How Many Licensed Private Pilots here?

[JJB11B]

I have been interested in getting my private pilots license every since my Cousin got his and built a hangar in his yard. Who here has their pilots license, any of you own a plane? I have been looking a lot and think a Cessna 182 would be super sweet. Lets here from you guys, your experiences, advice.....doing lots and lots of homework. As much overtime as I have been working I could reasonably save enough to get into it providing I don't try and buy a $45k plane and spend $50K fixing it.

[Mtnwalker]

Tagging along, I'd also like to start working on mine at some point

[Timberstalker]

This is irrelevant, however, I have a buddy that flies nonstop.  One of our first flights was in a CESSNA 120, through the Wenaha.

I should have known when he asked me to push it out (by hand) out of the hangar.  The damn thing doesn't weigh much more than a pack of gum.  For god's sakes, the gas tank is in the wings.

A moth would take you down.  A moth!! If you hit a swallow, it's MAYDAY!

Never F-ING Again.

Carry on.

[Special T]

Trent palmer has some pretty good videos and shares some of his buddies builds.

I am not a pilot but have family members that are. If i were so inclined i would likely get my license  first while exploring what kind of plane to get. Liability is huge and if your just flying your family for fun a DYI plane might be the right way to go.

Trenrs bush take off and landing videos are pretty damned cool also

[whacker1]

This is something i am looking to explore as well in the next few years.
i too am tagging along.

[KFhunter]

I'd start with online ground school first, Sportys or king.

Buy your 182, get help buying it.

Hire a cfi with a ton of 182 hours from local area, ask around clubs and at airport

I'd avoid structured schools

[Rob]

I flew for several years.

So much fun and I miss it.

I can say without a doubt it is the most dangerous thing I have ever done.  And I have been a very active mountain climber, rock climber,  ice climber, caver, cave diver, wreck diver, tech diver, ice diver, motorcycle rider, dangerous game hunter, and many other things I have probably forgotten.

I lost two flight instructors (one orhpaned her kids when she and her husband were killed in Mesa.   The other was single but the best pilot I had ever flown with), my dads rental plane was totaled, and then the replacement crashed too.  I had an engine quit at the end of a Minnesota to New Mexico cross country and a real close call in another plane not too long after that.  Another friend totaled his float plane and sank it during a landing

Not trying to talk you out of it-it really is amazing.  But go in eyes wide open to the risks.  If things go wrong while flying, you cant pull over to the shoulder and sort it out!  And there is Zero room for bravado- there are old pilots and bold pilots but no old bold pilots!

[Taco280AI]

Military trained, combat experienced helicopter pilot. Got my fixed wing ratings as I was getting out and went to a regional flying the E175 as first officer, then captain. Starting at a "legacy" airline next week, hoping to get the A320 to start.

Flying is fun and safe with the right planning, preparation and mindset of maturity, judgment and decision making. Always stay ahead of your plane. Always be thinking what's next... what's next... what's next. Always be thinking what if...

I went out to Lihue in Jan of 2020 and took a helicopter tour ride around the island. Beautiful! Even though I wasn't flying every time we crossed a ridge the helicopter pilot in me kept asking myself okay if we lost the engine (SE turbine) now we could autorotate down to there. Cross another ridge... we could make it down to there. Cross another... we could uh... hmmm... uh we'd be f'd.

Always think one or three steps ahead. Always think what if. Don't do anything stupid. Don't show off. Always plan ahead and use your maturity and good decision making to never put yourself in a bad position. Don't be afraid to turn around or end your flight early. Most accidents are a series of events leading up to the crash site, but sometimes all it takes is one bad call.

182s are good planes, a bit bigger, heavier, smoother and more comfortable than 172s. Also more powerful and faster. I like them a lot. Ideally start off on something smaller and work up to it. Shop around for a good school and instructor. How's their maintenance and safety record? Since I was in Colorado Springs at the time I got my fixed wing ratings at an Air Force aero club. Some of the instructors were pure civilian, others retired Air Force, and one I flew with was an F16 Thunderbird pilot, think he's in the Guard flying F15s now. In the year and a half, or so, that I was looking at and training there they didn't have a single accident or engine failure, and their planes flew a lot! They were on top of their maintenance all the time.

