Jshutt64 - I'm still deciding where I'll do my training. I'm thinking south because I've heard the weather can be a variable in the north, but haven't narrowed it down more than that.

I'm planning to do my training the same way as you with multiple hours every week. I took some flying lessons many years ago one hour / week and found it really difficult to learn with such long gaps in between. (I also live in Hong Kong so want to make my time away from work - which will be unpaid leave - as short as possible.) Did you do multiple-hour blocks or an hour a day over multiple days?

I've also heard that there can be sea haze that creates problems when training near the coast. Did you experience that? I'll be training in Mar/Apr if that helps.

I've had a look at Aero Aviation and their prices look good.

DBSociety - I'll also look in more detail at the school you mentioned. Can I ask where you've heard they are good (former students, employers who rate the quality of their training, ??)