Any Pilots Here?

[KYWildCatsFan]

As the title says. Anybody here have their PPL or greater or training to get it?

I had my first real lesson this past week. Something I have wanted to do for many years, but have just been too nervous to commit. I have plenty of time on the computer playing flight sims and this has certainly helped as my instructor has pointed out. Not so much with the actual flying of the plane, but in other knowledge based areas.

Anyway, would love to hear if there are any other pilots on this forum and any advice you have. I have started my online course for the knowledge test. That is more intimidating than the actual flying of the plane IMO. I was never a good test taker. Other than that, money will be my other biggest struggle. It's expensive to learn and also maintain flying after you've received your PPL to remain proficient. The cost doesn't stop after training, and that's the one thing that has made me question if I should do it.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I've always been intrigued with it. I had a patient who owned a small plane with his brother. They even had the option to attach floats as desired. If one brother saw a place in Missouri that talked about a great burger, they'd hop in the plane and fly out to try it. If they wanted to go fishing, they'd fly up to Minnesota to fish for walleye for a long weekend, etc.

 

[Chuckinden]

Always dreamed of flying, but life kept getting in the way.

Back in the 70's, I started taking flying lessons and just before I getting ready to solo, I was laid off at work and couldn't afford it anymore.

Later, when I could afford lessons, I started losing my hearing and couldn't pass the medical.

Last year I was ready to get a "sport license" and the pandemic stopped that.

Do you believe in omens?

 

[Kentucky#1]

Dad had a 310 and Diamond DA-20. Both have been sold so he doesn’t fly anymore but it was a large part of my childhood.

I always told myself that I would get my license as it would be very helpful for business but kept putting it off. However, I finally pulled the trigger on it in May and have gone through 4 lessons so far. Hope to have my certificate in October or so.

 

[KYWildCatsFan]

I've always been intrigued with it. I had a patient who owned a small plane with his brother. They even had the option to attach floats as desired. If one brother saw a place in Missouri that talked about a great burger, they'd hop in the plane and fly out to try it. If they wanted to go fishing, they'd fly up to Minnesota to fish for walleye for a long weekend, etc.

This is definitely a big appeal to me. A high level of freedom to be able to fly anywhere in a couple hundred mile radius and be back the same day just to go try a new restaurant.

 

[KYWildCatsFan]

Always dreamed of flying, but life kept getting in the way.

Back in the 70's, I started taking flying lessons and just before I getting ready to solo, I was laid off at work and couldn't afford it anymore.

Later, when I could afford lessons, I started losing my hearing and couldn't pass the medical.

Last year I was ready to get a "sport license" and the pandemic stopped that.

Do you believe in omens?

Wow that is unfortunate. I think if I were in your shoes, I'd be taking all those untimely events as a sign from God. Lol

 

[KYWildCatsFan]

Dad had a 310 and Diamond DA-20. Both have been sold so he doesn’t fly anymore but it was a large part of my childhood.

I always told myself that I would get my license as it would be very helpful for business but kept putting it off. However, I finally pulled the trigger on it in May and have gone through 4 lessons so far. Hope to have my certificate in October or so.

That's awesome! How often are you taking lessons?

I believe for my first month I will try to do one a week. But, after that I will likely taper off to once every other week. I just don't have 1,000 a month to do weekly lessons. So I'm shooting for a 9-12 month goal to get my PPL.

 

[_Mav_]

Why yes, I'm a pilot. How can I help you?

 

[Kentucky#1]

That's awesome! How often are you taking lessons?

I believe for my first month I will try to do one a week. But, after that I will likely taper off to once every other week. I just don't have 1,000 a month to do weekly lessons. So I'm shooting for a 9-12 month goal to get my PPL.

I started off with one a week but had just started with two a week before this stretch of constant rain set in.

Yes, it definitely isn’t cheap. That’s the biggest barrier to entry for aviation - it’s just so damn expensive. Add up pilot lessons, plane payment, hangar rent, insurance, fuel, and it’s a pretty penny. That doesn’t even consider engine overhauls or other maintenance issues that arise.

 

[theoledog]

No but I watch stevo1kiveno on YT.....

 

[TW2484]

I am a CFI and Commercial Single/Multi Engine pilot. Working towards 1500 hours and ATP license minimums in order to get hired by the airlines.

