[Talk] Re: Aviation

[Carl C.]

> From: "Javier Lombillo" <javier@asymptotic.org>
> 
> On 5/14/07, Danny Rathjens <dannyr@wirespring.com> wrote:
> 
>> I've thought about doing that but I am the king of procrastination.
>> But I thought it required a lot more than 6 hours to get a certificate.
>> Oh, you are saying how many hours into the certification process you are
>> so far?  How much of the training/certification do you do on simulators?
> 
> Depending on your certification path (FAR part 61 or 141), you need a
> minimum of 40 or 35 hours of flight before you can take the FAA
> practical test for the private pilot cert.  Most of that time is spent
> in dual flight, with your instructor in the right seat; once you've
> reached a subjective level of competence (essentially, when both you
> and your instructor feel you are ready), you begin flying solo.

Then you do your cross countries. You will have to do 3 of them, ranging
in distance. Your flight instructor will approve the flight plan before
you  file it with the FAA. After that, you will take a test with a FAA
inspector or someone that's qualified as an inspector. They will run you
though all the procedures, including filing an "in-air" flight plan with
the FAA. If you pass, you get your certification. Don't plan on the 40
hours, thats the minimum per the rules. Unless you have hours beforehand
of a head start, your looking at 60+ to get it right.

My father was head of the FAA SWAP team in Miami back in the early 70s.
SWAP was "System's Worthiness Analysis Program" that checked on whether
a pilot is mentally fit to pilot an aircraft. I had a little of a head
start because of this.

>>From what I understand there's very little simulator time, if any, in
> getting your private pilot ticket.  Once you have that, though, the
> simulator becomes a viable training option, especially for an
> instrument rating.  Obviously simulator time is much cheaper than
> renting an airplane, though never as fun. :)
> 
> Anyway, I highly recommend you take what they call an introduction
> flight.  Find a general aviation airport near you and then find a
> flight school that flies out of it.  Give them a call and set up an
> appointment "to see what it's all about".  You'll sit in the left seat
> of a small plane and get to take-off, fly to some scenic sites, and
> then, if the winds are kind, you'll land the plane.

or go for a ride with someone that's licensed for "Single Engine Land".
This is much cheaper because instead of paying for the plane rental and
instructor, you can split the bill with the pilot (those are the rules
in the FARs).

I got my license back in 1985. My dad picked the school, but this was
akin to letting Dale Earnhart picking the school for Jr. . They were
anything but easy on me, because they knew that after I got my
certificate, my Dad was going to be the final check out ride (not for my
license, but if he saw that I did not get trained properly, there was
going to be H*LL to pay). I trained at Kendall Flying in Miami (Tamiami)
under Mary Gaffaney (70s World Champion aerobatic pilot).

As to schools, I can recommend two if they are still around. In Miami,
at Tamiami Airport, Kendall Flying school was were I was trained. I
don't know if they are still around. Here in Broward, at North Perry
Airport [Hollywood], I recommend Savco air [again, if they are still
around]. It's been years since I was current, and when I got into
racing, flying took a back seat.

Carl