First Private Pilot Lesson - Crop Duster

[Old Red]

Thanks to everyone's contribution to the other thread. I have started this thread to document my progress (or not) of getting my private pilot's license. I found an instructor who will fit my country boy profile to the "T". He grew up in a crop dusting family. Been flying since he was legal. He's a young'n in his 30s, but has flown thousands of hours and when he's not flying he works at Ft. Campbell Military base working as a civilian on the airplane line doing plane maintenance. Sounds like a good fit...a country boy teaching a country boy how to fly! Oh, and we both have young kids the same ages of around 5 years old.

I am going to most likely be training in the C150 or C172. Not sure yet. Wish me luck, it is very very possible I will go up my first time and never go back up again as I might be scared to death and hate it!

 

[Rustyiron]

Something I've always wanted to do. :thumbsup:
My first time in a plane was in a kids learn to fly class, that was before I had my drivers license! I got the controls for a short time (while in the air).
Have fun!

 

[plowhog]

Thanks for posting. If he's a former crop duster just make sure he is willing to climb to a safe altitude for training. Those crop dusters like to hug the ground!!

 

[Bird]

Ah, yes, my first time in an airplane was right after I graduated from high school and a couple of buddies and I took a 20 minute sight seeing tour over El Paso in a 172. I've taken the controls in a 152 and in a Bell 47 helicopter a few times, but never got a license. You should have a great time; lots of fun.

 

[ray66v]

A good instructor doesn't get excited, and take the airplane away from you, every two seconds.

If he is a crop duster, that should not be a problem.

Sadly, there are dusters around here, who have little regard for the rules. Or, basic safety. I would cringe at the thought of them teaching anyone.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks to everyone's contribution to the other thread. I have started this thread to document my progress (or not) of getting my private pilot's license. I found an instructor who will fit my country boy profile to the "T". He grew up in a crop dusting family. Been flying since he was legal. He's a young'n in his 30s, but has flown thousands of hours and when he's not flying he works at Ft. Campbell Military base working as a civilian on the airplane line doing plane maintenance. Sounds like a good fit...a country boy teaching a country boy how to fly! Oh, and we both have young kids the same ages of around 5 years old.

I am going to most likely be training in the C150 or C172. Not sure yet. Wish me luck, it is very very possible I will go up my first time and never go back up again as I might be scared to death and hate it!

Savor that feeling just as the wheels lift off the ground and you realize you're a couple feet above it and going up! It's magical.

Be sure and look down from time-to-time and notice that, unlike large commercial aircraft, in a small plane, you are low enough at times that you can see people in their yards, dogs running around, deer in fields, etc... heck, you may see a kid waving at you! Or, if you're like me living near an airport, giving the too-low-flying planes the one finger salute as they pull up to avoid the trees in my back yard! Be sure and wave back! :laughing:

 

[fried1765]

Per.. ray66v ....."Sadly, there are dusters around here, who have little regard for the rules. Or, basic safety. I would cringe at the thought of them teaching anyone."

AGREED !!!!

 

[Old Red]

He does not do crop dusting now.... he grew up dusting for his dad. He works at a military base now. I don't think they would allow him to train if he was an outlaw, but what do I know? Absolutely nothing!

 

[npalen]

You don't have as far to fall when you're flying close to the deck.

 

[plowhog]

I landed at Willows, CA once. One of the most concerning and hair raising landings ever, although it was a calm day and a smooth touchdown for me.

Willows airport is a major base for many agricultural operators. Since time is money, many of the crop dusters don't bother to do things like climb to pattern altitude, or join the pattern and fly in sync with others. Many just go straight to the airport after dusting a field, and then approach and land in whatever direction they want, regardless of wind direction or establish pattern procedures. I had several of them cross in front of me, cutting me off, while I was flying the FAA designated established pattern. Just normal procedure for them, very uncomfortable for me.

After I got out of there I felt like I had disturbed a bee's nest and was running away ....

 

[jfh28]

always dreamed of getting my lic......took a couple of into flights and loved it......even moved my office across the street from an airport so I could watch the planes take off and land while I worked......finally decided to bite the $ bullet and went over to sign up for lessons......only to find a sign on the door saying the FBO at the airport had permanently closed up.......I looked up to the sky and said ok god I can take a hint........still watched them take off and land but kept my feet firmly on the ground....lol.....enjoy every moment and best of luck to you.......Jack

 

[ray66v]

He does not do crop dusting now.... he grew up dusting for his dad. He works at a military base now. I don't think they would allow him to train if he was an outlaw, but what do I know? Absolutely nothing!