I would highly recommend continuing your training and becoming a pilot. There is nothing quite like being able to get in a plane and fly yourself wherever you want to go. It opens up so many opportunities and is indescribably liberating

The knowledge test isn’t bad at all. I used Gleim to study for the PPL and got a 95%. For any additional ratings after private definitely use Sheppard Air. It’s basically like cheating as they have all of the actual questions you will see on the test.

As far as flying after your ratings, I would recommend a flying club or looking at joint ownership down the road. There are a lot of avenues to explore though. Those two at least afford you the ability to just get up and enjoy flying without obsessing over how much Hobbs time you have racked up.

If you or anyone else has any questions I’d be happy to answer

 

[funKYcat75]

No, but I stayed in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

My mom and dad used to fly. My old man got a plane kit and put the thing together. Gave it up when we were born as he was worried about safety.

 

[thabigbluenation]

 

[KYWildCatsFan]

I am a CFI and Commercial Single/Multi Engine pilot. Working towards 1500 hours and ATP license minimums in order to get hired by the airlines.

I would highly recommend continuing your training and becoming a pilot. There is nothing quite like being able to get in a plane and fly yourself wherever you want to go. It opens up so many opportunities and is indescribably liberating

The knowledge test isn’t bad at all. I used Gleim to study for the PPL and got a 95%. For any additional ratings after private definitely use Sheppard Air. It’s basically like cheating as they have all of the actual questions you will see on the test.

As far as flying after your ratings, I would recommend a flying club or looking at joint ownership down the road. There are a lot of avenues to explore though. Those two at least afford you the ability to just get up and enjoy flying without obsessing over how much Hobbs time you have racked up.

If you or anyone else has any questions I’d be happy to answer

I appreciate that! And helpful info!

 

[catlanta33]

For about a year, my boss was disappearing for hours on end, which is very unlike him. Turns out after he sold his company, he has been training to be a pilot and like I would love to sneak out and play a round on a Monday, he just flies somewhere for fun.

Seems like something perfect for someone that has f you money.

 

[Deeeefense]

My dad was a CFI, I soled in a J-3 Cub at age 16 and was on that day the youngest pilot in the country.
Several years later I got my Private ticket, and flew mostly C-152 C-172 C-177, before buying a Piper Tri Pacer.
I was out of flying for about 20 years but recently got my private ticket renewed in a a Light Sport - Technam P92.

I would offer the following advise:

Think about what you ultimately intend to do with your flying credentials. Many pilots get their credentials and then ask themselves "now what"? Are you going to be a weekend flyer, or do you plan a lot of cross country flying? Then you can decide what kind of license you need. If you are going to do a lot of cross country plan on getting an instrument rating. Flying is a pac-man for money so you don't want to waste you money getting ratings you won't ultimate use.

What kind of plane will you ultimately buy, rent or join a club to fly? What can you afford? If you are just going to be a recreational pilot and don't need a four seater, I would steer you towards the Light Sport category of aircraft. They are much more economical to buy, rent and fly, and unlike the ancient Cessnas and Pipers that you see setting all of the field, they are modern designs made from modern material and many have modern glass panels that make your flying safer and easier, and will outperform similar, older planes.

Enjoy your flying and good luck with it.

 

[Glenn's Take]

Yeah. I held the stick for 30 seconds or so. He told me I was flying the plane. I think he was lying but hey, whatever.

 

[KYWildCatsFan]

My dad was a CFI, I soled in a J-3 Cub at age 16 and was on that day the youngest pilot in the country.
Several years later I got my Private ticket, and flew mostly C-152 C-172 C-177, before buying a Piper Tri Pacer.
I was out of flying for about 20 years but recently got my private ticket renewed in a a Light Sport - Technam P92.

I would offer the following advise:

Think about what you ultimately intend to do with your flying credentials. Many pilots get their credentials and then ask themselves "now what"? Are you going to be a weekend flyer, or do you plan a lot of cross country flying? Then you can decide what kind of license you need. If you are going to do a lot of cross country plan on getting an instrument rating. Flying is a pac-man for money so you don't want to waste you money getting ratings you won't ultimate use.

