Arnold Palmer

If you have the time and money to do it getting your private is easy.

Go for it!

 

You should absolutely go check into it...
Find the best flight school near you and take an introductory or "adventure" flight. You will sit in the left seat and likely do most of the flying. Today's avionics are awesome and make flying both interesting and fun, as well as safer than in the past. I took up flying in my late forties and 6 years later I own and fly a beautiful Piper Meridian.

My hangar mate started flying after me, in a 182, and now owns and flies a Citation Mustang.
Anything is possible if you have the desire, the resources and the attitude for training to a high level of proficiency.

 

Also, I would recommend training in either a 172, a 182 or a DA40. Make sure it is a G1000 aircraft.

 

One of the best experiences of my life was the start to finish process of getting my private pilot's license. As said above, if you have the time and money, it's moe than worth it.



Mark

 

Don't get too wrapped up in those numbers. The overall safety record for GA is improving slightly each year. You are correct, there is only a handful of reasons for the vast majority of accidents. With the technology available on your iPad today as well as Garmin avionics, there is no reason to get into serious trouble except through bad decision making.

Loss of control (LOC) and inadvertent flight into instument conditions (IMC) are two big ones that should be mitigated with excellent training.

 

I'm not sure what any of this discourse has to do with Arnold Palmer.

I remember years ago that when he missed the cut at a golf tournament - which happened quite often late in his career, and this was before there was a seniors/champions tour - he would buzz the golf course in his Lear Jet on his way back to Latrobe or wherever.

 

Think it was a Citation. Only need one pilot (Arnold).

 

learning to fly can be quick and easy... attaining confidence and proficiency is what takes time and understanding... there are no short cuts... ooops are not allowed... just refer to the incident reports that quote "pilot error"

 

He had a bunch of different airplanes over the years... in the later years, it was a Citation X, which requires two pilots.

Arnold Palmer

 

I remember his Aero Commander.

Did not know he had a Jet Commander.