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re: I'd like to learn to fly a plane and get a license.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 8:48 pm to WWII Collector
Posted on 3/15/23 at 8:48 pm to WWII Collector
quote:
But I bet it's like $90 for the plane and gas now
The going rate, at least from some of the flight schools in the BR area, range from 165 (wet) an hour and up depending on the type of aircraft.
0
Posted on 3/15/23 at 8:50 pm to TimeOutdoors
So if I can take this a step further, assuming you have a license, what’s involved in renting planes for trips? Is that practical? My wife’s first cousin flew his family to the last Super Bowl in Houston, but he ran a fund for Apollo. What does it cost to fly to Baton Rouge or 30A from Houston? Is there any reason at all for a pilots license other than puttering around as a hobby? I want to shake this from my wife’s mind.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 9:08 pm to latech15
My experience and advice:
Have a plan. What are you going to do after you get PPL? With wet rates of $150+ an hour just for the most basic Cessna, its the most expensive hobby one can have. GA flying is not a practical form of transportation. The phrase " going for $100 hamburger" was pre-COVID. They are now $200 hamburgers or more.
In my opinion one should not stop at PPL even if recreational pilot. At least get Instrument Rated.
Although you CAN progress through training at slow pace, it really needs near full time devotion. I would recommend having the funds and time to fly AT LEAST twice a week, and study 10-15hrs a week on top of that.
After PPL there is a difference between being current and being proficient. No instructor is going to sign off for you to be current with bare mininum hours. Id plan on at least $3000-$4000 bare minimun yearly to remain proficient.
Train near a Class C or B. Starting at uncontrolled as mentioned by someone earlier, sets up for being overwhelmed later on when you do get in one. Its better to start in controlled and allow instructor to handle comms until you feel comfortable. It also forces student to learn consistency with speed, altitude, control around the airport. I trained in Class C with Air National Guard and FedEx/UPS hubs.
Simulators have come a long way. They are a great suppliment to real training especially with IFR and procedures. There are virtual flying clubs and virtual airlines to join. Look up VATSIM, a virtual network of real world ATC and pilots. It is fantastic for realism and practicing comms. They also have virtual pilot license program, P1 is their equivelant to PPL and requires many hours of virtual instructor flight training and checkride.
Have a plan. What are you going to do after you get PPL? With wet rates of $150+ an hour just for the most basic Cessna, its the most expensive hobby one can have. GA flying is not a practical form of transportation. The phrase " going for $100 hamburger" was pre-COVID. They are now $200 hamburgers or more.
In my opinion one should not stop at PPL even if recreational pilot. At least get Instrument Rated.
Although you CAN progress through training at slow pace, it really needs near full time devotion. I would recommend having the funds and time to fly AT LEAST twice a week, and study 10-15hrs a week on top of that.
After PPL there is a difference between being current and being proficient. No instructor is going to sign off for you to be current with bare mininum hours. Id plan on at least $3000-$4000 bare minimun yearly to remain proficient.
Train near a Class C or B. Starting at uncontrolled as mentioned by someone earlier, sets up for being overwhelmed later on when you do get in one. Its better to start in controlled and allow instructor to handle comms until you feel comfortable. It also forces student to learn consistency with speed, altitude, control around the airport. I trained in Class C with Air National Guard and FedEx/UPS hubs.
Simulators have come a long way. They are a great suppliment to real training especially with IFR and procedures. There are virtual flying clubs and virtual airlines to join. Look up VATSIM, a virtual network of real world ATC and pilots. It is fantastic for realism and practicing comms. They also have virtual pilot license program, P1 is their equivelant to PPL and requires many hours of virtual instructor flight training and checkride.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 9:13 pm to Cypdog
quote:
Is there any reason at all for a pilots license other than puttering around as a hobby?
Depends on what you want out of it. Some guys just want the freedom of getting in an airplane and flying it. Some people buy a small single-engine and once it’s paid off you’re just paying for fuel and maintenance. Some people want to fly their family and friends around.
One of my personal favorite things to do is to take a plane to an airport in other states and go grab a bite to eat somewhere in that town.
quote:
What does it cost to fly to Baton Rouge or 30A from Houston?
Hard to say. It depends on where you’re renting a plane from, how long you’ll be taking it, and where you fuel up, park it.
Usually single-engine pistons run between $100-$400 per flight hour (so whatever you put on the engine).
You’ll have to fuel up at whatever FBO you stop at (more expensive for bigger airports) and you’ll have to hanger it or tie it down at an FBO, which may or may not be included in a fuel up.
If you land at a Class B airport (KMSY, KATL, KHOU, KDFW) you’re looking at a pretty high landing fee because the big airports usually want GA aircraft to stay away from the busy airspace.
Most rental places will charge you for a few hours of flight time per day even if it stays parked, because they’re losing out on revenue if you take the plane on a multi-day trip.
So as you can see, the cost for even a long weekend can add up if you rent. Buying a plane may sound expensive, but it would cost less in the long run if you plan to fly for many years.
quote:
So if I can take this a step further, assuming you have a license, what’s involved in renting planes for trips?
