Pilot's License Anybody?

[Bob_Young]

I can't add much to what's already been said but feel the need to chime in. I've held airplane and instrument instructor licenses since 1973 and am still somewhat active instructing. I own my own airplane (Piper Warrior) but instruct in a club's PA28.

The comment above about the Private Pilot license being virtually useless has an element of truth. The Private won't allow you to make practical use of an airplane as a mode of travel. It'll be good for day trips and that's about it. Trips of more than one day will put you at the mercy of the weather forecast. Rarely (at least in the Northeast) will conditions permit a safe, enjoyable VFR flight in both directions when the flights are separated by more than 12 hours. The Private does serve a purpose, however. It is a license to learn....to learn your equipment, the regulatory structure, aviation weather, how to navigate, how to rely on oneself, how to shoulder ultimate responsibility as Pilot In Command and, finally, to master the elements of airmanship by acquiring basic experience. It's great preparation for the rating that does begin to make it practical: the instrument rating....where the game gets deadly serious.

The costs quoted above for the Private license sound about right. Save up the money ahead of time, if you can, and then identify a realistic block of time in which it will be your goal to complete the training. Make sure instructor and training aircraft availability is consistent with your plan. Then proceed as rapidly as possible by flying as frequently as possible. The shorter the time between training flights, the less that will be lost and the more quickly you will feel at home in one of the weirdest of training environments. The worst way to progress is to wait until you have a few extra bucks in your pocket to schedule a flight.

Flying was a lot different back in the '70s. It was never really cheap but the regulations back then weren't nearly so oppressive and, with the relative lack of controlled airspace, the freedoms seemed greater. Now it's quite regimented. As an instructor, I hate the fact that they're always fiddling with the regulations. The legal end of flying is a moving target. Imparting the right dope to a new student is a real challenge. Much that's stayed in my mind from years ago isn't valid anymore. Memory, in my case, has become a hindrance.

I'd be tempted to give up instructing if it weren't for the fact the people who do want to learn to fly in this area have a tough time finding anyone to teach them. That, and it is quite rewarding to shepherd a student through the development process from rank beginner to competent aviator. It's also alot of work when done well.

Keep in mind that the requirements of flight favor youth. Past your 40's, flight training can become a real struggle. It's because of this that many, who wait until time and money are readily available, never succeed in reaching this goal. The sooner you get started, the better.
FWIW
Bob

 

[RockyMnt1]

I am a Cetificated Flight Instructor (CFI), CFI- Instrument, and a CFI Multi Engine. The private pilot costs are about right. In some areas it could be a bit cheaper, but not much. The final costs depends on the enthusiasm of the student. Those students that stop thinking about flying while driving away from the airport and start thinking about flying while driving to the airport do poorly. It is a total immersion kind of thing. If you are doing it correctly, your wife will know the Fedral Air Regulations (FARs) as well as you do and she could pass the written exam too. She will also be totally tired of talking about aviation/airplanes. The private ticket should be recognized as the first of several steps to becoming a competent pilot. There needs to be continual learning/practice with flying even after earning the private certificate. Why do you think that the Thunderbirds/Blue Angels fly nearly everyday???

Make sure that your instructor provides complete pre AND post flight briefings. It is hard to learn in the cockpit. The learning happens during the briefings. During military flight training, these briefings can and do last several hours. This is how the Air Force/Navy turns out fully qualified fighter pilots with so few number of hours.

The trick with flying is to obtain the wisdom/experience in a safe/realistic manner. After you get the private ticket you will be able to go anywhere in the world subject to wx (weather) and regulations, but you won't have the experience from making aviation judgement decisions. This is why you need to set personal minimums higher than the legal minumums. Keep in mind, that what is legal according to the FARs may not be smart!!

