Private Pilot License--Need Input fron GS

[Thumper]

Thanks guys for all the great info. I'm trying to talk myself out of doing it, but I can't come up with any good reasons.

.

[Hunter_Man]

and if anyone has a GI bill it WILL PAY for your private license now!
....but....
it is only at certain places. i think one is in abilene that accepts GI bill.


always wanted to do it. never been up in a small plane though.. if there's any pilots in san angelo that would be willing to take me up to see if i'd enjoy it, please give me a shout!

[asttbe]

I need to finish up. I got just past solo and life/work got in the way. It's been 6-7 years ago now, so I would likely start over.

My dream is to buy a plane in a couple of years. Would really like to do it in a partnership since I am gone at least half the year

[curtintex]

I'm at 27 hours. Need to pull my head out of my butt and get done.

[elgato]

I got my license so long ago I cant remember any of the answers to your questions except : Yes I still fly a lot.
I will offer a couple of tips that I believe to be valuable.

Dont stop till you get an instrument rating. Even if you dont plan to use it you DO need the skills entailed in obtaining the rating.

Consistency is your best friend. PLan to fly regularly to be safe. I'm in a plane averaging every other week, frequently more. When I fly less than that I feel like I lose some of the edge that keeps me safe. And I have well over 5000 hrs. including a lot of jet time.

Forget trying to justify why! Know that it just might be one of the most exciting aspects of your life!

[austinRecurve]

Oct 2004 - early Jan 2005. About 3 months.
I paid around +/- $6000. Plane w/fuel & instructor was $100/hr.
I soloed in about 20-25hrs.

Finished with about 55-60.

I have about 70 with a little instrument time. It's been a good 7 years since I flew. It just became too expensive as a hobby.

My instructor was killed in a solo crash in about 2008 near Rockwall.

[Texans42]

Ok Guys,
I am seriously thinking about getting my private pilot license and would like input from those of you who have one. I have a few questions and would appreciate any advice.
1) How much does it actually cost? I understand all the variables such as location, equipment flown, hours actually needed to complete training etc.. I would most likely use Huntsville ariport or Flight School out of Easterwood in College Station.
2) How many hours did it take you to complete training?
3) How many lessons did you attend per week?
4) Did you pay for the whole thing up front or pay as you go?
5) How long did the whole process take you to complete?
6) Do you still fly regularly and how does it cost to rent a Cessna 172 for the weekend?

Any input is much appreciated.

Cost depends on ratings
I did 5 days a week
I stopped at private but good friend went from 0 to instructor and was on Eagle in 14 months from start to finish
I paid upfront
No, and no idea what 172 cost now days, I always upgraded to piper warrior once it got hot.

[RTC]

Have you looked into Sport Pilot Lic?
Opinions?

[Jmh05]

Also, if anybody is interested in a free 6mo. Student membership to aopa (airplane owners and pilots assoc, PM me your email. You get a free 6mo. magazine subscription, online training tools etc...they don't take your credit card or anything.

[Yakfishin]

and if anyone has a GI bill it WILL PAY for your private license now!
....but....
it is only at certain places. i think one is in abilene that accepts GI bill.


always wanted to do it. never been up in a small plane though.. if there's any pilots in san angelo that would be willing to take me up to see if i'd enjoy it, please give me a shout!

Not true GI bill will not pay for private pilot they pay 60% on anything after a private and you have to do the 141 program

[mjhaverkamp]

Just how smart do you have to be to be a competent pilot ? I have pretty good horse sense but not sure about all the technical stuff. How does it work when you plan on flying somewhere ? Does someone tell you it is safe weather wise ? I don't mean to sound stupid, sure would hate to crash at the young age of 54.

[flywise]

Just how smart do you have to be to be a competent pilot ? I have pretty good horse sense but not sure about all the technical stuff. How does it work when you plan on flying somewhere ? Does someone tell you it is safe weather wise ? I don't mean to sound stupid, sure would hate to crash at the young age of 54.

All it takes is a little common sense.
As far as planning a flight, there are resources to check weather en route and at destination. Training g will help you decide if weather is good for the flight.
There are plenty of resources to keep you safe..... If you use them.
You can fly from coast to coast and never say a word to another person.
Few areas require permission to fly into but you can fly around those areas.

[flywise]

Not true GI bill will not pay for private pilot they pay 60% on anything after a private and you have to do the 141 program

True

[flywise]

Have you looked into Sport Pilot Lic?
Opinions?

Very good lic. Option

[tvc184]

Just how smart do you have to be to be a competent pilot ? I have pretty good horse sense but not sure about all the technical stuff. How does it work when you plan on flying somewhere ? Does someone tell you it is safe weather wise ? I don't mean to sound stupid, sure would hate to crash at the young age of 54.

If you can do basic math, you can be a pilot.

Basic weather is part of the license.

You can call and get weather and not just the standard forecast but barometric pressure, winds aloft (at altitude), etc., for wherever you are flying.

There might seem like a lot of "technical" stuff but you don't have to be an aeronautical engineer. The information and knowledge is already done for you. You really don't have to understand the physics of why you carburetor can ice up if you go below a certain RPM on the engine or that if it happens, your engine will start slowing down causing you in either case to use carburetor heat to solve the problem. All you have to know is that is happens and how to prevent or remedy it.