Pilot Training and flying
 

I have decided to check into a Aviation Training School here in Socal. I have always wanted to learn how to fly and then purchase my own aircraft, so I can set off to far places. I was wondering if the TFP has any flight instructors or pilots that might lend your knowledge to a rookie. :thumbsup:

Have fun. I'm currently in my third year of flight training. It's a blast and you'll probably love it.

It is extremely expensive though :(

One of the greatest experiences is that first solo flight when you're not expecting it and your flight instructor hops out and says "three landings, then come back in". If you have any questions about the process I'm sure we can all help out. I've been flight instructing for two years and it's great when your student passes the checkride. Just be ready for some studying.

Hi there,

I am an airline pilot, for a decent European airline. I am currently flying a Boeing 747, but have just about a year ago only accepted this job. Before I was flying and living in the USA, and loved all of it. Was just looking into getting my own airplane and start my own charter business.

Be ready for an addiction. It's a lot more than just a hobby, and other people will NOT accept that. I was naiive before too, and my wife said she was standing by me all the way. But right now, with a good paying job, it doesn't seem to be that way.

Try to keep it a hobby, if you want to do it for a living, be prepared for a lot of financial sacrafices before you will start getting paid a bit

i have a question for those of you who took the training, did you take in college or simply use all your off time?

I'm flying for an airline on the west coast. I'm also an instructor. Feel free to ask questions. I'll help out as best I can.

hawker rider - How is the job situation in Europe? I have a friend in Scotland who says that the UK can't get enough pilots..

Did you do your training in the US? How hard was it to transfer your licenses and ratings over? Europe uses ICAO, right?

The media wants everybody to believe that there is or will be soon, a shortage of pilots. Well I don't think that there will ever be a shortage of pilots. Anywhere for that matter.

I did my initial training in Europe, and moved to the U.S. after that, my wife is from the States. If you do your basic or initial training in the U.S. it will be very difficult and expensive to transfer your licenses to JAA, or European ones. They all use ICAO, well I should define that a little better, they are all ICAO member states, but they have a lot of their own rules. The US FAA is also an ICAO member state so that means that most of the rules are based on ICAO, with their own interpretation.

"i have a question for those of you who took the training, did you take in college or simply use all your off time?"

I went to a dedicated aviation college, and took a full ATPL (Air-Transport pilot license) course. There are a lot better ways to become a professional pilot. I found that out the expensive way!! For instance going to a good local flight school, getting your basic ratings, and than build experience flying freight, or business jets. It'll be hard work... a lot of fun at times, and not too expensive.

Yeah, I know the US uses ICAO rules that are slightly modified, but I thought Europe used standard ICAO rules.

I currently go to an aviation college, and it is expensive as hell. I'd like to go to the UK and get a job there after I graduate, but I don't want to pay loads of money to transfer all of my ratings over, on top of the loads of money I spent to earn them. Kind of a bummer since I know a few people from the UK who have offered to room with me..

Well, concerning flight jobs, I think most employers want at least a bachelor's degree from a university. I think the best plan is to go to a community college that offers four year degrees, and then do flight training at a local airport. At my school, each flight course costs $5000-7000, then on top of that we have to pay for the credits. At my school each credit costs $850, so for each flight course I have to pay an extra $1700.

I have a buddy in California that is going to San Diego University, and is getting all of his ratings at a local FBO. Cheaper in total, but he can't get scholarship money to pay for his flight training. I currently get all of my tuition and about half of my flight fees covered in scholarships, and then I have to take out loans for room and board and whatever else I owe. He can also get loans, but not much, and they are at a much higher interest rate since they are personal loans.

If you can get the scholarship money to cover (part of) your flight training that would be very good.

I did not have very wealthy parents, and being one of 6 kids, I couldn't get any special treatment, so had to get a personal loan for all the courses. Don't get mistaken, I owe a lot of money to the banks, that only gave me a logbook and a license. They truly are some very terrifying numbers!

So any help you can get>> take it with both hands!

Yeah, I'll be in debt for most of my life....

thanks for the info guys, ive been looking for the cheapest route to a liscense myself without joining the military

Know this right now before you do anything: THERE IS NO CHEAP WAY TO LEARN HOW TO FLY!!

Everybody is always looking for the cheapest and quickest ways. There are none. It is a matter of which is best for you. I am one stage check away from graduating from the University of North Dakota with a B.S. in Commercial Aviation. Good school, but flying is just plain expensive.

Thing to look for in a school:

What are their graduates currently doing
Where is the school - weather, plane availability, cost of living, etc.
What kind of equipment do they have
Resources available to students
Flight course policies - UND does not give you you instrument rating at the end of you instrument course.

Those are just basic things that I figured out myself afterwards. Weather is a big factor, I think. UND is obviously cold, but you can still fly. No mountains to crash into or to stall out storm systems. They have good equipment loaded with technology also. They are Cessnas from the 60's.

Just make sure to weigh your options carefully.

Hope you have plenty of cash.

Unfortunately, what those two above say is true. Unless you go military, be prepared to pony up. What I suggest is get an instructor that you get along with really well. That'll make the training process flow a lot faster, saying you cash in the end. Above all, remember, no mater what happens, it's your money and you're the customer.

I went fast. Had to love my last year in the air force cadets =)

Even if you do want to fly in the military, you have to be an officer, which means you have to have a 4-year degree, and have done very well in Officer Candidate School. Then you have to go through flight training for two years, and upon earning your wings, you have to stay in the military for 8 years, or 6.5 if you fly helos.

If you are in the Marine Corps, 2 of those 8 years have to be done as a forward air controller.

EDIT: and you still have to fly and take written tests to transfer your military license and ratings over.

Wrong.

Join Air Cadets when you're 12. Go to summer flight camps every year. Stay until you age out at 18.

You'll be paid to learn how to fly. I took glider flyer training as well as private pilots training. Both count a good deal towards going commercial.

Actually, they are quite correct.

I think everybody was talking in the context of training in the U.S. I don't know what they do in Canada, but here, joining the Civil Air Patrol (the equlvilient of your Air Cadets) won't get you automatic paid flight training. No matter how long you stay in.

Well, I stand corrected :) Canadian air cadets will pay for our glider and 'single engine single occupant' fight training and licensing.

Hey, that's great that the government does that for you guys up there. Take advantage! I know I would've.

So, Dawson, did you ever start training? I'm looking into doing it at Santa Monica Airport, or maybe Van Nuys this summer. Anyone have recommendations for instructors at one of those airports specifically?