Keep in mind that the relationship between the student and flight instructor is a rather unique arrangement. The student needs to be able to learn from the instructor and the instructor needs to be able to trust the student. At some point, the instructor is going to sign off the student to fly solo. At that point, the instructor is risking his reputation, all of his personal assets, and risking Fedreal Aviation Administration (FAA) penalties that the student will follow the rules and fly as trained. The point is to respect the instructor for what he is trying to teach you. Don't be a know-it-all (because you don't) or a smart a$$.

 

[THS]

Well, I've always wanted to fly, just more so now that I work with a couple of guys that have their private pilot's license. I'll probably never own my own plane, I could never justify it with my wife.

My wife and I have friends in Ohio, Minnesota, California, so having a plane would surely allow us to visit them more often. I've been told that I could make it from my airport to my friend's house in Minnesota in about 2.5 hours, much easier than full day of driving it normally takes us with all the stops we would make.

My wife is warming up to the idea of my pilot's license lately, as I've heard her say "well, how long would that take to fly to?" when I mentioned Niagara Falls as a vacation. I'm thinking we could almost do that as a day trip with a plane.

I can see the airport runway about 5 miles across the valley from us. On average, we have probably 20 single engine planes fly over the house daily. I find myself running to the window more lately to see what kind of plane it is. About an hour ago a plane flew over real slow, my wife actually said "boy, it sure would've been a nice night to be out flying, huh?"

Stay tuned.....

 

[Bird]

Yep, you can fly and get places much quicker. And having, or renting, a small plane for that purpose sounds attractive. Certainly nothing wrong with it as long as you remember that weather may keep you from going, or returning when you want to, and then you are going to have to rent a car, use taxi cabs, have friends or relatives meet you are the airport, etc. It can get both expensive and inconvenient at times.

We had neighbor/friends in Dallas who owned a Cessna 172; both of them had their pilots licenses, and yet everytime they went to visit family in Virginia, they drove their car. They finally sold the plane because it wasn't being used.

 

[CRJCaptain]

Learning to fly is one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do. I recommend taking a familiarization flight first to see if this is something you'd like to pursue...it costs $59. The rest of the training can be as expensive as everyone says...depends on how dedicated you are, how much time you can invest, as well as your ability, to name a few.
All pilot certificates are a "license to learn" from private pilot on up to ATP.

Check out this website for more info:

http://www.beapilot.com/indexfl.html


Regards,

Dean
(ATP,CFI/CFII)

 

[Theowegian]

My dad owned a couple of airplanes and I got my private pilot license at 18. Then off to A&P school and got my A&P mechanics license. My sister used to fly, too. Then off to university. Now nobody in the family flies now, but we all do enjoy messing with tractors.
Your wife is prolly right. The urge to fly may pass. But do it anyway, if it's a passion.
My neighbor is building an airplane. His runway is complete, too. Tractors are a lot of fun and cheaper, too. I talked him into a Kubota and he loves it as much as his plane project. I gave him all my airplane tools. He's a friend for life, I think...
good luck.

 

[ctc1111]

I'm taking lessons now. I will be soloing within the next two lessons. Its a lot of fun but a lot of work and keeps getting harder but its worth it. If you have the means to do it then go for it. I'm paying 35 an hour for instruction and 100 an hour for cessna 172.

 

[PineRidge]

I'm taking lessons now. I will be soloing within the next two lessons. Its a lot of fun but a lot of work and keeps getting harder but its worth it. If you have the means to do it then go for it. I'm paying 35 an hour for instruction and 100 an hour for cessna 172.

I'm curious, was the choice for learning in a 172 your choice? Usually a trainer is a 150 and a bit cheaper for it, also might be a bit more forgiving too.

 

[shvl73]

If you and your instructor are around 200lbs and you have full fuel on a hot day, the 150s climbs like it's still tied down. Also you'll be rubbing shoulders unless the instructor twists a little in the seat and puts one arm behind the seat back. I'd opt for the 172 anytime. The extra hp and width are valuable. Plus if you're not on a solo, you can bring a friend with you.

 

[PineRidge]

All good points that I had not considered. Thanks for the clarification.