Take training seriously and study. A lot. Learn aeromedical factors and visual illusions. Don't over plan and over prepare to the point of it not being fun each time. Do your work, but know when to just say alright, let's go fly. And have fun!

[jeffro]

I know and known several licensed pilots and love to fly.
I am capable of flying just about anything, just not licensed or rich enough to afford the hobby
The 2 who built kit planes are both no longer around…
One belly flopped in Idaho the other got wind sheered into the side of Mt Rainer
Stick to well built, proven airframes
Im partial to the Piper Cub, solid and reliable.

[Machias]

Build a Breezy.    I want to learn how to fly one of those!!

[EmeraldBullet]

One of my best friends has his pilots license for planes, but not sure he can fly anymore because his eyesight is messed up. Both my father and brother are hot air balloon pilots so if youre interested in that at all I could hook you up with training to get your balloon license, but it isnt cheap

[C-Money]

Very cool Taco280AI, hope you get the A320. I like the leg room configuration of the A320. United's 737 configuration is awful, my femurs do not fit in economy seats.

My brother flew ERJ145 for Express Jet/United before moving to a charter jet company. With United, he would wake up in Quebec City and -30 and be in Mexico on a beach at the end of the route that day. Now its pretty rare that he is out for more than a night or two. Good job being a pilot for sure, you sure see the country.

Getting a pilot's license is a great thing, very rewarding.

[HUNTIN4SIX]

My 17 year old is working on his license.  About 30 hrs so far.  Solo-ing and cross country.  More time in a plane than car.  Nerve racking seeing him leave the house in his car then flying over the house an hour later.  Proud of him, he pays for it from years of selling 4H steers.

[jackson7]

i have a private license, although haven't flown in some time. my 2 cents. get license and rent for a while. might just find you like a different plane. get experience with other pilots.
An old time instructor back when gave me some good advice as i was on my cross country trip [350 miles].
I called in to flight school after 1st leg and told him thunderstorms were rolling through.
He replied , '"remember, you would rather be on ground wishing you were up there, than up there wishing you were on the ground." Good luck.

[kellama2001]

My 17 year old is working on his license.  About 30 hrs so far.  Solo-ing and cross country.  More time in a plane than car.  Nerve racking seeing him leave the house in his car then flying over the house an hour later.  Proud of him, he pays for it from years of selling 4H steers.

That is really cool! Sounds like a great kid 

I got my private pilot's license years ago, it was a ton of fun but not a hobby I could afford to keep doing. I really miss it. I agree with @jackson7 to rent for awhile until you find the plane you really want. If I ever get back in to flying I want to go for my chopper license. No need for a runway! Good luck with your adventure, lots of good advice here...

[Machias]

[kselkhunter]

One of my hunting partners has his own plane.  Bought it cheap for like $10K (and old Piper TriPacer), but it's like 50 years old.  Still flies great though.  The hard part is making sure you have hangar space for it.  I'd love to get my license and a plane that I could also use for my business trips, but hangar space is impossible to find right now where I live. 


It is pretty cool though as my buddy flies into the nearest mountain air strips where we are hunting and I drive and pick him up.  Sometimes he takes me up for scouting trips for elk before the season starts so we can get a general idea.  I've taken the controls many times once up in the air.   Fun times.   He flies quite a bit for fun.   


If it's just a plane for enjoyment and not trying to haul a moose out, the light sport aircraft are pretty cool and are likely what I'd buy.  They sip gas, and many that run the Rotax engines can run on either avgas or ethanol-free automotive gas (ie boat gas).   They just have the downside of a specific weight limit to be classified as an LSA.  They have lighter pilot restrictions too (no medical, etc.).   But I'd still get a regular pilots license so I could at least rent a larger aircraft sometime if I needed it.   


My wife took her pilots lessons in a Cirrus SR20 back when we lived in Boise (there is a great flight school there).  Man those things are fast, and more difficult to learn on especially take off and landing.  I went up a few times with her and the instructor, very cool plane.  I'd suggest a regular old Cessna to learn on. 

