To any of you "armchair pilots" who don't fly but have always been interested in it: go online, find a local FBO (Fixed Base Operator) or flying school at a nearby small airport, and ask if they offer "Discovery Flights". It won't set you back a fortune and you'll have the chance to fly in a small airplane, take the controls, and see what it's like to fly an airplane. If you like it, you can take flying lessons, "solo" so you're flying alone, and eventually earn your Private Pilot's License so that you can fly not only yourself but your family and friends in a plane. Airplanes aren't cheap to own, but most general aviation (small civilian airplane) pilots rent airplanes which is far less expensive than owning one. Flying has never been and will never be an inexpensive hobby, but it's a load of fun and if you're flying to a destination and not just around the local area it typically cuts hours off the time that it would take to drive. Finally, if you're inclined to try it as a career, MANY pilots are and will be retiring in the next few years (myself included) and the airlines will be looking for pilots to hire. It's a very cyclic industry with respect to hiring, and now is a good time to consider taking the plunge.

 

I agree that is a great way to initiate yourself and determine if flying is for you. Normally this would be a great time to make the plunge as there will be many pilots retiring. However, this is not normal times and possibly the worst time to start. Due to the world pandemic over 50% of the pilots are without work and predictions are it may take 5 to 8 years for the industry to recover.

 

YouTube videos (the source of all information ) seem to indicate it still looks like 100 hours/year is the break-even point owning vs renting an aircraft -- once you own it. I think you still need 40 hours experience to be certified. Trainer airplane rental at $150/hr (wet) is $6000 just for the aircraft to get the hours. Don't recall how many hours of dual instruction you need but you gotta pay the instructor too. I'd budget $10,000 just to get the certificate. Once you have it you need to figure out where to go. Just boring holes in the sky quickly lost it's fascination for me. Without an instrument rating and instrument aircraft locations and times can be very limited.

Hanger space in highly populated areas is as tight as slips at the yacht clubs. Both premium priced recreation.

-- Chuck

 

The old pilot's rule of the 3 "Fs": "If it flies, floats or Fools around, it is better to rent than buy.

 

There are many other ways to get up in the air besides going the traditional route, especially if you are just doing it for fun. They include Light Sport, ultralights, trikes, powered parachutes, gyrocopters, gliders, hang gliders, paragliders, balloons, etc. Some forms of aviation don't require a license, but it's always best to get appropriate instruction if you want to live a long life.

 

Just to quibble a minor point no form of aviation requires a license. It's a certificate, not a license. I have no clue what the difference is and everyone calls it a license anyway.

-- Chuck

 

^^^^
Sure, it is officially called a certificate, and I'm certificated. FAA speak.

 

You can legally fly in certain circumstances, even solo, without a certificate. Ultralights are one and I think a "student pilot" ticket does everything else.

 

You can also obtain a drone pilot certificate and never leave the ground!

 

Yes flying a drone is fun. However, our government has completely ruined this hobby to a point where is nothing but a hassle...