Commercial Pilots i need some advice

[Golfer]

In the US there are ~300,000 pilots

Well over 600,000 closing in on 700,000 at the rate these cookie cutter kwik-e-mart flight schools keep going

That oughta bring you up to date Beetle.

[beet1e]

Golfer - thanks for that! Is the proportion of IFR pilots still around the 50% mark?

[Golfer]

Yes sir...and about half of those who are rated are current.  So only 25% of the total pilot population can 'really' fly IFR at any given time.

I'm proud to say I'm doing my part to keep us all current  

Also...I kept a clipping from an AOPA magazine in my wallet for the longest time.  It finally died when I washed the wallet.  Out of 650,000 pilots (or whatever the number) there were a whopping 300 recreational pilots.  How's that for a useful certificate

[beet1e]

So the number of pilots with FAA licences has doubled since the 1990s? That's incredible...

[eagl]

Both AOPA and the EAA have been VERY active in promoting "sport" aviation.  They even pushed through a few new license categories for pilots and aircraft to make it significantly easier (and cheaper) for a new pilot to get into the air.

I don't have the exact numbers, but under the new categories, it's possible to get a limited license with about 20 hrs of instruction and buy a fully certified aircraft for under $20,000.  That brings aviation access down to the common man, and it's been a key push, both with legislation and with the overall industry, to make that happen.

I personally think it's great.  The sport pilots are restricted from flying near big cities, but in the vast majority of the wide open US they can pretty much do whatever they want as long as they adhere to a few simple rules such as flying planes with restricted power and weight, etc.  It's sort of a middle ground between ultralights and traditional general aviation.

[Furball]

What do you think of the courses on offer here: http://www.flyaaa.com/courses.html ?

[Wolfala]

Looks fine - takes you up through commercial atleast. But you'll need to toss down another 10K for the Instructor / Instrument Instructor / Multi Instructor inorder to be useful and even build the hours.

Only thing that seems like suicide would be a better alternative is 150 hours in a Cessna 152.

[Octavius]

Sorry to bump an old thread...

Not sure if it seems like a good idea to take out a loan to get started (0 hours).  Do any federal grants or aid exist for flight training outside the military?  Being a cheap bellybutton student with a degree more or less around the corner, is it possible to apply for a little initial help under the pretext of education?  I have great eyesight, I'm absolutely positive I'd see it through, and I do plan on enlisting once the degree and license are secured.

ps:  I already live on ramen noodles and lunch meat, so no standard of living change.

[Octavius]

Found a bunch, but I qualify for almost nil.  No living family members saw service, dont fit in the .gov's definition of minority, not female, and not gay... yeah I had to check that one out too:

Join a Local Group

Many areas of the country have local Gay Pilots groups. There’s no better way to get to know your area than to actually fly with friends already familiar with the local guys [skies]. For a listing of local gay pilots groups you can go to http://www.ngpa.org/links.html


Input still appreciated

[Wolfala]

http://www.ufly.com/financing.html

But the other thing is any bank will issue a loan - hell they'll give credit to a monkey. The above link is just one link to several options.

[Pooh21]

Originally posted by Furball
I am determined to be a pilot.  The stumbling block for me is the cost.

The cheapest i have seen is in NZ and is here

http://www.flighttraining.co.nz/courses.html

The CPL/MEIR.

Those of you 'in the know' would this be a good way of me getting into the airline industry? how are the costs? (it equates to about £19k or around $30k).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

Dont train in switzerland as swiss people cannot fly. They miss more runways then africa combined

[Furball]

Thanks again guys.

Bit of an update, as Oct says - bad idea to go through the whole thing right away on someone else's money.  I am planning on doing my JAA PPL in America in the Summer which i can fund myself.  This is the course i am looking at: -

http://www.flyaaa.com/caajaa_course.html

What difference if any does it make on which aircraft you train in? what would you recommend out of the 152, 172 or PA28?

Once i do the PPL i will be in a better position to see if i am up to doing a CPL, and whether i actually enjoy flying enough to do it.

[crowMAW]

Any of those AC are fine for training.  The difference is size.  Are you a pretty big fellow?  If you are average weight and shoulder width, then the 150/152 is fine...however it is a bit tight for two guys regardless.  The 172 and Piper will give more shoulder room and have capacity for those with a few extra kilos around the middle.

If you do go to San Diego...make sure you make a run to Torrey Pines.  Some of the most increadible soaring is available there.  Take a look at the vids and pics:  http://www.agcsc.org/index.html

BTW...did you see this program?  http://www.flyoba.com/  Lots of interesting things to do in central Florida.

And this program has your name on it: http://www.erau.edu/capt/index.html
Even has a pic of you playing with a toy Spit  

[Furball]

Thanks Crow, that last link looks good apart from i do not have a 4 year college degree.  I was unwell for a year between studies and got offered a perfect job for me, which i am still in so i missed out on University.

I have all of the links bookmarked, will look into them all in more detail when i find out if i can get 5 or so weeks off in the summer.

Would learning on something larger for the slightly extra money benefit me any in the long run?  I am thinking now that it would probably be worth the extra $200 or so to learn in the slightly larger a/c.  But then again i do have a very naive perspective.

Thanks again.

[expat]

Furball
seriously get on prune and talk to the guy's there, you will find pilots flying cargo and lotsa airline pilots there , they will have all the info you could need....
Im kinda biased to boxes...thats cos boxes dont complain
Good luck