Does anyone here have their pilot license?

Author

Previous Topic | Next Topic

jb060310

316 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:04:07 PM

I am curious how long it took, how difficult it was, etc. I'm sure different states have different guidelines, but just in general? Am I crazy to want to get my license or is it totally worth it?

3006 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:14:07 PM

Schenectady Community College, takes two semesters, $7100 lab fee for air time per semester. Good program.

MortgageBoarder

3975 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:14:27 PM

Darkstar was actually a Pilot instructor and flies often, inquire within.

CoolMtgGuy

3661 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:14:33 PM

I'm halfway there but have suspended my training for the time being. If you can pull it off financially, you will never regret it. Before I moved to Florida from Connectocut, I would schedule my training flights during morning commuter times and go flying over the hills of Connecticut while looking down on the traffic jams on the highway. I love it and highly recomment it.

There is at least one pilot here on BO and I'm sure that he will chime in soon.

jb060310

316 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:38:37 PM

I do remember Darkstar mentioning he was an instructor...

maclin

638 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:42:47 PM

ex-pilot and skydiver it's a total blast call darkstar he's the bomb on this

you should really try skydiving it's a total rush and E ticket

hoangad

2929 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:44:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

I am curious how long it took, how difficult it was, etc. I'm sure different states have different guidelines, but just in general? Am I crazy to want to get my license or is it totally worth it?

Taliban!

CoolMtgGuy

3661 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:50:16 PM

Only if he were interested in learning how to take off ... but not land.

quote:
Originally posted by hoangad

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

I am curious how long it took, how difficult it was, etc. I'm sure different states have different guidelines, but just in general? Am I crazy to want to get my license or is it totally worth it?

Taliban!

maclin

638 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 1:53:53 PM

the answer is it depends on you, how much time you spend studying and flying

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

I am curious how long it took, how difficult it was, etc. I'm sure different states have different guidelines, but just in general? Am I crazy to want to get my license or is it totally worth it?

Boulderco

1296 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 3:59:30 PM

It cost me just over $9,000 and took me five and half months. I flew 2 to 3 times a week. Be aware that most flight instructors have a goal of working for an airline which requires a lot of hours flying time. They build time flying with you, and some of them may keep you in the air longer than necessary. For the first couple of months my instructor had me fly to a practice area that was about 10 minutes further than necessary. 20 extra minutes a flight adds up when you do it 3 times a week over a couple of months. If you can, learn in a Cessna 152. It's a lot cheaper than a late model 172 or Piper. A lot of instructors will try to get you to fly in a nice, roomy, late model plane, because it's more comfortable than flying in a cramped, old 152, but it can save you a bundle. Some of the flight schools only have late model stuff and will try to convince you that it's safer, but they are just selling what they have. The interior of the 152s I trained in were 1970s, early 80s decor, but the planes are well maintained and have to be regularly serviced and inspected; the FAA doesn't allow dangerous aircraft to fly. It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest when learning to fly. The pilot of the 757 you fly in when traveling very well may have learned to fly in a 25 year old Cessna 152. Over the course of training it can save you thousands, and once you have your license, check outs in other aircraft are simple.

Boulderco

1296 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 4:02:51 PM

One other thing, get your FAA medical right away. You can't solo without it, and if there is an issue getting one, you don't want to spend several thousand dollars before finding out.

jb060310

316 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 4:49:51 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Boulderco

One other thing, get your FAA medical right away. You can't solo without it, and if there is an issue getting one, you don't want to spend several thousand dollars before finding out.

What is involved with an FAA medical?

velecico

3935 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 5:20:31 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

quote:
Originally posted by Boulderco

One other thing, get your FAA medical right away. You can't solo without it, and if there is an issue getting one, you don't want to spend several thousand dollars before finding out.

What is involved with an FAA medical?

You cant be on crack while in the air

Boulderco

1296 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 5:23:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

quote:
Originally posted by Boulderco

One other thing, get your FAA medical right away. You can't solo without it, and if there is an issue getting one, you don't want to spend several thousand dollars before finding out.

What is involved with an FAA medical?

There are different levels of FAA medicals. Unless you're planning on flying for pay you'll just need a third class medical. An FAA medical examiner will take your medical history and do a basic physical exam. The purpose is to make sure you don't have a condition that could leave you incapacitated in the air. The flight school will give you a list of nearby examiners. If you think you may have a problem passing the physical, it's best to get a consultation ahead of time. You can also go for what is known as a Sport Pilot certificate which allows you to self certify as to your health. If you go that route, there's a limitation on the size of aircraft you can fly (even smaller than a 152), you can't fly at night, and you can't fly in controlled airspace around major airports.

darkstar

18092 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 6:42:03 PM

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

I am curious how long it took, how difficult it was, etc. I'm sure different states have different guidelines, but just in general? Am I crazy to want to get my license or is it totally worth it?

