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I don't think I'll ever.. (Read 1695 times)

Apr 20^th, 2005 at 4:39pm

Insert Name Here Offline
Colonel
Insert Smurf Here

Posts: 275

Hello..

I've been thinking about people getting liscenced and buying their own plane and all the nice things.

I've looked at the costs it takes, and I mean, most of them are almost a fifth of a standard university tuition for a year! I have soloed in a glider now, and will take my checkride in about 3 months.

I love sailing, but I also want to get into the powered aspect of this 'hobby', if you can call it that.. (more like a dream.. Sad

Sad

)

Would anyone have any advice on what I should do, I have read about the RPP (Recreational Permit) but do not know the benefits and the er... "negatives" I will get from it.

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Reply #1 - Apr 20^th, 2005 at 4:52pm

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

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Posts: 4466

Yeah, it's goddamned expensive. That's why I'm going with the guys that pay me to fly-the Airforce. If I can't go with them, I'll be leeching off of mom and dad for the rest of my life Embarrassed

Embarrassed

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Reply #2 - Apr 20^th, 2005 at 6:03pm

Hagar Offline
Colonel
My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159

Insert. I don't know how old you are but it really depends if you're interested in flying for pleasure or making a career out of it. If it's for pleasure what's the big rush? You don't seem to be doing too badly with your gliding at the moment so I would concentrate on that for now. Your situation in a few years time might be completely different from what it is now & you might be able to think about flying lessons, if you're still interested. There were plenty of things I would have liked to do when I was younger but I had to accept that it was impossible at the time as I simply couldn't afford it.

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Reply #3 - Apr 20^th, 2005 at 6:14pm

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

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When I started out I had some dreams, too; though I might someday own a certified aircraft; even thought I'd make a stab at flying professionally, but it doesn't look good now for me. But there are still options for the budget-restricted. As far as ownership goes, a kit aircraft or maybe an ultralight is not out of the question for most regular working stiffs.
Can't tell you much about the Recreational ticket; try the FAA's website.
As for a career, my current plan is to get my instrument, commercial, and CFI ratings at least by the time I retire... CFIs who aren't going anywhere and have lots of free time are in a good position to find work. Might be a nice way to supplement what promises to be a very meager post-retirement income. There's a lot more to the flying world than flying heavies for money or owning an expensive aircraft to fly for pleasure...

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Reply #4 - Apr 21^st, 2005 at 12:46am

Rocket_Bird Offline
Colonel
Canada

Gender:
Posts: 1214

Hello Insert,

I like to tell you one thing. I am very poor and bankrupt, and am well below the average Joe person down my street. I don't plan to actually own a plane because I realize that flying it is expensive, and maintaining it is like a thousand times more expensive. With that said, I'm probably going to be single for a long time! However, you don't have to own a plane to fly, and its probably more worth while. I'm learning to fly on a part-time basis, whenever I feel good about it, and so far it has been working out. I put in my money hour by the hour, and plan on working and sacrificing to balance this. Its really on the realm of depression, but i think it pays off eventually. You just kind of have to be real serious about it ya know?

Cheers,
RB

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Reply #5 - Apr 21^st, 2005 at 4:01pm

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

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If it's just something you really want to do, don't worry about how long it'll take. If your fortunes change and you can make more out of it, great. But there sure as hell ain't no cheap shortcut.
One thing I definitely plan on doing is: once I get going again, I'm going to try to get a friend to come along on at least every other flight, to help w/ the cost. You know, you can even do this on training flights, if you've got enough seats and the CFI is OK with it...
And entering a partnership situation is becoming an increasingly popular way to own an airplane- that's something I intend to look into later, for sure. Still not cheap, and not as sweet as having your own plane, but it beats renting.

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Reply #6 - Apr 26^th, 2005 at 5:14pm

Gary R. Offline
Colonel
If God is you're co-pilot,
switch seats.
PA, USA

Gender:
Posts: 811

I do the same thing as rocket bird. I take lessons when time and money work together for me which isn't often. If i ever get a PPL I will be content to rent when I can and take any recurrent training and do what's necessary to keep my card valid. As for ownership, I am more intersted in a UL. Possibly a powered hang glider or something on those lines. Something I can dis-assemble, load in my truck, take where I want to fly at, put together, and take off. Or, depending on where I'm living, take off right from my own back yard. Mywife and i eventually want to own at least 20 acres and build right in the middle of all of that, I would have plenty of space.

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Reply #7 - May 24^th, 2005 at 9:11am

Staiduk Offline
Colonel

Posts: 1040

Insert said: Quote:

I love sailing, but I also want to get into the powered aspect of this 'hobby', if you can call it that.. (more like a dream.. )

First of all; congratulations on your solo! You've entered a much bigger world.

