TexasCHLforum.com

How many of my fellow TXCHL Forum members have their private pilot's license and/or their own plane. My wife and I have been think of getting ours and could use any input that you guys can give.

Thanks,
KS.

Having been a professional pilot since 1968, the best advice I can give you is this. NEVER judge your piloting skills solely by how well you manipulate the controls, but rather how well you avoid trouble and safely operate your aircraft. Unfortunately, while practicing for your license, and taking your FAA check ride, you will be judged mainly by how well you manipulate the controls. My advice is to keep you safe as long as you choose to fly, and not for getting your license.

I got my license about 10 years ago. I haven't been in a plane in about 6 years. It was something I wanted to do, but after a while it got to be just another expensive hobby.

It is a nice feeling though, being at the controls of a plane...

My parents both had one in the 80s...they found it was more economical to rent a cessna than own one.

Then they had me and didn't have time/money to keep up with it.

Ooppss.

G26ster wrote:..........NEVER judge your piloting skills solely by how well you manipulate the controls, but rather how well you avoid trouble and safely operate your aircraft. Unfortunately, while practicing for your license, and taking your FAA check ride, you will be judged mainly by how well you manipulate the controls.............

This sounds to me a lot like a CHL course. Your are told the rules and observed ,to insure that you can handle yourself with the equipment, but you are not really observed on how you handle a real situation. This only comes from experience and more in depth training. Would you agree?

Kiowa Scout wrote:

G26ster wrote:..........NEVER judge your piloting skills solely by how well you manipulate the controls, but rather how well you avoid trouble and safely operate your aircraft. Unfortunately, while practicing for your license, and taking your FAA check ride, you will be judged mainly by how well you manipulate the controls.............

This sounds to me a lot like a CHL course. Your are told the rules and observed ,to insure that you can handle yourself with the equipment, but you are not really observed on how you handle a real situation. This only comes from experience and more in depth training. Would you agree?

Exactly! It's kind of like the guy/gal who is lax with handling their weapon, but is a great shot. One day, the lack of dedication to safety will bite them - bad! In aviation, it's called airmanship, and airmanship with trump finesse every time.

I am a Commercial pilot with an LTA (Lighter Than Air) rating

I will agree with G26ster. You never quit learning and gaining experience. There is an old saying 'There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots.' Just like shooting, safety is the number one factor. Concentration and situational awareness are key to preventing the accident error chain from being forged.

But, there is nothing like getting your license and experiencing the wonder of flight that YOU control!

KRM45 wrote:I got my license about 10 years ago. I haven't been in a plane in about 6 years. It was something I wanted to do, but after a while it got to be just another expensive hobby.

It is a nice feeling though, being at the controls of a plane...

Pretty much my experience as well. I last had stick time about 11 years ago...when AvGas was still under $3 a gallon.

I loved it, but it started getting expensive. If I won the lottery though, I'd get current and buy my dream bird.

http://cirrusaircraft.com/sr22/

Got my private pilot's license back around '90. Sold my 1/3 share in the '64 Cessna 172 around '94 (moved to another state, couldn't figure out how to take 1/3 of the plane with me), and haven't been in a private plane since. I've thought about refreshing my skills, but yeah, it's an expensive hobby. Between that and lack of time... :-)

I'm actually getting my private right now. I go to a school that has a professional pilot program. I'm dual majoring in that and Air Traffic control. In this program i'll get my private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and CFI.

ajwakeboarder wrote:I'm actually getting my private right now. I go to a school that has a professional pilot program. I'm dual majoring in that and Air Traffic control. In this program i'll get my private, instrument, commercial, multi-engine, and CFI.

Embry-Riddle?

pbwalker wrote: Embry-Riddle?

No, I'm at TSTC in Waco. It's a 2 year college, and i'll actually get an associate's degree from it too.

Planning on getting mine when I return to the States. My dad was a pilot and I currently fly UAVs here in Afghanistan, but my work is based on 19 years of RC flying, not full scale.

My dream planes include the Lancair 360

Try to budget your time and money before you start so you wont have to stop mid stream. Although the FAA minimum requires 40 hours you need to plan on 60 to 70 unless you have prior experiance. Also try for lessons 3 days a week, 2 days a week as a minamum. Any less and you will spend 1/2 your lesson just re learning your previous lesson. Try to take a formal ground school in a classroom environment and do it at the same time as your flight lessons as you will relate one to the other. ( it can be hard to find a school that offers a formal ground school so if you have the option of multiple schools to choose ask if they offer one).
As far as owning a plane that is a whole nother topic. Like a boat buying one is just the begininng of the savings drain.
You have hangar( the savings of tieing down outside will be over ridden by the cost of corrosion maintinance), insurance, annual inspections, Unscheduled maintinace, etc, etc. you will have to put the pencil to it and compare the cost to renting before you decide to own or rent. If you will pm me I will give you cell number to call and I can go into much more detail with you or any one else on the board that is interested. Flying will bring you a lifetime of rewards.

Flying opens up an entirely new world for you. However, if you plan to travel you need to adjust your schedule expectations based on weather or unplanned maintenance. As the old saw goes "Flying is the fastest way to get there if you've got a month."

I have been a general aviation pilot for 25 years and have Single, Multi-engine and Instrument ratings. G26ster's advice about safe operation and avoiding trouble are spot on. Your pilot's license is, indeed, a lot like a CHL in that you still have a lot of learning to do once the flight examiner signs off on your license.