Learning to fly as a civilian

[psrogers]

I'm working on learning to fly right now. I have a few quick questions.

What is the value of having a private pilot's license? What does such a license entitle you to do?

Also, my buddy just told me that you can get 'certified' in only about five hours? What does this mean, and what are the benefits.

I'm looking to go intel right now, and haven't flown- but still want to learn. Constructive feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Ironnads]

I am a CFI, CFII, and MEI (certified flight instructor, certified flight instructor instrument, and multi-engine instructor). You can train under part 61 or part 141. 61 is by far the most common and 141 is normally big schools with very structured programs. I am not very familiar with 141, but I believe the hour requirements for ratings are slightly lower. For part 61, you have to have a minimum of 40 hours to take your private pilot checkride. Within this 40 hours, there are minimum hour requirements for solo, dual, cross country, night, instrument, etc. There is also an FAA written exam that you have to take before your checkride. The private pilot license entitles you to fly on your own and carry passengers just about anywhere you want. The only real restrictions are that you have to remain VFR(visual flight rules/ stay out of the clouds), and you cannot accept payment for carrying passengers or cargo. There is also a recreational pilot's license which only requires 30 hours, but you can only fly within a 50 nautical mile radius of the home airport. The extra 10 hours is well worth it.

Travis Alexander

 

[psrogers]

Thanks. So I am here in Sun Valley, and I have an opportunity to take a 7 week (twice per week) class for $400, including books, on flying academics. Flying lessons cost $100 per hour, and are taught by the same institution. Does those sound like reasonable prices, and would taking this class and maybe taking an hour or two of flying lessons per week be a good way to start learning and working on my PPL?

 

[NuSnake]

I have 6.7 hrs and am soloin next week, I also have friends who have soloed alot sooner than 20 hrs, so if you apply yourself theres no way it should take you that long to solo.

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens."
- Jimi Hendrix

 

[Ironnads]

For a $100 an hour, you are probably getting an instructor and a 172. This is about the norm (70/airplane, 30/instructor). If you want to go a cheaper route, you need to find a school with 152's. These are going for $45-$55 + or -. Keep in mind that a lot of your flying will be done solo so for those hours you will not be paying an instructor. As for the school, there is no FAR requiring you to take an organized ground school. I would recommend a ground school to people who learn best in a classroom setting or aren't motivated enough to study on their own. I just bought the Jepesen private book and read the thing from cover to cover. I did this while I was taking lessons. You will have to take an informal knowledge test before you solo, so it may be wise to get a book and start reading before you take your first lesson.

Travis Alexander

 

[ghost_ttu]

I did my private without any real groundschool. My first instructor liked to do a lot of ground school, but that eats your pocket, so I suggest when you are looking for an instructor you tell him/her that you want to be in the air as much as possible. I was able to do a lot of my studying on my own. For my instrument I took a weekend crash course for the written. I really didn't like the class that much, but the book that I got from the class was really good. Then again I had a really good instructor for my instrument that made things pretty clear to understand when I sat down and read the material. (how bout that plug Travis?)

I guess what I'm saying is for your private I think 400 bucks on a 7 week course is a waist. I think that you can read the book and get just as much information and you are out maybe 50 bucks. But you have to be disciplined to study the material. But I would suggest reading some and starting your flight training so that your instructor can test you and you can get signed off to take your written just before you do your checkride because you will have an oral during that, and if you just took your written it will make the oral a breeze.

We've also forgot to mention the benefit of being a pilot for the ladies. You take a girl flying to a lake for a picnic or just flying at night looking at city lights and ummmm well she will be impressed.

Eliminate distractions, focus on your goals and visualize what you hope to accomplish.

 

[jrklr]

question about flying:
how do you get in trouble when you fly and by who? I mean who are the cops in the air if you were to break rules like flying in clouds when your only PPL, or flying to low, or going out of a 50 mile radius? is there any kind of radar system that can catch you or any type of agency that punishes you? Also, what would be the punishment if you were horsing around in the air? Thanks.

 

[ghost_ttu]

ATC (Air Traffic Control) and if you hear "<your callsign> <some tower>" and you are messing around you will know who the police are really quick. They have also been known to do Airman checks on the ground (they = FAA). It can be something as small as a slap on the hand or a fine, or they can pull your ticket, or prosecute you criminally if you are breaking the law.

Eliminate distractions, focus on your goals and visualize what you hope to accomplish.

 

[psrogers]

Sounds good. I think I will skip the class and study on my own. As for buying books- the guy that I will be taking lessons from says I can buy them for $130, as per above. Ghost, you mentioned fifty dollar books. Can I get them on Amazon.com, and do you know the names?

I think I came to right place to ask about flying.
Ghost, I second the thing about taking a date our for a flight.

 

[tali264]

Needing a plane to get to where you are taking the girl to dinner (or wherever) is definitely impressive. Talk about the best view in the world! LOL....just make sure she isn't scared and doesn't get sick or something - that could end the night pretty quick...hehehehe

 

[ghost_ttu]

If you are a good pilot and can hold the plane steady it shouldn't be a big problem.

psrogers: I'm sure you can get them on Amazon, You might ask Ironnads or one of the other CFI's on the board for a 2nd opinion, but I'm pretty sure that Jeppersen is one of the better textbooks to study.

Eliminate distractions, focus on your goals and visualize what you hope to accomplish.

 

[Ironnads]

Get the Jeppesen. It's more expensive than the other books,(about $70 I think) but it is well worth it. Keep in mind that you will be using this book for the rest of your life as a reference. You should also go ahead and buy the Gleim knowledge test prep and a copy of the FAR's.

Travis Alexander

 

[ghost_ttu]

One more thought, a lot of places sell a pilot starter kit. I found this out after I had bought a lot of stuff. Comes with a pilot bag, jeppersen book, and some other tools that you will need. Look into that, save you some money in the long run.

Eliminate distractions, focus on your goals and visualize what you hope to accomplish.

 

[Ironnads]

Also, in response to the earlier question, the FAA serves as the air police and you don't want to mess with them. Every call that they get is investigated and they like to make public examples out of people. Keep in mind that the FAR's are regulations, not laws, and your pilot's license is considered a privelege and not a right. You don't have the rights of a defendant in a criminal court so this leaves you at the mercy of the FAA.

Travis Alexander

 

[jrklr]

well answered, thanks.