BE - Pilots
 

Hi Guys,

I've been away from the forums for quite a long of time. But since I left I started to work towards my Private Pilot License as I know a few of us have done.

I unfortunately developed a fear of flying and this was exaggerated whilst on an hour building flight in a Cherokee, the starter did not engage and the propeller had to be manually started on the ground. I know it's not the most scary situation but I couldn't fly that day through fear and I have not gone in the air since.

Have you guys ever gone through a wobble whilst learning to fly?

Re: BE - Pilots
 

oh yeah. I draw your attention to the link in my signature. If you want scared then I'm going to PM a video link to you

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Not only when learning to fly. I did that in 1970 and have had a couple of "hairy moments" since then. It's all part of life's rich tapestry as they say. Get back in the air as soon as you are able. Good luck.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Zoe just watching the video of that made me sh*t my pants. How were you able to shake it off?

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Back in the saddle is the best way.

Nearly got sideswiped by a Seafire transiting the zone without talking to anyone. I was just wheels up, something like 200' and he swooped across in front of me. Twas somewhat alarming.

Went out on a solo jolly to come back and find the field had gone, what comes of being near the sea, fog had swooped in. My first SRA! It is always awesome to come out of the cloud and see a long strip of asphalt in front of you, especially if it has no cars on it.

My first retractable flight was an experience too, I had every intention of putting the wheels down, just not quite as soon as the approach controller thought I should.

Stuff happens, it is the decisions you make that influence the outcome. Taking off with a US starter is a no go in my book. With one mixer at the front, if that stops, how would you attempt a restart? Hand swinging at 6000 feet is a tad precarious.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

I took 2 lessons once, the 2nd one scared me a wee bit, and never went back up again, but that was a good thing, save me a lot of money.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Short answer ...... With a lot of support from my instructor and from Ben

I had the presence of mind to keep.flying for another 2 circuits afterwards because I knew if I didn't I'd never fly again

I'll pm you a slightly longer answer later.

You need to talk to your instructor.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Out of curiosity, did any of the BE flying squad qualify in Britain or consider qualifying in Britain prior to Canada. Is it more difficult or expensive to become a private pilot in the UK. It doesn't seem to be as popular a hobby, at least.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Got my licence in the UK. Cost, depends who's paying!

Flying in Canada is around half of the cost of the UK as a general rule. New licensing rules in Europe now air regs more stringent in controlled airspace. Standard in the UK is higher than North America. UK airspace more complex, Canada aispace less so, terrain more challenging. BC has mountains, prairies is so flat you can see Torronto from Calgary at 3000 feet.

Flying an aeroplane is flying an aeroplane no matter where you do it. Only the guys with the spinning wings on top sit on the wrong side.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Is that true ???

Good response, thank you.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Ben always wanted to learn. It was only when we got to Canada that we figured we could afford it.

I sort of accidentally fell into it !

Still expensive though. UK is Outrageously, unbelievably expensive . Canada just expensive.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

I refueled this morning at $4.12 a gallon. That's US dollars for US gallons.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Jet A $1.30/l incl tax at YPK. Think I will have to pop down to Bellingham to fuel up now.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

No.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Its pretty common in the US to get a private license, loads of people do it.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

:o

Re: BE - Pilots
 

0.085% of Canada's population hold a civil pilots license.
UK 0.05%
US 0.1%

Re: BE - Pilots
 

..If they fly like they drive....god help us all!! ;)

Re: BE - Pilots
 

I thought those percentages would be higher ( especially in US)

I do know that less than 8% of private pilots in north america are female

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Thanks guys (Zoe that footage is brilliant by the way) I am going to go up again (hopefully) but I need to buy myself some time - get things figured out.

The worst part is that I really enjoy being in the air but I just get completely nervous and the anxiety is very difficult to control which doesn't help! My intent is if I go up often enough that the anxiety will fade/disappear, it's an expensive therapy!

Ever since they tried to fly me in that Cherokee I have just completely bottled it!

I don't even care if I get my PPL but would love to be able to do some basic flying maneuvers like chappelles and eights without the fear of god coming over me!

Re: BE - Pilots
 

There might be some slightly more inspiring footage on my YouTube channel.

Believe me I know exactly what you mean. Getting my PPL was a way for me to get over my fear of flying.

It probably took about 10 lessons before I stopped throwing up with fear before every lesson . but it was so worth it in the end.

The feeling after your first solo can't be described. The feeling after your first solo x country is 100 better !!

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Based on the prices I have seen, its not a average persons hobby by any means, unless high income, or doing it to build a career, I don't think the average to slightly above average person can really afford it.


My airline had a heck of a time finding female pilots, we got a lot of flack because we didn't have very many, but those doing the complaining don't realize there are a lack of females who are pilots and even less who can meet the hiring requirements of a major airline. They spent a lot of money giving to programs to aimed to get women and girls interested.

If I didn't have the health stuff that banishes me from being a pilot, I could not think of a more perfect career to suit my interests.....

If I won the lotto, I'd take lessons even if I could never actually get the license just for fun.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Getting a recreational license is a piece of piss and relatively cheap but you can only fly in the country. A private licence is a bit more spendy depending on endorsements/ratings and is a lot more useful.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

It is really expensive to do as a hobby but I do think it's possible to do on an average salary.

Personally I used to smoke and drink about the same as an hour of flight a month (which is not the ideal amount of time to spend flying but it's enough).

