Want A Private Pilot’s License? Do it!

"PilotMan" (Pilotman) 03/18/2016 at 14:48 • Filed to: None

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There is already a huge pilot shortage and jobs are out there for those who decide they want to fly for a living. I do not fly for a living but here’s my experience on becoming a private pilot a second time, 20 years later.

Let’s go back to the kickass late 1990s...

On my 17 th birthday I flew solo for the very first time, this was back in 1996 at Coronado Airport in ABQ NM (an airport that longer exists thanks to the stupid Sandia casino).

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.19560…

It was absolute nirvana flying an airplane by myself as a motor-addicted teenager. Here’s N733HF, she carried me to the great unknown:

What was not so fun was the ground instruction and written test.

Ground training was so very lame as a teenager! I did get some ground instruction from a certified flight instructor but most of my learning was just based on me hitting the books. I had a set of books for the Private pilot test, the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual, and some Test prep study volumes. Essentially you’re learning the basics of flight physics, aircraft performance, navigation, weather, and a whole lot of rules and regulations. About 80% of it is common sense, the rest is just learning what the FAA wants you to know and do. Everything was based on a manual, a slide ruler flight computer, a folding map and a plotter. There were ancient electronic flight calculators but they weren’t much easier than just pencil and paper. I actually failed the written test the first time. As a stupid 16-year-old kid, I just didn’t study enough the first time.

On the other hand, my flight training from the initial intro flight to my FAA check ride was 40.1 hours of flat out fun. Stalls, steep turns, emergency landings, crosswind landings, cross country, all of it was pure enjoyment.

I then graduated HS, became an adult and could no longer afford to fly for fun. I was planning on pounding out a degree and then getting certified as a commercial pilot, but then 9/11 happened and that pushed back new airline pilots five years with horrible pay. I ended up with a boring corporate job and life moved on. I wanted to fly but I had to save up for a house, then kids, and then life in general just got too busy and too expensive.

The flying itch never went away though, there was a giant, unfilled void of dissatisfaction that I continued to carry with me. I started with R/C airplanes in 2002.

That was fun for about five years, I eventually got up to ¼ scale airplanes but then I realized how stupid it was to spend that much on toys when the real thing wasn’t much more. I decided to scratch the itch with flying under FAR Part 103, flying unregulated ultralights. Spring of 2013 I took some tax return money and built a glider, a primary glider that theoretically could be cliff-launched.

I spent the summer building it from scratch from a pile of crowd-sourced CAD drawings. It turned out beautiful and flew very well. I never cliff launched it but I did tow it aloft with a friend and his buggy out in the desert. The glider was fun but turned out to be pain to transport and assemble. Each time I took it flying it required an hour of assembly and stressful thoughts that every bolt and lock pin was secure. I ended up selling it and buying a paramotor quad. The quad was very easy to transport, I just threw it in the back of my truck and took to any open field to fly.

Paragliding was relaxing but was so bloody slow. Lacking yaw and pitch control was both boring and terrifying depending on the circumstance. After a year of paragliding I sold the quad to an idiot who immediately crashed it on takeoff and destroyed both the quad and wing.

My three sons are getting to be teenagers and were begging me to let them fly the glider and paraglider, I told them not without professional flight training. This got me thinking why not get certified again so I can take them flying and get them ready for training? I have a local airport with excellent rental rates that is only 10 minutes away from home, why not start really flying again? My kids’ eventual high school has a flight program that will give them discounted rates and release time for flight training. I offered the idea to my youngest that we go flying for his birthday and he loved it. We flew with a local flight school ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ) as an intro flight.

We took out a Piper with an instructor and did some really fun flying out past antelope island, my youngest is 9-years-old and actually did most of the flying. He has the gift.

So about a month ago I got back to being a student pilot and a whole new world of flight training ease and convenience was opened up to me. Everything is digital and available via handheld device. Every damn thing from training, checklists, flight computers, GPS maps, weather, and even realistic flight simulators are accessible via phone/tablet. The biggest help was the $200 Online Private Pilot training program from Sporty’s.

Essentially this a video training program that covers just about everything required for a private pilot. There are great flight videos and visualizations for those who prefer to comprehend life through spatial reasoning.

Then there’s X-Plane for a flight simulator. I could set up real time weather and take off from the airport of my choice. You can simulate just about everything while interacting with VORs and listening and talking over the radios for VFR/IFR flight following. I did all required flight training again on the my PC at home.

It’s also fun to crash and try and land an F-22 on the wing of a 747 in flight. And who doesn’t like shooting down other planes in the pattern with a Mitsubishi Zero?

