Some Questions

[tm36]

Hello everyone,

I've been planning on taking flying lessons for awhile now, but I have a few questions.

1. About how much, generally (low end-high end range), will flight lessons cost ? I know it's in the thousands, but I've seen a number of different estimations floating around.

2. Is it preferable to train at a school, or is there no real difference. I ask because, while the airport I might take lessons at is closer, the individual there is a freelancer. The flight school is about 20 minutes farther away, I believe. I would prefer the closer place, but will a school have more resources to offer in terms of training ? The person I talked at the airport seemed informed and friendly and actually works for the school as well. I asked whether he has a comparable "introductory flight," like the school, to which he suggested it would likely be better to simply have that flight as the first lesson. Is there any reason I should prefer one over the other ?

3. Will preparation with study materials do anything to substantially lower the cost ? I'm asking because I've been reading through a manual to prepare, but I'm wondering whether it would be better to simply start lessons and study at the same time. I'd prefer to be well-prepared beforehand, however.

4. With a U.S. pilot's license, are you able to fly your plane overseas ? Is this not possible, or would there be additional requirements to meet.

5. If I wanted to get a helicopter license after this, would my plane experience lessen the time it would take ? I mean this, not necessarily in terms of experience, but in terms of hours required.

[Gimble]

Originally Posted by tm36

1. About how much, generally (low end-high end range), will flight lessons cost ? I know it's in the thousands, but I've seen a number of different estimations floating around.

It depends. For a private pilot certificate, you can check the rental rate and instructor rate at your local airfield, as a base. Depending on your proficiency as a student, you can spend 40-100 hours in training, with some percentage (30+) of that with an instructor.

So, for the basic flight lessons, assuming you can rent a plane for $100/hr and hire an instructor at $40/hr, here's some simple numbers:
* Low end: 40*100 + 30*40 = 4000 + 1200 = $5200
* High end: 100*100 + 60*40 = 10,000 + 2400 = $12,400

Don't forget to add in extra amounts for any books, flight materials, and examination fees for written and practical. I'm guessing I spent a little less than $1k for the extras.

Originally Posted by tm36

2. Is it preferable to train at a school, or is there no real difference.

That depends entirely on the instructor. If you get along with a freelance instructor, and his teaching style matches your learning style, you can do well with a freelance (I learned with one). One minor caveat is that a freelance instructor may not be as polished at teaching that one who does it full time. On the plus side, they tend to not be guys just accumulating hours towards moving on to the airlines, and you can sometimes find better teachers.

Originally Posted by tm36

3. Will preparation with study materials do anything to substantially lower the cost ? I'm asking because I've been reading through a manual to prepare, but I'm wondering whether it would be better to simply start lessons and study at the same time. I'd prefer to be well-prepared beforehand, however.

You can substantially *RAISE* your costs by not being prepared beforehand, but don't think you'll save a lot of money the other way. I self-taught myself with a few books, a CD course, and lots of online reading for the written test, and much of what was needed in ground school for flying. It didn't make the flying come much easier, though -- it just saved me a lot of instructor ground-school time (at $40/hr).

Originally Posted by tm36

4. With a U.S. pilot's license, are you able to fly your plane overseas ? Is this not possible, or would there be additional requirements to meet.

It depends. You would need to look into the laws of the country's airspace you intend to fly in (or through). Generally, it can be possible.

Originally Posted by tm36

5. If I wanted to get a helicopter license after this, would my plane experience lessen the time it would take ? I mean this, not necessarily in terms of experience, but in terms of hours required.

It's my understanding that many rotary pilots get their fixed wing certificates first, because it greatly reduces the costs involved.

[tm36]

Thanks Gimble.

[Deskin]

Answer #1 - First off, if you are really smart about how you do this then you can get your private pilot license for as little as $3000.00. However, it can go as high as 3 to 4 times that. Lets break down your costs

1. Aircraft Rental - Depending on the aircraft you could be paying $55-$300/hour of flight time. My workplace offers a flight club and a 172S runs me the $55.00/ hour. This rate is most likely only obtainable if you are employed through a aviation company that offers a flight club.

2. Instructor Fees - I have seen instructors charge upwards of $50.00/ hour. The trick is to make friends with a current instructor that is after flight time in order to move into the corporate or airline industry. They are out there, I know of 4 instructors working for free in my area.

3. Training aids and pilot supplies - Don't buy your supplies at list price. If you purchase from the local pilot store you will often be paying full retail. Also, if you buy off Ebay watch out, you could be buying outdated material. Do your shopping, I have found the best deals from a guy around me who just opened a pilot store after his flight school closed to pursue corporate aviation ventures. He has a store called PilotsHQ, and he has unbelievable prices.

Answer #2 - Some would say it is preferable to goto a school. The pro's of a school is that you will get the work done quicker and other flight schools will look at what school you came from to hire you as an instructor. However, school is more expensive. I have seen pilots become just as successful doing the freelance thing. This is because it all come down to hours, and networking. This is a relatively small industry and if you become known then you will get a job. I have seen many corporate pilots work places as ground support members and then freelance instruction to earn the hours to become marketable. 9 times out of 10, the company he works for will put that same ground support technician in the #2 seat after he has met the requirements.

Answer #3 - Yes, pilot study aids will help you learn faster. Time is money and you will be wasting both having to retake tests and checkrides. I am a firm believer in pilot training videos and pilot training software.

Answer #4 - Different places around the world have different requirements. However, I think the US is one of the strictest, but just in case do your research.

Answer #5 - I don't know much about helicopter requirements but I am sure that the general knowledge will help you along the way.

Hope this helps :-)

[tm36]

That was very helpful. Thank you.

[Lead7]

as to the Freelance/School either can be good. I was taught by a freelance guy and was a freelance guy for a while myself. Basically, it's like what the others said. Also, a school may have more checks in the system to see how your doing but really, it could go either way.

My favorite form of someone learning how to fly is when they can go to the local FBO be taught by a freelance guy and come hang out in their terminal after the flying is done and have a couple of beers with the other pilots there (former airlines, charter, instructors, military, etc.) and get quized and questioned the whole time. Sometimes its the best instruction around and it's free. They may also offer you a right seat trip to somewhere just because they feel like they are helping you along.

Sometimes Flight schools have that atmosphere, but not too often.

I think the general rule about flying overseas is that it's ok so long as the plane is registered in the US. But there are always rules to a specific country so be sure to check.