The regs and rules are federal so it's the same everywhere...IT'S ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!...When the wheels leave the ground all your problems and stress stay there and wait for you to come back!...How long depends on how often you can fly and how fast you learn...

If you want to learn find the smallest airport with the oldest instructor that's there because he loves to fly and isn't aspiring for the airlines(time burners)...Use the cheapest 2 seater they have to learn in as you can transition in no time to almost anything after you get your license[to learn]...TO make it even cheaper, BUY an airplane for $20-30K, use it to learn in and then sell it, you won't lose a dime and may even recoup some money you spent on training in it! :-)

EVERY lesson I ever took or gave is on that link below, you can read what it's like to learn from both seats(student and instructor)...

http://adjustableratemarketing.com/flying/flying.html

If you have any questions, call me, I love to talk about flying!...

CoolMtgGuy

3661 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 6:47:26 PM

Darkstar ... my instructor in Connecticut loved to play the guitar. Whenever grounded due to weather, he's spend all day strumming his guitar and writing music. I noticed your picture (that is you right?) with a guitar. Am I to assume that these two activities are connected and should we learn to play the guitar first and the fly ... or vice versa?

quote:
Originally posted by darkstar

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

I am curious how long it took, how difficult it was, etc. I'm sure different states have different guidelines, but just in general? Am I crazy to want to get my license or is it totally worth it?

The regs and rules are federal so it's the same everywhere...IT'S ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!...When the wheels leave the ground all your problems and stress stay there and wait for you to come back!...How long depends on how often you can fly and how fast you learn...

If you want to learn find the smallest airport with the oldest instructor that's there because he loves to fly and isn't aspiring for the airlines(time burners)...Use the cheapest 2 seater they have to learn in as you can transition in no time to almost anything after you get your license[to learn]...TO make it even cheaper, BUY an airplane for $20-30K, use it to learn in and then sell it, you won't lose a dime and may even recoup some money you spent on training in it! :-)

EVERY lesson I ever took or gave is on that link below, you can read what it's like to learn from both seats(student and instructor)...

http://adjustableratemarketing.com/flying/flying.html

If you have any questions, call me, I love to talk about flying!...

Boulderco

1296 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 7:35:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by darkstar

TO make it even cheaper, BUY an airplane for $20-30K, use it to learn in and then sell it, you won't lose a dime and may even recoup some money you spent on training in it! :-)

Then there is the school of thought that says "If you can f**k it, or fly it, it's cheaper to rent it."

maclin

638 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 8:21:33 PM

I've talked to steven many times I'd love to finally meet him at an airport no conversation just two guy's wearing shuts get in a plane go up to the surface ceiling the pilots chops the power we bail out hit the ground hi we talk go to wh the nearest beer

well you get it

financeone

1635 Posts

Posted - 10/10/2008 : 8:25:26 PM

So does the plane go up in a ball of flames? Sounds exciting, once I deciphered your 2nd grade spelling!

quote:
Originally posted by maclin

I've talked to steven many times I'd love to finally meet him at an airport no conversation just two guy's wearing shuts get in a plane go up to the surface ceiling the pilots chops the power we bail out hit the ground hi we talk go to wh the nearest beer

well you get it

jb060310

316 Posts

Posted - 10/11/2008 : 3:18:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by darkstar

quote:
Originally posted by jb060310

I am curious how long it took, how difficult it was, etc. I'm sure different states have different guidelines, but just in general? Am I crazy to want to get my license or is it totally worth it?

The regs and rules are federal so it's the same everywhere...IT'S ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT!...When the wheels leave the ground all your problems and stress stay there and wait for you to come back!...How long depends on how often you can fly and how fast you learn...

If you want to learn find the smallest airport with the oldest instructor that's there because he loves to fly and isn't aspiring for the airlines(time burners)...Use the cheapest 2 seater they have to learn in as you can transition in no time to almost anything after you get your license[to learn]...TO make it even cheaper, BUY an airplane for $20-30K, use it to learn in and then sell it, you won't lose a dime and may even recoup some money you spent on training in it! :-)

EVERY lesson I ever took or gave is on that link below, you can read what it's like to learn from both seats(student and instructor)...

http://adjustableratemarketing.com/flying/flying.html

If you have any questions, call me, I love to talk about flying!...

I like the site...cool pics of the NASA complex!

darkstar

18092 Posts

Posted - 10/12/2008 : 02:14:09 AM

>>>>Darkstar ... my instructor in Connecticut loved to play the guitar. Whenever grounded due to weather, he's spend all day strumming his guitar and writing music. I noticed your picture (that is you right?) with a guitar. Am I to assume that these two activities are connected and should we learn to play the guitar first and the fly ... or vice versa?