[Taco280AI]

Very cool Taco280AI, hope you get the A320. I like the leg room configuration of the A320. United's 737 configuration is awful, my femurs do not fit in economy seats.

I did get the Bus and am flying again. LAX to Chicago then Phoenix tomorrow. Then a 30 hour Lihue overnight the next day in a 321NEO, before going back to LA. Nice flying plane, comfortable and quiet. Had a 737 jumpseater with us who commented how quiet it was in comparison, and roomy up front. I like it so far 

[jackson7]

 plenty of flying clubs with planes, as well as guys selling shares in planes. get some time out flying with other pilots.   Enjoy the journey.
 

[C-Money]

Very cool Taco280AI, hope you get the A320. I like the leg room configuration of the A320. United's 737 configuration is awful, my femurs do not fit in economy seats.

I did get the Bus and am flying again. LAX to Chicago then Phoenix tomorrow. Then a 30 hour Lihue overnight the next day in a 321NEO, before going back to LA. Nice flying plane, comfortable and quiet. Had a 737 jumpseater with us who commented how quiet it was in comparison, and roomy up front. I like it so far 

Thats great to hear!! Glad you are flying, what a great job to have. The A321 is really nice! Agree, the Airbus is very quiet. I am a American made guy through & through, and should look forward to riding in a Boeing, but Airbus really makes some nice airplanes that are very comfortable. I'd even ride anywhere on a CRJ-200 before I ever wanna get on a United 737 again!!

[Taco280AI]

Very cool Taco280AI, hope you get the A320. I like the leg room configuration of the A320. United's 737 configuration is awful, my femurs do not fit in economy seats.

I did get the Bus and am flying again. LAX to Chicago then Phoenix tomorrow. Then a 30 hour Lihue overnight the next day in a 321NEO, before going back to LA. Nice flying plane, comfortable and quiet. Had a 737 jumpseater with us who commented how quiet it was in comparison, and roomy up front. I like it so far 

I'd even ride anywhere on a CRJ-200 before I ever wanna get on a United 737 again!!

Let's not get carried away now 

[jackelope]

@Born2late

[Born2late]

Not a licensed pilot but learned enough to fly my best friends 185 and his bird dog.
grew up in the aviation industry building kit planes for customers.
Have built a bunch of glasairs 1,2s and 3. Also have built glastars ,fiberglass floats for 185s and 206s, built composite propellers also.
If i was going to get a plane of my own it would be a sportsman if a kit plane ,quality kit and very forgiving to fly plus you can trailer it home so you don't have to have a hanger to keep it in
.For a certified plane i'd get a birddog because they are just awesome to fly and cool history behind them. look on you tube their is video of a guy with his whole family stuffed in one landing it on a carrier after fleeing vietnam.

[Machias]

Born2late, this one?  https://www.kitplanes.com/glasair-sportsman-kits-available-again/

[Born2late]

Machias, yes thats the one. They are made in arlington.
Fun to build and really fun and easy to fly.
You can put the heavy gear on it and run the big tundra tires or run it on floats or have the nose wheel on it for the 3rd option of gear set ups.
My Good friend has one that is probably one of the most heavily modified made and the thing is awesome.
What is cool is you can do all your own work building it and can set the plane up to suit what you will want to use it for.

[Naches Sportsman]

Still looking at getting mine before 35. Had a conversation with “pd” (Daniel) on here in October about par 61 schools and his business. If any of you are thinking about getting yours and are in the Seattle area, get in touch with him.

Since the people in my career field are getting a 50% pay increase, it is  in the back of my mind to look at my commercial fixed wing and rotor licenses some point and saving my body from being beat up for the next 20 years.

I’m working in the Aviation sector this winter to gain experience and can say that there is a pilot shortage.

[LongBomb]

Still looking at getting mine before 35. Had a conversation with “pd” (Daniel) on here in October about par 61 schools and his business. If any of you are thinking about getting yours and are in the Seattle area, get in touch with him.

Since the people in my career field are getting a 50% pay increase, it is  in the back of my mind to look at my commercial fixed wing and rotor licenses some point and saving my body from being beat up for the next 20 years.

