Question for anyone who has taken flight training through a university

[coolred]

I want to get a pilots license, maybe even become a CFI, but I can't afford it. I live in Columbus, OH and found out that OSU offers flight training as non credit courses, for those who just want to learn to fly, but not get a degree in aviation. I understand financial aid should pay for the in school class part, but will I be able to use financial aid(or tuition reimbursment from my company) to pay for flight time, fuel, and everything else?

 

[rudder]

As far as I know you can use financial aid to do whatever you want. Thats the way it is in Tennessee at least. They write you a check and hope you are responsible. I could not get into the military so I had to pay for my own flight training. My parents helped pay for most of it, but I paid for my own flight engineers license which cost quite a few grand.

Edit: and I had a federal student loan. The school I went too did not even offer a flight enginners class so I had to goto a school in Florida to get it. But I still used the loan money for that purpose.

 

[vi edit]

I went to a school with a very large aviation program and had several friends who were in it. Fuel, flight time, and gear, ect were NOT covered by financial aid handed out by the school (grants, scholarships, ect). They had an aviation account that was seperate from their tuition/school account. All flight costs came out of that aviation account.

Now, if you qualified for a federal student loan, the university will just cut you a check for the amount you qualified for, and you can use it as you wish.

 

[coolred]

Well I am a single parent and only 21 years old. I make under 15,000 grand a year, so i figure that i will qualify for a decent amount of financial aid. I am trying to avoid using to many loans, cause I don't want a ton of debt. So how about the government grants like the pell and tohers, do those work toward whatever I want? I noticed you said that school grants do not, are government grants differant? And i guess i will have to talk to UPS about the tuition reimbursement. I know they offer it 2 ways, I can pay for the class then they reimburse me, or I can have the payment deferred and then they pay for it once I pass the class. So I guess i could probablly use a student loan and then get the money from UPS after I finish.

 

[rudder]

Pell grants are the same way. You get a check and you can do whatever with it. If your not interested in a flying career, you may want to wait to become a CFI. If you have some decent experience (not a noob instructor with 250 hours), you can charge some higher hourly fees. Otherwise you will be at the bottom of the pay scale. Being a CFI is rewarding but you won't get rich at it while your in college.

 

[Red Dawn]

Your real name isn't Mouhammed Atti is it?

 

[coolred]

Your real name isn't Mouhammed Atti is it?

Um, no and that part in my profile about living in a cave, well thats a typo. Just kidding, I am not a terrorist and I am not planning on crashing into any buildings. I just want to learn how to fly, cause I think it would be fun and useful.

By the way does anybody know on average how much it costs to rent a small airplane, like a 4 seater. I'm not sure if they charge a set fee, or by the hour, or day or whatever. I understand prices differ all around, I am just trying to find out if I can even afford to keep a flight status, if I get one. Since I am on that subject, do you know how many hours a month or year or whatever you need to have to keep your license?

 

[rudder]

aviation, my favorite subject.

Typically when you rent a plane you pay by the hour. Depends on company renting. That is usually a "wet" fee which includes fuel. Near me a 4 seater runs about $60/hour (Cessna 172 ). You pay for the time the engine is running. And although it has 4 seats, with my fat ass I could probably on carry one other adult and 2 small children. If you take it on a trip there is usually some kind of daily minumum

There is no minumum flight time to keep your license. You have to maintain currency and to carry passengers you have to do something like 3 landings within 90 days. Every two years you have to take a flight review. You go with an instructor but they do not have the authority to take your license or anything like that. So you would end up just trying again if you blew it. Hopefully if you get a license you will work to maintain your skills.

 

[coolred]

Yes i would love to be able to fly every day, but I don't see that in my budget any time soon. Thats basically what I am trying to decide. If I will have enough money to keep flying, so that my skills stay sharp. Not to mention that if i really decide I like flying, then i want to get as much experience as I can, so maybe i can become a CFI.

Well I live in Columbus, OH and i usually drive up to fremont, OH(less then 150 miles) every couple of weeks or so to see my family. I'm sure i can find an airport in columbus to use, and I know there is one just down the road from my moms house in fremont. So I was thinking maybe once every month or so I could fly up there and back for a weekend. I appologize for throwing all this info at you, but you said you like aviation, so here goes. Could i rent a plane in Columbus, take off and fly to fremont and land(by the way, what is the cruising speed of a cessna 172 so i can estimate time in transit)then what do i do with the plane, do i have to rent a hanger to store it in, or will they just let me park it in the grass or something, LOL? Then spend time with my family and fly back the next day.

