Going Flying Today

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
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Yip, going up in a Cessna 172. It has always been my dream to be a pilot and today is the first step. I am taking a Discovery flight and check it out, never been on a small plane before.
 

GrumpyMan

Diamond Member
May 14, 2001
5,780
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Can I have your computer in case you uhh.........don't uhhhhh.........never mind. Good luck. :)
 

ScottMac

Moderator<br>Networking<br>Elite member
Mar 19, 2001
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You're gonna love it.

Chances are they'll show you the walk-around, get out in a practice area, and let you see how all the controls feel. Some places will even talk you through the take-off (really easy). Even if it's just a fly-around-the-area thing, it's great. It's an amazing feeling and instantly addictive.

The Cessnas are great because of all the downward visibility, they're very stable, and easy to fly.

Good Luck (and remember: right rudder!)

Scott
 

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
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Welcome to the club. I started out in a 152. The first time I was in a 172 it felt like a bus.
 

Brutuskend

Lifer
Apr 2, 2001
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Several years ago I worked with a guy who owned a old WWII open cockpit trainer.
I got to go up in it once and fly it. It was COOL, nothing over your head but SKY...I just wish I haddn't gone out and gotten plowed the night before, it would have been much more fun.. ;)
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
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well im back, that was VERY COOL!

the instructor went over the pre-flight with me, got in showed me all the gages, nobs, switches... started it and he taxied down to the runway. he steered the cessna to the center line and he said "OK, it take us up, give it the throttle and when we reach 55 Knots pull back on the yoke. So i applied the throttle to full and when we reached 55 knots i pull back and im fricken taking this plane off the ground!! he let me fly it for about 45 min, doing turns and just getting the feel of flying for the first time. he let me get lined up on the approach then he took over. VERY COOL! i do believe i have been bitten by the flying bug. Sooo i do believe i will start training to get my private pilots license.
 

Lucky

Lifer
Nov 26, 2000
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:D Sounds like fun, if I had the time and disposable income I'd be interested! ;) I think I'll get parachute training first though.
 
Feb 24, 2001
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Yeah I was up in a 270 Turbo a few months ago, I love general aviation. Going to get my private in a year or so, hopefully can score a deal on a joint owned plane of some sort. Hanger costs are killer :(

 

Stiler

Banned
Nov 21, 2001
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I think the hardest part about flying is the landing......it can make or break ya so be careful when you have to do that.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
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This is somethig I've wanted to do for the past few weeks but need the cash first :)
 

atrowe

Banned
May 20, 2001
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I was working on my private pilots liscense when I was in high school (Not THAT long ago). I finished the ground portion of the course, but got stuck on the in-flight stuff. It's expensive. Back when I was doing it, you'd need to rent the plane for $30-40/hour, plus the cost of gas, plus the cost of an instructor. I just couldn't afford it. One of these days when I have more disposable income, I'd love to do it again. It's a hella lot of fun.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
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Originally posted by: atrowe
I was working on my private pilots liscense when I was in high school (Not THAT long ago). I finished the ground portion of the course, but got stuck on the in-flight stuff. It's expensive. Back when I was doing it, you'd need to rent the plane for $30-40/hour, plus the cost of gas, plus the cost of an instructor. I just couldn't afford it. One of these days when I have more disposable income, I'd love to do it again. It's a hella lot of fun.


to rent planes around here for a 152 its $72.00 a hour, for a 172 its $98.00 a hour.

It will cost about 7k for pilot training. Sounds expensive but if you compare the cost of the training to other hobbies its comparable. 4 wheelers are about 7K, jet skies are around 7k, Microsoft training is around 7K, hot tubs are around 7K. a cheap boat is over 7K, A guy i work with flys R/C heliocopters and i know he has over 7K in stuff.
 

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
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Congrats on your successful flight Citrix!

It is expensive, no question about that. I waited until I had about 5K stored away before starting. The worst thing you can do with flight training is not fly. If you don't fly for even two weeks you've gone backwards. You end up constantly refreshing yourself instead of progressing.

The best option is if you can dedicate at least a couple days a week. Heck, I knew one guy who scheduled two lessons a day!

I envy you somewhat. You are learning in Colorado, mountain country. I still haven't flown in the mountains and I'd need some extra instruction to really feel comfortable doing so. Of course, learning in the plains states has its advantages too. Fewer things to run in to and more fields for emergency landings. ;)
 

ScottMac

Moderator<br>Networking<br>Elite member
Mar 19, 2001
5,471
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Mountain flying can be tricky.