I downloaded Garmin Pilot on my phone/tablet which manages everything related to situational awareness and navigation. This is real time weather and navigation that you run on a tablet in the cockpit. 20 years ago this was $30,000 in avionics.

You can literally set up a flight plan in your phone, upload it to Flight Service and then follow Garmin Pilot like you would Google Maps on the street. The whole Aviation world is going to GPS and making life easier for everyone. You still need to know how to do pen and paper calculations using performance charts and learn how to navigate via radio beacons, but technology has made everything so much easier. You can now fly the airplane with a whole lot less workload which means much more enjoyment from just flying. The amount of resources available is astounding. It feels like cheating.

After studying and re-learning everything, all I was required to do was pass a biannual flight review with an instructor. This review happened yesterday with 1.5 hours of ground instruction and one hour of flight instruction. Flying again was so awesome!

We did a bunch of touch & gos and then flew out over the Great Salt Lake for stalls, steep turns, etc.. I fumbled a bit with repeating radio confirmations back to approach, but everything went really well. We got back and the instructor signed with his endorsement that and I AM ONCE AGAIN A PRIVATE PILOT! Now I just need to stay flying and find a good old 180 HP Cessna 172 to buy/fly. Who knows, maybe I’ll get my instrument, commercial, and instructor rating and teach my boys to fly.

I’m sorry but driving the world’s best cars does not even compare to flying an airplane. If you love machines, love motors, and appreciate engineering there is no substitute for flying.

If you are interested in flying, schedule a demo flight today at your local flight school. There’s a local KSL deal for $49 for an hour flight, that’s dang cheap:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

TheOnelectronic > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 14:59

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See, people talk about this “pilot shortage” but the job market is still incredibly shitty.

I think a lot of people are skeptical about spending tens of thousands if not more to be not actually qualified for a job they may never get. That's the case with helicopters, at least. I've heard its even worse for fixed wing.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:04

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Nope.

I hate heights and flying.

ament001 > TheOnelectronic 03/18/2016 at 15:05

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Yea, its like teacher shortages. Well maybe if you didn’t treat them like shit, you’d have more.

Slant6 > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:07

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What about getting into ultra lights as a hobby?

I know you don’t need a license and you can only fly during the day, but are they really as easy to get into as they seem? From what I hear it’s only about 20 hours of training and then around $5000 for a used one. Sounds like it’d be fun.

TacMedic > TheOnelectronic 03/18/2016 at 15:09

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Exactly. From someone who considered it a lot, and did many hours for fun, you have to think about how ready you are to spend 65k (bare minimum) to get a $15/h CFI job to get to 1,500 hours so you can go fly regionals at $28,000 a year with incredible commutes, shit pairings and bad hours for 5-8 years before you get to fly the likes of an A320 or B737. Or then again, you can move to Europe and fly a jet, but it has its own shortcomings.

CodyVella > TheOnelectronic 03/18/2016 at 15:10

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I graduated university with my Commercial Muilti-IFR. I worked for just over a year after graduating flying Fairchild Swearingen Metroliners up here in Canada. And although I will admit the pay was pretty bad, it was to be expected. You won’t make decent money flying commercially until you’ve been doing it for at least 5-10 years (so after you’ve “graduated” from the regional airlines). That said, it’s an incredibly rewarding job. It takes a lot of commitment though. My University class started out with 15 students, and only 5 of us graduated.

Ultimately, I chose to venture in to the business side of the Airline Industry and just fly recreationally now, but going back to flying as a career is always still on the table. It’s something that’s more for the love of it than the money.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:10

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That’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while but have just never done.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:11

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This is one huge reason I wish I still lived in Alabama. My cousin and uncle are both certified instructors, though while my Uncle is an aircraft mechanic, he doesn’t do much instructing any more. My cousin on the other hand is a contracted pilot through the government, doing aerial mapping and surveying. Plus, my Uncle has a couple of planes, one(Cessna 150 taildragger) he bought specifically to train my Aunt with.

PilotMan > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 03/18/2016 at 15:14

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Take off a month, get your license.

Grindintosecond > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:14

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Had you been born five years earlier (me) you could have made it into a regional airline or cargo field by 9/11 and then get stuck in that field for ten years waiting for majors to hire. (me) So, you didn’t miss anything except 10,000 applicants on file with United and every one of them qualified.

The shortage they talk about is absolutely real. Of the 24,000 ATP ratings they gave out last year, there’s no information on how many are foreign pilots with no intention of using it in the US. It’s a high percentage. There are schools whose sole student body is made up of foreign pilots training. Ab Initio schools are on the way.