I’m working in the Aviation sector this winter to gain experience and can say that there is a pilot shortage.

Not to derail but 50% wage increase?.....what career are you in??

[KFhunter]

burger flippers got a 50% wage increase 

but they ain't buying airplanes

[Naches Sportsman]

Still looking at getting mine before 35. Had a conversation with “pd” (Daniel) on here in October about par 61 schools and his business. If any of you are thinking about getting yours and are in the Seattle area, get in touch with him.

Since the people in my career field are getting a 50% pay increase, it is  in the back of my mind to look at my commercial fixed wing and rotor licenses some point and saving my body from being beat up for the next 20 years.

I’m working in the Aviation sector this winter to gain experience and can say that there is a pilot shortage.

Not to derail but 50% wage increase?.....what career are you in??

USFS/federal wildland fire. Near a 50% increase that was included in the infrastructure  bill that was passed. still not much but at least I won’t be making the same as a burger flipper for a few years.

[luvmystang67]

I finished my private pilot back in... wanna say 2015.  Haven't flown a ton since finishing.  My wife got hers as well.  We lived in the UK for a while, so not a lot of flying action there, and she's pregnant with our first child as we speak, so perhaps not a lot of flying in my very near future either.  She just got current over the summer, I'm still out of current, but did just renew my medical.  I'd love to be a part owner in a 182 at some point.  I know it makes a lot of sense to rent on paper, but I'm the kind of guy who will USE it if I own it.  I also don't get much joy out of flying around in circles, I like to go places and maybe spend a couple of nights, hard to do with rentals.

I do think it could be fun to fly around in circles in a powered parachute... I might try to get training in that one of these days.

I learned in a C140 at Arlington.  Fun learning plane, great guy there, Jerry Painter at Wild Blue Aviation

[LongBomb]

Still looking at getting mine before 35. Had a conversation with “pd” (Daniel) on here in October about par 61 schools and his business. If any of you are thinking about getting yours and are in the Seattle area, get in touch with him.

Since the people in my career field are getting a 50% pay increase, it is  in the back of my mind to look at my commercial fixed wing and rotor licenses some point and saving my body from being beat up for the next 20 years.

I’m working in the Aviation sector this winter to gain experience and can say that there is a pilot shortage.

Not to derail but 50% wage increase?.....what career are you in??

USFS/federal wildland fire. Near a 50% increase that was included in the infrastructure  bill that was passed. still not much but at least I won’t be making the same as a burger flipper for a few years.

Gotcha

[Netminder01]

Started mine a few years back before piling up on my street bike getting me out of my course schedule, ended up starting a business.

Flying hunters and anglers into remote camps is my 'made it" goal.

Good thread to remind me what I'm working for...

[GWP]

Grew up in aviation. Rebuilt a few and helped others with theirs. Worked in it all my life. Flew a lot in both commercial and private.
Father was a WWII pilot (and before) and LOVED aviation. He was meticulous and an excellent pilot.
The stats ‘used’ to be the average pilot kept current for 2 1/2 years before not flying any more after getting their license.
Maintenance is critical. Once in the air, awareness is critical. Always head on a swivel thinking about the ‘what if’.
In all my years I only had a single ‘incident’ flying, and it was not all that bad.
I am VERY careful whom I fly with, and have passed on flying with some.
You can not (for long) half azz, be lazy about ANY of it, or take chances.
Had a Bud that flew from Western Wa to Western Montana about every two weeks for years in a 185. Never an issue.

[ucwarden]

I got my pilot's license in 1973 at the age of 17.  At the time, I was working as a lineman (fueling planes) at an EAA base airport in northern Virginia part-time for about six years.  Most of my time is in Cessna 172s and piper Cherokee 180s.  I then built an RV-6A, which I sold about eleven years ago. 
I personally would suggest getting your private license or at least get 20+ hours before buying a plane, but of-course then you have to pay the rental fees.  As you get more flying time, your preferences will likely change, plus there is always a chance you find flying is just not your thing.
I lost my medical quite a while back, so I don't fly anymore, but I can help in any way, let me know.
Now one piece of advice- Never make the mistake of thinking you can fly around the west coast at will, without having to wait in line for commercial flights.  Many VFR private pilots have paid the ultimate price for making the decision that "The weather is not that bad, and we can get around it, but I've gotta to get back for work tomorrow."
 
