|
WakeboardrB
Pepe Silvia



Registered: 05/18/03
Posts: 13,678
Last seen: 11 years, 6 months
|
Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas....
#7613192 - 11/08/07 11:05 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
So, I've been deep within the grips of depression and really need to get my life out of the gutter. I've been hoping and praying for something to put my life towards so that I can make steps to drag myself out of this hole.
Every time I go outside, I watch the single engine Cessna's cruising overhead and I want so bad to be up there. So bad it hurts.
So I'm going to ask my parents for flying lessons as my Christmas present. What should I look for? I haven't done any research yet and am just looking for personal experience and what I should expect and look out for.
Anyone have any experience?
-------------------- Same thing happened to me when I played Neil Armstrong in Moonshot. They found me in an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
|
undergrounder
fluffy bunny



Registered: 11/10/06
Posts: 1,394
Loc: Sydney
Last seen: 1 year, 7 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: WakeboardrB]
#7613394 - 11/09/07 12:32 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I don't have any experience i just say go for it man! You'll feel amazing when you're halfway through your license and can see a great future for yourself doing what you love.
A mate of mine got his license straight out of school and is flying around the world right now. In my country demand for pilots outstrips supply by 10 to 1.
--------------------
RIP Bigger and bolder and rougher and tougher in other words sucka there is no other...
|
WakeboardrB
Pepe Silvia



Registered: 05/18/03
Posts: 13,678
Last seen: 11 years, 6 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: undergrounder]
#7613399 - 11/09/07 12:35 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
That's definitely good to hear.
I was thinking about a one time parachuting lesson or pilot lessons. I think the pilot lessons are a much better bet.
Although I would really enjoy a 50 second free fall.
-------------------- Same thing happened to me when I played Neil Armstrong in Moonshot. They found me in an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
|
AaronEvil
The GuitarVillain



Registered: 09/27/04
Posts: 1,706
Loc: California
Last seen: 12 years, 8 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: WakeboardrB]
#7614901 - 11/09/07 11:55 AM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
TERRORIST!
--------------------
There is not a lot of difference between a fox hole and a grave; but knowing that you dug your ditch and climbed in anyway.
|
circularvortex
Bass Head




Registered: 08/31/06
Posts: 12,148
Loc:
Last seen: 4 months, 30 days
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: AaronEvil]
#7614961 - 11/09/07 12:08 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
There is a lot of reading involved in getting a license. You really have to know your shit. I've got a book right now that I'm pseudo-reading (on/off) on the shit you've gotta know, but I don't know if I'll ever really go through with it. From what I understand, though, it doesn't take long to get up in the air once you start taking lessons, and by the second or third week you do solo flights at most places.
I say go for it!
-------------------- No statements made in any post or message by myself should be construed to mean that I am now, or have ever been, participating in or considering participation in any activities in violation of any local, state, federal, or fashion police laws. All posts are works of fiction. For well you know that its a fool who plays it cool By making his world a little colder. Under closer inspection I realised it was a funky ball of tits from outer space.
 
|
WakeboardrB
Pepe Silvia



Registered: 05/18/03
Posts: 13,678
Last seen: 11 years, 6 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: AaronEvil]
#7615173 - 11/09/07 12:59 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
AaronEvil said: TERRORIST!
I wonder what they would do if I said that I wasn't really concerned with learning how to take off and land...
-------------------- Same thing happened to me when I played Neil Armstrong in Moonshot. They found me in an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
|
denots87
Shroomerite



Registered: 11/17/06
Posts: 125
Loc: B-Town
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: circularvortex]
#7615262 - 11/09/07 01:20 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
GO FOR IT!
I love flying in small planes, most liberating experience of my life. Flying freely through the air watching all those little people stuck in traffic jams on the highways down bellow while your cruising at a good 140 knots. Since your interested in flying I suggest you look for an introduction package, usually it includes a couple hours (4-5ish) of flight and instruction time, along with fuel. Perfect for trying it out and if your not into after you try it your not out a whole lot of cash plus its usually cheaper.
There is alot of book work involved, a bunch of math for navigating (basic trig and algebra for navigating), FAA regulations, and general flying knowledge and skills like talking on the radio properly. But the first few lessons are generally getting you used to flying. It can be stressful, especially your first few landings you make but its rewards are so great. I would recommend a Cessna 172 compared to a 152. The difference is the 172 is slightly less cramped, has more power overall and is a little bit steadier, although you literally have to force and keep a Cessna in a spin otherwise it recovers itself.
I started out with at the age of 14 with a flight package from my mom and got to 28 logged flight hours (you need 40 hours for a license, 10 of them solo hours) before medical issues caught up with me, damn FAA regulations. The one big fact to consider is the price of flying. Aircraft rentals, instructor time, and above all fuel costs make it rather expensive. In 2001 when I started I was quoted $4,000-$5,000 of training to get my license and that was 6 years ago when fuel was cheaper. Aircraft fuel is more expensive than auto fuel so be prepared for that. Only other thing I can recommend is get a good pair of POLARIZED sunglasses with big lenses, and see if you can rent or borrow a headset till you know if you want to really get into it. Those things cost a good $200-300 for a good brand and model. Last thing you want to be doing is asking tower to repeat what they just said because your headset is crappy (its very, very annoying when you have to ask the tower to repeat what they said, damn fast talkers).
If wanna know anymore just PM and I'll help ya out.
--------------------
|
kindadank
Stranger