Renting a plane is relatively easy. You’ll need to go to the FBO and find the rental company. They will need you to fill out paperwork (like renting a car) and you’ll need/want insurance. If it’s your first time renting with them, they’ll probably schedule you for a “check-out” which can be as simple as three laps in the pattern, or you may have to do a few maneuvers for a their chief pilot.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 9:20 pm to Cypdog
quote:
What does it cost to fly to Baton Rouge or 30A from Houston? Is there any reason at all for a pilots license other than puttering around as a hobby? I want to shake this from my wife’s mind.
First you have to get signed off by the leasing/renting company. They have to make sure you are a competent pilot. That takes several hours ($$$) to get checked out.
Just for the flight, youd be looking at $750 min one way Houston to 30A. And in something like a Cessna, your total passenger + cargo load is about 420 lbs. You better not be a big ole baw and limit the Mrs to a small suitcase. Kids? Good luck. Easily $1500+ in just travel expense.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 9:52 pm to AutoYes_Clown
That is helpful, of course there are kids and the rest of our house she would bring. The whole idea is dumb and impractical to me, even based on the time invested to get to that point. It has been coming up more and more frequently and Talladega Nights style “That sounds dumb” answer is wearing thin. Thanks for helping level set.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 9:59 pm to muttenstein
If in Louisiana or close to Ruston, go to Louisiana Tech’s school of aviation.
Kick arse program that would facilitate private license training. Not sure if they still do this post 9-11.
Kick arse program that would facilitate private license training. Not sure if they still do this post 9-11.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 10:07 pm to muttenstein
Check out some of Trent Palmers stuff on youtube. He has a couple halpful videos.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 10:12 pm to muttenstein
Check around and find a good instructor. Going to cost you around $15,000 all in
Posted on 3/15/23 at 11:10 pm to muttenstein
Many dead doctors and lawyers once had the same impulse as you.
Posted on 3/15/23 at 11:41 pm to Azazello
FAR/AIM podcast, Opposing Bases, and Behind the Prop
Posted on 3/15/23 at 11:45 pm to muttenstein
Do you know what a Metar is ? You’ll need to learn that too.
Posted on 3/16/23 at 7:21 am to Cypdog
quote:
So if I can take this a step further, assuming you have a license, what’s involved in renting planes for trips? Is that practical? My wife’s first cousin flew his family to the last Super Bowl in Houston, but he ran a fund for Apollo. What does it cost to fly to Baton Rouge or 30A from Houston? .
I’ll be very blunt. This is the start of many a crash report.
You’ve bought the license. Maybe you’ve even bought the plane. You are so proud you are going to fly the family to Florida.
But the weather forecast is a little dodgy. Damn. Everyone is counting on you, and that Watercolor condo is expensive. So you push the limits a little.
Next thing you know you are diving out of the shite above yellow line, panic when you bust out, pull the tail off and end in a fiery heap of twisted metal.
Fly for joy. Fly for the sheer hell of it. Fly to join the mile high club. But unless you can fly pretty much all the time to stay proficient, and you’ve got the balls to tell your family or client no when they’ll think your a puss, don’t fly your own plane for travel.
Posted on 3/16/23 at 7:32 am to muttenstein
In order to make your license worth obtaining, you’ll need your own plane to fly my man. Sooo if you don’t plan on spending couple hundred grand on a plane, not worth it. I know 2 pilots that have their own plane and they constantly bitch about costs, upkeep, etc.. and they are rich rich lol, not OT rich
Posted on 3/16/23 at 7:56 am to muttenstein
quote:
Georgia
Where in GA? I might be able to ask around for a CFI.
Flying is awesome, it's like knowing the coolest secret. Then you walk around the masses knowing they are lesser than you. You also have to lead with, "I'm a pilot," in nearly every interaction with strangers. Please get a "Fly" license plate for the front of the car too. Also, start shopping for a giant watch.
I took my first lesson at 14 years old and I have loved flying for the last 36 years. Don't be scared to try a few different instructors until you find the one that works for you. Everyone learns differently and everyone teaches differently. My second instructor made me hate flying. My last CFI that finished my PPL was awesome.
I say go for it.
This post was edited on 3/16/23 at 7:57 am
Posted on 3/16/23 at 8:13 am to TFSUXASS
quote:
don’t fly your own plane for travel.
But my all means, take your SO up there and smash? Appreciate the advice
Posted on 3/16/23 at 8:16 am to slacker130
quote:
Please get a "Fly" license plate for the front of the car too.
don't forget the license plate holder that says "my other ride is an F-15, B-777, etc,"
Posted on 3/16/23 at 8:18 am to 777Tiger
quote:
don't forget the license plate holder that says "my other ride is an F-15, B-777, etc,"
I’d prefer one that says “my other ride is your mom, inside of my F-15”
Posted on 3/16/23 at 8:21 am to 0x15E
quote:
I’d prefer one that says “my other ride is your mom, inside of my F-15”
the got rid of all the homo Eagle drivers?
Posted on 3/16/23 at 8:23 am to muttenstein
Find a connection at your local airport. Assuming you don’t own a plane, you can expect the full cost of getting a VFR license to be in the $8000-12000 range. Flight instructors in my city run about $200/hr and you have to rent a plane for another $100-200 an hour if you don’t supply one. You need 40 hours in the sky with an instructor plus passing some tests.
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