StuntmanDan > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:14

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This is an interesting article. I’ve thought about becoming a pilot, but everyone I know who is one has told me not to do it. I have the means and am sure I would be good at it. I don’t like riding in airplanes, but by the same token I don’t like riding in cars, so I think I’d enjoy flying if I was in control. I think I just need to spend some money on a good flight sim and spend time with that.

vondon302 > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:14

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Great post!

Donald-Trumps-Hairpiece > TheOnelectronic 03/18/2016 at 15:15

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I thought about going the pilot route a few years ago after getting fed up with my old career, it’s just too much bullshit. It costs a metric ton of money to get a commercial license then even with that, you will have no discernible professional background and will be stuck for YEARS making <35k flying for regional airlines while you build your flight time. Sure on paper it says you make $25 an hour but that only counts for hours actually in flight.

They keep saying there is a pilot shortage coming but with ever decreasing salaries, disappearing pensions and compensation packages, I don’t know if there will ever be a surplus.

royr > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:15

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Nice story - always wanted to learn but same excuses - other stuff to do, no money, blah-blah-blah...

Now i think i’m “mature” enough to not kill myself doing stupid human tricks while flying, have a bit of money to spend, and I’m thinking - what the hell?!? let’s do it!

So - how do i find a reputable place to learn to fly? Bloomer, WI 54724.

thanks!

PilotMan > Slant6 03/18/2016 at 15:17

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If you have access to uncontrolled airspace (you live in the middle of nowhere), they can be a lot of fun. You do kind of get sick flying around the same area over and over again. So it would be good to get something that flies at the limits of ultralight performance. I would strongly suggest a Belite from James Weibe:

Justbrowsing > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:17

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Flying for recreation and transportation? Good.

Flying for a living? Well, not a good living.

PilotMan > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 03/18/2016 at 15:18

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Then do it! Try a demo flight, fly either a couple hours after sunrise or a couple hours before sunset. The air will be nice a smooth and give you a great first experience.

Grindintosecond > TheOnelectronic 03/18/2016 at 15:18

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It’s $100,000 minimum now to do it through an accredited university. throw in a few years training pilots there and then you’re qualified for a regional job, who know you don’t want to stay and therefore treat you like garbage. Why invest in those that wont stay. Besides, they need to convince pilots with over 100k in student debt to accept $40k a year to start and get treated badly. Being nice is free but they forgot the effort to do it takes time and time=money so being nice isn’t free anymore.

There is a pilot shortage. Just look at the signing bonuses the regionals are giving out in desperation.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:19

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I need to learn, theres no excuse, my dad has a redbird simulator and plane. I just have other shit I have to do life wise. Soon tho.

panthercougar > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:19

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Question for any actual pilots out there: How close of an approximation is Microsoft Flight Simulator to actual flying. I’ve spent considerable time at the controls of MS Flight simulator but have zero experience in a real plane. I made a bold claim to a friend that I was 70% sure I could successfully (defined as not destroying the plane or killing/injuring people) land a small aircraft such as a Cessna based on this experience. Am I completely off base here?

PilotMan > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 03/18/2016 at 15:20

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I hate heights too but airplanes don’t bother me. Even in my gilder with no cockpit it didn’t bother me. There’s something about being in control that overrides the fear of heights,.

Tt3Sheppard > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:20

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There is a pilot shortage? I went through one semester at the Delta Connection Academy in 2006 based out of New bedford, MA. Great school but damn goodbye 12 grand. Loved flying but didn't pay enough considering how much I would have to pay. I guess probably the worst timing for trying to be a pilot, post 9/11, pre recession.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:21

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Can’t really do that lol. It would have had to have been like a weekend thing.

Slant6 > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:21

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Are they easily transported? I’d imagine I could just throw it on a trailer and go and fly around different areas. Like State parks or something. I’m in the mountains of NC and aviation charts show only one private air strip in town with the only controlled air space a county over.

Fdor > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:23

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I did the whole private pilot thing when I was younger and promptly gave it up as well. The only difference is that I haven’t gone back and really have no interest in going back. I wouldn’t mind flying again in some out of the way place with no real ATC around but the thought of having to do all the radio calls and obey strict airport rules just makes me cringe. No thanks. I still work in aviation but from an engineering degree side of life and that probably quells any interest I have in piloting.

PilotMan > Grindintosecond 03/18/2016 at 15:23

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The USAF, Guard, Reserves is a nice possibility if that fits your personality. You get paid to receive millions of dollars in flight training.

Sam > Slant6 03/18/2016 at 15:23

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You can probably easily tear it down and throw it in a trailer. Then you can just assemble it where you plan on taking off from.

jlnbos > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:23

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I’ve always wanted to fly, but now that I have the money, I likely wouldn’t be able to pass the FAA physical. Sigh.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:24

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Still Nope.

I get a slight panic-y feeling playing Destiny and having to do the platform jumping on certain levels.

Slant6 > Sam 03/18/2016 at 15:25

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That’s what I was thinking. I guess you can take off from where ever you have space and no ground traffic. I’d imagine you could just call the Sheriff and have them close of a rural street for take off, or borrow a field.

TheRealBicycleBuck > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 03/18/2016 at 15:25

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There is a big difference in perception between standing on a tall object and flying. Once your feet are off the object, the fear of heights goes away.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > TheRealBicycleBuck 03/18/2016 at 15:28

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I wish that were the case. I cannot look out the window on an airplane for any length of time without getting a panic attack.

PilotMan > Grindintosecond 03/18/2016 at 15:28

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The whole industry is fubard, from the less-than economy available seats up to the poor pilots. But hey, the hiring minimums keep on being lowered so you can sign on with a carrier even without a four year degree. You can finish with the online university of your choice.

Also, there’s China if you want to live and fly in China. Their minimums are even less.

NGN_DZNR > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:28

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The military is the best way to learn how to fly but you have to have good eyes to get accepted into their flight program. Doesn’t help if you have 20/100 vision.

Clutchman83 > TheOnelectronic 03/18/2016 at 15:29

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I’m with you on this, I was fortunate enough to acquire the very basic VFR single engine license through a very great JROTC program when I was in high school. It quickly became apparent though that it would require taking on severe debt and a very long time to turn it into a career so I joined the Air Force as an enlisted aircrew member as a stepping stone. I was unequivocally told by reserve pilots I worked with that the civilian market was awful and that I should try to go for military aviation as a career if I wanted to fly and not hate it. Anyways, two Wars and a recession later and my unit was dissolved and cross training wasn’t an option for me because of family stuff. I’m basically done chasing that dream. I think PilotMan wrote a great article but I don’t think it’s particularly realistic to expect a meaningful career to come out of it.

PilotMan > Slant6 03/18/2016 at 15:30

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The Belite has folding wings but you need a 8' wide enclosed trailer. No ultralight is going to benefit from highway wind speeds on an flat bed trailer.

PilotMan > Slant6 03/18/2016 at 15:31

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A field 500' long would be fine.

TheRealBicycleBuck > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:32

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I never completed my pilot’s training, but I did fly hang gliders for a time. It’s was great to get certified for all launch modes - foot, surface tow (both land and water), and aerotow. I took both of my kids to a discovery flight through the Young Eagles program ( http://www.eaa.org/en/eaa/aviatio… ). My daughter thought it was neat, but my son is the one really looking forward to getting licensed.

PilotMan > Grindintosecond 03/18/2016 at 15:33

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No doubt.

PilotMan > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 03/18/2016 at 15:33

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RedBird time would qualify for a good amount of your recommended hours, right?

PilotMan > vondon302 03/18/2016 at 15:34

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I’m sorry for the typos, thank you.

disappointed > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:34

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Aaand my editing comment gets deleted. I suppose that figures-but please do something about the writing quality.

bimps > Grindintosecond 03/18/2016 at 15:38

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So...I can quit my job and become a commercial pilot?

PilotMan > StuntmanDan 03/18/2016 at 15:38

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I started off with the 1993 version of Microsoft flight sim which was horrible. It did help though, I became familiar with the instruments and basic flight dynamics. X-plane is pretty good but it’s nothing like the real thing, very much like Call of Duty compared to firing an AR-15 at a shooting range.

PartyPooper2012 > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:38

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Maaaan! I was taking flight lessons last year. Then... life got in the way... big time. Work relocation. moving residence... etc.

I absolutely love flying.

MoparMap > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:40

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I considered this pretty hard a year or two ago. I have the free time and money and figured while I did it would be as good a time as any to fly. The big stumbling block for me was always what to do with it. I’d love to take a date up on a flight around the town just to see the sights, but I’d need a date first and a plane as well. I’d also rather buy my own plane (because I just like having my own stuff), but the initial cost, upkeep, and storage take a toll pretty quick. Ultimately I don’t think I would fly enough to warrant the expense.

