Flying lessons

[trailerprincess]

Has anyone taken them? How long does it take before you can fly on your own? I think I am going to start taking lessons but if I have to commit to something for a significant period of time then I won't bother.

cheers

Miss Apathy x

[Otis Driftwood]

(y) All I know is that you can get a permit even if you're prohibited from driving cause you're always drunk!

[trailerprincess]

(y) All I know is that you can get a permit even if you're prohibited from driving cause you're always drunk!

Hence the question... the having to be sober for driving to work in the morning is getting to be a real drag

[Helvete]

I might decide to fly helicopters one day, army ones, not for a while though.

[kate]

couple years probably.

[Dr Deaf]

you can obtain your private pilots license in 40 hrs, but that's rare unless you enter an accelerated program. (14 days start to finish)

you can solo in 8-15 hrs if you've shown the instructor you've got the skills.

expect to pay anywhere from $2500-$7000 for your PPL. this may or may not include essential gear like an EB6 flight computer, flight bag, head-set, log book and other assorted pilot gadgets.

before you drop a load of cash, pick up rod machado's private pilot handbook (http://www.amazon.com/Rod-Machados-Private-Pilot-Handbook/dp/0963122991/sr=8-1/qid=1160663174/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1887959-7216834?ie=UTF8&s=books)/ work book (http://www.amazon.com/Rod-Machados-Private-Pilot-Workbook/dp/0963122975/sr=8-3/qid=1160663174/ref=pd_bbs_3/002-1887959-7216834?ie=UTF8). these books can basically serve as your ground school. rod's writing style makes it fun to read and learn and absorb the material.

browse the forums (http://forums.aopa.org/) at aopa, maybe become a member which will give you a free 6 month subscription to aopa's flight training magazine a lapel pin, decal and baseball cap.

visit shorty's (http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/pages/catalogrequest.cfm) pilot shop and request a free catalog. they'll include a free DVD sample of their DVD PPL ground school.

there's a lot you can learn and read about cheaply, without committing to a huge financial obligation.

hit your local flight school and ask about a discovery flight. the fee is minimal ($50-75) and you get to spend a half hour or so in an airplane you'll most likely be learning in.

yes, it's expensive. if you really want it, you can make it happen. spend it here, spend it there, either way you can't take it with you.

good luck, have fun.

[trailerprincess]

bit of a difference between 40 hours and a couple of years :eek: I have found a school near me so gonna call them and see if they can set me up with a taster.

cheers all

[Dr Deaf]

how fast you obtain your PPL is based on 2 things:

a) how determined / dedicated you are
b) how much money you have

expect to pay $80-130 per hour with an instructor. you'll be paying for an instructor up until you at least solo, but probably after that until you secure your PPL, at least.

lotsah fun but lotsah bucks.

[YoungRemy]

I think I am going to start taking lessons but if I have to commit to something for a significant period of time then I won't bother.


i would think that if you wanted to become a pilot you would have to commit to taking lessons and becoming certified...

ho-hum, I'll think I'll learn to fly a plane today, hope its not too much commitment...

[Nivvie]

My dad flies and teaches air cadets and what gets me is the classroom element of it all. Be prepared for some serious mind bending physics-like stuff!

[trailerprincess]

I understand that there is a degree of committment if I wanted to learn, it was the length of time that might dissuade me.

[Dr Deaf]

My dad flies and teaches air cadets and what gets me is the classroom element of it all. Be prepared for some serious mind bending physics-like stuff!


that sounds more like helicopter ground school. fixed wing flight physics seem pretty basic from where i'm standing. heli training on the other hand is complete and utter illogical chaos that relies on muscle memory more than anything else.

[Nivvie]

From what I can gather, the air cadets fly both, and have written exams for both, all of which are utterly mind boggling to me.
I suppose that's why it's harder to get into the RAF than say the army.

[HAL 9000]

Also worth noting that once you have passed, you generally require continued assessment – ie if you have not flown for a few months, you can’t just hop back in but you need to take a refresher course.

Its a lot of money for a hobby, and an expensive/slow way to travel. But if your loaded its cool!

[trailerprincess]

I am loaded. But unarmed*











*loaded might be a slight exageration. I burn money in my garden for shits and giggles though.

[TAL]

Are you the KLF?

[trailerprincess]

Are you the KLF?

good spot (y)

maybe I am. maybe I'm not. maybe I am just a pyromaniac and eccentric.