Going to Private Pilot School

Sherardp

Signed up for Private Pilot school today guys. Going to spread my wings and fly the friendly skies a little. I'll post pics and follow up. Whoooo hoooo!!!!

headrott

Congratulations! I would also like to go through pilot school, but am not sure if legally I can get a liscence since I have diabetes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy your pilot training and the views and thrill you will get while flying. It's one of the most enjoyable things for me. When I was younger my uncle owned a Cessna 310 twin engine plane and let me fly a few times. It's a great feeling. Looking forward to the pictures.

Greg

sda2mike

it's been 10 years for me since i flew...you never forget tho...all that poetry about surly bonds is true...i have abt 350 hours or so...if you ever have any questions, shoot me a pm

good luck!
mike

Sherardp

Thanks guys and I will keep in touch Mike. Sounds fun and I'm looking forward to it.

dkg999

Enjoy it! I grew up with a Cessna 150 and Citabra setting out back of the house and a grass runway we maintained on the farm. Every time I've seriously considered taking up that hobby I either didn't have the money or the time. Go for it!

sda2mike

every pilot should experience and master the citabria!

drumminman

Be sure you take an interest in learning how to land or you may arouse suspicion :cheesygrin:

onebadchad

Got my license in 2004... good times

BlueFox

I was into that during the 80s. Soloed both a sailplane and a Cessna. However, at least with the powered plane, it soon became boring. And expensive. Today in the states to get a private license it will cost about $10,000, and take a year of your time. After you get your license, if you want to keep flying you need to rent a plane. An average POS will cost you $100/hour to putt putt around in the sky.

Whenever I come across someone wanting to learn how to fly I tell them to use the money and buy a good stereo. They can listen to that 24/7, and all it costs is the price of electricity. But hey, it is kind of cool, so have fun, and try not to think of the good gear you could have bought with the money. :twisted:

Syndil

How did the sailplane compare to a powered plane cost-wise? Have been attracted to the idea of flying a sailplane around since I was a kid. Although I guess you still have to pay out the nose to get the license...

sda2mike

forget paying thru the nose! you pay thru your arse! the flying hobby is just like our hobby...it includes UPGRADEITIS!!!!!!!
i'm glad i have my license...lots of great memories

inspiredsports

Are you training overseas or are you back stateside? If overseas, does the license work here?

Sherardp

inspiredsports wrote: »

Are you training overseas or are you back stateside? If overseas, does the license work here?

Training on the US Airforce Base, but the license will be from USA. The class is taught by Fighter Pilots, so can't go wrong there.

polkfarmboy

Try drinking a 6 pack whilst flying a crop sprayer under telephone lines

nooshinjohn

I got about 15 minutes worth of backseat stick time on an F/A-18b from the late 80's. That take-off roll and going wheels up, then almost straight up is a ride I will never forget... it took an hour to clean the facemask!

WastelandWand'r

Congrats to you for taking the step. Getting your ticket will put you in some pretty rarefied air. Not many folks can raise their hands and identify themselves as a pilot.
Enjoy yourself and remember there are three things that are of no use to you in a plane.
Runway behind you, air above you and fuel on the truck. Have enough of all three and everything else is good.
Check out AOPA.org for some great info. No affiliation.
Nathan

SCompRacer

Kewl! Good for you Sheardp. I worked for a guy that had a Cessna 172 and was up a few times with him. For a spell we kept Arnie The Farmer Beswick?s race car at a local airport hanger. Shared the space with a well stocked wet bar and Cessna Skymaster (the push-pull design). Another thing to remember when flying a prop plane is never exceed the maximum angle of side slip set by the manufacturer when strafing or you may shoot the tips of your prop off.
:cheesygrin:

tonyb

Congrats man, pretty cool.

I have to wonder though, given your local, that maybe they need pilots....you know, in case that Godzilla dude decides to show his face again.

AudioGenics

congrats... when your instructor says you're ready get a night flight in ....

Sherardp

tonyb wrote: »

Congrats man, pretty cool.

I have to wonder though, given your local, that maybe they need pilots....you know, in case that Godzilla dude decides to show his face again.

You mean just in case another earthquake hits the place.

Polkersince85

They are using monkeys to test for radiation in the plant. Isn't that how Godzila got started anyway?

Do the flight instructors still rip the back out of your shirt when you solo?

geoff727

Flying is a great time, most of the time. Those are days that I really miss, especially multi-engine IMC work and instructing. Had to get a real job after 9/11, though, and been there ever since.

Polker..., I never ripped any of my students' shirts, or cut the sleeves off, etc. I never knew any other instructors who did either. None of the ones I worked with anyway.

G~

apphd

dkg999 wrote: »

Enjoy it! I grew up with a Cessna 150 and Citabra setting out back of the house and a grass runway we maintained on the farm. Every time I've seriously considered taking up that hobby I either didn't have the money or the time. Go for it!

+1 Having a strip in your back yard and owning can help cut the costs of a very expensive but rewarding hobby. One of my friends grew up like that, his father had his license with a few other ratings, his grandfather had his license and an A&P license. Their farm had a lot of activity between them and a few others who flew from there, along with some ultra lights. One of the best experiences I had was flying cross country with them to Oshkosh for the EAA fly in. One word UNBELIEVABLE.

Have fun and congrates as I'm sure you will complete it.

cmy330go

Just stumbled across this while searching for something completely unrelated, and couldn't resist asking how the training is going. I just got my ticket this past April, and have been loving it. My only regret is that I didn't do it 12 or so years ago, when I first had the opportunity. Well...Hope it's going well, and you're having a blast!

oldmodman

You will never regret it!
I really enjoyed my flight training back in 1973.
Went just far enough to Solo and then ran out of money.
Today money would not problem but I doubt if I could pass the flight physical any longer.
After two heart attacks and a stroke I wouldn't even try. I would be putting too many other people in danger.
I have flown ultralites out in the desert where if you fall out of the sky there is no one to land on. Lots of fun.

cmy330go

oldmodman wrote: »

You will never regret it!
I really enjoyed my flight training back in 1973.
Went just far enough to Solo and then ran out of money.
Today money would not problem but I doubt if I could pass the flight physical any longer.
After two heart attacks and a stroke I wouldn't even try. I would be putting too many other people in danger.
I have flown ultralites out in the desert where if you fall out of the sky there is no one to land on. Lots of fun.

For what it's worth. With the Sport Pilot certificate they don't require a medical. You're just limited to light-sport classified aircraft, daylight, and no passengers. Plus the required hours are cut in half to 20.

You probably knew that all already, but just in case...

Sherardp

Still attending the class when I can. I work for John Deere/JLG Ind. and my schedule has been crazy with alot of traveling.