Thinking of getting a pilot certificate. Looked up the cost is about 10k with c152. Is it recommended to use a more updated plane to learn? How much time should I devote to it per week in order to get certified within half a year? Also if you could share your awesome experience in flying that’ll be great! Bad experiences are welcomed too! 😊
Would you like to fly an F-18?
What would be your end goal? You would more or less need to be flying and in ground school full time to get your ticket within 6 months. The FAA has minimum hour requirements but many pilots spend almost twice as much time. Your instructor’s availability, your availability, weather, and how you progress on your ground and flight knowledge are all variables that come into play that’ll determine how long it will take. Cessna 152/172 are typical standard trainers at flight schools. 152 might be a cheaper route compared to the 172. Flying is a challenging but rewarding experience if you put the time, energy, focus and commitment towards it. I encourage anyone interested to take an intro flight.
I see. So if I’m working full time, a more realistic goal is about getting it in one year? I’ll start ground school first. My ultimate goal is to get instrument rating and then seaplane rating
You would need to be logging 5-8 hours of flight and ground instruction a month, pass all stage checks, and your check ride to pass your private check ride within a year. It’s doable, but with a full time job, would probably be challenging, unless you spend your vacation/PTO logging time as well.
Thanks man! This estimation really gives me a good perspective about how difficult it is. Regardless, I will try to challenge myself with this one. Hopefully I can pass with 60 hours total time :)
Just to give you an alternate perspective: I got my PPL in about 4 months one summer while working full time. I got permission from my boss to come into work around 11am three days a week (not that I needed the permission really) so I could be at the field to fly at 8am. I blocked off time for the airplane way way in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts and I managed my schedule around flying. I was also very aggressive about flights up front until the instructor signed me off for solo after which my instructor’s schedule became less of an issue. If you are in Seattle, the summers are excellent flying weather and thus wx only grounded me a few times. I also self-studied ground school which made the required ground portion I had with my instructor more fulfilling since we could talk through more interesting scenarios.
If scheduling is an issue for you, I recommend finding a newer instructor who hasn’t built up a client base. Though there is the obvious trade off of learning from a relative newbie.
You did it in 4 months in pnw area?
Q is what do you want to do after getting your license? After a while, scenic flights for friends and family visiting the city become boring. Family and kids and wx will keep you away from flying. Working in Instrument rating may keep u busy for a while. That said, it's the best thing I ever did even if it burnt a big big hole in my pocket ...
I don’t know what is my ultimate goal. I mainly want to enjoy the experience of operating a complex machine. It’s a toy, expensive one.
You will realize quickly that it is not a toy :)
How did it go OP ? Did you get the PPC ?
Would love to know this