If it wasn't below a 300' ceiling(we had ILS at KMTN where I taught), I'd have a line of people that wanted actual conditions time...I was the only instructor at the airport that believed in getting people actual time WITH an instructor before launching out on their own...I flew over 50hrs a week back then, I was in top shape and proficient as could be...No ice, no thunderstorms and a 300' ceiling, we were flying! :-) Some of the best flights were taking off in a 500' ceiling and breaking out at 3000' to bright blue on top of a beautiful solid layer of clouds cruising along in the sunshine until it was time to descend back thru it to the murk at the surface...

Here's a good one:

Flight: 3 flights this day
Weather: Craziest weather day I have ever seen!
Plane: C172 - 54928/552SP
Route: 2 local, 1 to DMW

2-25-01 Remarks: Today was by far the craziest day, weather wise, I have ever flown in... 1st student was a pre-solo student prepping for his solo flight next lesson, weather was 1400 OVC with calm winds...We stayed in the pattern and he did 15 great TnG's...2nd flight was an instrument student...Ceiling(reported) went up to 3200' with about 5 miles visibility...We decided to go and shoot some local approaches to MTN as after checking the weather, and receiving a real doom and gloom forecast, decided not to file...Surface winds were forecast to be light, winds aloft were forecast to be at 3000', 230@40 and at 6000', 240@50!!!A sigmet for severe turbulance below 10,000' was also issued for our area...We flew out to shoot the LOC 15 MTN approach and Baltimore approach gave us a squawk, vector and altitude clearance of 2500' AND told us to remain VFR!...I knew this was going to be a challenge...About 1 mile off the departure end of 15 we were hit with so much rain there was no forward visibility...I told Baltimore and they gave us an early turn back to intercept the localizer...We landed and continued with ground school...Now the 3rd flight with another instrument student was the experience to remember...He came in and wondered why I said no way to flying as he had just called for a briefing and wasn't told anything near what I was told earlier...So I called back and was also told of more favorable conditions except for the hellacious winds aloft(seems like if you don't like what you hear, call back and it will improve :-))...The sigmet for turbulance was still there but there were no PIREPs and I thought the winds aloft would make for an interesting flight...We filed and decided to fly the new 172SP as it has the best equipment...We had to hold short of the runway almost a half hour as Baltimore was dealing with some type of emergency so we had lots of time to discuss what was going to happen as this was the students first exposure to actual conditions...He is an excellent stick and in all previous lessons flew the same approaches we intended to fly very well...But as most realize after their first time in actual conditions, it's nothing like the hood...They don't realize how much the peripheral clues help keep disorientation away...Well at 400' we were in the clouds and he said, "this is very different"...It was surprisingly smooth as I figured we should encounter some shear between the calm surface winds and the 'low level jet stream' aloft...It was also 55 degrees at 3000'!...We heard Baltimore getting reports from inbounds to BWI about 60kt winds at 2000', I was thinking, this is going to be fun...Sure enough at 3000', skimming thru the top of the layer, we were doing a mere 45kts over the ground indicating 110kts and maintaining a 60 degree crab to hold the radial!!!...It took almost 45 minutes to get to Westminster, a mere 29 miles!...We were cleared for the VOR 34 DMW approach and that's when we started to see the difference...As we made the procedure turn, our ground speed went from 50kts to 171kts!!!...It was the craziest thing I have ever seen, and it was smooth as glass...As we made our descent to DMW our ground speed was a steady 150kts and he barely made it down to MDA before it was time to go missed...We knew we would never see the runway as the ceiling was 200' overcast...We also decided that we would blow off the ILS into Frederick and opted for the ILS 33 back into Martin State...We were making over 160kts for ground speed, at 4000', all the way back, I think it took 10 minutes...The controller gave us the worst vector to interecept the localizer, inside of the final approach fix, which made for an interesting intercept...We had to fly a 90 degree intercept angle just to get the localizer...Once we were established, it took a 45 degree crab to hold it...I also knew this would be to minimums, 265', as the ceiling was 300' overcast...I told the student to fly the needles as I looked for the runway...I took my eyes off of the needles for about 10 seconds when we were near minimums as I had ground contact and when I looked back he was at full scale defelction!!!...At decision altitude I was looking at a shoreline and houses I didn't recognize...It took a second or so to look far enough to the right to see the runway, WAY to the right...I took control of the plane and made a sharp base for the runway and landed...It was as hairy as it could get...It was though, amazing how the winds on the ground could be so light and the winds at 1000-3000 could be 50-60kts and no windsheer or turbulence attached to them... Absolute craziest conditions I have ever flown in...Many many lessons learned by the student and myself today(one for the student was, don't back up over the metal spikes in the hangar...He spent the next 1/2 hour changing his tire)...Bottom line, great day full of interesting flights!...

