Hey Everyone,
I am looking to pursue a potential flying career, but I don't want to make the decision blindly. So first things first, I am going to get my private license so I can make an more informed decision about flying.
I am 24 working full time in Ottawa right by the airport and will be taking the PPL course at OAS.
I plan on starting in the spring/summer and to have saved at least half of the 10-11K, then as I work take that money for the other half.
I'm looking to fly at 1-3 times a week, so I can still have a bit of a life and not lose what I've learned in previous lessons.
Any ideas how long it will take flying once, twice and three times a week?
I'm assuming 65 hours (the avg).
What do you guys recommend for saving? I want to start as soon as possible, but without straining my finances.
Thanks guys,
-MJetR
Private License
Moderators: Sulako, Right Seat Captain, lilfssister, North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia
Don't start until the spring, the weather will be better then. Flying 3 times a week straight through the whole thing it should take you much less that 65 hours with a decent instructor. Flying once a week I would not be surprised if it took longer. Save enough before you start that you can afford to do it all in one shot. Also, ensure that you're not doing so much working and flight training simultaneously that you get fatigued and both start to suffer.
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futboler14
- Rank 3
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:34 pm
- Location: northish
it should take you a little less then 65 if u go hard at it. Flying 3 times a week straight through the whole thing it should take you much less that 65 hours with a decent instructor.
65 ! With a decent instructor it should be closer to 45-50. When I instructed last year (June 06-Aug 07). I had a father and 2 son team come in and ask the same thing you are. They started in Oct 06 and were licensed in April 07; 7 months from start to finish. Granted during the winter, flying slowed considerably due to weather; AND, they switched from a C152 to a C172 about 2/3 of the way in (due to the family buying an older 172 to save cost once they were licensed). They all got their PPL done within 50 hours. The younger brother finished it with 49.5, the older brother with 45.4. The younger brother, did however, do both his RPP and PPL within those hours. The father on the other hand was taught by another instructor other than myself.
Last edited by Grey_Wolf on Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving." -Lao Tzu
Well then I guess I can say flying 2 times a week for 3-4 months starting in May should do it under 55 hours.Grey_Wolf wrote:it should take you a little less then 65 if u go hard at it. Flying 3 times a week straight through the whole thing it should take you much less that 65 hours with a decent instructor.
When I instructed last year (June 06-Aug 07). I had a father and 2 son team come in and ask the same thing you are. They started in Oct 06 and were licensed in April 07; 7 months from start to finish. Granted during the winter, flying slowed considerably due to weather; AND, they switched from a C152 to a C172 about 2/3 of the way in (due to the family buying an older 172 to save cost once they were licensed). They all go the PPL done within 50 hours. The younger brother finished it with 49.5, the older brother with 45.4. The younger brother, did however, do both his RPP and PPL within those hours. The father on the other hand was taught by another instructor other than myself.
As far as savings I'll save as much as I can by then hopfully around 5K (I'm still paying off my student loans and traveling expenses) then pay the rest as I make it during that the training phase.
Sound reasonable?
Starting in May, expecting to have it done in 3-4 months is possible, however, not probable when flying twice a week.
If you start in May, at 2 flights per week, let's say 1.3 hours a piece, for 4 months; that puts you around the 40 hour mark. Just short if all goes well, which we know isn't always par for the course.
The things that will probably stretch that out to 6 months, which is more realistic, is the fact that everyone learns at a different rate. Also, the weather will play a huge factor on your training. There are days were the weather is "flyable" but in a training context, it isn't suitable. Hence, you may not end up flying twice a week. Also, other priorities in your life may empeed your progress. Another is motivation; if you had a enjoybale, profitable, and constructive lesson, your more likely to continue. On the other hand, if you had an "off" day, you may want to cull over the material once again before moving on.
Remember that it's an investment, the more effort you are willing to put in, the more rewards your going to get out of it.
If you start in May, at 2 flights per week, let's say 1.3 hours a piece, for 4 months; that puts you around the 40 hour mark. Just short if all goes well, which we know isn't always par for the course.