 

[rudder]

Could i rent a plane in Columbus, take off and fly to fremont and land(by the way, what is the cruising speed of a cessna 172 so i can estimate time in transit)then what do i do with the plane, do i have to rent a hanger to store it in, or will they just let me park it in the grass or something, LOL? Then spend time with my family and fly back the next day.



Most airports offer overnight parking for free (but some do charge a small fee). So you would just tie the plane down for the night. The crusing speed of a Cessna 172 is around 120 knots (about 140mph). Weather is a big factor so that would affect your total flying times since you have to calculate wind speed and weather diversions. Looking at mapquest the driving distance is about 142 miles, so it would probaby be a 45 minute to 1 hour flight. So your costs would be say 3 hours rental for the roundtrip. Depending on the operator that rented you the plane they may charge a minimumm number of hours. Its been a while since I rented a small plane.

 

[coolred]

I am a bit confused, If the trip takes 1 hour to get there and 1 hour to get back, why would I be charged for 3 hours? I am assuming time for taxing and whatnot, but I am not sure if that is really why. I will have to call around and check rates and if there is a minimum number of hours for a rental. Thanks

Oh yeah, I just checked mapquest as well, since i figured it was probablly inaccurate as always. To get me from where I live to where my family lives it goes well out of the way, so if it says 142 miles, I would imagine it is quite a bit less, 120-130 maybe.

 

[rudder]

3 hours is just a guestimate. Until the day of the flight there is no real way to compensate for weather. You never know when you may have to fly 40 miles out of your way to go around a thunderstorm. I have flown in a Cessna 172 before and have actually seen the traffic on the road going faster than the airplane due to high winds.


Then depending on the size of the airport you could have signifigant taxi times or hold times for traffic. But there are thousands of smaller airports that are usually close to major airports that ou can get in and out of in a hurry.



I always fudge high on the numbers when flight planning. That way you never fall short.

 

[coolred]

Thats good advice, no I understand. I know i am jumping ahead and will prolly learn this in flight school, but some airports don't have control towers, right? So how do they keep all the planes from running into each other??

 

[UltraQuiet]

Your questions about flight training are starting to worry me. 😉

 

[crab]

Originally posted by: coolred
Thats good advice, no I understand. I know i am jumping ahead and will prolly learn this in flight school, but some airports don't have control towers, right? So how do they keep all the planes from running into each other??

You follow a pattern, broadcast your every move, and keep in touch both visually and by radio with any planes around you. 🙂

 

[kgraeme]

Originally posted by: coolred
Thats good advice, no I understand. I know i am jumping ahead and will prolly learn this in flight school, but some airports don't have control towers, right? So how do they keep all the planes from running into each other??

Same as when you drive, you watch for others. In a plane, you also have a radio and can talk to the other pilots.

 

[OutHouse]

Originally posted by: coolred

Your real name isn't Mouhammed Atti is it?

Um, no and that part in my profile about living in a cave, well thats a typo. Just kidding, I am not a terrorist and I am not planning on crashing into any buildings. I just want to learn how to fly, cause I think it would be fun and useful.

By the way does anybody know on average how much it costs to rent a small airplane, like a 4 seater. I'm not sure if they charge a set fee, or by the hour, or day or whatever. I understand prices differ all around, I am just trying to find out if I can even afford to keep a flight status, if I get one. Since I am on that subject, do you know how many hours a month or year or whatever you need to have to keep your license?

I started a flying thread last sat, because im starting my flight training. Tomorrow i have my appt for my flight physical just to get it out of the way. but here in colorado to rent a cessna 2001 cessna 172 its $98.00 an hour and to rent a older Cessna 152 its $72.00 an hour.

I took my discovery flight last Sat here is the link to the flight school im going to.

Flight School

I flew the third plane down on the list (2001 Cessna 172S)N3544Q. This weekend im going down to buy the interactive ground training that Cessna puts out CD-ROM and start my lessons.

Plane Rental: To rent a plane at the school im going to is $98.00 a hour/MIN of two hours. and you are only charged for your flight time. So i can rent a plane fly a hour north to Cheyenne spend all day in cheyenne goofing around and fly the hour back to denver and iam only charged for the 2 hours that the plane was flying, not how long it was gone from the airport.

