| Author | Message | ||
     Badlionsfan |
Well, are there? I've wanted to get my pilots license since I was a kid. I went to an air show today and it really got me thinking about it again. A local school was there and they offer "discovery rides" for 60 bucks. I'm gonna call and schedule a ride and see where it goes from there. Was wondering if anyone else has done this and what it's like from a motorcyclists point of view. Of course my family and GF think I nuts. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
No. That's why I ride motorcycles. My wife, weighing the probabilities of survival, calculated that I might be able to survive a bike crash but that living through a plane crash was unlikely. I have wanted to get my pilot's license as long as I can remember as well. The problem is that unless you fly often, your skills grow rusty and you are more likely to introduce pilot induced errors into the mix. Every insurance company has a pilot questionnaire that determines the number of hours flown each year. The biggest risks are those who fly more than 1000 and less than 100 hours per year. With current fuel prices, I couldn't afford to fly 100 hours a year or more. | ||
| Wings |
Go for it. I'm a student pilot in the Air Force right now and i'm telling you, if you like the freedom of riding a motorcycle you'll love flying. I only ride when I can't fly. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Air crew for 10 years, vision kept me from piloting. My Uncle that was a Wild Weasel in Vietnam agreed that motorcycling (and he meant sport bikes, NOT Harleys) was as close to flying as you could get as a civilian. | ||
| Odie |
Been flying since '89. Luckily the Army paid for all of it! Anyways, I went to flight school because I had always wanted to fly myself. I would recommend taking a Discovery flight first. Flying usually appeals to everyone but isn't always for everyone. With fuel prices these days anything involving flying, including lessons, is getting more expensive. It really is a blast and it's a totally different world up there. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
My father is a recently retired commercial airline pilot (retired on the A330). So I have had access to neat flying craft a good portion of my life. I do not have my license, but I have thought about it. Small standard planes (cessna) are boring. but experimental craft like ultralights are a hoot. I have a friend of mine that owns a gyrocopter. I can honestly say I would give up the motorcycle in a heart beat for one of those. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
IMHO, gliders are the most fun type of flying. And they use no fuel at all except for the tow up to starting altitude, around 3000 feet. They are really the "sport bikes" of the air. | ||
| Court |
Yes. Thanks USMC. Do it, you'll love it. | ||
| Slaughter |
First solo - El Mirage - 18 Feb, 1968. Schweizer TG3-A Age 14  | ||
| Xl1200r |
I've done a couple discovery flights, and anytime I've been up in an air tour, the pilot has let me do som of the flying - sometimes as much as half. You'll know right away if you like it, and my guess is you will. But, like many have said, flying isn't cheap, and it isn't getting any cheaper. I'm beginning to agree with John, and I've been thinking about trying a sailplane. The also make some with small motors (gas and even electric) that the pilot can use to get to climbing altitude, then the whole thing folds away for gliding. Anyways, if you've never been in a small plane, a lesson is just worth that experience. Good luck with it. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Yes I am a pilot too. Everybody should take a discovery ride and see how it feels! That said, not that many here can afford flying as a hobby. If you cannot do it enough to stay on top of your skills then you probably shouldn't do it. Look into flying clubs in your area and see what it is really going to cost you per month. It is too much for me, so my motorcycle is my airplane! ![: ]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) Good to see you back Court! | ||
| Deltablue |
My father was a flight instructor for many years. I used to fly with him all of the time. He stopped when I was around 12 or 13. One day I asked him why, and he said he didn't want to give us an addiction we couldn't afford. So now I stick with motorcycles and R/C planes. It still isn't a cheap hobby, but much more affordable. | ||
| Ferris_von_bueller |
No, but I slept in a Holiday Inn Express last night. I fly Microsoft skies from time to time. | ||
| Brumbear |
I have flown many times it comes in little tiny dot sized oh wait different flying never mind | ||
| Nevrenuf |
my brother in law has done it for small planes but never kept it up but right now he has an ultra light plane that from a distance looks like the real thing. unfortunately working out of town he hasn't been able to take it up. planning on quitting with in a month and get back home so he can get it airborn. of course one of the things he did because of his wife was to get the parachute for itjust in case something does happen. he likes to say that inside of every motorcyclerider is a man wishing he had wings. | ||
| Nik |
