Pilot's License Anybody?

[shvl73]

I think most light planes were designed for people around 170lbs. If you put a couple of your average beer swilling, dessert eating gluttons in the front seat they don't care for it . Both my Harley and my Mahindra don't seem to be as picky.

 

[PineRidge]

Had a case once where Rick (my cousin) and I were flying out of Akron Fulton Airport. It was a hot summer day, with full tanks of fuel, and with the wifes there were 4 adults in the Beechcraft. Well Rick and I really were't paying as much attention to detail as we should have been, at least until we auto-rotated and the stall warning horn immediately came on. We didn't want to scare the baageebees out of the women so we didn't tell them what the horn meant. We looked at each other kept the power on and flew straight and level until we could gain some airspeed before slowly climbing out. It was a bit hairy for a bit. Needless to say we burned some fuel off before we decided to land that day and we also came in a bit hot on the throttle to prevent a stall.

 

[THS]

Yes, my co-worker has already told me that my 235# body plus the instructor plus fuel will be quite taxing to a 150. I've got options for either one, but of course the 172 is quite a bit more/hour. The other option would be to take a 1/2 tank of fuel and go up for shorter flights, but I'd rather have a fuller tank I guess.

I've been thinking about going to Oshkosh for my first ever Fly-In. My co-worker is flying up there from the south western part of Wisconsin, I might tag along if he's got the room.

 

[PineRidge]

Just finished watching a bit about flight training on the Today Show. Because the price of fuel and instruction has dramatically risen, the number of folks learning to fly has dramatically dropped. go figure

 

[Ray2210]

Here in Canada there is an advanced ultra light class that can include many home builts and factory made aircraft. A cub ( not a super cub ) can be licensed in this category. The licensing process is much less expensive and complicated and maintenance on this category of plane can be done by the owner. My brother runs a flight school here and trains new pilots as well as instructors for this classification. As well he rebuilds the Bushmaster/Husky Norseman aircraft and converts them to Subaru power. They are amazing little planes. He lives a couple of miles from me and came for a visit last night. It's not often you get one of these in your driveway! You guys South of the boorder can get this license up here too but I think you'd only be able to fly with it when in Canada.

 

[Iowachild]

Ray2210,

We have a similar rating here in the US now too. It's called sport pilot. No medical needed, weight and speed limits on the aircraft, but a more economical route for those of us who just like to bore holes in the sky!

 

[THS]

Well, I took my $59 intro flight today. Got .6 hour under my belt. He said I did pretty good for my first time. He really only had to take the yoke when we landed. I was pretty happy about how I handled the flight.

Then it came time to talk costs. This stinkin' small 150 that we flew in will cost me $65/hour wet. It was so uncomfortable with the instructor. If I remember, the 172 will cost me $80/hour. It's almost cost prohibitive to take flights here in my case. My co-worker rents the club plane for $53/hour wet. It's a 172. But I would have to join the club, not sure what the criteria is. I think their insurance only allows like 12 people to train in it at any one time.

Gotta work thru some details before my next flight, but boy it sure was a blast!

 

[monkeymonk]

I would do what ever it takes.

I once took lessons when i was 16 did alot of book work and flights, never did finish. Now I'am older and much much further away from ever flying. I can take off, fly round and land BUT still dreaming of the day i can FLY.....................?

"GO THS GO"