Private Pilot Certificate

[Full Throttle]

I'm at about 500 hours, have my commerical single and multi engine, along with my CFI. However, I haven't flown in about three years and I've got the itch again. Trying to find an economical way to get back into it. A fractional ownership flying club near me may be the answer.

 

[GreenSky]

I'm at about 500 hours, have my commerical single and multi engine, along with my CFI. However, I haven't flown in about three years and I've got the itch again. Trying to find an economical way to get back into it. A fractional ownership flying club near me may be the answer.

Ironic you mentioned the club. I went to a meeting last night of a just such a flying club.

$140 mo plus $97/hr for the 172 on tach time. No minimum for overnight use. Pretty good deal and I may do that while I'm getting the PP cert.

I just got the class 3 medical today along with my student pilot license. Looks like I will have to change my training aircraft to a 172 because my bad hip won't let me get into the Sport Cruiser. I need a high wing and a door. This makes the flying club even more attractive because of the "bargain" rate on the Cessna.

Rick

 

[Robert Barney]

I'm at about 500 hours, have my commerical single and multi engine, along with my CFI. However, I haven't flown in about three years and I've got the itch again. Trying to find an economical way to get back into it. A fractional ownership flying club near me may be the answer.

You could always do what Chuck Yeager did, and fly an ultralight.
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Looks like I will have to change my training aircraft to a 172 because my bad hip won't let me get into the Sport Cruiser. I need a high wing and a door.

You and every other old fart who wants to fly.

The other reason you want to learn in a Cessna 172 is because it's hard to imagine a place that rents airplanes, NOT having a C172 available for rent.

I prefer Piper but lots of schools and clubs don't have them, simply because the demand is for the 172. If you are sight seeing, and many like to do that, you don't have to try and look down through a wing.

Piper is also more expensive to maintain. And don't get me started on Beech. Parts are readily available for Cessna 172's and there is a health source of after market parts. I think it was Sporty's that had a Cessna 172 look-a-like that you could build.

The worst thing about the 172 is having to step up to look into the wing tanks on the pre-flight. EVERYTHING else is easier.

 

[GreenSky]

You and every other old fart who wants to fly.

The worst thing about the 172 is having to step up to look into the wing tanks on the pre-flight. EVERYTHING else is easier.

Just who are you calling an old fart.

I could have them top off the tanks before every flight!

See, I'm already to learn to delegate.

Rick

 

[Josh]

I wouldn't touch copters with a ten-foot pole. Auto-gyrate vs. gliding isn't an option with me...

I have an r/c helicopter (well two), and I'm getting pretty good at flying indoors, but that means I crash it about once ever minute instead of every 15 seconds. I've watched it go sideways WAY easy.

 

[Robert Barney]

Just who are you calling an old fart.

I could have them top off the tanks before every flight!

See, I'm already to learn to delegate.

Rick

Anyone my age or older is an old fart. I suspect that puts you in my group.

So you're going to be the pilot in command and let someone else check your tanks?

NOTE: If you run out of fuel the FAA will have one person to blame, and ONLY one person to blame: the pilot in command. (PIC for short) It's called "pilot error". If you read FAA crash reports, and they can be educational, you will find the words "pilot error" used frequently.

You'll need to get yourself a little 4 step ladder that you can carry out to the ramp, and then you can just hike up and have a look. Just think how much better that will be than crawling under the wing of your sport plane to try and get a fuel sample.

NOTE to others: You take a sample of fuel off the bottom of the tank before flying, to ensure there is no water or dirt in the gas. If your engine quits when you are flying, it's not like a car that you can pull over to the side of the road. Emergency landing in a field is permitted, but they frown upon it if it was preventable.


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I have an r/c helicopter (well two), and I'm getting pretty good at flying indoors, but that means I crash it about once ever minute instead of every 15 seconds. I've watched it go sideways WAY easy.

What kind have you got - electric or gas

I find the airplanes, outfitted with cameras, so that the operator can see out the front like a pilot, are really neat:

willjed's Channel - YouTube

NOTE: Don't do this near an airport.

Here's another:



Some of the guys where video goggles, so they are looking out of the camera in realtime. Se this video:



The additional altitute indicators, battery levels, distance from you, and direction to return home, are just super neat.

 

[GreenSky]

So you're going to be the pilot in command and let someone else check your tanks?

No, I said I'll have them fill the tanks before I fly.

Rick

 

[Robert Barney]

No, I said I'll have them fill the tanks before I fly.

You can have them fill them, but you have to check them.

 

[GreenSky]

You can have them fill them, but you have to check them.

Damn! There's always a catch.

I don't think this will really be any issue.

By the way, I don't even have to alert the FAA when I get my hip surgery. Just reported it at the next AME along with a doctor's note that I'm good to go.

I thought cartilage loss only happened to 75 yr old women and athletes. Clearly, I must be the latter.

Rick

 

[Robert Barney]

Damn! There's always a catch.

I don't think this will really be any issue.

By the way, I don't even have to alert the FAA when I get my hip surgery. Just reported it at the next AME along with a doctor's note that I'm good to go.

I thought cartilage loss only happened to 75 yr old women and athletes. Clearly, I must be the latter.

Rick

Hear's a trick for you when you get back from surgery. Get yourself one of these:

Then you can have someone else take the caps off for you, then reach up with the mirror and look in the tank. FAA mechanics use these to check inside the plane airframe, should be good enough for you. Then stand back and watch the fuel cap be put back on properly, and you will then have fully exercised your responsibilities.