Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: BlckMgk on March 28, 2006, 10:15:13 AM

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: BlckMgk on March 28, 2006, 10:15:13 AM

Well I want to learn how to fly, but I don't know where to start, who to see or what I should be looking for.  I was wondering if any of you guys could point me in the right direction.

I live in Southern Florida and I know Embry Riddle is supposed to be a good aviation school, but from what I've seen its more of a full fledge university deal.

I'm all ears, let me know.


-BM

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Chairboy on March 28, 2006, 10:21:47 AM

Go to a local airport and visit the local FBO.  Just look for the 'Learn to fly here' signs that they have everywhere.  You don't have to enroll in university to get your pilots license, you can do it a lesson at a time at local field.  Heck, you might not have to drive far at all.  What city do you live in?

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: beet1e on March 28, 2006, 10:27:56 AM

Don't be tempted to pre-pay your training, however attractive they make it sound. If the school starts arsing you around, you'll have no leverage.

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Chairboy on March 28, 2006, 10:31:06 AM

Agreed.

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: BlckMgk on March 28, 2006, 10:33:02 AM

Quote

Originally posted by Chairboy
Go to a local airport and visit the local FBO.  Just look for the 'Learn to fly here' signs that they have everywhere.  You don't have to enroll in university to get your pilots license, you can do it a lesson at a time at local field.  Heck, you might not have to drive far at all.  What city do you live in?

I live in Miami, when you mean airport you're not talking about the big commercial airports right but rather a small field? There's one not to far from where I live called Tamiami Airport, ever heard of it?

Anyhow I'll swing by there and see what the deal is. Thanks Chair.

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Chairboy on March 28, 2006, 10:37:35 AM

They've got plenty of flight schools there!  Looks like a good choice, good luck!

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: john9001 on March 28, 2006, 10:40:23 AM

yes , go to a small field , ask around, the people there will be very happy to get you addicted to flying.

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Golfer on March 28, 2006, 02:35:25 PM

Opa Locka Airpot info.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KOPF
Try Miami Flight Training or Wayman Aviation Service.

Kendall-Tamiami Exec.
http://www.airnav.com/airport/KTMB
Dean International and Miami Flight Training


Go to be a pilot (http://www.beapilot.com) for this list:
Florida Flight Schools (http://www.beapilot.com/beapilotcgi/schools/display2.pl?sorted_field_value=FL&sorted_field_number=5) and pick and choose.

It's your money, you're the boss.  If you want to take intro flights at a couple of flight schools, ask around for references or ask current/former students their opinion of the schools that's all perfect.

Good luck, and make sure you set aside about $7000 for the So. Florida area for the certificate.

Have fun with it :)

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Debonair on March 28, 2006, 03:47:08 PM

After you start, get a free intro membership to AOPA.
A lot of clevers people live on their BBS & will answer all of your questions.
The conventional wisdon is that you get you rating in a lot fewer hours if you fly minimum twice a week (not sure if that includes AH or not, but I know for quite solidly that Red Baron 3D is of no assistance).
Anyone have opinions on if it is better to start at a tower controlled field or not?

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: AWMac on March 28, 2006, 03:52:32 PM

Or teach yourself... who was that kid last year that got caught doing touch and goes in an unauthorized borrowed airplane... wasn't he 14 or something?

Mac

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: LePaul on March 28, 2006, 03:52:38 PM

Having been there, done that...my advice for learning to fly is to fill up your savings account first, so once you have the "bug", you arent limited to just an hour here or there, as money becomes available.  Once you have money problems out of the way, then your issue becomes the weather :)

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Chairboy on March 28, 2006, 03:54:45 PM

I learned at a towered field, and I'm FAR more comfortable using the US airspace system than most of the pilots at my current non-towered field.

Some people might argue "you should learn the fundamentals of flight first" at some untowered field, but I think that's balderdash.  Your instructor runs the radio until you're ready, and the radio work makes you plan things in advance more so than if you spend all your time incommunicado.

It also builds situational awareness too because there's more stuff going on around you.

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: LLv34_Camouflage on March 28, 2006, 04:07:24 PM

Try soaring: http://www.ssa.org/

It is cheaper and you'll earn your wings faster. Some people also argue that soaring will also teach you to fly better than if you have an engine to keep you in the air.

You can always get a PPL later.

Camo

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Debonair on March 28, 2006, 04:34:59 PM

A lot of guys who learned at towered fields have severe puckering when told "change to advisory frequency"

Title: Private Pilot License
Post by: Golfer on March 28, 2006, 05:08:07 PM

A lot of guys who learned at nontowered fields simply avoid towered fields altogether.

I say towered field with regular visits to nearby nontowered airports during training.  I've seen successful results.