Private Pilots Liscense

[thewrap]

Over the last few years it's been an intrest of mine to be able to fly the real deal. And I know several people who have there pilots liscense so I was curious how I would be able to obtain one. I have been researching and I'm expecting 40-50 hours class instruction another 40+ hours with an instructor plus the solo. And about 3-5grand later I should be able to be a certified pilot. That's from what I've been reading. If anyone has any advice and answers on classes that would be great.

[Huckeneer]

You don't have to take a class. But there is a written test you have to take. You can study on your own with the gliem books and DVDs or the King dvds. The classes can help you with the test though. The flight is a min of 40 hours with different requirements like solo and cross country time. It takes a while to get through it all so don't get discouraged. It's well worth it in the end.

[smokin]

if you have the desire but not quite the time or funds, there is always the light-sport lic. this is about 1/2 the time and such but your flying priviledges are limited... just a thought.

[WangoTango]

Jesse,
If you want to do this and earn a degree at the same time, check out Central Texas College in Killeen. It's where I went for aviation training back in 70-71 and Kyle started there too. It is way cheaper than all the schools and private training plus you get a great education. For God's sake son......... Don't tell anyone else! It's one of Texas' best kept secrets! LOL! Good luck in your endeavors.
WT

[BOSSIER_ROB]

Yeah, there's several good schools with aviation programs around this area. That's the best and cheapest way to do it. If you decide to just take lessons, I highly recommend the King course. You can learn everything a ground school will teach you from the comfort of your couch and watch as much or little as you want. You can get signed off to take the written exam through them without going through ground school. You will have to have an airport nearby, an aircraft to borrow or a rental with an instructor. The basics of the private rating are at least 36 hours in the aircraft, a few cross country solos, the written exam (it's not difficult), and your check ride. Well worth it if you have access to an aircraft. Once you do it, it's like heroin. You won't be able to stop. You'll end up getting your instrument rating, multi engine, and commercial. If you get that far, you'll keep going onto turbine ratings and next thing you know, all that fun that seemed like a ton of work will be your dream job. If you just think it'll be cool, you're waisting time and money. If you really want to fly, jump in head first and take it as far as your wallet will let you. It'll pay off!!!

[Judge]

Here's a good reference on getting a license:

http://www.aopa.org/letsgoflying/ready/steps/steps.html?priority=TX09GO&WT.srch=1&engine=adword s!11347&keyword=private%20pilot%20license&kmcid=25 90876013&match_type=&gclid=CMT-lpzyn5wCFYZM5QodWyjGew

BTW - the average is around 70 to 90 hours before you are ready to take your flight exam. 40 hours on flight instruction is the minimum and very few people get it done close to that.

These guys are the masters of video flight instruction:

http://www.kingschools.com/courses/p...FYZM5QodWyjGew

Good luck!! One thing you will discover is that being an RC pilot really helps with a lot of the "how" to fly. It also makes you a better RC pilot since you have a better understanding of how airplanes fly.

[thewrap]

Thanks for the info and keep it coming.

[SmoothFlying]

I think its a little more than 3-4k, I think more like 8-9k.

[askforplanes]

http://www.cessna.com/learn-to-fly.html
and
http://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/
Good luck and have fun, I've got another year and 3 months.

JP

[jwilliams]

Thewrap, I am a major airline pilot, came up thru the civilian ranks and taught many a people how to fly and taught ground schools at a local college. I am not that up on pricing, but I am guessing 5k to be the lowest you could do it. I used to teach from the Gleim books and they are good. They certainly are not the only good ones, you have other recommendations on here and those are good too.
I am not sure if I understand BossierBob, but if he is saying you need to jump in and do it as a career well that is fine too. You do not have to do that to have fun, I know lots of folks that are very happy just boring holes once or twice a month on a PVT license only. You do not have to get all those ratings unless you simply want to, the desire will either be there or it won't. My advice is take it one step at a time.
Jeff Williams

[BOSSIER_ROB]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jwilliams
	I am not sure if I understand BossierRob, but if he is saying you need to jump in and do it as a career well that is fine too. You do not have to do that to have fun, I know lots of folks that are very happy just boring holes once or twice a month on a PVT license only. You do not have to get all those ratings unless you simply want to, the desire will either be there or it won't. Jeff Williams

No I wasn't saying only do it to make a career, only saying it's very addictive and will make you want to take it as far as you can.I agree with you that it's a blast to get your PVT if that's all you can do. I enjoyed many hours of $100 burgers. You can get rated at 40 hours. Most folks that have vast knowledge of flying seem to get the hang of it quick. With zero full scale experience I made my first supervised solo with 15 hrs under the belt and unsupervised local solo 6 hrs later. I finished all but one cross country, the long one, with 36 hours, so it can be done. I was wrong with 36 hour minimum, it is 40hrs.

[Tired Old Man]

As a previous flight instructor, I can state that there have been very few people that received their license in 40 hours unless they attended a formal training center. Even then the percentage of those licensing in 40 hours was not that high. Being realistic you should figure 50 to 60 hours minumum. Fly a minimum of twice a week so you don't spend 80% of your next flight lesson remembering what you did on the last one.

It's not about how fast you learn, but how well you learn. Some of those that were real fast are no longer among the living...