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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Flying or holiday?

29 replies

Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 16:41

Poll
Context: DH always wanted to be a helicopter pilot. He's always wanted to go to Cuba. He has recently been saying he wants to visit Iceland.
Its his 40th next year and I've been saving for 2 years for a really good present. Now I'm stumped as to what to get him.
Could I get voted on the 3 options (or random suggestions od better ideas. I know I know him best but I've been going round in circle.

  1. Helicopter flying lessons (but I've only saved enough for 25 hours lessons- half the hours he needs for his pilots license)
  2. Flights and half the hotels in Cuba (2 weeks)
  3. All paid for holiday in Iceland (1 week)
  4. Any other ideas?
OP posts:
CountingToThree · 04/12/2018 16:44

Does it have to be surprise? For that amount of money could you not give him the options then he'll get to choose what he really wants to do?

Cherries101 · 04/12/2018 16:47

Would other types of flying lessons be cheaper?

Original poster
Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 16:48

I originally wanted it to be a surprise- to make it more special.
I also think he'll feel like he has to choose the holiday as he'll feel the flying is more selfish- holiday is enjoyable for whole family..

OP posts:
Frustratedmum78 · 04/12/2018 16:55

Well pop them in an envelope, shuffle them and pick one. We can’t pick for you.

frazmum · 04/12/2018 16:57

In that case I’d go with flying lessons as they’re just for him. Would friends/family be interested in paying for 1 lesson to increase the number?

Original poster
Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 17:03

Thanks for responses- I know its not the most exciting topic! But its really helpful to talk to people about it and get some views!
Birthday gifts in our family are generally around the £20-30 range. So a lesson is oit of scope for most. I'll suggest it for anyone who asks.

OP posts:
badlydrawnperson · 04/12/2018 17:07

Does he want to retrain as a hello pilot as a job?

If so I suspect just lessons will not be enough - IIRC requirements have got a lot more stringent recently.

Most of the guys who are flying Police and Air Ambulance are ex-military, as are many of the ones flying celebs and business people.

If it's just for fun - then yes, helicopter lessons, otherwise at 40 could be a waste of cash if banking on a career change IMHO.

Original poster
Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 17:09

I don't think he'll want to do it as a career. He has a good job now. But he used to fly for work a lot and loved it (passenger).

OP posts:
VeniVidiWeeWee · 04/12/2018 17:11

Either of the holidays is cheaper. Having had a quick look 25 hours in a small heli is £9,000.

NailsNeedDoing · 04/12/2018 17:13

If the Iceland holiday was going to be one with lots of activities and experiences, I'd choose that.

badlydrawnperson · 04/12/2018 17:14

BTW post-qualification you have to do a certain number of hours flying each year to keep the licence - this can be expensive.

Have you looked at combining?

When I looked it was cheaper to go and do the whole thing in NZ or the US - learn and holiday!

Original poster
Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 17:16

Thats twice what it costs near us.. I'm hoping I'm not wrong!

OP posts:
Original poster
Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 17:19

But it does mean we might be saving for another 2 years to pay for the other half of the training.

OP posts:
ForgivenessIsDivine · 04/12/2018 17:20

I've always wanted to learn how to fly but if I have 10k to spend I would take the family on holiday to Iceland and maybe have a couple of helicopter flying lessons.

Original poster
Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 17:21

I'm worried it might seem like half a present

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 04/12/2018 17:22

I'd pick a holiday. That's a lot of money to spend on half a thing, if you see what I mean. It's going to be expensive to finish the lessons and expensive to fly after that. I'd go to Iceland, personally - I've been for a short trip and would love to go back.

Sirzy · 04/12/2018 17:23

I wouldn’t do the flying lessons if you can’t afford to fully qualify.

Personally Iceland would win for me but for something such high value I think I would forego the surprise and ask him

recently · 04/12/2018 17:24

I wouldn't get helicopter lessons as a surprise present.

Pieceofpurplesky · 04/12/2018 17:33

Iceland is fabulous. I would go there. It's really different and memorable.

Gedge77 · 04/12/2018 17:39

Does he really really want to qualify as a helicopter or it just something he likes the idea of? I wouldnt pay for 25 lessons as a surprise he might hate it / not be very good.
Maybe just buy 1 or 2 and see how he gets on.

Original poster
Whattodonut · 04/12/2018 17:40

I suppose I could get him one lesson for christmas and see what he says... ?

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 04/12/2018 17:41

Is your husband in good health? Bear in mind there will be a medical for the Helicopter licence as well. An neighbour of my parents spent a fortune getting his pilot licence but cannot get his licence renewed due to a health condition.

Also once he has the licence will he have access to an Helicopter afterwards
Will he need to do a certain amount of flying hours a year to keep up his licence? Will he be able to do this?

I think you need to research all this before making a decision

ZenNudist · 04/12/2018 17:45

Iceland definitely because:

  1. hes asked for it recently so you know its a current desire,

  2. you can pay for all of it so its a complete present

  3. helicopters crash all the time, id be really unhappy if dh or dc went in one let alone a lot (i have been in one)

  4. you will spend a fortune on the other half of the lessons

  5. the lessons are an epic waste of money unless you keep it up, or he willl spend even more in future, you'll never get to Cuba

  6. he could have gone off cuba by now

  7. Iceland sounds really cool

GemmeFatale · 04/12/2018 17:46

I know loads of people who got a pilot licence for fun at some point or other. The only people who keep them long term are jobbing pilots. It’s just bloody expensive to maintain otherwise.

Book the holiday and have a flight while you’re away.

badlydrawnperson · 04/12/2018 17:59

How about flight sim for some lessons?