 

[coolred]

Yeah so there is a general channel so you can communicate with all the planes around you? I understand you have to watch for other planes, but I knew that couldn't be the only way, cause then there would still be many crashes.

 

[OutHouse]

as far as i know (which isnt very much right now) no there isnt a "general" comm channel to talk to other pilots. for example where im taking my lessons there are 4 other small airports within 5 miles. each has their own frequency and there is no way of knowing what freq a pilot is tuned to.

there other pilots in these forums that can answer this one better than i did im still a n00b.

 

[crab]

This may help you understand the frequencies...


> > Hello from the AOPA and thank you for your email.
> >
> > The information that you are looking for is in Chapter 4 of the
> Aeronautical
> > Information Manual (AIM). I have enclosed the appropriate section of
> the
> > AIM for your consideration:
> >
> > 4-1-11. DESIGNATED UNICOM/MULTICOM FREQUENCIES
> > a. Communications between aircraft
> >
> > CAUTION-
> > The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires an aircraft
> station
> > license to operate on UNICOM/MULTICOM frequencies and usage must be in
> > accordance with Part 87 of the FCC rules (see Section 87.29 regarding
> > license applications). Misuse of these frequencies may result in
> either
> the
> > imposition of fines and/or revocation/suspension of FCC aircraft
> station
> > license.
> >
> > b. Frequency use
> >
> > 1. The following listing depicts UNICOM and MULTICOM frequency uses as
> > designated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (See TBL
> 4-1-2.)
> >
> > TBL 4-1-2
> >
> > Unicom/Multicom Frequency Usage Use
> > Frequency
> >
> > Airports without an operating control tower.
> > 122.700
> > 122.725
> > 122.800
> > 122.975
> > 123.000
> > 123.050
> > 123.075
> >
> > (MULTICOM FREQUENCY) Activities of a temporary, seasonal, emergency
> nature
> > or search and rescue, as well as, airports with no tower, FSS, or
> UNICOM.
> > 122.900
> >
> > (MULTICOM FREQUENCY) Forestry management and fire suppression, fish
> and
> game
> > management and protection, and environmental monitoring and
> protection.
> > 122.925
> >
> > Airports with a control tower or FSS on airport.
> > 122.950
> >
> >
> > NOTE-
> > 1. In some areas of the country, frequency interference may be
> encountered
> > from nearby airports using the same UNICOM frequency. Where there is a
> > problem, UNICOM operators are encouraged to develop a "least
> interference"
> > frequency assignment plan for airports concerned using the frequencies
> > designated for airports without operating control towers. UNICOM
> licensees
> > are encouraged to apply for UNICOM 25 kHz spaced channel frequencies.
> Due
> to
> > the extremely limited number of frequencies with 50 kHz channel
> spacing,
> 25
> > kHz channel spacing should be implemented. UNICOM licensees may then
> request
> > FCC to assign frequencies in accordance with the plan, which FCC will
> review
> > and consider for approval.
> >
> > 2. Wind direction and runway information may not be available on
> UNICOM
> > frequency 122.950.
> >
> >
> > 2. The following listing depicts other frequency uses as designated by
> the
> > Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (See TBL 4-1-3.)
> >
> > TBL 4-1-3
> >
> > Other Frequency Usage Designated by FCC Use
> > Frequency
> >
> > Air-to-air communications & private airports (not open to the public).
> > 122.750
> > 122.850
> >
> > Air-to-air communications (general aviation helicopters).
> > 123.025
> >
> > Aviation instruction, Glider, Hot Air Balloon (not to be used for
> advisory
> > service).
> > 123.300
> > 123.500
> >
> > I hope that you find this information helpful.
> >
> > Thank you for contacting Aviation Technical Services.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > David C. Schumacher
> > Aviation Technical Specialist
> > Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

 

[coolred]

Wow, I didn't understand much of that. it basically said for airports without towers, use these 7 or 8 frequencies, but then below that it said for airports without a tower use this frequency. So does each airport pick what frequency it will use and you have to find out what frequency it is before you begin your flight?

 

[Peetoeng]

I flew soaring plane (glider) back in college. $12 for car tow, $20 for airplane tow.

 

[coolred]

So about how many hours a month or a year do you think is needed to keep your skills up? I don't want to get my license and then not be able to afford to fly every once in a while. I would like to fly as often as i can.