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learning to fly (civilian)

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Auxie

Registered User
I'd like to get my PPL, but how do you tell a good flight school from a bad one? I live in NJ and if anybody knows of any good schools in my area, I'd appreciate it.
 

Spin

SNA in Meridian
Hey,

Not sure where in Jersey you are but a friend of mine is currently flying out of Teterboro Airport (probably spelled that wrong) and has had nothing but good things to say. I myself am flying out of Westchester Airport (Panorama Flight School) and it's great. Don't know if those are too far north for you but some suggestions.

Peace,

-Spin
 

Auxie

Registered User
Hey Spin,

Thanks for the info. I'm in north Jersey so Teterboro is fine and I'll look into it. I'm in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and am in a flotilla (unit) that flies out of Essex County Airport, but the pilots I know all got their PPL's a long time ago so I needed some more recent info. If you don't mind my asking, about how much does it cost to get a PPL?

Thanks,
Auxie
 

theblakeness

Charlie dont surf!
pilot
hey im currently working on mine right now, only in California

a good thing to do is to test out all the ones closest to you..call them, ask question about everything, and then sign up for a introductory lesson (usually 45 minutes to an hour) and then make your decision from there. You rack up flight hours so anywhere you go, your hours are still there.

Prices vary but it usually ranges to around 55/per hour for the plane and like 45-50/hour for the instructor.

The minimum to get your license is: 40 hrs of training, successful solo, pass the two knowledge tests (1 60 question one by the FAA, and one small one administered by instructor just before solo), and you need to pass your medical exam.

my ground school teacher says that all together it usually is about 4000 dollars and can take as long as a year to get, but thats all subjective...


good luck :)
 

Rainman

*********
pilot
I would think you could find excellent instructor pay for around $30 - $35 hour -- especially at a smaller airport.

Also a PPL "could" take much longer than a year -- many just don't even finish (what a waste). I'd definitely recommend doing it with some degree of frequency to earn the PPL in 2-5 months. It seems for most that one gets rusty quickly and that just ends up costing a lot more $$$$. So, you either bite the bullet for the $3000 - $3500 (or more dependent on aircraft, etc.) by flying a couple times per week or you end up spending $5000 on up because you become some rusty on things that you had down the previous month.

Hope that makes sense. . .Many CFIs on this site that can offer more experiences. .
 

theblakeness

Charlie dont surf!
pilot
yeah it could be that im in california and everything is overly expensive here. You should see my electric bill ;)

technically a PPL could take longer then a year, it could take forever to get it, but like rainman said its best to buckle down and try to get it quick if you can. The learning curve definately has a very sharp edge when you are first starting out.


There is also camps that you can go to that last a month, where you basically stay there and fly everyday training for your PPL. You eat and sleep their, and cover everything there is for it. It costs mucho dollars though. I know of a lot company CEOs who go through that when they decide they want to fly themselves for buisness trips.
 

jrklr

Registered User
i'm in california too shopping around and different flight schools, I haven't found anything less than $4000 for the PPL. I know a few people with their PPL and it took them all roughly two years to get, due to finacial or time managment reasons. But they all said that it is possible in as little as 2 months, as long as you got the money and motivation. This is what I'll be shootin' for.
 

Spin

SNA in Meridian
Just to add to the soup,

At Panorama, a Cessna 172 is $107.50 and the instructor is $50-$75. Although it is expenisve, I LOVE the school and especially my instructor and wouldn't trade that in for a cheaper price. Make sure you feel comfortable with your school and instructor and DON'T be afraid to ask for someone else if you aren't. Don't just look at the $$$.

As far as frequency goes obviously the more frequently you fly the more you will retain etc. I try not to let more than 2 weeks go by between lessons. Another thing that is a help to me is Microsoft Flight Sim. It is only good for certain things but it at least keeps you in the airplane enviornment. I use it a lot for practicing emergency procedures. Hope this helps.

Peace,

-Spin
 

D_mac05

Foxtrot Driver
pilot
As I was reading this Forum, I was thinking $50-75 per hour in California???? I live in Indiana, around two fairly small airports (Mt. Comfort Airport and Greenwood Muncipal Airport) and both flying schools have rates of about $100/hour for the plane (Cessna 172) and $35/hour for the instructor. I wonder why renting a plane for some of you is much cheaper than what Indiana charges. I am drawing in the MGI Bill currently for school, and I knew that it does cover flight school charges.....but as I read further it says that you have to have a PPL, and the GI Bill only covers 60% of the charges. That sucks. I'm probably on the verge of just waiting for IFS to get free training, I guess. I just thought it was interesting to note that some states charge ungodly rates, compared to other states (or flight schools).

D
 

wildflyin69

Grad of OCS 187 Charlie Co. 3rd Plt.
Here in Buffalo, NY the rate for an instructor with the plane is about 70/hour. But they're an FBO and most of their money comes from charter flights to Niagara Falls and for gassing up and housing corporate jets so maybe they can afford to be cheaper. Flight training here is interesting to say the least, very windy conditions all year round and we get lots of snow and sub-zero temps in the winter.
 

USMMAMid03

Registered User
I plan on getting my PPL in Southern California this summer after i graduate. I have done some research but does anyone know if some schools are better then others? Thanks
 

theblakeness

Charlie dont surf!
pilot
where is SOCAL are you? Im border SOCAL and central and I have three local schools. THey are all very good.

ATM...I can only remember Cal Coast Flyers...my brain is a little fried right now.
 

Rainman

*********
pilot
Originally posted by jrklr
i'm in california too shopping around and different flight schools, I haven't found anything less than $4000 for the PPL.
Unless it is an intensive "camp"-type plac, I'd be wary of total cost quotes whether they're high or low. Definitely look at the hourly cost==the rest is up to you. Things that made it cost $3000 for me: I flew a C152 rather than 172 which saved me about $20 per hour. I found an instructor that I loved for $28/ hr. I soloed quickly and did a lot of practice out on my own (no instructor fee). Clearly a lot of things go into the cost equation. I flew every week and was signed off to check in 3 months.

Maybe that's not doable in SOCAL, but just food for thought.
 

EA-6B1

PLC Jrs 1st Inc. Kilo-3
I'm wanting to get my PPL too. I'm in the southeast and I've found a place that I like. I took the intro flight back in the fall and took about two more short rides doing turns and stuff. So I have 2. something hours logged! I know, don't be too overwhelmed. HaHa.

Anyways, now with this IFS stuff going on I was wondering if there was any "strategic" way I could get my PPL with the fewest hours possible, just so I can mess around til I get done with OCS and TBS?

OR

Maybe I should just wait til IFS. Prolly the easiest thing to do. Thanks.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
-Col.3:23-
 

theblakeness

Charlie dont surf!
pilot
its my understanding is that you have to have 40 hrs minimum for the PPL. Now im not sure about IFS...do you have to have a PPL to not have to do it, or just 25 hrs of flight time.. Because thats all you get out of IFS is 25 hrs.
 
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