Any Monkeys know how to fly a Plane?

I have always been interested in learning how to fly an airplane, but have been too lazy to even signup for a first lesson. I was wondering if anyone here has their pilot's license and has any tips for me on getting started, expected cost, and time required.

I know I can search for the cost on the internet, but I'm fairly certain that the cost estimates on flying school websites aren't the total picture and want someone with actual experience to give me a ball park for time and cost.

 
Best Response

I've taken a few introductory lessons and seriously considered getting a license (still am).

Most places say it's "a low as" ~$6k to get licensed, but all of my homework indicated that $8ish was a more reasonable range. I think $10k is pretty conservative, but not a bad budget to set to yourself.

I have found a few people who took a much more intensive route that was cheaper. I got a couple recommendations to fly somewhere (Belize or Puerto Rico are coming to mind, but I don't remember for sure) and do it in a long week. I think that was ~$3-4k including travel costs

There's also a flight school in Florida that has a more intensive program that I think was ~$5k for a weekish.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 

Based on the above comments it will be cheaper to get my pilots license than to pay the initiation fees at a golf club.

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

Yeah it's pretty ridiculous. My hometown course was like 40-50k per year, and they made you spend like 5k per month on dining, plus they made you either pay for a cart or caddy. Hard to justify it, but it was a good childhood to say the least.

 

From what I can gather you have to have a medical exam, but not perfect vision. I do believe there is a standard vision requirement, but since I'm 20/20 I stopped after reading that I was fine.

Talked to a school today and you pay for the plane rental along with the instructors time. He said if you are really serious and can drop everything to learn you can actually become a commercial pilot in 7-9 months. Will cost around $70k.

For me he said if you are doing weekends and some weekday evening lessons I will be a pilot in 5-6 months.

Sounds like a plan to me.

"Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money." - Mickey Bergman - Heist (2001)
 

Why would you get a commercial license?

For $70k you can get a license and a good share in a 4 seater Cessna. Unless you want to make $ flying no need to get commercial.

Going concern - it all depends on the individual. I think the requirement is a min of 40 hours airtime, but most people are in the 50-60 range before they're ready. You can do your ~50 hours in any time frame you want.

twitter: @CorpFin_Guy
 

Last year for my friend's birthday, he and I got first time pilot lessons over in Jersey. It was a short bus ride away (under an hour). The gave us each one hour one-on-one with an instructor on the ground learning flight basics and then one hour flying with the same instructor. You have control, but the instructor is able to take over if you're about to do something stupid, similar to the brake in driving lesson cars.

I'd definitely recommend trying out a one-time lesson like this first whatever you do. For only about $200 you get to see what it is like and find out whether or not it is something you want to pursue further. We both loved it and might friend might eventually go for his license, but I found out it certainly isn't for me (damn you, motion sickness).

 

Since I used to fly for a living, I will go ahead and weigh in.

The best way to do it if you have no experience is to take 3 weeks, or so vacation and go to one of those all-inclusive flight academies. Most are in Fla or Az or Tx. Not sure how much it will be to get you through your private pilot certification, but it will be much more economical than doing lessons 1-2 per week over a couple of months. It's a perishable skill while you are first learning, so an immersion program is ideal.

Not sure if things have changed, but. 40 hours were once the min requirement to take the private pilot exam.

 

Former Hornet driver is on the money here. The cheapest possible way to get your license is to hit up an intensive course for your last 15-20 hours to make sure you are crisp for your check ride. It also will be cheaper long run because the strides you can make going up twice a day is huge compared to just doing it sporadically. Most people try to do the once or twice a week deal and they spend most of their time relearning(wasting money). You can get your license for sub $10k for sure if you focus and don't go far over the 40 hours. I also highly suggest the cram course(Aviation seminars) for your written as they really know how to teach to the test. I took them for both my private and instrument and passed no problem; I have seen a lot of incompetent pass the written due solely to them. If you want additional advice pm me.

and it's worth it

 

I did my first solo two weeks ago and currently about three weeks away from the license. I have been flying since beginning of February, on average 2-3 times a week. Currently at 27 hours total (40 is still minimum, but the hours go quickly once you get solo). Definitely doable but its a commitment. My estimate has been at $8500 since I started and I think I will be just within this when I finish.

If you end up doing it, I would recommend flying in a busy neighborhood as it teaches you how to deal with air-to-air communication and traffic properly. Also, beware that scheduling tends to get more difficult after a while as you settle on a specific plane and instructor.

The written test is relatively easy. All the questions they use are available for free on FAA.gov and its multiple choice.

 

If you would like to find the cheapest rate, your search may be more successful if you target those who have less of a streamlined process (e.g. no website) and are not doing it for the money (e.g. retirees). In a low cost of living area, I am aware of an instructor who charges $70 per hour, and the plane is another $70 (to rent) per hour. You can "solo" in around 10 hours, and have your pilot's license in 40. This is the lowest price I've ever come across, but the search methodology outlined is recommended nevertheless. Try reaching out to the smaller regional airports and asking if they know of flight instructors and his/her contact info.

 

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