I’d still love to learn as I also like knowing how to do stuff, but I just didn’t see myself getting out what I’d put in. It’s a fairly sizable investment to get a license to start with, and without easy access to a plane or airport the costs just keep going up.

StuntmanDan > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:40

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So you’re saying I should get out there and get flying? My dad is retiring next month and wants to learn how to fly. Maybe we can do it together. There are a few schools at local airports around here.

velyse > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper 03/18/2016 at 15:41

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$$$ is the biggest excuse. My PPL cost somewhere around $6500-7500, we sold our Saratoga last year, it cost roughly $9500 a year between insurance, hanger fees, and basic annual and maintenance, and we owned it outright. That’s before even spending a dime on fuel, which at the time was around $5.00 a gallon at our cheap local airport (4g4). 21 gallon an hour burn, about $130-140 an hour to operate.

It was a lot of fun, and a hell of an experience but it makes literally no financial sense and GA is extremely cost prohibitive these days. Maybe someday those little turbo diesel mills will be in everything and the FAA will realize that it’s unnecessary to overregulate GA and things will get more reasonable. (ahahahahahaha)

I love the new ADS-B requirement, a $4,000 (minimum) regulatory upgrade. That’s gotta hurt when you have a 40 year old 152 that’s only worth $20,000.

NickMaronese > StuntmanDan 03/18/2016 at 15:41

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I similarly am not always a fan of riding in planes (though it’s usually a good time). Being in control has proven to be a whole different experience and I would highly recommend it.

velyse > Grindintosecond 03/18/2016 at 15:42

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I wish I had gotten my ticket 5 years earlier, I would probably have applied for some officer programs and went into the military. I love flying. I wish I knew sooner. Alas, I am too old now.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > StuntmanDan 03/18/2016 at 15:43

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Curious why your pilot pals are telling you not to do it. I’m a CFI, and even if I’d never gone any further than the PPL it's the best money I've ever spent.

PilotMan > disappointed 03/18/2016 at 15:43

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I very much have an engineering mind, I am not an English Lit major. I am not a professional writer. I apologize.

Please also note that this a public forum and anyone with approval can post whatever they want. I typed this up during my lunch hour for the benefit of others.

StuntmanDan > NickMaronese 03/18/2016 at 15:44

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Yeah, that’s what I figure. I love driving cars, but am at minimum uncomfortable with someone else driving. If I don’t know them or don’t trust them I’m super uncomfortable. I think if I was in control of the airplane I’d have that similar feeling of being very comfortable and probably enjoying it.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > velyse 03/18/2016 at 15:46

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How do you get 21gph fuel burn in a PA32? The Lance I used to fly burned 15-16gph leaned 100F rich @ 65% power.

StuntmanDan > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 03/18/2016 at 15:46

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I’ve been told it’s not a good career. I’m making as much money as I would make for my first 5-10 years flying, and I have a much better schedule. It might pay off after that, and if I had started when I was younger it might have been better, but right now it would make my life more difficult for many years to come.

PilotMan > StuntmanDan 03/18/2016 at 15:46

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The Sport Pilot is only 20 hours and would be fun to do together if you aren’t surrounded by Class B controlled airspace.

trxFOXHOLE > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:49

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My 17 yr old is currently taking Aviation Science classes as part of a Vo-Tech type learning program in high school.. His classes are college accredited and he will be eligible to get his flight license this summer. He will be qualified to fly regional a year after high school, then commercial once he gets his Bachelor’s degree. He could be flying internationally by his mid thirties making well over 6 figures.

The thought of him flying a plane before he is 21 is scary seeing that right now we don’t even let him drive to hockey practice 35 minutes away.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Grindintosecond 03/18/2016 at 15:50

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When I interviewed with 3 regionals in 2005, starting pay for an F/O in an RJ was mid-20s. I hear that's gone up a little but doubt it's as high as 40k to start. (awesome if it is though)

disappointed > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:52

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I’m an engineer as well, and certainly not a professional writer. I apologize for my tone and being so critical.

That said, something that could end up on the front page of Jalopnik (as it has) deserves a little more editing time than that, in my opinion. As I originally mentioned, it’s very interesting content, and I’d hate for others to ignore it based on the reasons I pointed out.

HammerheadFistpunch > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:52

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A fellow Utahn, I didn’t know.

EasternPacific > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:52

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Great article, I had been toying with the idea of getting a pilots license this year, but everyone I talked to made it seem really hard/expensive and I kinda lost hope. I live 2 hours highway driving away from the nearest flight school, and they quoted me $20,000 to train as a private pilot, going back and forth every Tuesday for 13 weeks. However, if the digital aids you used are available in Canada then my dream might yet live! Thanks for posting, this was just the kick in the butt I needed to try chasing my dream again.