Registered: 07/14/03
Posts: 702
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: WakeboardrB]
#7615286 - 11/09/07 01:25 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Hey man, I don't mean to rain on your parade, but if I remember correctly, don't you take dexedrine or some other stim like that?
The federal regulations are pretty strict as far as obtaining your license. You cannot have ADHD, be color blind, or have any other medical condition that would prevent you from flying. I'm not sure about most mental disorders, but I'm sure many of them would prohibit you from getting your medical.
If you aren't on ADHD meds anymore, it is possible to still get your license. You will somehow need to prove that you no longer have this condition though. Probably by retaking the test and passing it, along with lots of BS paperwork.
I don't think any of this applies to just taking some lessons though. You can definitely still do that without a FAA medical certificate.
If you need any other info, just let me know.
|
kindadank
Stranger


Registered: 07/14/03
Posts: 702
Last seen: 13 years, 11 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: denots87]
#7615305 - 11/09/07 01:28 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
denots87 said: GO FOR IT!
I love flying in small planes, most liberating experience of my life. Flying freely through the air watching all those little people stuck in traffic jams on the highways down bellow while your cruising at a good 140 knots. Since your interested in flying I suggest you look for an introduction package, usually it includes a couple hours (4-5ish) of flight and instruction time, along with fuel. Perfect for trying it out and if your not into after you try it your not out a whole lot of cash plus its usually cheaper.
There is alot of book work involved, a bunch of math for navigating (basic trig and algebra for navigating), FAA regulations, and general flying knowledge and skills like talking on the radio properly. But the first few lessons are generally getting you used to flying. It can be stressful, especially your first few landings you make but its rewards are so great. I would recommend a Cessna 172 compared to a 152. The difference is the 172 is slightly less cramped, has more power overall and is a little bit steadier, although you literally have to force and keep a Cessna in a spin otherwise it recovers itself.
I started out with at the age of 14 with a flight package from my mom and got to 28 logged flight hours (you need 40 hours for a license, 10 of them solo hours) before medical issues caught up with me, damn FAA regulations. The one big fact to consider is the price of flying. Aircraft rentals, instructor time, and above all fuel costs make it rather expensive. In 2001 when I started I was quoted $4,000-$5,000 of training to get my license and that was 6 years ago when fuel was cheaper. Aircraft fuel is more expensive than auto fuel so be prepared for that. Only other thing I can recommend is get a good pair of POLARIZED sunglasses with big lenses, and see if you can rent or borrow a headset till you know if you want to really get into it. Those things cost a good $200-300 for a good brand and model. Last thing you want to be doing is asking tower to repeat what they just said because your headset is crappy (its very, very annoying when you have to ask the tower to repeat what they said, damn fast talkers).
If wanna know anymore just PM and I'll help ya out.
I definitely agree with most of what you said, but the polarized sunglasses is a terrible idea. You would think it'd be great, but most aircraft windshields have a polarized filter in them already. If you put one polarized filter over another, you can't really see anything. I thought the same thing though before I asked my old instructor.
|
denots87
Shroomerite



Registered: 11/17/06
Posts: 125
Loc: B-Town
Last seen: 13 years, 2 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: kindadank]
#7615385 - 11/09/07 01:49 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
Well I'll have to disagree with ya on that point, different instructors, different sources of info. I was flying in 2 different Cessna 172s a 1974 and a 1980, and I switched between both polarized RayBans and then none polarized and it made a significant difference in glare reduction with polarized winning. I'll admit that polarized glasses can cause glares from gauges and bodies of water, but the benefit IMHO out weights the inconvenience when your eyes are constantly set to alert mode and are your most valued asset. Newer planes' windshields maybe polarized, but renting a newer Cessna is $$$ compared to a 70-80's model that works just fine. Either way a pair a good polarized glasses is a must for me when driving or when I was flying.
--------------------
|
WakeboardrB
Pepe Silvia



Registered: 05/18/03
Posts: 13,678
Last seen: 11 years, 6 months
|
Re: Thinking about pilot lessons for christmas.... [Re: denots87]
#7616774 - 11/09/07 08:34 PM (16 years, 2 months ago) |
|
|
I'm reading about the medical certificate and it might be a problem.
Boo...
-------------------- Same thing happened to me when I played Neil Armstrong in Moonshot. They found me in an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.
|
|