Any pilots here?

[Ken07AOVette]

I always said that before I turned 40 I was going to get my pilots license.
I have about 3 weeks to go, and I am not in my 40's anymore.
So, before I turn 60 I am going to do it. 10 years should be a safe bet, right?
What do you fly?
What is the cost of getting a license now?
I am looking at buying a very nice low wing so I do not have to rent a plane, which I am told will save a metric ton of money.
Are you mountain rated? I would love to fly to Rupert in my own plane.
I have to look into insurance, storage, overhaul cost, etc, any and all information would be great.

[sns2]

I used to fly ultralights. You would have a hard time getting me in one now. Lol.

[omega50]

PA 28- Cherokee 140 Low Wing

Was in the early 80's so the costs would just upset you.

[spoiledsaskhunter]

76.....cost 1800 bucks, all in.

Cessna 150 c/w 150 hp engine rented wet for 22 bucks/hr.

is that upsetting?

[mooseknuckle]

Started to a few years back, then diagnosed type 1 diabetic. So they said no go. Cant drive a school bus either.

[prarie_boy1]

I've had my license for 14 years now. The cost has certainly gone up recently however hard to give you an exact figure because there are so many variables involved. There is Transport Canada minimum requirements but everyone learns at a different pace so some people end up needing more training hours then others. And as for buying your own aircraft if money isn't an issue id say do it but for the average person they generally don't fly enough in a year to justify a personal aircraft not to mention they can be a giant money pit! Feel free to PM me and I will give you some more info.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by spoiledsaskhunter

76.....cost 1800 bucks, all in.

Cessna 150 c/w 150 hp engine rented wet for 22 bucks/hr.

is that upsetting?

In the good old days, government paid a good part of that, handy to have pilots in case of a war. betting your first hurdle will be to pass the physical.

Grizz

[silver]

Ken, I am not a pilot but I have considered getting my license. Years ago the price of a fixed wing license was about 10 and a rotary license was about 50. A good part of that would be windshield time, so costs might be cut by owning your own plane.
Years back I worked with a guy that was building time to get his instructors ticket, if my memory is correct. We talked about me getting my license, and he said if all I wanted was a bare license then almost any plane would do. If I was going to want a float endorsement, then maybe having a float plane to put my hours in on would be an idea.
What I am trying to say is if you are looking at buying a plane, then maybe stretch the budget to cover to cover eventualities that could come up.
Just a thought.

[Indy]

Currently working on my PPL. For the rental plane (Cessna 172), ground school, instructor and test the cost is going to be around 12K - they say it varies between 10 and 20. It is very dependant on each individual and how quickly you learn. Good luck, for me it is one of the best experiences I have ever had. Have fun with Spins and Spirals!

[mxz1997]

Don't discount ultralight aviation. There are a light nicer planes out there than what most people picture when they hear "ultralight". Take a look at the Zenair CH601. Training can be had for $3000 and you can do all the maintenance yourself with no annual inspections required.

[fordtruckin]

I got my license between Alaska and Washington in 2004-05. Back then 110ll was running around 3.50$ gallon a plane at my flight school was running 65$ hourwet which was extremely reasonable. Even at that it cost me right around 10000$ to get my license. I'd love to get back into it but it's so darn expensive I can't justify it right now. I sure do miss it as there ain't nothing like it in the world. If I ever had a chance though I'd get current and go after my instrument rating and get my sea plane rating in aheart beat.

[Arty]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

I always said that before I turned 40 I was going to get my pilots license.
I have about 3 weeks to go, and I am not in my 40's anymore.
So, before I turn 60 I am going to do it. 10 years should be a safe bet, right?
What do you fly?
What is the cost of getting a license now?
I am looking at buying a very nice low wing so I do not have to rent a plane, which I am told will save a metric ton of money.
Are you mountain rated? I would love to fly to Rupert in my own plane.
I have to look into insurance, storage, overhaul cost, etc, any and all information would be great.

Wow. A big can of worms that one.

First, continuing at 60 IMO is doable, but will take more time and conscious dedication than before. I wouldn't start fresh from zero anymore in any a/c type. I'd guess 10 grand for a PPL now, which would be the most expensive license/rating. The follow-ons are cheaper, but essential for serious flying. IFR and Nights at a minimum. Please don't do a 'recreational pilot permit'.

I would also choose an a/c type that does not need lots of relatively quick reflexes and adrenaline-charged decisions as others might. And I would first seriously consider whether I was able to fly high numbers of hours year 'round until permanently quitting, to stay current, not limited by personal health and fitness, money, business, other distractions or time limitations.

After the PPL and basic ratings I would limit myself to one capable, modern, forgiving aircraft and get to know it well. Then choose to fly in relatively benign conditions.

For initial training, it's a very good idea to have your own dedicated high-wing, problem-free, low-hours a/c. Take it up when YOU need or want to, and not have to dance around the last 2 free slots in the club rental reserve book, and then have to synchronize that with your instructors availability. And not have 35 years of scum baked onto everything, every bit of plastic threatening to break loose when doing your run-ups, and have the radio cutting in and out on busy final. Maybe you could even lease yours out to the flying club for half the week that you know you won't use it, to pay for maintenance, if you are OK with idea of heavy landings in it by other students. Then use it to build hours and then sell it. A C-172 wouldn't be bad, as its capabilities are well known.

Then I'd gradually migrate into an efficient modern known quantity turbofuel with modern avionics, like a DA-62 diesel twin, or a PC-12. Maybe a Cirrus, but the idea of sidesticks personally give me the creeps. No Mooneys, Pitts, Sukhois, TBMs, King Airs, Bonanzas, WWII stuff, or radial engines.