The regionalized aspects can be surprising. I live near Chicago. In this area, if you get 30 mile visibility, you're doing pretty good. Talking with a guy from out West (Arizona, I believe) .... he said he'd be nervous even thinking about flying with ONLY 30 mile visibility (says he's used to 50-100+).

I haven't been flying for a while (medication), but I'm looking forward to getting into one of the local flying clubs in another month or two (gotta get new medical & flight check).

I started learning at Camp Lejeune (MCAS military flight club). It cost $14.00 / hour wet for a 152m, and another $7.00 for the CFI. You had to put up $50.00 to cover the deductable on the insurance (which I used one time bouncing the wheel pants off of the plane). This was ~1976-77.

I finished (after many years off) at PlaneMaster's (DuPage Airport, IL).

Advice to Citrix: Get your medical out of the way ASAP, if you are taking certain medications, you may need to file for exceptions. If you are a non-insulin-dependent diabetic, you can fly, but also need to file for an exemption. You won't be able to solo without a 3d class medical (it's actually acting as your "Student Pilot's License"). If you're serious about getting into flying, get your medical ASAP to make sure you have it when it comes time to solo.

Good Luck! Enjoy!

Scott
 

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
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Originally posted by: ScottMac

Advice to Citrix: Get your medical out of the way ASAP

Great advice. The medical examiner scowled at me when I told him I'd been flying a few times before getting the exam.
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
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616
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Thanks for the advice guys. Im not on any meds except for Tylenol for the networking headaches i get ;)

Can my family Dr. do the flight cert? or do i have to see a flight surgeon?
 

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
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You need to go to an approved medical examiner. You can call your HMO and tell them you need to get a flight medical examination. Some flight schools have examiners associated with them as well.

If you take up flying you'll hear a lot of rules like what I'm about to type. In fact, you'll have to memorize some of it:

FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 61.83: Eligibility Requirements for Student Pilots
To be eligible for a student pilot certificate, an applicant must:
a. Be at least 16 years of age for other than the operation of a glider or balloon.
b. Be at least 14 years of age for the operation of a glider or balloon.
c. Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements do to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.

FAR Part 61.85 Application
An application for a student pilot certificate is made on a form and in a manner provided by the Administrator and is submitted to:
a. A designated aviation medical examiner if applying for an FAA medical certificate under Part 67 of this chapter;
b. An examiner; or
c. A Flight Standards District Office.

FAR Part 61.23 Medical Certificates: Requirement and Duration
Basically says that you need a third-class medical certificate if you are a student, recreational, private, or instructor pilot.

This is one of the really, really fun parts of learning to fly. Memorizing all the rules. (No I didn't type the rules above from memory, but my FAR/AIM is generally within reach.)
 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
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Thanks for the info, ill call my PPO monday and see what they got.

Cessna has computer based ground training. its a notebook with 27 cd-roms in it that covers everything for the ground school and for passing the FAA test. They played a CD for me and it looked pretty good. interactive test at the end of each section. So ill buy the training kit and study at home.

 

kgraeme

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2000
3,536
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That kit sounds like a good study-aid, but don't discount the benefit of being able to ask an instructor questions during a ground school class. Also, be aware that the layout and performance charts of a Cessna are different than those of other planes. For instance, the performance calculation charts for a Cessna and a Piper are quite different and you never know which you'll get for your written exam.

If you really do get into flying lessons, get yourself a good headset too. The rental ones always suck and make learning radio communications harder than if you have a good headset. I have the tried and true David Clarke, but I'm looking at the Lightspeed XL series for comfort and noise cancellation.

Also, ask your instructor about AOPA. Your instructor should be able to set you up with a free subscription to their Flight Training magazine. And a great flight information web site is AVweb.
 

crab

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2001
7,330
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I own the LightSPEED 25XL headset, and can say I prefer them over my buddies David Clarks :)
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,802
5,969
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Congratulations on your first flight!! It sounds like the bug has bitten you:D
Feel free to PM me about any questions concerning training or light aircraft.

 

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
I was looking at the headsets at the pilots shop. wow they are expensive. 600+ bucks. Thanks for the info for the Lightspeed headsets. They seem cheaper and i have found some great reviews about them.

ok time for my first stupid question. the difference between ANR and passive headsets, does passive mean just listen and no intercom? and i assume ANR allows both intercom and ground comm. or did i get it all wrong?

do you guys use any online avaiation sites to get your stuff? if so what are a few for me to check out.