ATOT Plane Crew?

Aug 26, 2004
14,685
1
76
i am interested in getting a pilot's license

anyone have one that can tell me what's involved?

i'm in oklahoma if that makes a difference
 
Oct 9, 1999
15,216
3
81
Okay first go to : www.beapilot.com --> sign up for an introductory flight ($49) to see if you like it. (to see if you throw up or what not - a small plane will bounce around a lot. You also get to feel how it feels to fly a plane). SOme flight schools have an upgrade package like mine, that gives you more flight time to get your feel.
After that you got to get your FAA medical certification.
Then pick your flight school (shop around).. mine is a school in sacramento. I like it. Its called SkyWalk Inc. They are big enough to have an simulator for practising yoru landings.
Next you need to figure out if you want to do FAR 141 or FAR 11 (or whatever those are called). Those are different requirements for your training.. your flight school can guide you thru that.

After that you can go for your training.. now if you are paying for your own, you might need upfront in block hours, if you are doing loans, then you need to file FAFSA i think.

Hope this helps.

Manjul / TGG.

<--- On my way to get my VFR rating, but i got a long way to go.. this sem i am taking it slow.
 

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
Whenever I was taking flight lessons, here's the process that I recall.
I went to the local airport that had an instructor. Flew about 10 hours worth spread out over a few weeks. Got a flight physical, had to have it before I could solo. Once I solo'd then I could go up and practice different maneuvers with out having the instructor, which was cheaper since I didn't have to pay for the instructor fee. He'd go up a few more times with me to show me different things that would be required for the FAA flight test. The instructor also had a little class that covered material for the written test. I took the class, but soon after ceased my flying, due to having no time to put aside for flying. I had about 30 hours when I stopped. The next step was taking the written test, then getting atleast 10 more hours, realisticly it probably would have been more like around 50 to take the flying part test where you go up with an FAA person. Once you pass the flying test, you have you private pilots license.

You can check out the forums over at studentpilot.com for more info.
 

Pabster

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
16,986
1
0
Take the "Intro Flight" option which is usually cheap, around $50.

You'll get a pretty good idea if you really want to proceed or not.

Total cost varies throughout the country. Here a Private Pilot can get done for about $3500 but in some places it is double that.
 

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
it will take $$$. Regulations say that you will need to get 20 hours of instruction and 20 hours of solo time to be eligible to take the flight test for your private pilots license. The average student needs around 60 hours total.

So call up an airport near you to see what they charge for instruction and aircraft rental. That will give you a good ball park. There are also other items like books, maps, test fees that you will have to pay.

Other than making the minimum 40 hours, the time it takes to be proficient enough to pass the test is up to you. I would recommend you save the money first and try to fly 2-3 times a week. As an instructor I hated to see people come out 2-3 times a month and take lessons. Too much of each lesson was going over what happened the last time.

I had one student who flew nearly every day. The second he ticked over to 40 hours total, I signed him off for his checkride. Thats extreme and he was a mechanic where I instructed so he had easy access to instruction.

Other than that go for it and have fun. Oh, and don't be afraid to switch flight instructors if the first one you pick and you do not click. Your paying the money.

<-- Official ATOT Plane crew member
 

raptor13

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,719
0
76
quakefiend420:

Drop me a PM if you have any more questions. I'm a young guy (which I feel you are, too) and have earned my Private Pilot, an IFR rating, a commercial rating, and a CFI rating. I've got about 500 hours of flight time spread out over a bunch of different types of planes (including some multi-engine and jet!).

If you have questions, let me know. You'll soon find that the pilot community is extremely friendly and willing to help our own. :)
 
Aug 26, 2004
14,685
1
76
Originally posted by: raptor13
quakefiend420:

Drop me a PM if you have any more questions. I'm a young guy (which I feel you are, too) and have earned my Private Pilot, an IFR rating, a commercial rating, and a CFI rating. I've got about 500 hours of flight time spread out over a bunch of different types of planes (including some multi-engine and jet!).

If you have questions, let me know. You'll soon find that the pilot community is extremely friendly and willing to help our own. :)

cool, thx :)

i'm just doing some research right now, i'll let you know if i have any questions though :beer:
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,704
5,824
146
A common error is to think you'll earn the money or get it together as you go. Get $5000 set aside before you begin.
I have seen many students give up after getting started. They get just about soloed, then run out of money. They come back in a few weeks, but it takes a couple of lessons to get back "up to speed".
Then they solo and get going into the middle part, and run out of money. You can see the pattern. Each time they have to lay off because of expenses or other commitments, they have to waste time refreshing the skills to move forward.
<----Comm single land and sea, multi land, CFI, CFII, MEI
 

WannaFly

Platinum Member
Jan 14, 2003
2,811
1
0
I am also a private pilot. Yoassarian is also, theres a couple others on the board.

It takes minimum 40 hours to get the license, it takes alot of people over that. It took me almost 70 because i took many 2+ month long breaks.

It's a lot of fun, a lot of work and leaning, and is a very expensive hobby :)

Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

also, if youd like visit my site: www.iamflying.com ive logged every single one of my flights.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,704
5,824
146
Originally posted by: WannaFly
I am also a private pilot. Yoassarian is also, theres a couple others on the board.

It takes minimum 40 hours to get the license, it takes alot of people over that. It took me almost 70 because i took many 2+ month long breaks.

It's a lot of fun, a lot of work and leaning, and is a very expensive hobby :)

Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

also, if youd like visit my site: www.iamflying.com ive logged every single one of my flights.

See what I mean?:)
 

WannaFly

Platinum Member
Jan 14, 2003
2,811
1
0
Originally posted by: skyking
Originally posted by: WannaFly
I am also a private pilot. Yoassarian is also, theres a couple others on the board.

It takes minimum 40 hours to get the license, it takes alot of people over that. It took me almost 70 because i took many 2+ month long breaks.

It's a lot of fun, a lot of work and leaning, and is a very expensive hobby :)

Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

also, if youd like visit my site: www.iamflying.com ive logged every single one of my flights.

See what I mean?:)

On my behalf, I didnt run out of money :) School/Work/life issues got in the way. :)

 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,704
5,824
146
Originally posted by: WannaFly
Originally posted by: skyking
Originally posted by: WannaFly
I am also a private pilot. Yoassarian is also, theres a couple others on the board.

It takes minimum 40 hours to get the license, it takes alot of people over that. It took me almost 70 because i took many 2+ month long breaks.

It's a lot of fun, a lot of work and leaning, and is a very expensive hobby :)

Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

also, if youd like visit my site: www.iamflying.com ive logged every single one of my flights.

See what I mean?:)

On my behalf, I didnt run out of money :) School/Work/life issues got in the way. :)


Yeah, I hear you. Either way, doing it all in one go is most efficient:)