PilotMan > trxFOXHOLE 03/18/2016 at 15:53

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This is what my son is considering as well. Theoretically he could graduate high school as a flight instructor, making $30 an hour while picking up flight time as he gets through college.

PilotMan > HammerheadFistpunch 03/18/2016 at 15:54

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We’ve talked before. :)

HammerheadFistpunch > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:55

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probably, I’ve already forgotten what I had for lunch.

KSUENGINEER > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:57

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I come from an aviation family that stems back to my great grandfather being a B-17 chief mechanic in WWII. Ever since then my family has been super involved in aviation. This includes myself who is an engineer for an aircraft manufacturer. I absolutely agree that nothing compares to the thrill of flying. BUT, if you want to make flying a career I would think long and hard about it. Flying isn’t lucrative nor cheap. You will pay for hundreds of hours of flight time and instruction before you can get your foot into a job interview, let alone into someone else’s cockpit. If you are young I would HIGHLY recommended taking the military route. This does require at least 10 years of your civilian life (after they have trained you), but the training comes at no costs to you. You will have to live up to the highest standards, and in return you get some of the best training in the world. Once you decide leave military flying then everyone will want you. You will be more disciplined and a better pilot than the majority of the non-military trained pilots out there. Aviation isn’t cheap and will never get cheaper. So unless you or your parents are Dr. Moneybags think wisely about the huge sacrifices that you will have to make in order to create a career for yourself.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 15:58

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Yea, he has the TD2, he says you just need to log the time. He used it a lot when he was first learning. Lately hes been trying helicopters.

(confession: I’m glad he does this, very cool and all, I just wish he’d like cars as much LOL)

velyse > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 03/18/2016 at 16:01

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Turbo :p

30 inches and 2350 rpm leaned to a comfortable EGT would burn around 21.

Usually didn’t putt around at that kind of burn though, 25/2300 would be closer to 15 gph but airspeed was reduced to around 120kts vs 155-160. The increased burn made up for decreased trip time pretty evenly, so travelling anywhere it was wise to just burn more to shorten the trip. building hours and practicing it was much more economical to just go slow.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:02

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Nice lede photo. Great recruiting tool there.. I didn't get my PPL until I was 27 and got all my ratings up through CFI on my own and taught full time at a flight school in White Plains NY in 2001. Of course that was the worst year ever for aviation, (I was in the air with a student on a XC the morning of 9/11) and the experienced guys were getting furloughed left & right. I later interviewed with 3 regionals in 2005. Much as I wanted to fly I couldn't get by on $25k/yr so I canned the dream of a flying career and flew p/t for a charter co in turboprops to keep my hand in it. The airline industry has gone through its shakeup period but until there's a more stable path for noobs it's going to be a gamble. I keep my CFI current thinking my boys might want to learn to fly when they're older.

Dake > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:03

3

I always tell people to go for an intro ride and try it out. If you want to make a career of it though, be sure you are really in it for the love flying and not for some misguided belief of a big payday. Also, think VERY hard about sending high school grads to the big flight schools. No matter how hard their recruiters sell it, a degree from Riddle is not a golden ticket. It will however leave you with over a hundred thousand in student loans which your first job as a regional FO (if you’re lucky) won’t pay enough to make monthly payments on. I earned a scholarship or I wouldn’t have been able to afford it and that was back in the mid-nineties.

Anyway, I’m doing well now, it’s only taken me twenty years and a couple tons of Ramen noodles and tuna fish.

Even with all of that though, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.

PilotMan > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 03/18/2016 at 16:07

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I find it interesting that my local CFIs are now getting paid $30+ an hour, much different than my original instructor making $10 an hour.

Get yourself an IFR 152 (lol) and your boys will have it made.

mfennell > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:07

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My neighbor flies an Extra 300L and a buddy has a Baron. I’ve been thinking hard about getting a license and working my way up to a Beech F33 or V35 for quick family trips at 180mph. My wife is totally into it - possibly because she’s unaware of the true cost. :) In grad school now (not a kid - i’m an old guy) though. Gotta finish that first.

Maybe just a few hours though... Just a taste. My birthday is coming up. “Honey...”

EDIT: I’m friendly with two guys who fly for a major. It is definitely not sunshine and rainbows. They both were ex-Army and survived post-9/11 flying transport to sunny locations. Another guy I know was not so lucky - he’s a flight controller now.

Shiyal > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:08

2

Hey, I looked up your Goat on youtube a couple years ago. Sweet aircraft.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > velyse 03/18/2016 at 16:11

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Aha. (wtf didn’t I think of that?) What’s curious is at 65% the Lance would indicate 150-155 while burning 15gph. And that was @ 24/23. One of my airport buds has an SR22 turbo, and that thing is an absolute gas pig, but fast at 200-210kias. If ya wants to go fast ya gots to pay I guess..

velyse > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 03/18/2016 at 16:13

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speed is exponentially more expensive lol. If only it were a linear scale!

gla2yyz > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:13

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I had a similar experience. I took flight training out of Oshawa, Ontario and got all the way up to doing my first solo cross-countries and had a few weekends of bad weather, then a vacation, then excuse after excuse and before I knew it four years had passed. If flight training or flying isn’t your singular focus you will likely find it very difficult to see it through. I also had the intention of flying for a career until I realized just how little commercial pilots make given the enormous debt they come out with and the stress they’re put under. $120/hr for a 152 starts to add up quickly! And many commercial pilots will tell you it’s not the career you think it is. I’ve also received advice that if you truly love flying, find yourself a good-paying job, buy your own plane (or a share in one), and enjoy it on the weekends. That’s the route I’m working towards. 40th birthday present to myself!

All of the above being said, there really is nothing like flying an aircraft by yourself. My first solo out of the circuit was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > StuntmanDan 03/18/2016 at 16:14

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You definitely pay your dues in that career, but once you're established it's pretty good. If you stay healthy and don't bust many check rides.

StuntmanDan > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:14

1

After some research, we appear to be on the edge of Class C airspace from PHL, but there are a lot of other small- and medium-sized airports around and the maps I can find are a little too complicated to figure out exactly what’s going on.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:17

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When I was instructing at HPN 15 years ago the dual rate was $50/hr iirc. We got paid well at $26/hr. Unheard of anywhere else. I doubt I'd even fit in a 152 anymore; probably just rent a ratty 172 for my boys' PPL.

PilotRPI > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:17

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I don’t believe you can log any sim time toward your private. You can log sim time towards your IFR. You can always use it to practice though.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > HammerheadFistpunch 03/18/2016 at 16:19

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Chug down 5-6 tequila shots and you’ll quickly be reminded. Ole!!

HammerheadFistpunch > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 03/18/2016 at 16:20

1

boy thats different than i remember...why corn?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > velyse 03/18/2016 at 16:21

2

Right? When I saw the fuel burn on the Caravan/Pilatus I flew for the charter company that point hit home. Then I'd talk to the jet guys and be horrified all over again.

PilotRPI > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:22

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I started at 14, got my license at 18, and have been flying for 20 years now. Finally got my first plane, a 172, last year and have been flying the heck out of it.
I’ve spent a lot of time on tracks driving some great cars, but it doesn’t come close to the thrill of flying. I’ve turned down free track time but never turned down a flight.

If you want to fly, do it! Almost any private pilot I know would be willing to give someone a quick flight to try it out. Go to an airport, start up a conversation, and just ask! The smaller the airport, the more friendly and open people can be. Fences make great walls.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > HammerheadFistpunch 03/18/2016 at 16:23

1

LoL “What th’ hell’s this stringy stuff???”

dustyzbottoms > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:25

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I got in to aviation working for a mid-sized avionics shop, found I really liked flying as a result, then got my private pilot. It was the best of both worlds for me, as I got to be super in-depth with aviation without having the lifestyle of a commercial pilot. After a decade I realized that working in aviation wasn’t the best career path, for me at least, so I got out in to something more stable. I still fly for fun though and am super happy that I got in to it.

PilotMan > velyse 03/18/2016 at 16:29

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I’m probably going to buy into a share on an ADS-B 172. I’ve also considered a 150/152 for the sake of cost but the 2020 requirement can be as much as the plane itself. I also have a good A&P friend who will guide me and sign off on maintenance which should help.

Or, I just pay $120 wet an hour for a 180 horse ADS-B 172 when I want to fly.

velyse > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:36

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I wonder how much the EPA had to do with the ADS-B req? They sure want to see 100LL go away pretty badly and “totalling” old birds by making them too expensive to operate would be a good way to get rid of a good chunk of lead burners.

