PPL during Primary

[tk628]

... would beat the hell out of driving and is cheaper than commercial.

Serious are you high as a kite?... I'll give you the beat the hell out of driving, but once you factor in the plane, charts, ect, I highly doubt based on plenty of experience that a Cessna ride is cheaper, maybe you should shop around more....

On the flip side, its cool to take friends up and all, but realistically, as a PPL you would be nuts to try to limit yourself to weekend trips anyways, things happen, planes break, weather changes, ect. This idea is like communism, it works on paper, but realistically probably not going to happen.

Additionally, after your 25 hours of IFS time you need I believe if the cobwebs serve me correct like 10-15 hours with a whole bunch of solo time, if you are a different base, plan on some extra time for a local checkout too, it can be done, but whats the use without an instrument rating? really none, so just sit back relax, and let the retired guys up front do all the work, besides flight school is stressful enough without having to worry about planning a VFR cross-country on the side.

 

[tk628]

... one more mantra that you will come by when you are dealing with those fine GA rentals "If you have time to spare, go by air, more time yet, go by jet"

 

[xj220]

Additionally, after your 25 hours of IFS time you need I believe if the cobwebs serve me correct like 10-15 hours with a whole bunch of solo time, if you are a different base, plan on some extra time for a local checkout too, it can be done, but whats the use without an instrument rating? really none, so just sit back relax, and let the retired guys up front do all the work, besides flight school is stressful enough without having to worry about planning a VFR cross-country on the side.

I actually did this, getting my license after IFS. You need 15 more hours at the very minimum to apply for your license. I don't remember how much solo vs instructor time is needed, but it's considerably more than IFS. You cover more topics and go more in depth than you did before, as well. There's a 150 NM cross country plus some night flying and you have to do more time flying under the hood/goggles. All in all, I spent about $3000 extra on top of IFS to get my license, including my checkride. If you really want to get your PPL, after IFS is the best time since you're most of the way there already. I got my license in 42.2 h and about two months.

 

[phrogpilot73]

I actually did this, getting my license after IFS. You need 15 more hours at the very minimum to apply for your license. I don't remember how much solo vs instructor time is needed, but it's considerably more than IFS. You cover more topics and go more in depth than you did before, as well. There's a 150 NM cross country plus some night flying and you have to do more time flying under the hood/goggles. All in all, I spent about $3000 extra on top of IFS to get my license, including my checkride. If you really want to get your PPL, after IFS is the best time since you're most of the way there already. I got my license in 42.2 h and about two months.

Just curious, did you do it in between API and Primary, or before API, or during Primary?

 

[Beans]

Since the OP seems to have trouble finding airfares, I must put in my blatant plug for ITA. They are the masterminds behind Orbitz' search engine. You can search through their website for all airlines seen on Orbitz plus JetBlue. There are also several additional display options for the search results.

Downsides: Sometimes it's a little buggy, and you can't actually buy anything through the website. But once you know the fare exists, you can go get it direct from the airline.

 

[phrogpilot73]

Since the OP seems to have trouble finding airfares, I must put in my blatant plug for ITA. They are the masterminds behind Orbitz' search engine. You can search through their website for all airlines seen on Orbitz plus JetBlue. There are also several additional display options for the search results.

Downsides: Sometimes it's a little buggy, and you can't actually buy anything through the website. But once you know the fare exists, you can go get it direct from the airline.

My recommendation is www.sidestep.com. I use it quite often for business travel, as it searches numerous websites (Orbtiz, the airlines, etc...) to find the cheapest fares. Plus, it lists times, airports, etc on the left that you can select to see what fares you would get.

 

[xj220]

Just curious, did you do it in between API and Primary, or before API, or during Primary?

Actually, I was fortunate enough to do IFS for summer training at the Academy. It was my 1st block "aviation cruise" and then for 2nd block I did summer school so I stayed and got my license then. It was a great deal since I was able to fly throughout my senior year and gain some more hours and practice.

 

[FLY_USMC]

My recommendation, kayak.com, does the same thing, can never have too many options when trying to save a buck.

 

[Beans]

My recommendation, kayak.com, does the same thing, can never have too many options when trying to save a buck.

They license the ITA software, actually. But it looks like they make it a lot cooler. The time-price plot seems pretty slick.

 

[Heloanjin]

..." what I'm looking to do is to grab a cessna one weekend and fly home... would beat the hell out of driving and is cheaper than commercial.

It has already been said that it will cost more, but it also isn't necessarily faster than driving (depending on how far you plan to drive). That's assuming the weather cooperates and the weather never cooperates.

Perhaps what you really want to do is impress the family back home?

Rather than spend all sorts of your own money on training and rentals and commercial tickets and gas, let the Navy pay the bill. Take a cross country during primary or advanced or both.

Since you're doing Navy training, if weather or maintenance or health keeps you from getting home on time, that's OK. Plus, assuming the funds are still there, you could get some per diem to help pay for the beers and the local bar you used your fake ID at in high school.

Look early for an IP at your squadron who would like to go on a cross country to your home town. Even if it is in the middle of nowhere, there could be an IP up for the trip.

 

[Reb]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the responses.

At no point during primary are you eligible for a PPL.

That's the info I was looking and was afraid of.

Yeah, it would be a LOT cheaper than commercial considering my hometown. I'd have to fly to ATL and catch a regional jet from there... round trip for my wife and I would be $1100... renting a 172 for the weekend from Milton would run b/w $5-600 depending on cost of gas at the time.

Perhaps what you really want to do is impress the family back home?

No, don't really care about that right now. Like you said, there'll be plenty of time for that on cross-countries.
I just love to fly, hate to drive, and I'm cheap.... so yeah, there's no way in hell I'm wasting my money paying for a PPL if I can't get it for free.

Thanks for the info guys.

 

[HH-60H]

Yeah, it would be a LOT cheaper than commercial considering my hometown. I'd have to fly to ATL and catch a regional jet from there... round trip for my wife and I would be $1100... renting a 172 for the weekend from Milton would run b/w $5-600 depending on cost of gas at the time.

The hub system is how most of us get where we are going in this country. How does it make it so expensive for you?