Not quite sure yet how I feel about seaplanes or modern flying boats like the Dornier Seastar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=628ZPF_0WkY

Most of my non-powered flights were high-mountain dynamic conditions in gliders, which is great if you like action. But if unique is what you seek, there are self-powered gliders with retractable power plants (jet or prop), for when the thermals won't cooperate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_IQIF_VqTE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJV4vcuKww4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeXV5ij4_t4

[lmtada]

I took my PPl dozen years ago, was about $6500.00 all in. I utilized my old mans books from 1975. It was fun. However the spin kind of scared me the first time. Picked up a sportys PPL kit for a refresher with DVD. Pretty good, gives you good overview.

http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/lea...e-kit-dvd.html

[sjemac]

Got my PPL through Air Cadets in the late 80's at age 17. Trained on Tommahawks and was checked out on Cessna 172's. Nothing like taking your prom date up for a two hour flight on graduation night.

I have let it lapse since. My oldest boy got his glider pilots license through Air Cadets recently and is going for his power license next year. If he gets it I will have to get myself checked out again so that I can fly with him. It's not cheap.

[Ken07AOVette]

I'm not horribly worried about it being cheap, since I brought the big boat back from Quebec 2 years ago I have added radar, 2 fishfinders, a swim deck, 6 salmon rigs and a couple spare rods, 4 halibut rigs, 5 inflatable life jackets, traps, anchors, electric steering for the kicker, all the hardware for several species of saltwater fish, etc. It's my hobby, I understand it takes money to have 1.
I look at flying the same, it is just the next big hobby.
Can't take it with me, and I said years ago while I am able to have fun, I am going to have fun.
I can see flying being a lot of fun, we will see.

[qwert]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

snip
After a few discovery flights
snip

These are the real key to both select a school, aircraft, and instructor, and save significant money.

As a student, you pay
instructor time for the pre-flight,
plus aircraft rental and instructor time from engine start to shutdown,
plus instructor time for post flight de-brief.

The school's incremental operating and maintenance costs are based only on air-time, which is why they can offer cheap 'discovery flights'.

The 231 hr (200hrs for CPL + 30 for class 4 CFI rating) instructor is a little like a car salesman waiting for a walk-in.
The instructor sees a walk-in as a 'prospect' who may purchase LOTS of instructor time and dual hours, which the CFI can log as PIC (pilot in command). They need to build PIC time to move to a better job.

For a 'discovery flight',
the pre-flight inspection time (that a student would normally pay for), will be considered as an opportunity to sell the prospect the advantages of the school's aircraft and them-self as an instructor.
The taxi time is similar, and is not logged as air-time for expensive required maintenance, fuel is negligible.
The pre-flight run-up testing is similar.
The instructor will usually talk the 'prospect' through the takeoff, and the flight, and the landing approach, then 'take control' for the touch-down and roll out, then give control to the 'prospect' for taxi to tie-down.
The post-flight de-brief is the last opportunity for the instructor (salesman) to close the sale, and they probably do not have anything better to do but talk about the flight and their teaching objectives. This is when the 'prospect' brings out their personal 'pilot log book' for the instructor to sign (and CFI #) to certify the (total time from start-up to shut-down) as 'dual instruction' received.

A 'prospect' can log an unlimited number of 'discovery flight' hours (with a CFI) as 'dual instruction received'.
Take (and log) 'discovery flights' (with a CFI) when ever near a new airport and with all the schools in your area.
At some point you will likely find an instructor that is a real pleasure to fly with and learn from.
IMHO this is what you are really searching for as you need to find a knowledgeable and experienced instructor that inspires you.
As I said in post 20, IMHO, the extra cost of a class 1 CFI is most often a real bargain.

NEVER pay in advance, as schools go broke regularly. (Where do you think the expression 'fly by night' came from?)

Ground schools are another place that new 231hr CFIs often use as 'lost leaders' to 'prospect' for new clients.
Ground schools at the flying school are most often much more expensive.
Ground schools are NOT compulsory and the requirement can be met with 'self study'. The desirability of this is dependent on the individual students learning style and ability.
Ground school kits are usually over-priced, with a lot of un-needed 'stuff', most of which can be found in the used market or from graduate students.

There is no real time limit for training and hours are valid for life, but some written tests may expire.
Many people find the training is more enjoyable than flying after licensing, and free of the legal responsibilities AND LIABILITIES of Licensed pilots.

No medical certification is required to receive 'dual instruction', but is required to fly 'solo'.

IMHO, flight training is an extremely pleasurable and personally rewarding experience.
Do it for fun, licensing is secondary, many people get their license and never fly again.

Good Luck, YMMV.

[gitrdun]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

I'm not horribly worried about it being cheap, since I brought the big boat back from Quebec 2 years ago I have added radar, 2 fishfinders, a swim deck, 6 salmon rigs and a couple spare rods, 4 halibut rigs, 5 inflatable life jackets, traps, anchors, electric steering for the kicker, all the hardware for several species of saltwater fish, etc. It's my hobby, I understand it takes money to have 1.
I look at flying the same, it is just the next big hobby.
Can't take it with me, and I said years ago while I am able to have fun, I am going to have fun.
I can see flying being a lot of fun, we will see.

I can tell you one thing Ken, although I'm not a licensed pilot. I was flying out of the Liege/Legend area with a pilot that I had known and flown with many times. He asked me if I wanted to take over, which I did. He then suggested on our way back to Ft. Mac that I bank it left and then right and do my own thing. At one point, he convinced me to point the wing tips at the ground. I did. I was hooked. I took over the flight all the way back. It would be worse than a drug addiction. Had finances and the wife allowed at that time, I'd be a poor man right now with many flight hours logged in.