Any pilots here?

[Cuda1447]

I've been thinking about learning to fly for a few years now. Not seriously thinking... but thinking none the less. There is a training school literally 3 minutes from my house, so it'd be ridiculously convenient. I've always had a fear of heights, but I've managed. Recently my wife and I did some outdoor rock climbing/rapelling (which I was nervous about at first) and it was awesome. I feel like I'm slowly getting over my fear of heights. I can fly commercially no problem, although turbulance does make me anxious.

In any case, on with my question. Does anyone here have their sport pilot license? From what I've read it doesn't look like its to difficult to get in terms of time committment, although it will probably cost 5-8k. Was it worth it? Can you actually do anything with it?

I'd envision being able to rent a plane on a Saturday morning and taking the wife on a few hour trip to someplace we'd never been. Kind of an easier way to get away for the day but outside of our normal areas. Is this feasable, or is the cost to rent a plane simply to much?

 

[coxmaster]

I've been thinking about learning to fly for a few years now. Not seriously thinking... but thinking none the less. There is a training school literally 3 minutes from my house, so it'd be ridiculously convenient. I've always had a fear of heights, but I've managed. Recently my wife and I did some outdoor rock climbing/rapelling (which I was nervous about at first) and it was awesome. I feel like I'm slowly getting over my fear of heights. I can fly commercially no problem, although turbulance does make me anxious.

In any case, on with my question. Does anyone here have their sport pilot license? From what I've read it doesn't look like its to difficult to get in terms of time committment, although it will probably cost 5-8k. Was it worth it? Can you actually do anything with it?

I'd envision being able to rent a plane on a Saturday morning and taking the wife on a few hour trip to someplace we'd never been. Kind of an easier way to get away for the day but outside of our normal areas. Is this feasable, or is the cost to rent a plane simply to much?

I got my private while I was in high school and I still fly fairly often (college student) but nearly everyone I go to school with is also a pilot. What I can say is that a sport pilot license is definitely easier and cheaper to get than a private but it is very limiting. Even though the limitations don't seem like a big deal, you'll quickly run into problems in a lot of areas.

The biggest issue is that there just aren't that many light sport aircraft to rent. Some areas/airports have plenty, but it is pretty uncommon to find a wide variety of light sport to rent. For me the choice was pretty easy, getting private vs sport is not a ton more work but opens you up to an entirely new world of airplanes that will likely be cheaper, bigger, and faster.

 

[Cuda1447]

I got my private while I was in high school and I still fly fairly often (college student) but nearly everyone I go to school with is also a pilot. What I can say is that a sport pilot license is definitely easier and cheaper to get than a private but it is very limiting. Even though the limitations don't seem like a big deal, you'll quickly run into problems in a lot of areas.

The biggest issue is that there just aren't that many light sport aircraft to rent. Some areas/airports have plenty, but it is pretty uncommon to find a wide variety of light sport to rent. For me the choice was pretty easy, getting private vs sport is not a ton more work but opens you up to an entirely new world of airplanes that will likely be cheaper, bigger, and faster.

What kind of cost is there to take off for the day? How far can you realistically go in a few hours?

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

You can figure your average Cessna is going to cruise about 140kts air speed. So it really comes down to how much fuel you intend to carry and your burn rate as to how far you can go.

 

[coxmaster]

What kind of cost is there to take off for the day? How far can you realistically go in a few hours?

It depends entirely on the flight school. Down here in Florida there are hundreds of flight schools so I can get a Cessna 172 for around $90 an hour, including fuel. That's a pretty good price, and obviously you only pay for flight time (or a certain minimum time if the plane is gone for multiple days).


I've personally taken 300 or 400 mile trips in small aircraft multiple times, but none of them were light sport aircraft. In a light sport you are going to be lucky to cruise at 100kts, so don't plan on going too far without spending lots of money.

 

[EagleKeeper]

My pilot training was via Uncle and should not count.

However, clubs and/or schools usually will charge you from $75-$150 per flight hour depending on the type of airframe.

More powerful airframe, higher cost and higher speed and/or ceiling

 

[TangoJuliet]

Most FBOs (place where you would rent a plane) have deals for first timers. Try and search groupon to see if there are any near you. Try it out, for the most part people love it and become addicted. Just bear in mind that if you want to pursue it further it becomes very expensive and the job prospects are not very good.

That being said, its been over 10 years since I've gotten my licenses.

Like Eagle Keeper said you may also want to look for any clubs in the area. One of my co-workers is in one and gets a pretty good deal to fly. I'd have to ask him again what he pays but from what I remember it was $10/m for the club, $90/hr to fly and they had to volunteer a weekend to wash the plane.

