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Who here has a pilot's license?

D

DurocShark

Lifer
When I was 14 in FL I got to take a couple lessons. I loved it.

Now that I live in CO, I realized it would be nice to be able to rent a plane to fly to CA instead of driving or flying commercial. If I have the family with me I might even come close to breaking even on the cost. (Ok, maybe not, but I have to justify the cost to myself somehow..heehee)

So I checked a couple schools, and they all cost around $6-8k from ground school to getting my private ticket. I could shave a little bit off that with an online groundschool. But the biggest costs are the 20+ hours I need to spend in the cockpit with an instructor in a rental plane.

Anybody done it either cheaper, or over a long period of time to spread out the costs?
 
I know. I was just hoping. 🙁

I think it would be awesome to fly myself to CA when I need to go. Sure, it would take 6-7 hours instead of 2-3 in a commercial flight, but oh so much more fun!

Maybe I'll win the lotto or something...
 
Buy one of these.

Cheaper than a Harley... and a lot more enjyoable.


As a flight instructor regarding your wanting to take lessons, I would recommend you try and save up the whole amount. The average student needs about 60 hours of flight time rather the 40 required for the private certificate. I have sent people to check rides with 40.5 hours in the log book. These students flew 2-3 a week.

It can be done spread out, but plan on it taking a lot longer. If you fly only 1-2 times a month much of the lesson turns out to be a review.

 
I almost did my solo after ~20 hours and passed the written at ~16. School got in the way. I am probably going to start again next summer almost 10 years later. Have to pass the dang written again.

I was flying before I was driving. My dad has his license and we flew a lot when he had a plane.
 
I used to hire guys as mechanics helpers to open panels, clean parts, wash wheel wells, etc. during annuals. Most of them were hangar rats who put the extra cash toward their certs. If you're mechanically inclined, ask the local A&P's if they need some help.
 
Well, Denver is an expensive city. I'm not surprised 😀

Around here you could do it for around $3,000, maybe even a bit less. I'm talking private pilot, not commercial, of course.
 
My Wife just got hers in June and she paid as she went. It ended up being about $5K she trained out of Front Range Airport but now she's at Centennial Airport
 
Back when I used to fly I could get a Tomahawk for 36 bucks an hour wet. Now they want 70 bucks an hour. I cant afford to fly anymore 🙁

Not knowing the costs of your basic trainers in the area, 70x50 = 3500 bucks for the plane. The rest into the ground school. The books imo are the tougher part, flying is cake.

 
I hope you're not a muslim. But then again you only have to learn how to take off should be cheap.
 
Originally posted by: Genx87
Back when I used to fly I could get a Tomahawk for 36 bucks an hour wet. Now they want 70 bucks an hour. I cant afford to fly anymore 🙁

Not knowing the costs of your basic trainers in the area, 70x50 = 3500 bucks for the plane. The rest into the ground school. The books imo are the tougher part, flying is cake.
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I remember the instructors were about 30-40 dollars an hour
 
Originally posted by: Genx87
Back when I used to fly I could get a Tomahawk for 36 bucks an hour wet. Now they want 70 bucks an hour. I cant afford to fly anymore 🙁

Not knowing the costs of your basic trainers in the area, 70x50 = 3500 bucks for the plane. The rest into the ground school. The books imo are the tougher part, flying is cake.
Click to expand...

I guess I am slightly older.... $27 for a Cessna 150 when I was going for the PPL. Serously if you love flying check out the sport light category of aircraft. (see my link above).

I helped a friend buy a X-Air. Burns a few gallons of autogas an hour, he can do his own maintainence, and its fun to fly. You just can't go very far... or very fast, but it is still flying.
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
I hope you're not a muslim. But then again you only have to learn how to take off should be cheap.
Click to expand...

The NSA is comming for you in 5...4...3...😉
 
Micco SP26 ftw 😀

Yeah you're probably not going to get it for under $4,000. btw any of you go to Osh Kosh this year? Cessna's new sports class offering is looking mighty fine 😀
 
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