CoolMtgGuy

3661 Posts

Posted - 10/12/2008 : 08:00:13 AM

Thanks Darkstar ... your flying escapades are fun to read.

lisa20

334 Posts

Posted - 10/13/2008 : 09:02:49 AM

My husband is a pilot took him about 1 1/2 years to get his VFR rating, a lot had to do with weather... The average amount of hours is about 60, to get your license. It was not difficult, just the commitment of time.. You have to be able to fly several times a week. He did all the ground school on his own, studying etc.. took the written test, and passed no problem. We personally did have some issues with the medical, my husband has a long, bad driving record.. hehe... He had about 60 speeding tickets, and they made a big stink about that. Took us some time and money to get through that.. It cost about 100 dollars an hour, with the instructor, 70 without the instructor, in a Cessna 152. There are a lot of flight schools, we just found an individual, that gave lessons, and found that it as a little bit cheaper. I would have to say it is 100% worth it. He is now going on to get his IFR. Been up with him several times.. Love it.. can't wait to go on and get my license as well.. :)

Thanks
Lisa Kelly

darkstar

18092 Posts

Posted - 10/13/2008 : 09:57:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CoolMtgGuy

Thanks Darkstar ... your flying escapades are fun to read.

Here's a fun one!

Flight: 2 flights
Weather: 1900' overcast then it went up to 3200'
Plane: C23 - 38058, C172 - 54928
Route: 1 local and 1 from MTN>DMW>2W2>MTN

2-15-01 Remarks: A day I won't soon forget...My first flight of the day was to be an instrument flight in the perfect actual conditions that presented themselves...The ceiling was at 1900' and we were assigned 3000' as requested headed from MTN(Martin State Airport, in Baltimore, MD) to DMW(Westminster, MD) then FDK(Frederick, MD) and back to MTN with plans on shooting an approach to each airport...

We were flying in a Slowdowner, I mean Sundowner...All went well on preflight, and runup, so off we went...I was very excited to get into the clouds again as it has mostly been ice recently and I missed the clouds...

As we climbed thru 1700' we were told to contact approach, which I did(I was handling radios) as we flew runway heading(326 degrees)...We entered the clouds at 1900' and as I was enjoying the almost forgotten home away from home buried in a cloud...

I looked over to see why the student started a turn to the right as the needles were dead center(this is a commercial student going for some instrument currency)... As I asked him why, my eyes scanned the panel and instantly saw something just didn't seem right...The DG was turning and the AI was rolling over slowly and he tried to follow it, the weird part was that the turn coordinator agreed with them but not to the degree I was seeing on the other 2...I took over the plane as I glanced at the vacuum gauge and it read 5.0...My brain was working 100mph(or knots, whichever you prefer) trying to figure out which instruments were acting whacky...I slowed myself down and let the plane go for a couple of seconds to see if I could detect the culprit...I decided to believe the turn coordinator and started a turn to the left to level the wings...I also pushed the nose over to descend the now 300' out of the clouds back to known VFR conditions I knew were right below and was very glad to see the altitude going down as I did...If it would have went the other way, I would have really gotten concerned :-)...

I have to say that he turned so smoothly as he followed the AI that I somewhat disoriented myself with the turn to the left(fooled inner ear), again I was glad to see the altimeter showing a descent as I knew I would break out soon(I also know the area and knew there would be no obstacles below us)...As soon as I took the plane, I also thumbed the PTT and told ATC I was having a gyro problem, they asked if I wanted to declare an emergency but all I said was standby as I was more looking forward to breaking out of the clouds shiny side up...As I broke out I told them I would just like to return to MTN as I could stay VFR and landed without incident, other than the one in my pants :-)...I have to say it was a very exciting 30 seconds to a minute(felt like an hour) and I thanked myself for training as hard as I do as seeing the DG, AI and turn coordinator all turning the same way made it difficult to pick out the culprit right away...If was interesting how it just didn't look right, I knew something was wrong even though all were showing turns to the right...We're still not sure what happened as everything went back to normal as we entered downwind for landing...All I can say is that practicing partial panel flying is nothing like seeing this happen in the soup...Having bad information hitting your brain as you're trying to firgure out what's happening is nothing like just covering up a couple of instruments, that's more like, out of sight, out of mind...Having to sort thru the good and bad info took quick work...I have to say I'm very glad to be here and share this experience, it makes me want to be able to fail instruments, like these did, on my instrument students as just covering them seems like a disservice now...The student was shocked as he thought I was going to turn us over when I started the turn to the left as his middle ear also thought we were NOW turning...Went back out this evening with another instrument student who wanted some actual, I still took him but decided I had enough actual for the day so we stayed below the layer and just shot some apporaches :-)...

Previous Topic | Next Topic