Private pilots?

kinzli

kinzli

Joined
Oct 2, 2001
Messages
426
I've always wanted to fly. I'm really interested in ultralights, paragliding, paramotoring, etc. but recently I've decided that I'm going to try flying a real airplane instead.

I'm going to take some lessons and get my private pilots license. If I like it, I'll do IFR also. I'm guessing I'll buy a Cessna 172 since it's the most popular airplane out there that I can grow with.

Any other pilots out there? I guess it's a silly question to ask if you enjoy flying? I'm a little scared of being up there alone, but I guess by the time I get to that point I'll feel more comfortable, eh? :eek:
 
the fighter planes are nice, but to learn i would say the 172 or 152 would be better, also LOTS cheaper. i know several yrs ago the ultras were pretty dangerous, might be better now, but be carefull. i have some fixed wing time(35 hours or so), my best bud (who flies in alaska) is a instructor/twin rated/IFR rated, and another good bud has a fixed wing and rotor wing rating, and also is a licensed AP mech.

lotsa fun, used to fly privates quite a bit, not much lately though. i really dont like helicopters that much though, FWIW.

get good instruction and learn all ya can, always check your plane out good before takeoff, and know your limitations. its an unforgiving profession for sure, it doesnt let fools off easy. i would think most crashes are 'pilot error' imho. too many things can go wrong w/out hotdogging it,

good luck and be safe

greg
 
Mutt, I flew a L39 Jet a few years ago in Florida, we did all kinds of cool stuff, inverted rolls, speed blasts over the Everglades (400+mph at 50 feet above the Everglades), and all kinds of things. It was way cool. But luckily I've got that out of my system :)

Sifu, good stuff, thanks...
 
agree aerobatics are fun, my bud in alaska and i took a pitt special up twice, rolls/split esses/stalls, lotsa fun, but i was younger/more reckless then, probably wouldnt enjoy it now. and no, i didnt puke, lol, though he took 2 other guys up and they did, one in the middle of a split ess, made a MESS lol.


greg
 
Flying is a blast, I earned my license three years ago. I don't fly as much as I used to but whenever I have the time I'm on my way to the airport. You'll be a little (ok, alot) stressed at first but you get used to it. Just wait until your instructor says "ok, time to solo"...then you'll truly know fear.
 
the hardest thing i ever attempted in my life was to fly a robinson R22 helicopter, ya got the foot pedals, the stick, the collective and throttle, and ya gotta coordinate all of them.

its tough imho,
 
Go for it! There's nothing like being able to change your perspective on the physical world by joining the birds for a while. :D

I was a helicopter instructor and for a little while a 'tour pilot' in helicopters. While I always enjoyed flying of any kind, flying in a helicopter was what got me truely hooked on flying. If you ever get a chance, take an "intro" flight in a small helicopter. It's best to do so after you get used to flying a light plane. Then you can appreciate the control you have in the helicopter.

Be safe, listen (really listen) to the instructor and have fun!

- Mike
 
96-02 with air cadets... 26 times in a glider, 15 in a cessna, 2 in a tutor. Taken a ride in a ch-103h and a c-5.

All told I only have about 30hrs of flight time, but after the first 5-6 I was doing it all myself anyways(the instructor was only there if we messed up).

Think the most fun I've had was in a 172... just asked the guy "ok, what is this sucker capable of?" and he started doing stunts. roller coaster with 15sec of freefall, roll, and one hell of a tight corkscrew.

nothing like getting up and seeing it all from above.
 
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