Pilot's License

F-Chat's Aviators...
http://www.aviatorchat.com/forum/

 

8 weeks to PPL is cranking, but doable. Minimum time is 40 hours, but I think average time is more like 60-70 hours, so that's going to require 5-9 hours per week of flying time. It does go a little faster once you solo, but you're also coming into winter with some weather factors that will ground you more than you might expect. Which state are you training in? Good luck on your training!

Yin
PP-ASEL, IA

 

I trained in a Piper Warrior and a Cessna 172SP. Lots of fun but very expensive. I'm going for my commercial right now and eventually ATP since I plan to pursue a career in Aviation.

 

MJC....Kewl! Flying is a lot of fun. Good luck on your lessons and don't rush your training! There are Bold AND old pilots, but NO old-bold one's! Here's a few tips:

1) Don't fall for the old gag of running to the FBO office for a gallon of 'Prop Wash'.
2) NEVER buy a plane! They are worse than a boat!
3) NEVER cut any corners. Learn the right way.
4) If you do not like your instructor, talk to him or her about personalities and make a change.
5) Find a handful of new, low-time instructors after you solo. They will fly with you for almost nothing to build the hours and you will get to log the time.
6) Take a few lessons in a 172 with older 'needle-type' directional radial tracking equipment and an older King KX radio with analog DME. It's easy to learn and you will find yourself renting planes that still have this equipment and you will need to know how to fly with it.
7) NEVER fly twice with anyone you are not comfortable with or feel they take chances or cut corners.
8) Treat EVERY pre-flight as if you have to find something wrong with the plane.
9) When you think you are a confident pilot, take more lessons.
10) If you see a Billy Goat in the clouds, you really F**ked up!

 

Always start off with a full tank of gas.

 

You should of told that to John Denver!

 

I thought they decided he had another tank but his fuel tank selector was unfamiliar to him (something stupid about the handle being broken off and requiring vise-grips to turn)?

If you get to that point, feel free to talk. BTDT. Short version, not worth it unless you fly at least 200 (maybe more) hours per year. Worst situation to be in is to own a plane and not fly it enough, so it: a) costs more per hour than renting, and b) when you do fly it you're unsafe because you haven't put in any recent flying time. It also takes an instrument rating to get the best use out of a plane, and it takes even more practice to stay current on instruments.

 

Hm. One of the best decisions I ever made was to buy a Beech Duchess (a '79) in the mid '90s for my son to get his twin time instead of renting. Paid about $90k, sold it exactly a year later (son put 300 hrs on it in that time) and got $105k. Of course annual, fuel, maint, etc, cost some money, but it came to under $30/hr, a heck of a bargain. And it is has not been unusual in the past for light planes to actually appreciate. I wouldn't count on it, but it has happened.

Gary

 

Under $30/Hr for a Duchess? Has it crashed yet?

 

Buying a good *used* plane has typically shown appreciation, excluding maintenance and upgrades. Buying a new plane apparently results in a 2-3 year depreciation hit, then after it follows the appreciation curve. I think I sold my plane after 7 years and got about 65% appreciation over that time. However, I probably spent a low of $5K (tie down, oil change, annual inspection) to a high of $40K (the annual base expense + engine replacement, GPS upgrade) each year.

 

I bought a G2 from a former member on this site and have loged 790 hours in it, mostly to one of my 7 islands. I am just joking!

I love flying, 2 months might be way to short of a time though, Keep it safe. Its a thrill! and remember, nothing is like seeing your mothers- in- laws face when you fake an engine out!

 

Maybe you didn't follow the post...the operating cost was so low because it appreciated in value. My son was flying it so I paid for 100 hr inspections in addition to the normal annual.

Gary

 

I am rated for Helicopters.