My advice to you is this: You've started with gliders - stick with them for a while. Learn to fly - really fly - before switching to something with that big noisy grinding windmill out front. In the long run it makes you a much better pilot. It also gives you an 'in':
Once you decide to get your powered permit; you'll have a good source of cheap hours: flying tow for your soaring club. Hours - as you must know well - are critical when looking for a flying job; as is the experience of working in aviation; whether you get paid for it or not.

If it's a dream, that's good - dreams can inspire. But it's not a fantasy; it's a very real possibility if you're willing to put in the time and effort.

Cheers!

Grin

Grin

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Reply #8 - May 24^th, 2005 at 10:26am

TacitBlue Offline
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That's right, I have my
own logo.
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

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My advice would be to get your glider cert. and fly as often as you can. As Staiduk said, it will really help you. then when you really think you are ready, both financialy and mentally, start taking lessons for your PPL or even Sport Pilot or Recreational Pilot, you can always move up. And remember, budget and sacrifice.

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

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Reply #9 - Jul 21^st, 2005 at 1:00am

hatter Offline
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hatter
Chicago, IL

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Air Force Academy is the way to go! Otherwise, join your ANG.

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Reply #10 - Jul 21^st, 2005 at 4:00am

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

Gender:
Posts: 4466

Quote:

Air Force Academy is the way to go! Otherwise, join your ANG.

Just thought I'd make it clear the the AF Academy, while the best way, is not the only way to become a pilot in the active AF.

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Reply #11 - Jul 21^st, 2005 at 10:59am

jrpilot Offline
Colonel

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Posts: 2255

How many people become pilots in the airforce???

How many enter to become a pilot???

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Reply #12 - Jul 21^st, 2005 at 12:30pm

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

Gender:
Posts: 4466

Quote:

How many people become pilots in the airforce???

How many enter to become a pilot???

50% of the slots for flight school are reserved for graduates of the AF academy, the rest are dolled out to ROTC, OTS, etc. graduates.

But good point Wink

Wink

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Reply #13 - Jul 21^st, 2005 at 1:33pm

TacitBlue Offline
Colonel
That's right, I have my
own logo.
Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA

Gender:
Posts: 5391

I know a guy who got to go the AF acadamy through some kind of "air scouts" type of program. His girlfreind (and future wife) then talked him out of a flying career Roll Eyes

Roll Eyes

. It upsets me just to think about it.

A&P Mechanic, Rankin Aircraft 78Y

Aircraft are naturally beautiful because form follows function. -TB

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Reply #14 - Jul 21^st, 2005 at 9:59pm

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

Gender:
Posts: 4466

Quote:

I know a guy who got to go the AF acadamy through some kind of "air scouts" type of program. His girlfreind (and future wife) then talked him out of a flying career Roll Eyes

Roll Eyes

. It upsets me just to think about it.

Undecided

Cry

My stomach dropped when I read that. Roll Eyes

Roll Eyes

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Reply #15 - Jul 21^st, 2005 at 11:03pm

ThePianoMan Ex Member

Yeah, I wanted to go to the Academy at first, but now I really want to go to a normal college and get into AFROTC, then hopefully get a flying slot. And if not, there are plenty of good officer carrers in the USAF...

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Reply #16 - Jul 22^nd, 2005 at 1:03pm

jrpilot Offline
Colonel

Gender:
Posts: 2255

Quote:

I know a guy who got to go the AF acadamy through some kind of "air scouts" type of program. His girlfreind (and future wife) then talked him out of a flying career Roll Eyes

Roll Eyes

. It upsets me just to think about it.

Although that su*ks to the 10th power, you have to remember never to put family before aviation, its just not worth it imo. If you read aviation articles you'll see that many pilots are divorced 3-4 times is it becasue there personality, maybe, but more likely becasue they are never home since avaition is in front of the family. My instructor and teacher told me the best way to go into aviation (pilot) is to be single and young. I mean come on haven't you checked out those super hot female flight attendants?

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Reply #17 - Jul 22^nd, 2005 at 1:05pm

beefhole Offline
Colonel
common' yigs!
Philadelphia

Gender:
Posts: 4466

There's another reason for going into aviation single-I've heard enough stories about regional pilots with 4 kids, a nice home, and on food stamps. Undecided

Undecided

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Reply #18 - Jul 27^th, 2005 at 4:05pm

hatter Offline
Colonel
hatter
Chicago, IL

Gender:
Posts: 162

Wow, having gone through all of that, through the Academy, and he just quits because of his wife? There's only one word for that (err..., maybe two), and I'm not gonna say them.

Well, more spots for other people.

ThePianoMan:

Good option too. But if you want a career in aeronautical engineering or the like, you'll have a lot of options after your doing flying in the AF if you are a Academy graduate w/ Air Force experience. The AF Academy, along with the Naval Academy, are considered some the of the nations most prestigious technical institutions, ranked right below MIT, CalTech, UIUC, etc... (at least in my mind).

Regardless, getting a job with a big aerospace company is easier if you have AF or commerical flight experience.

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