Yesterday was a good day

"Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car" (pilot-and-car-guy)
10/01/2015 at 12:04 • Filed to: None

Yesterday I turned 16. I got my licence in the morning and soloed that afternoon. It was truly amazing to fly the plane myself. Sadly, today at work is not nearly as nice. For the pilots out there, winds were 25005G15KT and I was landing 30R at KBJC.

Photo taken by my CFI after I landed.

DISCUSSION (63)

BeaterGT > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:07

16 and flying?! Too awesome.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > BeaterGT
10/01/2015 at 12:08

Thanks. I stared flying as a birthday present when I turned 10. Not I’m 16 I was legally able to solo. It’s amazing. If you can, go try it. (Disclaimer: You will get hooked, and you will spend way too much money doing, and it will be worth it.)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:10

Is that a 150? That is like the Toyota Yaris of planes, it’s enought to get off the ground but you would rather be in a carolla.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/01/2015 at 12:11

152. It has the sparrowhawk mod though. Bumps power to 125.

Climb is usually 700ft/min. Si about comparable to a 172 on climb and cruise.

$kaycog > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:13

Kinja'd!!!

Belated Happy Birthday! Have some cake, Jake!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:16

Nice, I didn’t know there was an “S” line for the 152’s. I guess if you are light it might even climb a bit better than a 172 considering the lack of weight. I just remember being sooooo cramped in that cockpit, but we only had money for a 152, not a 172 rental on that occasion. My best friend is a pilot since forever and tries to make me vomit every once in a while.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:17

Nice! I’ve really been getting the itch to learn to fly lately.

This trip didn’t help. ;)

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/01/2015 at 12:17

It does get cramped, even alone as I just found out. But only $72 wet. It’s my go to.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > $kaycog
10/01/2015 at 12:18

Thank you!

My grandma made one a lot like it.

Kinja'd!!!

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
10/01/2015 at 12:20

I’m so jealous. Someday I’ll get out there.

You need to get up there soon though. It’s expensive, but well worth it. I’ve worked part time the last few years to cover training and it’s worked well.

ttyymmnn > $kaycog
10/01/2015 at 12:21

He’s only 16, so no half-naked woman sprawled across an airplane, huh?

TheHondaBro > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:26

HA, IM THREE YEARS AND ONE DAY OLDER THAN YOU!

Jcarr > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:31

Happy Birthday and congrats! That’s awesome!

Trunk Impaired 318 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:33

I really need to get my proper license, I’ve been flying gliders for years now but ever since I got to fly our tow plane ive been dying to fly with actual power

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Jcarr
10/01/2015 at 12:33

Thank you!

$kaycog > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:33

Your grandma made an awesome cake!

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > TheHondaBro
10/01/2015 at 12:33

Well that’s officially official.

$kaycog > ttyymmnn
10/01/2015 at 12:34

Exactly! ;D

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > $kaycog
10/01/2015 at 12:34

She always does.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Trunk Impaired 318
10/01/2015 at 12:34

I think it’s better. And a powered add on is only 10 hours I think. Shouldn’t be too hard or expensive.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:37

You didn’t even have to use your AK?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/01/2015 at 12:38

Don’t even have one. They only needed a birth certificate, medical exam, and several thousand dollars.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:38

My only real excuse is that one of my best friends who graduated from Florida Tech a couple years ago who was training me left for Wisconsin to fly for FedEx. I’m sure a lot of local farmers would appreciate me getting my license as well, since I tend to end up in their fields rather often

Tapas > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:40

I’m jelly!

I wish I could fly...

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Trunk Impaired 318
10/01/2015 at 12:40

There has to be another cfi around there.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tapas
10/01/2015 at 12:42

You can. I’ve worked part time, minimum wage jobs to bay for it.

It’s not that expensive.

Tohru > TheHondaBro
10/01/2015 at 12:42

Happy late birthday, you young whippersnapper.

TheHondaBro > Tohru
10/01/2015 at 12:45

Thank you, old person.

Tohru > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:47

For the pilots out there, winds were 25005G15KT and I was landing 30R at KBJC.

Kinja'd!!!

Tapas > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:49

If you don’t mind me asking, how much did it all of it cost you?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tohru
10/01/2015 at 12:55

Translation needed?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tapas
10/01/2015 at 12:58

It’s always pretty variable. I’ve paid from $40 to $42 per hour for flight instructor time. Between $60 and $72 for that little airplane up there, and $100 to $150 per hour for the bigger ones. I also pay a $12 per day flat rate membership due. So a typical training flight is 1 hour of airplane time, 1.3 to 1.5 hours of flight instructor time, and the membership. So I pay $135 to $150 for a training flight. I’ve been doing it since 09, and I’ve spent more money than necessary due to the spacing between lessons. A full pilots licence is between $5000 and $15000. I’d go on an introductory flight first (Usually about $100) and see if you like it. If so, save the money up front and go at it 3x per week. You’ll get it done faster and cheaper that way. Average is about 3 months and $10000. I’ve spent about $4000 so far, and I’m about 2/3 done. My school is one of the cheaper ones.

Tohru > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 12:58

As near as I can figure: at 2500 ft, winds at 5mph gusting to 15mph, landing at runway 30 degrees Right at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan in Broomfield, CO.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tohru
10/01/2015 at 13:00

Kinja'd!!!

Not quite.

Wind was 250 degrees magnetic, 5 knots gusting to 15 knots, and runway 30R at the airport KBJC.

30R is approximately 300 degrees magnetic. So a decent crosswind. As is runway 30L. They’re parallel.

Tohru > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:03

I was close, considering I don’t know shit about this stuff.