I think part of the problem with the expense of flying comes from the fact that most people who want to pursue it straight away decide that they need Private license ($10,000 minimum). Before even flying they think they are going to need night rating/float rating/Multi rating and more. They don't just think "I want to fly", before you even try the hobby you've already decided it will cost $100,000. There are not a lot of hobbies where you count all costs upfront but piloting is one of them it is however good to realise the cost before you do it as it can and will add up if you have the stomach and will to dedicate your life to it.

I do not believe it would be the easiest career change at my time of life (early 30's) especially due to the fact that I earn more than most pilots would in the first 10-15 years of their career. If you want to pursue it as a career it is definitely ideal to start young.

For anyone with kids if they show a remote interest in flying then look at signing them up with air cadets! it's a much cheaper route than having to pay approximately $65,000 to become a commercial pilot earning minimum wage (price varies across the country and flight school + aptitude of learning). For the record the theory side of flying is simple and straight forward in my eyes but obviously based on the thread I struggle within the air.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Might be true for the states. I'm reasonably sure the recreational permit is a lot easier in the states than it is in Canada.
I seem to recall being mildly horrified at the incredibly low minimum reqs

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Have flown most things, Cessna 150-172 to PPL, sailplanes, and para motors and gliders. The only time I was close to being killed and shit scared was in Turkey while paragliding, I got blown back over Babadab Mountain 6,500 foot TO, and narrowly missed a forest, I fully raised my arms and sped out from the tree tops by mere feet, then over a ridge, landed at the back of a hotel next to the swimming pool Lol. Just sat there for a while thinking !!

Flew again next day.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

I suppose its pricey to me since I don't drink or smoke, or any of that. I couldn't do an hour a month, but I also have to hire a pilot which increases the cost...lol

I took my lessons at 19, not many, 10 or 12 hours in total. I would have gladly taken lessons younger, but my parents said no and wouldn't let me.

I agree it's a career like doctors where you gotta start young if you ever hope to recoup the costs and make it into a career before retirement.

When I was a 15 or 16 I bought a set of VHS training video aids to watch..

Not sure what fascinated me with flying considering up until I was 18, I had never stepped foot inside an airplane or even been in the air...lol

Re: BE - Pilots
 

very expensive in the uk, you are either wealthy or have a large bank loan like me :o
Also very expensive to stay current, flying clubs want flights every 3-4 weeks or you go up with an instructor before they let you hire, all costs mor then. Certainly not for your average person, it seems much more accessible in Canada and the US.

My instructor always said if you have a scare you go up again at once, like falling of a horse :D I was a horribly nervous student, and had a few scares, like the door of a C152 opening at 3000 feet over a large Sussex lake! I remember we flew into Glasgow once and on departure followed ATC to the letter but an A320 decided to change levels without permission and flew very close above us, that was a bit freaky. I'm a bit of a fatalist though and I know it'll get me if my name is on it, otherwise I will cope. I lost a couple of friends in incidents while I was still actively flying, one at Shoreham, one (an instructor of mine) at Biggin Hill, but thats just aviation, it comes with risks.

However, i had it drilled into me never to fly if I felt unhappy about the plane and its mechanical issues - no way would I personally have flown with a prop needing a manual start.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Interesting, thanks. I understand the broom motif now ;)

Didn't know there were any large lakes in Sussex !

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Same here polly, I lost two good friends at the Bowland Forest Gliding club, both flew with me and were intrumental in me going solo in a K13, my first solo with no engine, scary as !! They were killed flying a "powered" sailplane of all things. :@( a very sad time.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

It really doesn't have to be 'that' expensive and once you get your PPL you can rent an air craft for $65 an hour, but you've got to put your own fuel in. A 'good' golf course would probably cost more. I did it in France, so it was considerably cheaper....but...it's FUN...I am more scared of any winter sport than I am of anything avionic!

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Hah. I'd LOVE to pay 65 an hour for a rental!

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Not sure what you'd get for $65 an hour dry here. Local flying club is $135 wet plus tax, which is below cost. Mine cost more then $65 an hour to operate dry with engine reserve, maintenance, hangerage, insurance and SONA.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Zoe, go to Kijiji in Toronto, there is a nice looking Cesna 150 on there for $60 an hour dry and we have seen a couple of 4 place aircraft too for very little more. If you have a problem pm me and I will get my husband on it.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Local flights schools here are about $120/hour wet, there is a flying club with 2 planes and it is slightly cheaper but not $65 if I remember right it's about $80.

It is never cheap but it doesn't always have to be out of people's price range.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Lots of people need to keep their crafts running...get on the phone and discuss this...I'd be highly surprised if you couldn't get this for a reasonable rate. Please do let me know if you have a problem.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

A 150 has a burn rate of about 6.5GPH if I remember correctly. Fuel price before the oil price drop was $2 litre for 100LL and will be again soon. So that would add around $50 and hour for fuel. So you would still be looking at $110 an hour (plus tax from a commercial operator) all in.

A 172 or warrior is around 10gph (can achieve 8 with good leaning practice), so this would cost around $75 for fuel, plus rental cost of $80-90, $155+ per hour wet.

Mind, a 150 is a tight squeeze and somewhat lack lustre performance for cross country with any weight.

Buying block time can bring the cost down a bit.

Either way, it does not take long to rack up a $500 bill with a decent cross country.

Any pilot who wants to keep flying 'cheap', rent, don't buy your own aircraft! I just had a strobe pack up, little flashing light on the wing tip, cost $1500 to finally figure what the problem was.

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Any one on this thread watching "Airshow" Mon nights. It's a great programme IMO. 10:00pm Discovery Channel

Re: BE - Pilots
 

Have you considdered taking up soaring/gliding? No engine to worry about, no noise, and you can do chappelles and eights and lots more....