I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

Title pretty much says it all. I'm thinking about joining a flight school for fun/hobby/etc, and I'm just curious as to any experiences, potential costs, etc I would be looking at. Thanks for any advice.

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

This should help

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

I just got my pilot license this month and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I took my dad as my first passenger for a tour over San Francisco and he loved it, (me too). It took about 3 1/2 months and cost a bit more then they quote on the website that was linked above. It was about $4500 for me to complete my training, but the bay area is more expensive than most places.

I would recommend getting the book and studying on your own instead of going to a ground school. I would also recommend taking the knowledge test before starting or very early in your training. Doing both of those will save you money in instruction over the course of your training.

Feel free to ask me any questions about it since it is all still fresh in my head, (and I like to encourage other aspiring pilots).

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

Just curious, what book are you talking about? Is it the "everything explained" book from that web site? Any other books I should read? Thanks.

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

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I just got my pilot license this month and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I took my dad as my first passenger for a tour over San Francisco and he loved it, (me too). It took about 3 1/2 months and cost a bit more then they quote on the website that was linked above. It was about $4500 for me to complete my training, but the bay area is more expensive than most places.

I would recommend getting the book and studying on your own instead of going to a ground school. I would also recommend taking the knowledge test before starting or very early in your training. Doing both of those will save you money in instruction over the course of your training.

Feel free to ask me any questions about it since it is all still fresh in my head, (and I like to encourage other aspiring pilots).

[/ QUOTE ]

Just curious: Do you own your own plane? Once you get your license, what opportunities are there to fly if you don't? Can you rent a small plane for a few hours?

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

Start by putting your plane on a conveyer belt

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

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[ QUOTE ]
I just got my pilot license this month and it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I took my dad as my first passenger for a tour over San Francisco and he loved it, (me too). It took about 3 1/2 months and cost a bit more then they quote on the website that was linked above. It was about $4500 for me to complete my training, but the bay area is more expensive than most places.

I would recommend getting the book and studying on your own instead of going to a ground school. I would also recommend taking the knowledge test before starting or very early in your training. Doing both of those will save you money in instruction over the course of your training.

Feel free to ask me any questions about it since it is all still fresh in my head, (and I like to encourage other aspiring pilots).

[/ QUOTE ]

Just curious: Do you own your own plane? Once you get your license, what opportunities are there to fly if you don't? Can you rent a small plane for a few hours?

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Yes you can rent small airplanes at a local airports. My dad is a pilot and he would take me up flying when I was little. Just don't go to a large metropolitan airport and expect to get something.

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

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Just curious, what book are you talking about? Is it the "everything explained" book from that web site? Any other books I should read? Thanks.

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Well there are several you can use to study for the knowledge test. The one I used is Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook. It's pretty good but his "humor" can get annoying after awhile. Another good one is the Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual which is probably more comprehensive but is also a bit pricier.

I would also recommend getting a book that prepares you for the practical part of your flying instruction. Here's the Jeppesen one, and here is the one I used.

Another couple books that are good to have are the knowledge test prep book that has all the questions and answers from the FAA exam, the FAA practical test standards book which has all the manuvers you will be tested on for your practical test, and the oral exam guide.

Also, check eBay for all these items, because you can get them pretty cheap on there usually.

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

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Just curious: Do you own your own plane? Once you get your license, what opportunities are there to fly if you don't? Can you rent a small plane for a few hours?

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I don't own my plane but the flying club I belong to has several. Plane rental rates are charged by the Hobbs hour which is calculated using a meter that runs when the engine is running. The club has daily minimums of 2 hours per day but they don't enforce them, meaning you can take a plane for a few days and just pay for the hours you actually fly. Here is their website California Airways

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

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Title pretty much says it all. I'm thinking about joining a flight school for fun/hobby/etc, and I'm just curious as to any experiences, potential costs, etc I would be looking at. Thanks for any advice.

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Potential costs? [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] My salary jumped by like 80% when I started flight school.

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

[ QUOTE ]
Title pretty much says it all. I'm thinking about joining a flight school for fun/hobby/etc, and I'm just curious as to any experiences, potential costs, etc I would be looking at. Thanks for any advice.

[/ QUOTE ]

CFI/CFII/MEI here (though I'm sure I'll be reminded shortly that I work at Applebee's).

If you're simply looking to have a bit of fun, you can get a Private certificate in single-engine aircraft for $5,000-$7,000 at most flight schools. The actual cost is going to depend on a few factors, mostly your aptitude for flying the aircraft, as well as your schedule. If you're only flying 1-2 times a week, expect to pay closer to $7,000. But, if you pick up on the maneuvers quickly and have a good feel for the airplane, you can bring your costs down. Also, if you opt to learn to fly in something like a Cessna 152, your costs will drop. Moral of the story: The cost depends on you.

I echo a lot of what LAGmaniac says about the books, though I prefer good ol' fashioned FAA materials over any Jepp or Machado stuff. Jepp makes great approach plates and IFR low-enroute charts, and that's about all I use them for. Their books are entirely too expensive for the information you get. Go pick up the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook, and the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. Depending on your instructor, he/she may want you to use them anyways.

Good luck, and feel free to PM me if you have questions.

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

http://www.interplanmidwest.com/imag..._interplan.jpg

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

Yeah, stay away from the burgers. Only 70% beef. Yuck.

Actually, that store is a lot nicer than mine. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Re: I want to learn how to fly a plane
 

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CFI/CFII/MEI here

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dude, dont you work at applebees? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

edit: seriously, i would love to learn how to fly one day.