Is anybody a licensed pilot?
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Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Los Angeles
Is anybody a licensed pilot?
While I'm heavily(read: overly) obsessed with the automotive world, and I plan on getting my motorcycling license in the near future, I started thinking about other forms of transport, and how great it would be to learn how to fly.
I'm only 22, so the possibility of a pilot's license would be in the distant future, but I'd be interested to see what it's like to be in control of an airplane, from any fellow gear heads.
I'm curious, that's all.
I'm only 22, so the possibility of a pilot's license would be in the distant future, but I'd be interested to see what it's like to be in control of an airplane, from any fellow gear heads.
I'm curious, that's all.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,921
Likes: 768
From: Clifton, VA
It is kind of curious that I ran across your post. 
I have been fascinated by airplanes ever since I was a little kid. As a teen, I used to take the bus to JFK International Airport in NYC and plane watch.
When I was twenty-two I bought my first motorcycle from my ex-Army room mate. When I went to a local dealer to buy some two stroke oil (it was a Kawasaki S-2) for it I bumped into someone that I knew that worked there and was offered a job. A few years later I started to road race motorcycles, largely because I could not afford to road race cars. After road racing for several years I decided to sell my race bike and my leathers and with the money I received started taking flying lessons. I have long wanted to be an air line pilot unfortunately the timing was not good for me. In the late sixties and early seventies the first big wave of Vietnam Veteran fighter and bomber pilots returned home and one could not even get an interview with an airline if one did not have military training and experience. So that pretty much was the end of that dream.
I would HIGHLY encourage you to go to a local flight school and take an introductory lesson. These introductory flights are often available for under $100. If you have never been in a small two place plane it will be an experience for you, and, yes you get to pilot the plane.
Follow your dream. Experienced air line pilots are being recruited by China (that has a horrible safety record) for an average salary of $176K per year. Which is more than one can make flying for a U.S. based airline.
Good luck to you.
I have been fascinated by airplanes ever since I was a little kid. As a teen, I used to take the bus to JFK International Airport in NYC and plane watch.
When I was twenty-two I bought my first motorcycle from my ex-Army room mate. When I went to a local dealer to buy some two stroke oil (it was a Kawasaki S-2) for it I bumped into someone that I knew that worked there and was offered a job. A few years later I started to road race motorcycles, largely because I could not afford to road race cars. After road racing for several years I decided to sell my race bike and my leathers and with the money I received started taking flying lessons. I have long wanted to be an air line pilot unfortunately the timing was not good for me. In the late sixties and early seventies the first big wave of Vietnam Veteran fighter and bomber pilots returned home and one could not even get an interview with an airline if one did not have military training and experience. So that pretty much was the end of that dream.
I would HIGHLY encourage you to go to a local flight school and take an introductory lesson. These introductory flights are often available for under $100. If you have never been in a small two place plane it will be an experience for you, and, yes you get to pilot the plane.
Follow your dream. Experienced air line pilots are being recruited by China (that has a horrible safety record) for an average salary of $176K per year. Which is more than one can make flying for a U.S. based airline.
Good luck to you.
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From: Los Angeles
Thanks for your reply. I found that the closest airport to me does have a Learn to Fly program, with an introductory lesson like you said, thanks for pointing that out! I'm going to check it out, and figure out a time to do it. Thanks for the tips!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 9,570
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From: New Jersey
PM me if you want to discuss, ( I'm from NJ and got my license out of Monmouth Executive, back when it was called Allaire, and have been to every airport in NJ, 
) there is really a lot to talk about, all the ratings etc...... I first soloed at 16 , got my license at 17 and here I am 31 years old, still flying , profesionally though, flying small airplanes is just too expensive, and besides on my day offs, sadly the last thing I want to be doing is flying airplanes, lol. Here are a few pictures from the flight deck ( am going to Captain class by end of the summer, so just call me Captain Joeyballs, lol. A lot of my friends have left the US Airlines to fly for China and for Emarites in Dubai, but it's not for everyone. The pay is killer but living in Dubai is not what I would call "living the dream". The pay is not anywhere near what it used to be, but the schedule beats a 9-5 and you fly airplanes for a living, could be worse. Each airline is different, some good, some awful, some union, some none union etc....
I caution you though, it's a drug that will take control over you like no other, once it's in your blood, your screwed, lol. The first time you take off and land an airplane by yourself, the sense of accomplishment is unparraleled, it really is special.
Self portrait, lol
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4709925535/http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4709925535/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/joeycostanza/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4710410464/http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4710410464/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/joeycostanza/, on Flickr
Here is my all time favorite though, an old Pipe J-3 cub. Flying a jet at 37,000ft and Mach .80 is cool, but flying with the doors open is way more fun
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/5129525205/http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/5129525205/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/joeycostanza/, on Flickr
) there is really a lot to talk about, all the ratings etc...... I first soloed at 16 , got my license at 17 and here I am 31 years old, still flying , profesionally though, flying small airplanes is just too expensive, and besides on my day offs, sadly the last thing I want to be doing is flying airplanes, lol. Here are a few pictures from the flight deck ( am going to Captain class by end of the summer, so just call me Captain Joeyballs, lol. A lot of my friends have left the US Airlines to fly for China and for Emarites in Dubai, but it's not for everyone. The pay is killer but living in Dubai is not what I would call "living the dream". The pay is not anywhere near what it used to be, but the schedule beats a 9-5 and you fly airplanes for a living, could be worse. Each airline is different, some good, some awful, some union, some none union etc....I caution you though, it's a drug that will take control over you like no other, once it's in your blood, your screwed, lol. The first time you take off and land an airplane by yourself, the sense of accomplishment is unparraleled, it really is special.
