Any private or recreational pilots?

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
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I've wanted to learn to fly for several years, but never really had the time since I traveled so much. I'm not relatively grounded, so I have the opportunity to pursue it.

The wife recently expressed interest in learning to fly (independent of my saying anything), so I thought I might get us both training for her birthday. We both have solid careers, so I doubt it would be anything that would lead us to professional training, but I'd at least like to fly solo and a cross-country flight or two.

Any recommendations, caveats, etc.? Cost won't be much of an issue, and we should both have the ability to fly 3 hours or more a week in the beginning.

Thanks for any feedback. I did search, but didn't find any relevant threads.

UPDATE 1/28/08:

The wife and I went on an introductory flight late last week. She flew for the first hour, we landed and then I flew for another hour. I actually got to fly at near sunset, so the lights of Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs were very impressive.

Overall we had a great time. It's much more peaceful than I anticipated. We did some basic maneuvering, but I didn't learn all that much (as I expected). It was definitely worth the effort whether I continue to pursue it or not, but at this point it's going to be more of a scheduling issue than anything else. It's hard to find the time to fly as much as I'd need to really make progress...

So, we'll see. If anyone has any questions, let me know. I obviously know very little, but if you're curious about it and just need the little extra nudge to do it, I'd be happy to help.
 
Oct 9, 1999
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www.beapilot.com

Its a quick way to get your first flight out of the way. To get your PPL, you will need a medical test, it costs about ~100 that includes an eye exam.
Most vision problems can be accepted, short of pure blindness or epilepsy or diabetes you should be fine.

You can call these places (near you from that site) and ask them if they got a beginners special. Many places have a beginners special where you get 30 minutes of ground school and a log book thinge.
 

jai6638

Golden Member
Apr 9, 2004
1,790
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Hey there.. I"m a private pilot and the FAA minimum for getting a Private Pilot Certificate is 40 hours. I solo'd in 10 hours and on average, it takes about 60-65 hours to get your license. However, this certificate only allows you to fly in good weather. You would need to get another 40 hours of "instrument" training after getting your license to be able to fly through clouds and in bad weather ( low cloud ceilings, rain with low clouds,etc ). Its definitely a lot of fun. Check out www.airnav.com for airports in your area and go visit the them to compare the price as well as the overall quality of the flight school.

Be a pilot is great for the intro flight so make sure you use that. Let me know if you have any other specific questions.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,732
5,872
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Will you pursue that in Georgia? If you PM me the area you would train in, I can make some inquiries. Getting a good instructor is very important.
Go take an intro flight, and buy one for your wife as well.
If that goes nicely, get your flight physicals and take a ground school.
 

Stiganator

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 2001
2,492
3
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I had epilepsy as a child, but haven't had a seizure in over 10 years. Would I be able to get my wings or am I forever barred from flying?
 

Stiganator

Platinum Member
Oct 14, 2001
2,492
3
81
Also, would using flight simulator help at all?

Anyone know of good schools in Minnesota/ Minneapolis area.
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
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Thanks for the feedback all. I've looked at the Be A Pilot site. I'll think I'll pursue the introductory offer for both of us just to get us an idea of what to expect.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
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Picking a good instructor is very important - take demo flights at nearby places, usually $20 or so for a 30 minute session, and see how you like the instructor. The minimum hours required for getting a private pilot's license is 40 hours and so most people end up doing a little more than that, just depends on how spread out your classes are. I have a friend that's been able to get 6 hours or so per week, and because of him doing it this frequently, he won't need a lot more than 40 to finish.

Anyway, I'm hoping to start soon as well along with my brother. Flying is one of those things where you get up in the air and just like being out at sea, all your worries in the world go away, it's definitely worth it.
 

jai6638

Golden Member
Apr 9, 2004
1,790
0
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Originally posted by: Stiganator
Also, would using flight simulator help at all?

Anyone know of good schools in Minnesota/ Minneapolis area.

I"ve had instructors tell me that for PPL training, using the flight simulator is actually a disadvantage because when you are in the cockpit, you tend to focus more on the instruments instead of looking outside. Flight Simulator is very useful for instrument training ( for flying in bad weather aka IFR ) but not so great for good weather flying aka VFR flying. All the maneuvers that you have to demonstrate in your checkride require you to do them in reference to some outside object and to look outside while you are doing them. Hence, I wouldn't get used to FS.

Anyway, I'm hoping to start soon as well along with my brother. Flying is one of those things where you get up in the air and just like being out at sea, all your worries in the world go away, it's definitely worth it.

Good luck! It is definitely the best feeling when you're up there! :D
 

Dunbar

Platinum Member
Feb 19, 2001
2,041
0
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I have my private pilot's license but haven't flown since college. I would recommend taking a couple of lessons to see if flying is for you. Then stop and get the written exam taken care of, that info will help reduce the number of flying hours you will need. I would also fly twice a week to maximize bang for the buck. IMO, once you get your license, you really need to fly about once every two weeks to stay safe and proficient. So keep that in mind when figuring out if you can afford this hobby (it's expensive!)
 

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
The wife and I went on an introductory flight late last week. She flew for the first hour, we landed and then I flew for another hour. I actually got to fly at near sunset, so the lights of Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs were very impressive.

Overall we had a great time. It's much more peaceful than I anticipated. We did some basic maneuvering, but I didn't learn all that much (as I expected). It was definitely worth the effort whether I continue to pursue it or not, but at this point it's going to be more of a scheduling issue than anything else. It's hard to find the time to fly as much as I'd need to really make progress...

So, we'll see. If anyone has any questions, let me know. I obviously know very little, but if you're curious about it and just need the little extra nudge to do it, I'd be happy to help.
 

pyonir

Lifer
Dec 18, 2001
40,856
321
126
Originally posted by: axelfox
Originally posted by: ranmaniac
My hopes at becoming a pilot ended with Top Gun for NES.

I could never land on the carrier.

God damn carrier!!!!! :|

If i had an NES controller in my hand right now, i'd throw it. That god damn carrier!
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Sounds neat. Props to you and your wife for pursuing your dream and hobby. I've slight fear of flying so it's not something I would ever do. :eek: What I want to do is learn how to sail. Hopefully in the future I'll have the time to pursue it.
 

roguerower

Diamond Member
Nov 18, 2004
4,563
0
76
I have 35 hours towards my private pilot...got to solo cross country but had to stop b/c college started and I ran out of money....decisions, decision
 

JasonCoder

Golden Member
Feb 23, 2005
1,893
1
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Originally posted by: MrChad
Originally posted by: pyonir
Originally posted by: axelfox
Originally posted by: ranmaniac
My hopes at becoming a pilot ended with Top Gun for NES.

I could never land on the carrier.

God damn carrier!!!!! :|

If i had an NES controller in my hand right now, i'd throw it. That god damn carrier!

:laugh:

Angry Nintendo Nerd review (NSFW)

Aww shit there's the aircraft carrier. Now I'm fucked.

:laugh: