Hatrack River Forum: Any private pilots?

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Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :

I have a question.

I'm thinking about trying to learn how to fly. I have a couple questions, though, and the answers I'm seeing on the net are all over the map.

First, how much does it cost? I've gotten a sense of the hours you need to put in - about 60-70 flying, plus some classroom - but the estimates of cost I've seen range from $3000 to $9000. That's a big difference!

Also, how easy is it to rent a plane and fly recreationally if you don't own your own aircraft (which I *obviously* wouldn't)? Can you rent one to fly for a weekend? How much does that cost?

And what about instrument flying? I know it's a separate process; is it an essential one to really be able to put a license to good use?

Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :

I am not a pilot, but I attended a school full of them for 4 years. I'm good friends with several, so I'll try to answer some of your questions.

As far as costs go, I think it depends on who your instructor is, and where your instructor is located. More experienced instructors command higher wages, usually. The pilots I know all earned their licenses along with their degrees, from Kansas State University at Salina. So they paid classroom tuitition, plus instructor and flight costs at the same time. Expensive, yes. Most students completed that program with the goal of flying commercial aircraft as a career.

Your local airport might have contacts to flight instructors who can guide you through the process, from flight training to exam preparation. Google for the airport website and look for contact information, or call the office, if it's a smaller airport.

quote:
Also, how easy is it to rent a plane and fly recreationally if you don't own your own aircraft (which I *obviously* wouldn't)? Can you rent one to fly for a weekend? How much does that cost?

You get "Checked Out" by the company you're renting from. This is called a "check ride" or just a "check out"...you go up for a ride with an instructor to verify you know your stuff, and they give you the clear to rent a plane. Rental costs depend on plane type and numerous other factors. I just did some googling on the airplane rental place in Salina, and they say, "Contact Us" for more info on renting a Cessna-172 (single engine plane, 3 seats).

quote:
And what about instrument flying? I know it's a separate process; is it an essential one to really be able to put a license to good use?

Instrument flying is flying without being able to see outside of the plane. Flying through clouds, taking off and landing with low visibility, and flying at night are all examples of instrument flight. If you don't plan on doing any of those, then you don't need an instrument license. From what I've heard, it's darn handy. (But hey, I live in Kansas, where the weather can change rapidly.)

Good luck. [Smile]

Posted by MightyCow (Member # 9253) on :

If I were to pick, I would tend toward the higher priced school. I know I wouldn't want to learn to fly from Joe Bob's Big as Heck Discount Aeroplane Drivin' School. [Wink]

Posted by Demonstrocity (Member # 9579) on :

quote:
Also, how easy is it to rent a plane and fly recreationally if you don't own your own aircraft (which I *obviously* wouldn't)? Can you rent one to fly for a weekend? How much does that cost?

What Tstorm said, plus: you can rent for any period of time you want. The places I've seen let you rent for a flat fee per time period plus fuel, and I've seen that time period be as small as 3 hours. In Hawaii, renting a single engine cessna for about 3 hours with enough fuel to fly around molokai and around oahu was about $125, including fees and taxes.

Posted by Tstorm (Member # 1871) on :

quote:
If I were to pick, I would tend toward the higher priced school. I know I wouldn't want to learn to fly from Joe Bob's Big as Heck Discount Aeroplane Drivin' School. [Wink]

Understood, but some perfectly good, if not excellent, instructors start out someplace low and work their way up. In the pilot marketplace, instructors and pilots with lots of experience and logged hours command higher rates. However, I can tell you from some experience that like any business, bad apples exist. I knew good instructors and bad instructors at KSU-S, but only through the voices of my friends. [Smile]

Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :

My Dad is a private pilot and licensed instructor, and used to teach as a side job, evenings and weekends. I don't know if it was through a particular school or not, he hasn't done it since I was pretty little. But I'll ask him to chime in, he still probably would have some good advice.

Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :

I thinks some of the discrepancy between the schools is location. One is in Silver Spring, Md., really close to down town; the other is in Manassas, Va., where cost of living in general is considerably lower. It's about 40 miles outside the city.

Posted by Magson (Member # 2300) on :

If you decide to become a pilot, remember the basic rules of flying:

1. Try to stay in the middle of the air.

2. Do not go near the edges of it.

3. The edges of the air can be recognized by the appearance of ground, buildings, sea, trees and interstellar space. It is much more difficult to fly in the edges.