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Paying off the flying hours... (Read 1191 times)

Feb 6^th, 2005 at 4:55pm

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

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Posts: 1214

Hello, I was just wondering if anyone would care to share how their techniques for paying off their flying hours? Ive been doing some flying recently, im having a blast, but still, at the same time, worried financially. Trying to find a mechanics job at the moment... but anyways, id like to hear from some of you who have pilot liscences. Especially those who are commercial

Cheers,
RB

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Reply #1 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:03pm

Boss_BlueAngels Offline
Colonel
I fly airplanes upside
down for fun.
Snohomish

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Working at the FBO (20% off flying costs), paying in bulk (another 10% off) and Financial Aid. lol

The day is always better when you're flying upside down.&&&&www.fight2flyphoto.com&&&&Canon RebelXT&&Canon 18-55mm&&Sigma 10-20mm F/4-6.3&&Sigma 100-300mm F/4-6.3&&Sigma 50-500mm F/4-6.3

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Reply #2 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:13pm

Nexus Offline
Colonel
The greater of two evils...

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Posts: 3282

Not a CPL holder (but future), though I am getting my IR and night qualifications ATM.
I have a full time job and saving as much as I can, sometimes as much as 800 dollars/month. It wont take me all the way, but it's always better than nothing. Sad

Sad

Working as an instructor is a popular choice aswell

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Reply #3 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:16pm

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

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Posts: 1214

Hey thats cool guys. What does FBO stand for anyways? 20% off flying costs sounds pretty awesome Shocked

Shocked

Cheers,
RB

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Reply #4 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:19pm

Craig. Offline
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Birmingham

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Fixed base operations i believe.

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Reply #5 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:22pm

Boss_BlueAngels Offline
Colonel
I fly airplanes upside
down for fun.
Snohomish

Gender:
Posts: 696

Yeah, it's where you get your training/rental. And yes, the 20% discount is AWESOME! lol I took advantage of that getting some time in their helo.... oohhh, dang those things are awesome! After I get my commercial and if I can save enough money... I may try to get the rotorcraft addon. Then I could do everything in a helo that I can in a plane. Cheesy

Cheesy

The day is always better when you're flying upside down.&&&&www.fight2flyphoto.com&&&&Canon RebelXT&&Canon 18-55mm&&Sigma 10-20mm F/4-6.3&&Sigma 100-300mm F/4-6.3&&Sigma 50-500mm F/4-6.3

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Reply #6 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:32pm

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

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Posts: 1214

Ya, I was trying to get a job last week at my FBO (mechanic obviously)... havnt replied to my resume yet... im hoping to hear more news this week... Sad

Sad

Id really like to do the ole balance of money and flight hours thing

Cheers,
RB

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Reply #7 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:34pm

Nexus Offline
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The greater of two evils...

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My school has an R-22 (identical to the one in FS2004) and I'll refuse to ever sit in that tiny cockpit. Grin

Grin

Price per hour for that one is a whooping € 360! Shocked

Shocked

Compared to when Nexus takes the good old DA-40 for a spin, for just under €95/hour Grin

Grin

Grin

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Reply #8 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:37pm

Craig. Offline
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Birmingham

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thats a bit steep for a machine that i feel could kill you any time you set foot in it.

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Reply #9 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 7:40pm

Nexus Offline
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The greater of two evils...

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I know some Helicopter boys which are one their way with their PPL studies, they said it would cost them around € 20.000 (give or take a few k's)...for just the private license
Lips Sealed

Lips Sealed

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Reply #10 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 8:02pm

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

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Ouch. Yeah those helis are expensive. One of my instructors in the hanger the other day was pointing at this ole Allouette III and how itd probably costs $900 canadian just to fly it for one hour! I was like whoa... and im paying $185 CAD for an hour of 172, which is already quite pricey on my empty wallet... Im glad im a fix wing fan.... Need.... moreee... moneeyyY!!!!

Cheers,
RB

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Reply #11 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 8:11pm

Nexus Offline
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The greater of two evils...

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Posts: 3282

Can't you like...join the local Italian Mafia? (assuming you live near Toronto)
It will spice up your life for sure and give you easy money 8)

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Reply #12 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 8:29pm

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

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Posts: 1214

Ah the good ole Mafia 8) They really need to post recruiting ads 8)

Cheers,
RB

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Reply #13 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 9:38pm

beaky Offline
Global Moderator
Uhhhh.... yup!
Newark, NJ USA

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I've done the following in my time:
-Swept hangars
-Carpentry (just happened that the school was remodelling their offices,; I bid the project on a barter basis).
-Cleaning planes for same school
-Went without just about every luxury imaginable for almost two years
-Didn't pay other bills (didn't work out too well in the long run, but it helped at the time!)

Other than getting some sort of student or personal loan, I'd also suggest a flying club. It can be a boon, especially if there are members who are instructors... usually requires a lump of cash up front, but the hourly rates are lower than nearby FBOs.
BTW, FBO stands for : "Fixed Base Operator"...