So you had to land with a dab of Oppo?

Kinja'd!!!

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:05

So dope! My dad Flies when ever he can, he has a seneca 5. He’s tried to get me into it, but my car hobby is already expensive enough for my tastes. But hearing your 16 yearold self making moves has motivated me some...

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tohru
10/01/2015 at 13:09

You were close.

And we call that crabbing.

There’s also the slip method of crosswind landings.

Slip is putting the upwind wing low and using rudder to track straight.

Crap is the photo, flying in to the wind at an angle, and transitioning to a slip right before touchdown.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
10/01/2015 at 13:09

Good. We need more pilots.

My car hobby is also sadly expensive.

But it’s all worth it. :)

Tohru > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:13

So this would be a slip-up?

Kinja'd!!!

Note wingtip on runway.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tohru
10/01/2015 at 13:13

That’s exactly what it is. A miserably failed slip.

The idea is to be wing low, not wing broken.

But they say any landing you can walk away from is a good one!

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:15

Haha, but nothing compares to plane ownership. A few months back on a touch and go, he hit one of the props, didnt even notice till he was putting it away later that day. The props only 1’ off the ground so on compresion it made contact. They had to pull the whole motor and rebuild it from scratch basically. Better safe then sorry.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
10/01/2015 at 13:16

At least he was okay. Someday Id’d like to own my plane, but it’s far too expensive for a 16 year old with a part time job and 3 very expensive hobbies.

Prop strikes are always scary, and sadly, require rebuilds.

Tohru > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:19

and any landing where you can reuse the plane afterwards is a great one.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:22

Become an instuctor, easiest way!

Trunk Impaired 318 > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:23

Oh theres plenty, Im just incredibly lazy

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
10/01/2015 at 13:25

That’s the plan. Just need to finish my private, instrument, commercial, and cfi ratings first.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tohru
10/01/2015 at 13:26

Exactly.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Trunk Impaired 318
10/01/2015 at 13:26

That’s easy to fix. :)

Captain of the Enterprise > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:32

That's awesome, if you don't mind me asking how much does it cost to get your license all in?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > $kaycog
10/01/2015 at 13:33

That was what I was hoping for though.... :)

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Captain of the Enterprise
10/01/2015 at 13:34

Just a copy paste of my reply to the same question earlier. :)

$kaycog > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 13:37

I’m sure you were!

Tapas > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 14:07

Thats not bad at all :)

Thanks for the detailed write up

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Tapas
10/01/2015 at 14:11

It’s not.

My pleasure.

If you have any more questions or decide to go for it, let me know.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 14:48

It would be nice if you could tell us more about your journey to flight. I took my son down for a Young Eagles introductory flight last year and he has been bugging me about lessons ever since. I’d like to hear more about how you were introduced to flying and what you did between lessons to keep yourself interested.

I picked up a dogfighting game for his XBOX and we’ve played it a couple of times. The flight models are definitely more arcade than real, but the real surprise was his spatial awareness. He did his best to get on my tail, but I had opted the more maneuverable Zero. Next time, I’m sure he will pick the Zero, so I’ll select the faster, more heavily armed Spitfire and teach him something about tactics. :)

Did you use any flight sims and if so, which one(s)?

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > TheRealBicycleBuck
10/01/2015 at 14:56

Never any fighter sims. I have used Flight Simulator X to keep myself going between lessons. It’s not very realistic, but it’s fun and you can practice the basics. It started as an introductory flight as a 10th birthday present. I got hooked and got a part time job to pay for it. I’d fly about 6x per year and just keep working on the basic skills. I also studied a lot between lessons. As I’ve gotten older I’ve been able to earn more money. So I’m flying more often these days and making a lot more progress. How old is your son? Starting young is nice, but can have some major downsides. If you prefer, you can email me, jakehuitt@gmail.com, and I’d be happy to offer advice.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/01/2015 at 15:02

Let’s keep this in the open. You never know who is lurking and might pick up something valuable.

We know that he can’t get licensed for several years. The Young Eagle program includes a free online ground school, but we haven’t done the homework to figure out how that fits into flight school.

Tell us about the major downsides of starting early.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > TheRealBicycleBuck
10/01/2015 at 15:03

I get off work in 1 minute. I’ll post back here later this evening with more information. Thanks for asking. :)

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > TheRealBicycleBuck
10/01/2015 at 17:12

The major downside is that you will spend a lot of money to do it.

If you start at 16/17 you can do 1-3 flights every week and have it done in as little as 2 months. If you start younger it’ll be that many more years before the next major milestone (solo) and you’ll be spending a lot of money on what’s ultimately not that helpful. I’ve spent a lot more money that I needed to, and will have to spend a lot more, to get my certificate. If I had waited, it would have been cheaper.

Some flight schools offer ground school for relatively cheap, others not. If they don’t offer a good cheap course, the Young Eagles one is fine. You can start ground school at any time but you can’t take the faa written test until you are 15. Just remember the written test is only valid for 2 years from the date it was taken. So I would wait to start ground school until he is 16 and have him take the written when he turns 17, and assuming all else is done, eligible for his private pilot certificate.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/02/2015 at 03:21

happy birthday!

well done on the pilots license too!

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > pip bip - choose Corrour
10/02/2015 at 10:49

Thank you!

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car
10/07/2015 at 12:26

My buddy did that and then got his CFI so he could get paid to fly on the weekends while keeping his day job. Eventually got hooked into being somebody’s private pilot and now flies for an airline

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > itranthelasttimeiparkedit
10/07/2015 at 12:30

My plan is to become a cfi. Eventually. It’s a lot of money to get there.