Goatsausage > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:37

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I dunno about now, but years ago in NY some high schools had aviation programs. C.A.P to be exact (Civil Air Patrol). now.. on one end it will make you look like the biggest geek in the world, but on the other end the opportunty to get training and a pilots license for about double the effort of getting a drivers license for pennys on the dollar is an opportunity many have truly underestimated. I went to August Martin HS in baisley Queens NY in the late 80's At the time the school its professors fellow classmates was nothing short of summer blockbuster film worthy. Great years Great times. The re-birth of the bye gone Dragracing scene Partys galoure , house parties, phrat parties etc etc etc. AND to top it off flying cessna 152's over Long island and the NY sound durring the week. A few of my friends became Commerical pilots after a short stint military carrier. Yep they got the full Top-Gun treatment. (nothing like the movie in reality) still. Considering the cost of being trained and becoming a licensed pilot today it was priceless. I whole heartedly would advise anyone going to a vocational or tech highschool with a CAP program to take full advantage of it. seriously.

Kinpolaj 3000 > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:38

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Does anyone have background on incident with the 152 in the lead in photo? To get caught on a wire with such little damage is amazing. To rappel off with our securing the plane seems kinda nuts.

PilotMan > KSUENGINEER 03/18/2016 at 16:42

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My youngest son is very much an engineer, with an IQ of 144 the kid was built to design. For him, the PPL will probably be a very fun accomplishment and a valuable lesson in Physics. I’m hoping he finds himself up the engineering ladder some day.

I also think the PPL will be a great activity to keep my teenagers out of trouble.

PilotMan > disappointed 03/18/2016 at 16:43

3

I just threw it up on Oppo, wow.

PilotMan > gla2yyz 03/18/2016 at 16:43

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It’s worked okay for me. ;)

PilotMan > Dake 03/18/2016 at 16:44

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Well done!

TheOnelectronic > Grindintosecond 03/18/2016 at 16:44

1

The problem I encountered was that pilot training (for helis at least) is a fucking pyramid scheme.

There is basically one job you can get once you get your license: Instructor.

As an instructor, you need to train roughly five other pilots to the level of an instructor before you can move on.

That means there are five people, perhaps fewer depending on how many non-professional students you got, who all have no option but to take the one job that you just opened. Didn’t make the cut? Either wait around hoping somebody moves on without having trained any decent replacements, or just find another job to try and pay back the hundred grand you spent to get to this point. Nevermind for a while there the system was drowning in VA benefit scams and literally fly-by-night schools.

I’m a big dude. Even if I went through an 80's training montage and had minimal body fat, I’d still probably be heavier than average just because of my build. It makes way more sense to employ someone smaller and lighter. The odds were just too long for me to take that risk.

The whole instruct-as-a-first-job system just seems so backwards to me, but since I never did actually become a pilot I have limited ground to stand on.

C-Rod > TheOnelectronic 03/18/2016 at 16:45

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Yeah, if there is a pilot shortage it’s because it’s an unstable career choice with awful job prospects. This is from someone whose dream was to be a pilot. It’s slightly better these days than, say, 10 years ago but the glory days of aviation are long gone.

TheOnelectronic > CodyVella 03/18/2016 at 16:46

1

I don’t know about Canada, but I know a lot of people ended up going to Dubai, UAE, China, etc... because the prospects were far more lucrative.

PilotMan > Kinpolaj 3000 03/18/2016 at 16:46

2

http://desastresaereosnews.blogspot.com/2012/02/monomo…

Quote:

A model aircraft Cessna 152 , American prefix N25283 , registered to General Aviation Security Inc , was arrested on Tuesday (7) in a high-voltage network to about 20 m above the ground, in rural Queluzito, metropolitan Belo Horizonte (MG). Two passengers were rescued unharmed, according to the Fire Department Hafizabad, who attended the event.

As a corporation, passengers reported engine failure and tried to make a forced landing, but one of the wheels got caught in the wire. The two men, who were upside down, were rescued by firefighters rappelling, in a risky operation, since the aircraft could fall.

Although firefighters said the accident occurred around 17h and the occurrence was closed at 19h30. For operation, it was necessary that the utility Cemig shut down the network.

WanderingWheels22 > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:47

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That lead picture blew my mind. It took me a good 45 seconds to realize what I was looking at.

Plompy Lfeata > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:49

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I would gladly become a pilot. Are there any Airlines that will pay for training? Im willing to sign a 2 year or even 5 year commitment. I dont care if its indentured servitude, I have zero way to afford a pilots license otherwise.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > PilotMan 03/18/2016 at 16:52

1

Wonderful article, thanks.

I soled about 6 months ago now, just trying to get the studding done and finish up the night and instrument time.