Learn to fly over 50???

[Intradex]

I am curious, Ihave alway like the General Aviation, I Have red tons of magazines and Far/Aim's, I would like to try in learn the left seat(Lot of hours at the right one)I guess I lack of sel confidence. Any clues??

[Mike]

There are plenty of people who have learned to fly after 50. Anybody in reasonable helath can get a medical, and therefore can become a pilot with a little work. You should probably just go and try taking a lesson. If you have put in a lot of time in the right seat then you know flying isn't all that hard. The only way to find out is to go and give it a try!

Mike

[Intradex]

Thank you Mike. I shall Try your advise, hope to get some confidence. let you know if I make some progress.

I hope more people get involved in the Web Chat

Regards

Alex

[Karl Haug]

Alex, I'm a semi-retired 56 year old who began flying lessons last August and now have about 25 hours. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world! My advice is to go for it, with the following caveats:

- It's going to take a year or so, and require a commitment of at least a couple of hours per week.

- It's probably going to be harder than you anticipate, but that'll only make it all the more rewarding.

- Plan to spend $4-5K over the entire period, and probably more than that if you live on the East coast.

- Most flight schools have a low-buck introductory ride during which you'll get to "fly" the plane. Do this first, and sample several flight schools in your area this way before making any commitments.

Again, I'm having a ball. No way do I feel my age is a liability, altho if I were planning an aviation career I'm sure it would be. Do it, and don't wait! Tomorrow, you'll be a day older still!

-K.

[Gary]

Alex,
I agree whole heartedly with Karl. I soloed when I was just 16 and then got away from it. Restarted a few years ago when I was 43, took me 53 hours. Wish I had that 27 years back to have been flying all that time. Looking to buy my 2nd plane. So my advice, run, don't walk to the airport and do it.

Good Luck
Gary

[Intradex]

Thank you both, Karl and Gary. I look forward to step up begigning next month here in Florida, wehre weather is more friendly during winter. Keep you posted of my experience.
Anybody knows if MS Flight simulator lessons would help during the period of learning and beyond?

Alex B.

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Cachu

[Karl Haug]

I have FS 98. Its capabilities are amazing, but I've found it has a loooong learning curve, and doesn't "fly" much like a real airplane. I'm hoping its implementation or radio navigation stuff is as good as it looks, 'cause that's my next hurdle to jump and I'm finding it confusing at this point.

Where in FL are you? Our home is in wintry MI, but we'll be in Ormond beach for the next couple of weeks, and I've reserved a couple of hours of dual time with Sunrise Aviation there, in their Katana.

-K.

[Karl Haug]

Oops, that should read "...implementation OF radio navigation.." I.e., VOR.

-K.

[Intradex]

Karl: I am sorry but Itravel a Lot and have been out of home since your reply. I am In South FL(Coral Springs)
I hope you enjoy the Katana, keep me posted

Alex

[jhwelsch]

Alex,

I'm 52 and got my ticket 2 years ago. Since I got it 12 days before my 50th birthday, I'm technically not qualified to answer your question but ley me try :-)

Karl is right on with his comments; took me 10 days less than a year, better than 90 hours and about 5K. Bought the plane on my 50th birthday and it made that dreaded milestone one of the greatest days of my life! I fly an average of 2 hours per week and I live for it.

You can learn more than you want from the lesson by lesson diary on my homepage at http://home.ptd.net/~jhwelsch.

To the question about starting with MS Flight Simulator, I say don't do it. I "flew" it for 2 months before starting lessons and had to work hard one in the plane to learn to look outside instead of at the gauges! Also, the damned thing is a LOT harder to fly than the plane. I was landing the plane long before I landed the sim without crashing! (I do use it now for fun once in a while.)

Bottom line - get over to the airport this weekend.

[JTaylor]

I need to respond to these comments about Flight Simulator '98. It's a GREAT learning tool, but only for certain things. It's pretty worthless in teaching you how to get the feel of an airplane or how to land one. However, it is a great asset for learning procedures and navigation. Usually when I run FS, I connect the autopilot on heading, with altitude hold, so I don't worry about stick and rudder issues. I can then tune the VORs and ADF at my leisure, intercept radials, find crossing radials, fly magnetic bearings, etc. It's a waste to try to learn this stuff while bouncing around in the air paying $75-$100/hr dual. If you have any trouble with the radios, I'd suggest you make the avionics box be large and move it over to the left of the panel.

[mvenoy]

In response to your question regarding learning to fly after 50...I will be 65 in August. Soloed my Aeronca Chief 30 days ago...I flew some in the early 60's but gave it up to raise family....Went to Sun N Fun Show in Florida last year and bought a Aeronca Chief (1946 two-place taildragger) I will do 1st cross country solo this week....The tail dragger or Conventional Gear aircraft require much more piloting skills than the tri-gear types( Cessna 150's 172's etc. I dont have to take a back seat to any of the pilots that learned on the tri-gear types and fly around with their feet on the floor (no rudder) flying from point to point watch two needles on the Omni's...Go for it and dont worry about your age...By the way.

[scott s]

I am 48 and just began flying in a Tampico Cub that I purchased for the process of learning and latter flying here in Mexico. My instruction is in the US In Tn. and I live in the Yucatan. So far its one of the most exilerating things Ive done for myself.Now my wife wants to learn to! I think people our age may make better pilots due to an acquired apreciation for not exceeding our limitations and care in training.

[n3ly]

Hi reading the incouraging words I can understand the desire to fly ,I have it to!
I an 40 years old and having a blast ,I own my own grumman aa-1b and learning a lot about airplanes, flying and mantintence.
I had trouble getting the med so it is now or never for me !
I know that some day I will loose the med,
but I want to fly for as long as I can!
I am now looking for a cfi that has grumman time and in my aeria or taking my plane to a school that is close to home
I have a long way to go and as long as the money can be scraped up I am going to continue with my best efforts to reach my dream!
Michael N3LY

[phoenixr]

I first flew in 1967 in a Luscombe 8A on floats. A paddle but no radio. Times have changed ($$, airspace, communications) but now is no time to quit. I'm into my 15th hour of concerted effort complete with study, CDs and tapes. Coffee is my copilot.