my flight school across all 9 EASA PPL(A) theory modules
- Passed official theory exam for all modules mid-July
- First flight lesson early June, afterwards 4 sessions (3:30) in an FNPT II / ESIM as I am participating in a current EASA study researching to which extent simulator use can speed up the PPL(A) training (or make it cheaper)
- Intensified flight lessons from ~July with challenges to get sufficient FI availabilities during the summer/vacation period
- Took some BZF I lessons and passed my exam at the Bundesnetzagentur mid-September
- Full focus to flight lessons since I got my BZF I: Fortunately, managed to be declared solo ready after 10:19 in a Cessna 152 (+ 3:30 in ESIM as mentioned above)
I solo'ed last week Friday and it was just amazing - exactly 6 months after signing up. Had another pattern work flight lessons yesterday and did 7 landings, all well and smooth. Weather was kind with headwind on the runway.
Since I was ~12 years of age I have dreamt about getting into aviation. In recent years I got into flightsimming a bit, gathered ~400 hours in a virtual PA24 (Comanche) and am very happy that I've got through with minimum hours in the real-life training so far, incl. (very) good FI feedback. My flight school is changing FI's once in a while, I've worked with four so far.
If weather and FI availability permit, I'll hopefully finish my training by ~March 2027 and am already looking forward to my first trips. Local flights, gaining further confidence, short trips with my fiancée, with friends, and family. I am doing this for fun. I believe "recreational purposes" is the sophisticated term :-D
So far, I plan to get the NVFR rating in addition rather quickly. Everything else (BIR, MEP, ...) I did not really consider as relevant yet but I'll see what time and my desires bring when I've gathered at least 150-200 hours.
After getting my license, I plan to fly at least 35 hours a year by primarily chartering with my current flight school (C152II, C172M/S & PA28) - truly hoping that a few cheaper options will come up as I progress my training, meeting people etc. The big dream is to at some point spent a few weeks in the US and fly there as well. Hence, I went PPL(A) directly not considering a LAPL instead.
Happy to take any thoughts, questions, feedback :-) Perhaps there's also someone around the EDLE / Ruhrgebiet / Düsseldorf area with recommendations for good charter options?
Safe flights out there, everyone!