The things that will probably stretch that out to 6 months, which is more realistic, is the fact that everyone learns at a different rate. Also, the weather will play a huge factor on your training. There are days were the weather is "flyable" but in a training context, it isn't suitable. Hence, you may not end up flying twice a week. Also, other priorities in your life may empeed your progress. Another is motivation; if you had a enjoybale, profitable, and constructive lesson, your more likely to continue. On the other hand, if you had an "off" day, you may want to cull over the material once again before moving on.
Remember that it's an investment, the more effort you are willing to put in, the more rewards your going to get out of it.
"A good traveller has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving." -Lao Tzu
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futboler14
- Rank 3
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 5:34 pm
- Location: northish
Myself as an example:
Started flying during grade 12 year
First flight was march.2/06 and had my private license on nov.11/06
I went back to school in Jan of this year to get my Aviation Diploma and while going to school I worked on my CPL and finished it on June.4/07.
I've got 2 weeks of school left and my multi ifr rating is just about completed.
My IATRA written test is next month also.
I consider myself very lucky because my parents helped me out A LOT. I dont know if I could have done it without them. I realize that not everybody is as lucky, but if you have the funds (which is 99.9% of the problem) it isn't hard to do.
Hope this helps
Started flying during grade 12 year
First flight was march.2/06 and had my private license on nov.11/06
I went back to school in Jan of this year to get my Aviation Diploma and while going to school I worked on my CPL and finished it on June.4/07.
I've got 2 weeks of school left and my multi ifr rating is just about completed.
My IATRA written test is next month also.
I consider myself very lucky because my parents helped me out A LOT. I dont know if I could have done it without them. I realize that not everybody is as lucky, but if you have the funds (which is 99.9% of the problem) it isn't hard to do.
It took me about 51 hours or so.65 ! With a decent instructor it should be closer to 45-50.
Hope this helps
well im doing my flight training next door to you at the ottawa flying club and yes waiting till summer is a good idea to save some money up first im flying upwards of 10 times a week (weather permitting) and believe you me its dam expensive.
so 2-3 times a week i might bump that up just a tinch or you will be doing it forever because one is definatly not enough a week, and if you do it once a week you might be doing alot of review, and dont forget some of those hours will hafto be cross countries and those usually hafto be very good weather don't waste your time or your money its all moderation, and no matter what your social life will suffer theres alot of self study that has to happen... you gotta want it. the pilots exam and radio exams you hafto know everything or no license for you and going solo is a pain because you need very good weather to go up, but 65 is a bit much with a decent instructor 40ish and you should be good im not sure about those guys over there but the Ottawa flying club people are good.... depends on the instructor and your learning curve
and lastly as for money.... everything i said about flying that much obviously drives up the cost and having to stop flight training cause theres no cash left so really the time it takes you depends on how quickly you can afford it but do not fret i got guys in my course who do basically the course your gonna do and more because of the schooling we hafto do as well, and work full time and are still trucking so the good news is it is do able
so 2-3 times a week i might bump that up just a tinch or you will be doing it forever because one is definatly not enough a week, and if you do it once a week you might be doing alot of review, and dont forget some of those hours will hafto be cross countries and those usually hafto be very good weather don't waste your time or your money its all moderation, and no matter what your social life will suffer theres alot of self study that has to happen... you gotta want it. the pilots exam and radio exams you hafto know everything or no license for you and going solo is a pain because you need very good weather to go up, but 65 is a bit much with a decent instructor 40ish and you should be good im not sure about those guys over there but the Ottawa flying club people are good.... depends on the instructor and your learning curve
and lastly as for money.... everything i said about flying that much obviously drives up the cost and having to stop flight training cause theres no cash left so really the time it takes you depends on how quickly you can afford it but do not fret i got guys in my course who do basically the course your gonna do and more because of the schooling we hafto do as well, and work full time and are still trucking so the good news is it is do able
