Any Pilots On Here??

MossRoad · Mar 8, 2018

I think it goes something like, you need 10 hours minimum to solo in a single engine plane.
You need 40 hours minimum to get your single engine pilots license, where you can take non-paying passengers (your family).
You need X more hours to get instrument rated. You need that to fly in non-visual weather.
You need X more hours to get your multi-engine license.
etc....

flingwing1969 · Mar 8, 2018

MossRoad said:
I think it goes something like, you need 10 hours minimum to solo in a single engine plane.
You need 40 hours minimum to get your single engine pilots license, where you can take non-paying passengers (your family).
You need X more hours to get instrument rated. You need that to fly in non-visual weather.
You need X more hours to get your multi-engine license.
etc....

1. Most folks, except military pilots, don't solo at 10 hours or get there pilot's license at 40 hrs - the reality is substantially higher than that - but it varies with the person and the airport at which you are training. Army flight school gets you out the door with a bit more than 200 hrs under your belt.

2. Many private or sport pilots are VFR (good clear weather) pilots and never get their instrument ticket.
3. Many light twins are really not worth the trouble and expense - the reliability of aircraft engines has improved over the years and the speed of single engine aircraft often matches that of the light twins.

Many private pilots who are also aircraft owners, get their CFI (certified flight instructor) rating and provide sufficient instruction each year to keep their rating current. Why? Insurance is often much cheaper for a CFI rated pilot than for a simple single-engine land rated pilot.

$$$$$. Their is an old definition of a boat that holds true for aircraft similarly, "A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money."

Old Red · Mar 8, 2018

flingwing1969 said:
"A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money."

Could not agree more, but when guys are thinking about buying a boat they are picturing themselves on their boat with a bunch of bikini's. Which happens....maybe, but not enough. I have also heard the two most happy days of a boat owners life are the day he gets it and the day he sells it. Those were my two most happy days back in 1998 when I had a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

So tell me about aircraft? Is it the same generally speaking? I understand the dollars and insurance for example....my buddy who is a new pilot at 120 hours. He pays $100 per month for his indoor hanger, his annual inspection is $650 but he said it winds up costing him around a grand and his insurance is $2,000 annually. It is $3.20 per gallon of fuel and he paid $40K grand for his aircraft.

I easily surpass those expenses just food plotting for deer. I will not stop food plotting, but that is a luxury I could stop.

flingwing1969 · Mar 8, 2018

Old Red said:
Could not agree more, but when guys are thinking about buying a boat they are picturing themselves on their boat with a bunch of bikini's. Which happens....maybe, but not enough. I have also heard the two most happy days of a boat owners life are the day he gets it and the day he sells it. Those were my two most happy days back in 1998 when I had a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

So tell me about aircraft? Is it the same generally speaking? I understand the dollars and insurance for example....my buddy who is a new pilot at 120 hours. He pays $100 per month for his indoor hanger, his annual inspection is $650 but he said it winds up costing him around a grand and his insurance is $2,000 annually. It is $3.20 per gallon of fuel and he paid $40K grand for his aircraft.

And that is all really reasonable costs. Depending on where you live, etc, you can easily double all of that.

rustyshakelford · Mar 8, 2018

Here’s an example for costs. I was going to get my fil something aviation related for Xmas. I called the mechanic and asked what “cream puff” needs. He recommended a dual usb charger. The total price for that was over $500. Doesn’t help the plane is 24v. Also considered replacing a few interior panels and it made the usb charger look cheap. They are very expensive to have work done to and maintain. That’s the one thing you can’t skimp on

Brett

flingwing1969 · Mar 8, 2018

rustyshakelford said:
Here’s an example for costs. I was going to get my fil something aviation related for Xmas. I called the mechanic and asked what “cream puff” needs. He recommended a dual usb charger. The total price for that was over $500. Doesn’t help the plane is 24v. Also considered replacing a few interior panels and it made the usb charger look cheap. They are very expensive to have work done to and maintain. That’s the one thing you can’t skimp on

Brett

If it's for an aircraft, it will cost you. I was flying a Cessna P210RG from Kansas to North Dakota when the generator gave out on me. I landed in North Platt Nebraska and found they had just what I needed - for around $500 (as I recall) (in the early 90s). Darn thing said "Ford" right on it and I had the same model on my shelf at home, except no one had scattered the magical "aircraft certified" pixie dust on that one yet - I think my one at home went for something like $70.

fried1765 · Mar 8, 2018

flingwing1969 said:
If it's for an aircraft, it will cost you. I was flying a Cessna P210RG from Kansas to North Dakota when the generator gave out on me. I landed in North Platt Nebraska and found they had just what I needed - for around $500 (as I recall) (in the early 90s). Darn thing said "Ford" right on it and I had the same model on my shelf at home, except no one had scattered the magical "aircraft certified" pixie dust on that one yet - I think my one at home went for something like $70.

For what potential future use would you have been keeping (the same model) a 24V Ford generator/alternator on the "shelf at home"?

EarPlug · Mar 8, 2018

Hear is a site with a lot of good info.

AOPA You Can Fly

AOPA Learn to Fly

Old Red · Mar 8, 2018

When we were looking at the 6-300 he paid $124,000 for he was showing me a light on top of the very back tail wing. It was just a round LED light. I think it just flashes. I kid you not....this thing was $600. It was found during his annual that it was needed. That is just insane. I failed to ask him if the inspector is also the mechanic who sells the lights or do they have to be separate people.

Oh, and I saw a couple 14 days intensive schools. Anyone heard of that? I have spent the evening watching a million youtube videos and I had no idea they would turn you loose by yourself in an aircraft at 10 hours.....just had no idea. That is pretty quick and somewhat exciting to be honest.