Self portrait, lol
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4709925535/http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4709925535/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/joeycostanza/, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4710410464/http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/4710410464/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/joeycostanza/, on Flickr
Here is my all time favorite though, an old Pipe J-3 cub. Flying a jet at 37,000ft and Mach .80 is cool, but flying with the doors open is way more fun
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/5129525205/http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeycostanza/5129525205/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/joeycostanza/, on Flickr
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Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Lemoore, CA
I'm surprised there haven't been more responses as a lot of pilots I know are car guys and visa-versa.
Getting your private pilot's license isn't too far out of reach, although it's expensive. The last time I flew a small plane, it was about $100/hr for the airplane and instructor. If i remember right it takes, on average 50-80 hours to get your license, so you're looking at about $5-8000. There are ways to get it cheaper like flying clubs or knowing someone with an airplane, but not everyone has those kinds of connections.
Definitely go up on a "learn-to-fly" ride to see if you like it. Some people get sick or just feel so uncomfortable that they never want to do it again. If you like it, then talk to the flight school about doing lessons. The lessons will start with the basics like radio comms, taxi, takeoff, normal flight, and most importantly landings. Once you prove you can do all of that safely (maybe 10-20 flight hours on average) you'll have your first solo which will probably be the scariest but most awesome 30 minutes of your life. Once that's done you'll learn about navigation and getting from A to B which will end with your solo cross-country (don't get too excited, It will be about 150 miles). Then, take your written and practical tests and boom, you're a real deal pilot.
Just a couple of warnings.
Some of these flight school/FBO places can be a little sheisty so shop around and find one you like. Don't fly with a flight instructor you don't like. You're paying them so if they pair you with a guy you don't click with, ask for someone else.
As a car nut, you should be aware that you're going to be flying the aviation equivalent of a Toyota Yaris, and maybe someday you'll upgrade to a Corolla, but unless you become REALLY rich, or do it professionally, you're not going to be flying anything super cool or high performance, although thats not to say it isn't still fun.
Like JB said, it's an addiction and you'll catch the bug and want to fly bigger and faster aircraft. Before you know it, you're quitting your job and explaining to your family and girlfriend that you talked to the recruiter and you're joining the Navy to fly airplanes. Just saying...
I don't have many good cockpit pics, so I'll just post the best GoPro video ever made
http://youtu.be/H92MYkHw6OY
Getting your private pilot's license isn't too far out of reach, although it's expensive. The last time I flew a small plane, it was about $100/hr for the airplane and instructor. If i remember right it takes, on average 50-80 hours to get your license, so you're looking at about $5-8000. There are ways to get it cheaper like flying clubs or knowing someone with an airplane, but not everyone has those kinds of connections.
Definitely go up on a "learn-to-fly" ride to see if you like it. Some people get sick or just feel so uncomfortable that they never want to do it again. If you like it, then talk to the flight school about doing lessons. The lessons will start with the basics like radio comms, taxi, takeoff, normal flight, and most importantly landings. Once you prove you can do all of that safely (maybe 10-20 flight hours on average) you'll have your first solo which will probably be the scariest but most awesome 30 minutes of your life. Once that's done you'll learn about navigation and getting from A to B which will end with your solo cross-country (don't get too excited, It will be about 150 miles). Then, take your written and practical tests and boom, you're a real deal pilot.
Just a couple of warnings.
Some of these flight school/FBO places can be a little sheisty so shop around and find one you like. Don't fly with a flight instructor you don't like. You're paying them so if they pair you with a guy you don't click with, ask for someone else.
As a car nut, you should be aware that you're going to be flying the aviation equivalent of a Toyota Yaris, and maybe someday you'll upgrade to a Corolla, but unless you become REALLY rich, or do it professionally, you're not going to be flying anything super cool or high performance, although thats not to say it isn't still fun.
Like JB said, it's an addiction and you'll catch the bug and want to fly bigger and faster aircraft. Before you know it, you're quitting your job and explaining to your family and girlfriend that you talked to the recruiter and you're joining the Navy to fly airplanes. Just saying...
I don't have many good cockpit pics, so I'll just post the best GoPro video ever made
http://youtu.be/H92MYkHw6OY
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 485
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From: Los Angeles
Thanks for all of the replies, this is all great info. I have never known a lot of this stuff. I'm not really looking to become a professional pilot, but I woulda like to be licensed someday.
I have read how it is expensive, and for right this moment I have too many expensive hobbies as is. I am going to look into doing the intro flight lesson and see how that goes.
I have read how it is expensive, and for right this moment I have too many expensive hobbies as is. I am going to look into doing the intro flight lesson and see how that goes.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 12,921
Likes: 768
From: Clifton, VA
I caution you though, it's a drug that will take control over you like no other, once it's in your blood, your screwed, lol. The first time you take off and land an airplane by yourself, the sense of accomplishment is unparraleled, it really is special.
031 by JosephCostanza, on Flickr
Here is my all time favorite though, an old Pipe J-3 cub. Flying a jet at 37,000ft and Mach .80 is cool, but flying with the doors open is way more fun
218 by JosephCostanza, on Flickr
031 by JosephCostanza, on Flickr
Here is my all time favorite though, an old Pipe J-3 cub. Flying a jet at 37,000ft and Mach .80 is cool, but flying with the doors open is way more fun
218 by JosephCostanza, on Flickr
All though I have never had the pleasure of flying in a Piper J3, my biggest thrill was being the "pilot in command" of a "Big Strearman" from 5100 AGL for 18 miles from the aerobatic box area back to the FBO and right in to the pattern (800' AGL) when the owner took control back.