I fly gliders and single engine land. Gliders are the most fun form of flying... but I'm over an hour away from all the glider ports and that's a long way to go when soaring isn't guarantied. I'm planning to start building a Sonerai I this summer. It's a little single place vw powered air racer. Should be able to get me to the glider port pretty damn quick  Everyone uses the cost as an excuse, but most of the pilots I know are far from rich playboys. It's really not any more expensive than any other hobby (like... a weekend only motorcycle habit...) and it has practical uses too (If my job wants me to go to LA I just fly.) If you want to do it you'll find a way. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
It's really not any more expensive than any other hobby I would mostly agree with that statement in that you can stay current with a club for what $2-300 per month (not sure what a Cessna rents for wet these days)? On the other hand, my bike doesn't cost me $1.00 - $1.50 PER MINUTE to ride...... | ||
| Nik |
I'm playing $75/hr for a 152, and $85/hr for a citabria 7gcaa (the one with the 172 engine.. weee), from an FBO. None of the clubs around here have taildraggers at good rates. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I'd love to go for a ride in that Citabria! | ||
| Badlionsfan |
What do the numbers look like to you experienced guys for this club? http://www.skyparkaviatorsclub.com/ | ||
| Oldog |
Pilot since 1990, Tryit you will like it! be ware though it is addictive I second the recomendation join a flying club or find an FBO with a reasonable rental rate. | ||
| Nik |
What do the numbers look like to you experienced guys for this club? http://www.skyparkaviatorsclub.com/ If those prices are wet its dirt cheap, if dry its a still a good deal. Of course that also depends on initiation feeds and dues. | ||
| Tramp |
I've been flying since my early teens- If you're serious about starting (esp. in this economy), check out some small, rural (non-TCA) airfields, and inquire with the resident CFIs. At such locales, your odds of finding an excellent, OLDER CFI who could really use the $ (and who'll likely give you hours more affordably) are far better. Also- your odds of training in a J3 or an "Airknocker" Champ, etc., will be far greater at such a venue. Avoid larger, more commercial TCA fields.  (Message edited by tramp on June 18, 2008) | ||
| Tramp |
also- Check around for seaplane bases. The experience of flying an amphib, a seaplane, or floats is well wroth the effort. You're not restricted to airports, then, and you have the luxury of always taking off/landing in the wind, as your strip becomes a 360o. Great job opportunities, as well. The float ticket is a quick endorsement of a regular ticket.  (just be careful never to tie off at a slip at High tide, for a low tide departure...)  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Remember a guy who used to land on our lake with a seaplane. He used to circle a few times and all the boats would take cover. I remember on take-off that he had to taxi around a bit to create some chop, otherwise he couldn't take off in glass smooth water. | ||
| Tramp |
Nothing more dangerous than a takeoff or landing on black water- (esp. landing) : most regular pilots under or over-estimate their distance to/from the surface, and flare too early/late, often with catastrophic results. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
If I decide to do it, it'll be next spring. Still gonna do a discovery ride or two this summer and talk to several of the schools in the area. After I decide I want to do it, then I need to figure out what do with it. You guys bring up good points about the cost of flying, so why not retire the CDL and go commercial pilot??? decisions decisions... | ||
| Tramp |
...because, right now, it is one dead industry at the entry level. You'll be pulling gliders for half your fuel cost for years after getting your ticket.... go straight to debt. Only way to make a million as a CFI right now is to start with 100 million and keep a night job. And forget about smuggling....new pilots are only used as decoys to get the veterans through....have a job-life of about 3/4 of a flight 'Interdiction by force' | ||
| Deoppressoliber |
Where do you fly, Tramp? | ||
| Deoppressoliber |
Is that yellow aircraft a Zlin? Do you own it? How do you earn your keep? | ||
| Tramp |
I own NO aircraft, I can't afford to pay attention.... I fly above the ground. | ||
| Tramp |
Ft_bstrd posted: "No. That's why I ride motorcycles. My wife, weighing the probabilities of survival, calculated that I might be able to survive a bike crash but that living through a plane crash was unlikely. I have wanted to get my pilot's license as long as I can remember as well. The problem is that unless you fly often, your skills grow rusty and you are more likely to introduce pilot induced errors into the mix. Every insurance company has a pilot questionnaire that determines the number of hours flown each year. The biggest risks are those who fly more than 1000 and less than 100 hours per year. With current fuel prices, I couldn't afford to fly 100 hours a year or more." So, wait- do you fly, or not? I hope, based upon your posted expertise, that you are, in fact, a pilot.  |