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Reply #14 - Feb 6^th, 2005 at 10:39pm

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

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Posts: 4466

Rich parents Grin

Grin

Since the thought of being a CFI makes me cringe (you just have to know too much information dude, I can't retain all that stuff), the USAF sounds good to me. But I guess once my parents cut me off I'll have to get one of these so-called "real" jobs. Roll Eyes

Roll Eyes

The problem with me is that I'm extremely opposed to holding another full-time job that doesn't have to do with flying-that means either CFI or Air Force. That was an easy choice Grin

Grin

(and yes, i do WANT to go into the airforce)

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Reply #15 - Feb 7^th, 2005 at 12:48am

beaky Offline
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Uhhhh.... yup!
Newark, NJ USA

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I should probably let an Air Force pilot tell you this, but it seems to me that you'd have to learn and retain even more stuff to fly for that organization than you would to be a CFI. And since all ops there are done "inna military stylee", we're talking details and precision. And many snap quizzes, including the occasional split-second life-and-death sort of tests, where you gotta know what to do, down to the last detail.
You need good study habits and an uncluttered mind if you want to move up the ladder as a military pilot. Not saying you can't cut it; just saying it's a poor alternative if you think being a CFI takes too much brain-sweat.
Of course, the Air Force will pay you to fly, which is a nice incentive...

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Reply #16 - Feb 7^th, 2005 at 4:14pm

C Offline
Colonel
Earth

Posts: 13144

I'll second what Rotty said - you'll be having to retain a lot more information on very technical aeroplanes/weapons and lots of other things too - a military pilot does more than fly...

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Reply #17 - Feb 7^th, 2005 at 4:27pm

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

Gender:
Posts: 4466

Oops, I normally check myself when I say something wrong, but this one slipped through Tongue

Tongue

.

There are several other reasons I want to go into the airforce (don't want to move up through GA, always wanted to serve but not an infantry type guy) and I guess what I meant was that it would be less tedious in the AF, where you stay sparkly-eyed for much longer.

And last time I checked, they pay CFIs too Rotty Grin

Grin

They don't love their jobs that much!

« Last Edit: Feb 7^th, 2005 at 8:09pm by beefhole »

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Reply #18 - Feb 7^th, 2005 at 5:44pm

beaky Offline
Global Moderator
Uhhhh.... yup!
Newark, NJ USA

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Quote:

.Oops, I normally check myself when I say something wrong, but this one slipped through Tongue

Tongue

.

And last time I checked, they pay CFIs too Rotty Grin

Grin

They don't love their jobs that much!

Duh. You're right; I didn't quite say it right. But there's flying , then there's FLYING. Even the most mundane USAF flight assignment would be more interesting than primary instruction at the local FBO . Um... unless it's primary instruction in the USAF... never mind, you know what I mean...

Anyway, whatever you decide, do yourself a favor and have a plan "B". Something aviation-related would be great, but any skill that'll allow you to earn a living would help. If I had it all to do over again (sigh), whether I went military or civilian, I'd prob'ly at least get my maintenance certs... charters and fractional bizjets are getting a bigger chunk of passengers all the time, and they LOVE pilots who are also qualified to do maintenance on the plane while waiting for Mr./Ms. Big to finish that meeting or seminar in some far-flung locale. They often do everything from re-stocking the minibar and vacuuming to airframe and engine maintenance.

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Reply #19 - Feb 7^th, 2005 at 7:48pm

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

Gender:
Posts: 1214

Sweet deal

Honestly, i find flying a lot more interesting than just turning the wrenches... though thats probably gonna be my fulltime job for a bit hehe But after working on aircraft now, its nice to know how everything to work, and its actually helped my flight training.

But ya, I personally considered the military occupation side of things. And to tell ya the truth, i just can't accept the responsibility. I've served the infantry for a short time, and although the air force doesnt yell at you as much, id much rather fly the way I want to fly. When I was in the forces, I felt like a borg (if your a trekkie Wink

Wink

), and when I got out, I really felt the difference that I never realized when I first joined. And I like it this way. Its just my flavor

I know some military pilots who love their job, and civilians pilots who love theirs, and its really all down to the individual i guess.

Cheers,
RB

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Reply #20 - Feb 7^th, 2005 at 10:30pm

Boss_BlueAngels Offline
Colonel
I fly airplanes upside
down for fun.
Snohomish

Gender:
Posts: 696

Speaking of helos... dang, there was nothing I hated more while working the line at a local FBO than towing the stinking helicopter back and forth. Man, I swear I would sweat bullets every time I had to move it. The little cart had about a 2.5 foot wheel base, and every minute bump you'd go over, would make the helicopter teeter back and forth. lol

Ugh, nightmare... just had to get that out of my system.

The day is always better when you're flying upside down.&&&&www.fight2flyphoto.com&&&&Canon RebelXT&&Canon 18-55mm&&Sigma 10-20mm F/4-6.3&&Sigma 100-300mm F/4-6.3&&Sigma 50-500mm F/4-6.3

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Reply #21 - Feb 8^th, 2005 at 7:24pm

Craig. Offline
Colonel
Birmingham

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Posts: 18590

You should try having to move a Lynx. Now those things especially the Skid varients are heavy. I was at my dads work one time when we had to move one only a few yards, and even with 4 of us it was still rather heavy.

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Reply #22 - Feb 8^th, 2005 at 9:48pm

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

Gender:
Posts: 4466

Yea, well try moving a chopper that has struts... they make me do that all day... not really...

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