 

[OutHouse]

Flying is cool make sure you have lots of money. Flight time adds up real fast. PPL is the only practical way cor cross country flight plus you need a PPL for night flight. I loved night flying in Denver and doing one touch and go at DIA if they are not busy.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I actually soloed in a Cessna 152 before I got my driver's license at 17. I recall back in 1996 or so the cost of instruction/plane to be around $150/hour. Figure around 20-40 hours to solo and at least twice that to get certified and you're talking a starting ballpark figure of $12K. I gave it up because of 1) cost and 2) change in career aspirations away from being a commercial pilot. And don't forget that any license you get for any sort of type rating will need to be re-certified annually.

All-in-all, flying a little plane (and even landing it) is not hard at all. VFR stuff is kid's play. The work comes with the IFR part and with that comes learning all sorts of FAA regulations like those found in the FAR/AIM.

If you've got the money, it's heck of a lot of fun to learn and accomplish but if you're not destined to fly commercially or for the military, I have a hard time seeing the return on investment.

Edit: It was fun! Writing this thread reminds me of my grass field practice landings and in-air stall/spin-stall recovery methods.

 

[coxmaster]

I actually soloed in a Cessna 152 before I got my driver's license at 17. I recall back in 1996 or so the cost of instruction/plane to be around $150/hour. Figure around 20-40 hours to solo and at least twice that to get certified and you're talking a starting ballpark figure of $12K. I gave it up because of 1) cost and 2) change in career aspirations away from being a commercial pilot. And don't forget that any license you get for any sort of type rating will need to be re-certified annually.

All-in-all, flying a little plane (and even landing it) is not hard at all. VFR stuff is kid's play. The work comes with the IFR part and with that comes learning all sorts of FAA regulations like those found in the FAR/AIM.

If you've got the money, it's heck of a lot of fun to learn and accomplish but if you're not destined to fly commercially or for the military, I have a hard time seeing the return on investment.

Edit: It was fun! Writing this thread reminds me of my grass field practice landings and in-air stall/spin-stall recovery methods.

Some of your numbers are a bit off, but otherwise this is pretty much correct.

First solo should occur WAAAY before 40 hours, the average around here seems to be around 10-15 hours with most students finishing their private just over 50 hours.

$150 an hour is probably a good estimate for airplane+instructor time, although it depends a lot on where the OP is located

 

[EagleKeeper]

Flying is cool make sure you have lots of money. Flight time adds up real fast. PPL is the only practical way cor cross country flight plus you need a PPL for night flight. I loved night flying in denver and doing one touch and go at DIS if they are not busy.

Use Centennial or Front Range. Both are usually not that busy.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Some of your numbers are a bit off, but otherwise this is pretty much correct.

First solo should occur WAAAY before 40 hours, the average around here seems to be around 10-15 hours with most students finishing their private just over 50 hours.

$150 an hour is probably a good estimate for airplane+instructor time, although it depends a lot on where the OP is located

The solo estimate may include ground school.
If so, then it seems on target

 

[TangoJuliet]

It was fun! Writing this thread reminds me of my grass field practice landings and in-air stall/spin-stall recovery methods.

Tell me about it. I was thinking the same thing. Short field t/o, grass strip ops, stalls and simulated emergency shutdown of engine(s).

Heres a pic of me 11 years ago....ah the good ole days

 

[Sixguns]

Ive always wanted to do this. There is a small airport where I live and I can get my license there but seems like a waste of money to me. I did get to go up once in a small plane and later I found out the pilot was hammered! That is why he let me take the wheel...

 

[EagleKeeper]

Ive always wanted to do this. There is a small airport where I live and I can get my license there but seems like a waste of money to me. I did get to go up once in a small plane and later I found out the pilot was hammered! That is why he let me take the wheel...

Many hobbies are a waste of money.

It is the enjoyment and memories that ate made which compensates for the cost.



Myself, when lottery comes into my wallet. I want a twin engine with floats. Hop scotch around country visiting kids. $200k toy, but well worth it for the freedom I get.

 

[theknight571]

Somewhat related question that just popped into my head while reading through the thread...

Do military pilots exit the military with a pilots license, or would they need to go through all of the standard training again for a civilian license?

I understand the extra training that might be required for a commercial license, but for a private license I just wondered.

 

[skyking]

As others have stated, there is no real reason to opt for a Sport license over the Private Pilot license. The savings are not significant, IMO. The restrictions are.
As far as affordability, forget that. If the bug has bitten you it is hard to resist. I drove beaters and lived very frugally to put avgas in the tank for many years. No regrets.
Regarding fear of heights, it does not seem to translate to aircraft. The plane becomes your reality, according to all the folks I have talked to. One pilot who had flown all over the country in a Piper Chief asked me to do him a favor, and change some light bulbs in his hangar for him. He could not climb that ladder!

