How many Pilots?

[Uncamitzi]

Let's see... a poll on SVX owners that are also pilots......OK... Let's give it a shot.

[huck369]

I've always wanted to get my pilots lic.....But I'm just to cheap But have had a few cars airborn , and grab a little air on my dirt bike now and then...

[thumper_svx]

I know I probably sound like a commercial... but learning to fly REALLY isn't that expensive. All told by the time I nailed my license I figure I had spent about $3000 or so... less than the cost of a transmission

Seriously, that was over about a year or so, so it doesn't cost much out of pocket. Maintaining currency also doesn't take a huge chunk out of my wages... if I fly 10 hours a year then I stay current (less than an hour a month). Believe me, when you get up there flying though, it's hard to keep yourself on the ground afterwards... it's WAY more fun than you might think, plus the ability to go anywhere in the midwest on a weekend in only a couple of hours is a nice thought.

Hmm... maybe I'll fly to Rockford...

[Mr. Pockets]

Originally posted by thumper_svx
I know I probably sound like a commercial... but learning to fly REALLY isn't that expensive. All told by the time I nailed my license I figure I had spent about $3000 or so... less than the cost of a transmission

Seriously, that was over about a year or so, so it doesn't cost much out of pocket. Maintaining currency also doesn't take a huge chunk out of my wages... if I fly 10 hours a year then I stay current (less than an hour a month). Believe me, when you get up there flying though, it's hard to keep yourself on the ground afterwards... it's WAY more fun than you might think, plus the ability to go anywhere in the midwest on a weekend in only a couple of hours is a nice thought.

Hmm... maybe I'll fly to Rockford...

Thanks for the commer...I mean info.

Once you start the process of learning to fly, is there an amount of time in which you have to get it all done? Like if you have to stop for awhile, how long before you just have to start all over again?

And if you could focus on it, how long does the entire process take if you just crash (excuse me) through it all at once?

If anybody wants to get their license at a bit of a discount, you can volunteer as a senior member of the Civil Air Patrol. I don't think that you have to have any particular background to join as a senior member. I remember that CAP offered flight training for cadets, but I don't remember whether or not senior members could do the same. I think so.

[RSVX]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets


Thanks for the commer...I mean info.

Once you start the process of learning to fly, is there an amount of time in which you have to get it all done? Like if you have to stop for awhile, how long before you just have to start all over again?

And if you could focus on it, how long does the entire process take if you just crash (excuse me) through it all at once?

If anybody wants to get their license at a bit of a discount, you can volunteer as a senior member of the Civil Air Patrol. I don't think that you have to have any particular background to join as a senior member. I remember that CAP offered flight training for cadets, but I don't remember whether or not senior members could do the same. I think so.

No there isnt, you can do it in a month if you feel like treating it as a full time job, or you can spread it out over a year to year and a half which is what most do. I forget the total number of flight hours you must accrue before getting your "ticket".

[GreenMarine]

Sure I fly..... Both in the SVX and in a C-12 (King Air).... I have around 150 hours in the King Air... That is un-officially though.. Since I don't have a liscence.... I fly crew cheif for my OIC (LtCol. Johnson) and everynow and then he will tell me to get up in the front and fly!!! He is the coolest OIC I have had yet!!!! I can't wait till I actually get my liscence though, I'll be flying heaps more then!!!

[thumper_svx]

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets
[B]

Once you start the process of learning to fly, is there an amount of time in which you have to get it all done? Like if you have to stop for awhile, how long before you just have to start all over again?

The answer to that is no; you can take as long or as short a period of time as you like... in theory.

In practice, the longer you leave it between lessons, the more time you'll spend "reacclimating" yourself once you get back in the cockpit... thus the longer it'll probably take you to get your ticket... and thusly the more it's going to cost! Planes are rented by the hour ya know

On the flip-side, the FAA mandate minimum of flight hours is (last I checked) 35... most flight schools say 40... most pass their ticket in 50. A quick perusal of my log book shows that I passed with 44 hours in the saddle, so I'm on the high-side of average

And if you could focus on it, how long does the entire process take if you just crash (excuse me) through it all at once?

Ouch... you don't want to talk about "crashing" too much... though aviation is a hell of a lot safer than you might think (a failed engine doesn't mean death contrary to popular belief... it just means you're going to have a rough landing not necessarily on a runway)

You could do it in a month if you wanted. Hell, I know a guy passed with exactly 35 hours who did it in two weeks... but he has money and time to burn.

Just remember the old adage; "Any landing you can walk away from is a good one... any landing after which you can use the plane again is a GREAT one."

PM me if you want any more info... this is getting a little OT

[Seraph]

By my house at palwakee airport, it is only about 4500 for the single engine lic. not too bad for chicago I think.

One of these days...

A long time dream for me, including repowering a Seabee with a turbocharged 3.3L so I can land and takeoff on the lake I live on.
Actually getting closer to doing this $ and time wise.

House is real...Seabee photoshopped by Alex.

[ensteele]

I have always wanted to fly, but didn't have that as a $ or time thing. Maybe some day.

Brian - There isn't a pond at your work location - how would you land?

Originally posted by ensteele
I have always wanted to fly, but didn't have that as a $ or time thing. Maybe some day.

Brian - There isn't a pond at your work location - how would you land?

Earl,
Did I say commute? That would be way cool but it will have to wait for the move to near an airfield or for the VTOL Seabee that Alex is designing with X-plane. Could be in the works for a while!

[ensteele]

for me, as the moody blues say, "thinking is the best way to travel"

[huck369]

How about one of these:
http://www.moller.com/
Vertical take-off and landing, just pull out of your garage and fly to your parking space at work.

[CigarJohnny]

I've always wanted to get my pilots license but always considered it a wealthy man's hobby. Getting a license to pilot a helicopter has always been an even bigger dream than getting an airplane license.

I will one day get myself an ultralight. Been a dream of mine ever since I first laid eyes on an issue of Popular Mechanics when I was a kid.