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12yr old son is keen as anything on flying. Hes had a taster lesson and took to it like a nukeproof to downhill.
So need to book him some more lessons but whats the best way friend with a plane or just turn up at an airfield??
Any ideas as don't have a clue where to begin?
No genuinely helpful suggestions but the advice given in the Hitchhikers Guide to the galaxy suggested throwing yourself at the ground and missing. Cheaper but more painful than using a plane.
Hope you got deep pockets.
Gliding club nearby?
Join the local Air Cadets (he might be a little young at the minute). Subsidised (or even free) flying, gliding amongst a plethora of other fantastic experiences. It looks good on CVs for later life as well.
Depending on your location, you'd need to find a good flying school that's fairly local. Expect to pay in excess of £100 per hour for each lesson, and he'd need a minimum of 45 of them. If you can find a school that does "bundles" make sure you pay with a credit card just in case they go to the wall (more than a few have over the last few years).
Gliding is the cheapest option by far, and arguably gives the greatest lessons in aerodynamics and flying skills. Microlights are the next step up (think £60 per hour) and has the best choice of modern aircraft, many of which will outperform the Cessnas and Pipers of a proper "GA" flying school.
It's a great hobby to have, if it leads to a career then great, but salaries aren't (initialy) that different to other jobs, and it isn't the glamorous lifestyle that it can be portrayed to be.
When he's old enough get him in the cadets - I was in my schools CCF and got flights from the age of 13 until 18. Was great, free and fun. Totalled about 40 hours over the 5 years and got several different low level qualifications.
Gliding might be the cheapest option but involves spending many hours standing around on windy airfields waiting for a ten minute flight if you're lucky.
Great fun when you're up there though.
Joe flying isn't hard, so don't be surprised that he didn't manage to fall out of the sky.
I would be telling my son get a good first before learning to fly.