Enjoy!  There's nothing like it.     

[Taco280AI]

I'm beginning to consider a Cessna 140 with a 110hp upgrade. Guy I know has numerous planes and this is an extra 140 of his. Haven't looked into it, seen it, just talked with him about it. Love the idea, but would have to be picky about when and where in the mountains I'd fly. Have a bit of research to do.

[pd]

I'm beginning to consider a Cessna 140 with a 110hp upgrade. Guy I know has numerous planes and this is an extra 140 of his. Haven't looked into it, seen it, just talked with him about it. Love the idea, but would have to be picky about when and where in the mountains I'd fly. Have a bit of research to do.

Prices are finally starting to come down, they have been nutz throughout Covid.  110-hp on a C-140, that would make for a zippy taildragger, and could be a lot of fun.  Good luck!

[KFhunter]

got a number of pilots in my fam, but I have never reached that goal myself.

My bro could teach me he's an instructor, my son could teach me he's a private pilot but hasn't reached CFI yet


For me, since I know people, would buy a plane to start out with rather than rent.   There's a guy local that instructs for $45/hr and rents a C150 for $90/hr, but we're both a bit big to fit us in it.   

I'd buy a C180, get a bunch of hours on it, trade or sell or modify to a bush kit   

I really wanted to build a Bearhawk, but then I found out it's nearly impossible to get a check ride in them and being experimental you can't hire out with it, ever. 

[Skywagon_185]

I learned to fly in 1972. PPL in about  '74.  Rented planes  for a few years but found their restrictions not suitable to how I wanted to fly, no unpaved strips etc. At age 40 bought a C182 with a Robertson STOL kit. Great back country airplane.  My first real cross country was to Wrangell AK.  3years later I bought a C185.  Canada and Alaska was my favorite destinations. One summer, flew to AK 4 times.  Flying gave me much pleasure by allowing me to go into the great wildernesses  to the north.  In '96 I bought into a very remote hunting camp in AK. Fly in access only.  An outdoorsmans dream.  Moose hunting was awesome.  Had to quit in 2015 due to medical problems and costs.  Accumulated around 3000 hours of back country flying without bending any aluminum.  Probably the best  thing I ever did.

[GASoline71]

I'm a RADAR Approach Controller up at NAS Whidbey.  Oh the things I see on a daily basis keeps me from ever wanting to fly in a small private plane.   

Gary

[Macs B]

I'm a retired Army Rotary Wing Pilot, civilian multi engine instrument guy.  We own a half share in a Cessna 337H turbo, sometimes referred to as a Mix Master, Sky Master, or O2.  Don't fly near as much as I should, but we do travel a bit by air.

[pd]

I learned to fly in 1972. PPL in about  '74.  Rented planes  for a few years but found their restrictions not suitable to how I wanted to fly, no unpaved strips etc. At age 40 bought a C182 with a Robertson STOL kit. Great back country airplane.  My first real cross country was to Wrangell AK.  3years later I bought a C185.  Canada and Alaska was my favorite destinations. One summer, flew to AK 4 times.  Flying gave me much pleasure by allowing me to go into the great wildernesses  to the north.  In '96 I bought into a very remote hunting camp in AK. Fly in access only.  An outdoorsmans dream.  Moose hunting was awesome.  Had to quit in 2015 due to medical problems and costs.  Accumulated around 3000 hours of back country flying without bending any aluminum.  Probably the best  thing I ever did.

I know dozens, if not hundreds, of guys who would give their first born child to do what you have done.

Name checks out as well. 

[pd]

I'm a retired Army Rotary Wing Pilot, civilian multi engine instrument guy.  We own a half share in a Cessna 337H turbo, sometimes referred to as a Mix Master, Sky Master, or O2.  Don't fly near as much as I should, but we do travel a bit by air.

Push-pull.  I have never actually seen one of those.  Sure beats my 150.