 

[ViviTheMage]

I know a fair amount of private pilots actually, their only gripe is the cost of either owning their plane, or being in a club costs aren't that much better then renting (granted you get a little better planes they say).

 

[OutHouse]

Use Centennial or Front Range. Both are usually not that busy.

I took my lessons at erie, no tower so we used either jeffco (rocky mountain now) or ft collins for tower time

Doing a night touch and go at DIA in a little Cessna is fricken cool, thousands upon thousands of lights. on the climb out it seems like the runway goes on forever If the tower is not busy they will allow you one T&G, if they are busy they will tell you to buzz off lol.

 

[roguerower]

I got 32 hours into my PPL before I had to stop because of college. It was a blast and I was my long cross-country & cross-country solo plus some other little odds & ends shy of getting my license. I'd go back and finish it up now except the skydiving bug bit me so now I pay someone else to fly me up so I can fly myself back down.

If you have the cash, get your PPL. It's awesome.

 

[OutHouse]

me and my buddy flying up to Cheyenne for our 100 dollar hamburger. the AC is a Piper Cherokee.

cant believe this was a decade ago.

 

[PowerEngineer]

I actually soloed in a Cessna 152 before I got my driver's license at 17. I recall back in 1996 ...

Wow! Me too.

I got my private pilot license through the Civil Air Patrol; six weeks of training at Reno-Stead airport (where they hold the air races). With a field elevation of over 5000 feet, it was quite a challenging place to learn how to fly. After I returned home, my father had to drive me to the air field so I could fly.

Unlike you, I have to recall back to 1969. The rental rate for a Cessna 150 was $14/hour back then. It was a lot of money at the time; I had to quit flying when I started college.

To the OP, I suggest that you give flying a try. Just invest in a couple of hours of inflight instruction to see how you like bouncing around in small planes. No real need to worry about the cost or commitment to get a license right now.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Somewhat related question that just popped into my head while reading through the thread...

Do military pilots exit the military with a pilots license, or would they need to go through all of the standard training again for a civilian license?

I understand the extra training that might be required for a commercial license, but for a private license I just wondered.

United States military pilots are issued an Aviator Badge upon completion of flight training and issuance of a pilot's certificate. Badges for crew or ground positions are also issued to qualified applicants.

When you graduate from UPT, you can take a "Military Equivalency" written test from the FAA that gets you a Commercial/Multi-engine/Instrument ticket.

When you get your ticket, it will have an endorsement "Airplane Multi-Engine Land" on the back.

For myself, because I was classified as a Weapons Officer (crew member) and had the proper training, I received the Aviator Badge.

 

[rudder]

As others have stated, there is no real reason to opt for a Sport license over the Private Pilot license. The savings are not significant, IMO. The restrictions are.

That depends. You can get a sport pilot license in a plane that burns 3 gallons of 87-octane per hour versus 5-6 gallons of avgas... so that could be a decent savings. Plus you need a lot less hours. The sport license can also be upgraded... so it can be a good starting point.

But I agree on the limitations... the OP's friends will be bummed when they realize he can only take one passenger at a time. Getting a private pilots license will also mean you will be unleashed with more experience so that is a plus as well.

 

[Mutilator]

As a current student pilot myself I'd say definitely go the private pilot route unless you can't pass the FAA medical for some reason which would require you to stick with sport pilot.

Too many people get hung up on the hours (and money). First it's the minimum hours to get your cert (40), then you find out how many hours it'll really take you (75 is current national average if I remember correctly), then you count the hours until you solo thinking that getting to solo quick makes you a better pilot. Stop thinking like that. All the hours are cumulative. Total hours is what really matters. Think like this early and you'll be better off. More hours = more experience = safer pilot.

As for pricing as you can see from this post alone it varies greatly depending on where you are and what plane you fly in. With my flying club a Cessna 152 is about $75/hour depending on fuel costs + $25/hour for an instructor. If you're a bigger guy, say 180lb+ (or get paired with a bigger instructor) then you'll have to be in a larger, more powerful plane like a Warrior or Cessna 172. Those will cost $25-50/hour more. Keep in mind bigger is relative when it comes to flying - even little guys suddenly become big when they climb into a ~3ft wide cockpit with someone else sitting beside them.

If you start flying and enjoy it then I'd recommend checking out the AOPA - especially since membership is free for 6 months as a student. A lot of resources available to you from educational videos on up to weather and flight planning software.