What kind of plane will you ultimately buy, rent or join a club to fly? What can you afford? If you are just going to be a recreational pilot and don't need a four seater, I would steer you towards the Light Sport category of aircraft. They are much more economical to buy, rent and fly, and unlike the ancient Cessnas and Pipers that you see setting all of the field, they are modern designs made from modern material and many have modern glass panels that make your flying safer and easier, and will outperform similar, older planes.

Enjoy your flying and good luck with it.

This is great advice. It's the one thing I've been thinking hard about. Because, as you said, I don't want to get my license and then be wondering "what next".

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Lots of pilots in my family. Most of us were young. We actually couldn't pile it until someone cut it with a chainsaw first though.

 

[Bigblue2023]

Fly heavy jets all over the world. Desperate to get back into GA as its far more fun and enjoyable. Enjoy the process of getting your PPL, very fun and rewarding experience.

 

[Bill Cosby]

How much of a pain in the *** is it to plan for long trips if you have a small plane? Say you want to fly from KY to CA and would need multiple stops to get there to refuel. Do you have to contact airports ahead of time and let them know exactly when you’ll be there or do you have flexibility to change your plans and do what you want? Or do people just not fly across the country in small planes?

 

[Deeeefense]

How much of a pain in the *** is it to plan for long trips if you have a small plane? Say you want to fly from KY to CA and would need multiple stops to get there to refuel. Do you have to contact airports ahead of time and let them know exactly when you’ll be there or do you have flexibility to change your plans and do what you want? Or do people just not fly across the country in small planes?

Most general aviation pilots now days use flight planning software like Foreflight which allows you to check weather, airport status, fuel available, hours of operation, restaurants nearby etc. Also naiads, radio frequency, charts, etc. It even tracks your route in real time so it can serve as backup navigation to your aircraft's equipment. Foreflight is like an all-in-one solution.

You are not required to file a flight plan unless you are instrument rated and filling and IFR flight plan, but if you do, you can certainly make changes in flight and may need to in cases of weather, military operations etc. If so you simple radio the flight service station near you and advise them you are changing your flight plan. The advantages of filing a flight plan is if you don't close the flight plan on schedule at your destination they will send search and rescue out looking for you.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

I fly an ultra light to work

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Seriously folks. We need to make this a reality

 

[Deeeefense]

Seriously folks. We need to make this a reality

cool idea but it's extremely limited. I think the batteries are only good for about 15-20 minutes - enough time to make a few passes around the neighborhood, and piss off all the dogs and then hopefully make it back to your yard to land. However as a concept it does open the door to more serious practical vehicles based on this platform.

 

[bluthruandthru]

I, for one, can't wait for the average person to be flying around.

(The average person has an IQ of 100.)​

 

[Father Torque_rivals16706]

As the title says. Anybody here have their PPL or greater or training to get it?

I had my first real lesson this past week. Something I have wanted to do for many years, but have just been too nervous to commit. I have plenty of time on the computer playing flight sims and this has certainly helped as my instructor has pointed out. Not so much with the actual flying of the plane, but in other knowledge based areas.

Anyway, would love to hear if there are any other pilots on this forum and any advice you have. I have started my online course for the knowledge test. That is more intimidating than the actual flying of the plane IMO. I was never a good test taker. Other than that, money will be my other biggest struggle. It's expensive to learn and also maintain flying after you've received your PPL to remain proficient. The cost doesn't stop after training, and that's the one thing that has made me question if I should do it.

I got my PPL last year at 55 years old. I'd always wanted to do it and other things would take priority, until I lost a friend and coworker to cancer. She was 2 years younger than me and that hit home, so I told the wife I'm doing this and started taking lessons. Now I'm a part owner of Cessna 172. It's a 1956 model and it doesn't have any fancy glass panels, but it's ours.

If you live anywhere near Cynthiana, you should come check out our flying club. We're just getting a new CFI set up since our old one got hired away, but you won't find anyplace cheaper in the state to get your license.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

I probably would still know my way around the cockpit from my Air Force training (aircraft maintenance). Actually got to start and run engines at idle on a 747. If I am on a plane and for some reason the pilot or pilots die and there are no other pilots on board, I might be of some use in landing the plane. That's with an experienced pilot talking to me over the radio. At least a better chance than some random passenger with 0 experience. Probably would still crash trying to land.