My helicopter CFI, was a part time helicopter crop duster.

That guy is as good, and as safe a pilot as I have ever met.

 

[TimberHole]

Don't hesitate to fly that 150, especially if you aren't great big guys. The 150 was the most popular trainer for a reason. I think in many ways it's a better trainer than the 172 and I imagine it will be a little cheaper. Do you have an FBO close to you with rentals? Fly as often as you can, relax and have fun!

 

[plowhog]

I loved flying the Cessna 152 trainers. I very seriously considered purchasing a Cessna 150 or a Cessna 152 (very similar models) for a personal airplane just to keep in practice flying. I also looked closely at the 152 Aerobat (rated for limited aerobatics) and the SparrowHawk conversion. That puts a 125HP engine in place of the standard 100hp. 25% more power at the same weight makes a big difference.

I got my seaplane rating in a Cessna 150 converted to a 150hp engine (Texas taildragger conversion, but on floats.) Like all Cessna 150/152 planes, that one rocked!

But, there are only two seats and room behind those seats for ... maybe ... an ice chest. Not exactly the family hauler for a long trip ...

 

[ray66v]

I loved flying the Cessna 152 trainers. I very seriously considered purchasing a Cessna 150 or a Cessna 152 (very similar models) for a personal airplane just to keep in practice flying. I also looked closely at the 152 Aerobat (rated for limited aerobatics) and the SparrowHawk conversion. That puts a 125HP engine in place of the standard 100hp. 25% more power at the same weight makes a big difference.

I got my seaplane rating in a Cessna 150 converted to a 150hp engine (Texas taildragger conversion, but on floats.) Like all Cessna 150/152 planes, that one rocked!

But, there are only two seats and room behind those seats for ... maybe ... an ice chest. Not exactly the family hauler for a long trip ...

Just not quite enough room side to side. Especially, if it's cold, and you have heavy coats on.

I spent 4, hours straight in a 150, with a student, doing take off's and landings. At the same airport!

He was ready to solo, except for landings, he couldn't quite nail those down. His CFI was really frustrated. So, I volunteered to help. I told the student, I will do what ever it takes to get you straightened out, today. Never ever imagining, it was going to take 4 hours, and 24 landings. :tired:

He did warn everyone at the beginning, he would be a difficult student.

He soloed, the following day. And, we became good friends.

 

[MossRoad]

When I worked at the FBO, we had a 150 trainer. One of our instructors took a student out doing touch and goes. They came taxiing back in and the instructor nonchalantly asked me to top it off. So I get up on the ladder and start filling it. It says right next to the fuel cap something like 13 gallons capacity. I start filling, and it's taking fuel, and taking fuel... takes 14 gallons in that tank. Head over to the other wing and it also takes a gallon more than the posted capacity! With an instructor!

Don't fly over my house, man! :laughing:

 

[TimberHole]

When I worked at the FBO, we had a 150 trainer. One of our instructors took a student out doing touch and goes. They came taxiing back in and the instructor nonchalantly asked me to top it off. So I get up on the ladder and start filling it. It says right next to the fuel cap something like 13 gallons capacity. I start filling, and it's taking fuel, and taking fuel... takes 14 gallons in that tank. Head over to the other wing and it also takes a gallon more than the posted capacity! With an instructor!

Don't fly over my house, man! :laughing:

My first airplane was a 150. The previous owner flew it out west during his ownership of the plane and got lost somewhere out in Arizona or some other forsaken place. He was getting low on fuel so he elected to land on a highway and sort the whole thing out. No sooner than he landed a highway patrol trooper pulled up and asked him if he had troubles. He replied, "I didn't have any troubles til you pulled up" He was an ornery old fart!

I later owned the 7th to the last 150 ever built. Should have kept that one! Great little airplanes!

 

[Bird]

At one time, back in the 1980s, one of my brothers was selling airplanes in Anchorage. One time, when he sold a new 152, he flew down to Dallas for a visit, then I went with him to the factory to pick up that new 152 and fly it to Anchorage. That 4 day trip was more fun than a barrel of monkeys. But on one fuel stop, the young fellow putting he fuel in had his eyes get big and he said something about us flying on fumes out of gas. My brother told him that the new 152 had a slightly bigger tank than the 150 the young man was accustomed to.

 

[dodge man]

What did I read one time. "The only time you have to much fuel in your plane is if its on fire."

 

[k0ua]

What did I read one time. "The only time you have to much fuel in your plane is if its on fire."

I need to remember that one!. :laughing: