What does it take to get a Pilot License?

wcc · 07-05-2009, 05:25 PM

It's probably a year or two out. But I've always wanted to fly and I'm curious as to what it would take to get one. I was pricing air planes today and I'm sure there's a lot more to then just buying one. Storage, upkeep and I'm ASSUMING I can't do the maintenance like a car? So I'd have to pay some one, how many hours does it need it. Realistically, how often is that. A couple times a year or further out then that like once a year? Feel free to talk to me like a newbie because I completely am. I'd like to get an old WWII plane to fly but I'm sure it's out of my price range and probably not a good plane to start with. So again as a dreamer newbie any advice from you pilots out there with some real world experience on to where and how to start would be greatly appreciated. I saw a few WWII planes over the 4th and am star struck that brought back one of my 'one day' accomplishments. Top wing Cesena's were reasonable and looked like a good trainer plane....

Tim Hancock · 07-05-2009, 05:33 PM

Bill, feel free to give me a buzz sometime to discuss. I got my private pilot ticket about 15 yrs ago and my AP then later my IA mechanic ratings about 6-7 years ago. I do small airplane repair and inspections as a partime business and would be more than happy to give you some real world advice pertaining to getting your ticket and owning/operating an airplane in our part of the country.

HardDrive · 07-05-2009, 05:34 PM

One of the engineers I worked with paid $22k to have the engine over hauled on his Cessena 182. Kind of nutty considering its an air cooled flat six....I guess he should have taken it to Motormeister

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

I fly jets for a living....wish I could afford to buy a 172

KNS · 07-05-2009, 05:40 PM

I think a private pilot's certificate is about $6,000 or $7,000 now?? Talk to an instructor at a local airport, try to fly at least once or twice a week during your lessons. You can get your private cert in about six weeks or one year depending on how much time you want to put into it. I spent $2,000 back in '89 for my private fixed wing (beat-up Cessna 150).

I think P-51 Mustangs are fetching around at least one million these days.

Tim Hancock · 07-05-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

One of the engineers I worked with paid $22k to have the engine over hauled on his Cessena 182. Kind of nutty considering its an air cooled flat six....I guess he should have taken it to Motormeister

Engine overhauls on a C-150 or a C-172 can range from 10-20k depending on how and who does them. Either way it is not cheap and it must be done by the book and by someone with the appropriate certification. Buying a "cheap" Cessna 150 for 15k with a high time engine is not so cheap when it soon needs an overhaul. Airplanes in general are money pits. Very seldom does a private individual make any money to speak of by owning then selling an airplane. That is just the way it is.... you wanna play, ya gotta pay.

wcc · 07-05-2009, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Bill, feel free to give me a buzz sometime to discuss. I got my private pilot ticket about 15 yrs ago and my AP then later my IA mechanic ratings about 6-7 years ago. I do small airplane repair and inspections as a partime business and would be more than happy to give you some real world advice pertaining to getting your ticket and owning/operating an airplane in our part of the country.

Sorry, for some reason I forgot you were into airplanes or I would have PM'd you to begin with. I'll give you a call soon about this. I'm back into this pretty good but other commitments would realistically put it out a year or two. I'll send you a PM when I nail down a day and time. Thanks Tim!

Tim Hancock · 07-05-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KNS

I think a private pilot's certificate is about $6,000 or $7,000 now?? Talk to an instructor at a local airport, try to fly at least once or twice a week during your lessons. You can get your private cert in about six weeks or one year depending on how much time you want to put into it. I spent $2,000 back in '89 for my private fixed wing (beat-up Cessna 150).

Yep, the key to spending the least amount is to get your private in a short time period from a small local airport in a small older cheap to rent airplane (AKA Cessna 150). If you spread it out, you will spend probably double due to having to repeat/rehone previously learned skills. I got mine in about 2-3 months (46 hours) in a C-150 for around 3K total.

artplumber · 07-05-2009, 07:44 PM

Got a buddy who jokes that $1K = 1 airplane unit. He prices things in AU because nothing ever costs less than that. He flies pretty regularly and basically is prepared to drive instead of fly all the time because something is always breaking. We were going to fly to Tahoe, but some spring broke on the oil check door (or something) and we ended up driving. Lately it was the vacuum pump (I think) for some of the instruments, luckily he was in VFR conditions and so continued on to his destination. If you think Porsches are not about the price of entry but the upkeep, you get the idea.

s_morrison57 · 07-05-2009, 08:41 PM

Money helps

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Indeed. I'm a CFI. PM me if interested - I can give you the lowdown.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I would love to learn to fly some day as well. But I'm just starting college so I can't afford it

Zef · Zef's Garage

I have my commercial ticket....Don't use it anymore. Because I want a decent salary.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

When I got my license block time in a 150 was $30/hr. I suppose it's gone up since then.
Jim

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I would love to learn to fly some day as well. But I'm just starting college so I can't afford it

My $0.02 is that's actually the BEST time to do it. Many universities have aviation programs now which includes either flight schools as part of the university, or affiliations with flight schools which allow for the training. Worth looking into if you're serious.

FWIW I started in college way back in 1989 as an aerospace engineering major. It just so happened that a few of the guys on my dorm floor were in the flight program so I decided to check it out (I'd always been interested/curious). It wasn't long thereafter I realized I was more interested in flying than in struggling through differential equations, so I switched into the aeronautics program and got my certificates as part of the university program over the next four years. No regrets - probably one of the smarter things I've ever done.

jyl · jyl's Garage

After achieving your license, how often do you have to fly to keep the skills and be safe? I'm sure it depends on the person, but is there any general guideline?

t6dpilot · t6dpilot's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by artplumber

Got a buddy who jokes that $1K = 1 airplane unit. He prices things in AU because nothing ever costs less than that.

That is great! I love that term. Fastest way to suck C-notes out of your wallet = airplane ownership.

HardDrive · 07-06-2009, 08:31 AM

Anyone a member of a flying club? Some of my wife colleagues have about 15 guys that own 3 planes. I guess it all depends on the other members of the club....

onewhippedpuppy · 07-06-2009, 09:40 AM

Working at an aircraft company, I have a pretty decent flying club at my disposal. Even with rates that are silly cheap, I figured I'd be lucky to get my license for under $5k. For someone off of the street receiving training through an FBO, it's probably more like $8k. It's been a lifelong dream of mine, but I simply don't have the time and money right now.

Good luck Bill! If it's in your blood, it will be absolutely worth it. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of flying with my grandpa in his V35 Bonanza. What I would give to someday own that plane........

RZG77 · 07-06-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Anyone a member of a flying club? Some of my wife colleagues have about 15 guys that own 3 planes. I guess it all depends on the other members of the club....

Im a member of a flying club, seems to be some good deals out there on joining them, there interested in keeping you flying so there keeping the prices down. Im paying $500 a year, the first 10 hours I only pay for fuel, after that I pay $25 an hour plus fuel. I fly out of Napoleon Ohio (Henry County).