Cherry hill handgun permit and notary.

[MLArmory 33]

I used to have a Cherokee140 with a 160 HP overhaul. I stopped flying in 2001. However, my son is going to aviation school to be a pilot...I miss it but it was too expensive once my partner passed away.

 

 

Sorry to here that, about both flying and of course your partner.

 

It's continued to get pricey with Av gas situation.  Improved a bit lately, but way more expensive all around than when I first started.

 

Good luck to your son. Kids have all the fun!

 

 

Been considering going to aviation school.  Does anyone have any input or advice whether I would be able to get a career in this field?  I've heard a lot of negative things about trying to get work as a pilot so it has kind of made me shy away from trying.  Sorry for hijacking your thread.

[Kevin125 4,772]

Its a good career, especially if you love flying. There are places like Embry-Riddle in Fl. Where you are supposed to graduate with a degree plus I think an ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate (license).

 

But it cost a helluvalot.

 

Many people just take lessons locally from zero hrs to Instructor. Takes about 2 years on average if you focus. Then instruct for a while and try to get a job while they work on their ATP.

 

I instructed for about 10 years. Didnt make the leap though sometimes i regret it.

 

I will tell you that people doing this stay poor until they get at least a decent right seat (co pilot) job. Back in the day, friends of mine lived in a tent on a beach up in Mass. While they flew for PBA. They probably made $12,000/yr.

 

Point being its tough in the early stages but if you can swing the poverty thing for a few years, it usually pays off.

 

My first instructor...back in 1986... Was flying right seat in MD11s by the mid 90's. Not sure where he is now.

 

Friend's son got his pilots license locally...went to college....joined the AF and is now left seat in a C17.

 

It can be done but you need to be patient and persistent.

 

Some turbine time helps if you fly civilian. Some people pay their own way thru Flight Safety Intl for a Type Rating. Thats an add on that says you can legally fly a heavy jet.

[Kevin125 4,772]

If you've never flown contact a local flight school and schedule an Intro Ride. You'll spend about an hour with an instructor talking then flying. And if they are cool about it, they will either give you a logbook or you can buy one for a few buck and you can log the time as dual instruction.

 

But I will also say this. If you're youngish. Figure this out now. Don't wait until your 35 to wonder if you should have given it a shot.

[MLArmory 33]

Thank you for the info it is much appreciated

[1LtCAP 4,262]

If you've never flown contact a local flight school and schedule an Intro Ride. You'll spend about an hour with an instructor talking then flying. And if they are cool about it, they will either give you a logbook or you can buy one for a few buck and you can log the time as dual instruction.

 

But I will also say this. If you're youngish. Figure this out now. Don't wait until your 35 to wonder if you should have given it a shot.

i was 38 when i took my first flying lesson. it's never too late.

 

 and if you haven't flown before.......be prepared for a new addiction. it is the best money i've ever spent, learnign to fly, and renting the aircraft.

[Kevin125 4,772]

I agree with LtCAP.  I am simply talking about timing for a career in commercial aviation.  The clock expires on your 65th birthday in terms of flying for airlines under FAR Part 121.  It's still 60th b-day for charters.  As the clock ticks, the return  on their investment lessens.  So it;s hard to get hired as an airline pilot if you're approaching 40.

 

But... in terms of just flying...  Age doesn't matter so much.

 

One thing I'd suggest is go get a 2nd class aviation medical.  You can check the Somerset Airport website for Dr. Lorne Sheren's examination dates and cost.  Reason is to make sure there are no issues that might prevent you from getting a pilot's license.  You can Google FARs and Medical certificate if you want to know more.

[MLArmory 33]

I'm interested in pursuing it as a career first, and as a hobby second.  What I mean is if it is almost impossible to get a job doing it, it just wouldn't be a priority as of now to pursue just as a hobby, due to how expensive it is of course.  I've talked to a few different people about it and have gotten answers as ranged as, "You can definitely get a job if you are persistent enough in doing so" and "Odds are you will not be able to find employment in this field".  Thanks again for the insight I like to scope things out as much as possible before jumping in.

[Kevin125 4,772]

If you want a job, and you are a capable pilot, you will get a job flying.  You just have to be ok with working your way up.  Most commercial pilots were not military btw.  So nothing wrong with the civilian path.  In case you were wondering.

 

Very welcome.  Go take an intro ride.  Used to be $20 for an hour with an instructor ...combination of ground and flight.  Probably $50 these days.  Idea is to let you see what it's like before you start to sink money into it.

[mikelets456 78]

Been considering going to aviation school.  Does anyone have any input or advice whether I would be able to get a career in this field?  I've heard a lot of negative things about trying to get work as a pilot so it has kind of made me shy away from trying.  Sorry for hijacking your thread.

My cousin is an aviation lawyer and said in 3-5 years there will be an extreme shortage of pilots.He said if I asked him 5 years ago he would have told my son to pick another field. However, it ain't cheap to become a pilot---many airlines want the full college degree with aviation school attached to the stigma. $50K to $75K per year! 

[1LtCAP 4,262]

If you want a job, and you are a capable pilot, you will get a job flying.  You just have to be ok with working your way up.  Most commercial pilots were not military btw.  So nothing wrong with the civilian path.  In case you were wondering.

 

Very welcome.  Go take an intro ride.  Used to be $20 for an hour with an instructor ...combination of ground and flight.  Probably $50 these days.  Idea is to let you see what it's like before you start to sink money into it.

bear in mind, when kevin says "be willing to work your way up", you're probably not even gonna start at a major airline. you'll probably start at a charter or regional airline driving puddle jumpers, working the worst shifts for shitty pay. but it'll all be worth it in the long run though. do it. i wish i had when i was young enough.

[mikelets456 78]

If you want a job, and you are a capable pilot, you will get a job flying.  You just have to be ok with working your way up.  Most commercial pilots were not military btw.  So nothing wrong with the civilian path.  In case you were wondering.

 

Very welcome.  Go take an intro ride.  Used to be $20 for an hour with an instructor ...combination of ground and flight.  Probably $50 these days.  Idea is to let you see what it's like before you start to sink money into it.

When I learned to fly in the late 1990's is was $65-$105 (depending on plane type) an hour which included the plane, fuel and instructor.

[1LtCAP 4,262]

When I learned to fly in the late 1990's is was $65-$105 (depending on plane type) an hour which included the plane, fuel and instructor.

2000 for me. cessna 172 was 80 bucks an hour, instructor 30/hr. club i fly with cessna 172 is 134/hour now.

[Kevin125 4,772]

2000 for me. cessna 172 was 80 bucks an hour, instructor 30/hr. club i fly with cessna 172 is 134/hour now.

I started in 1986.  A C150 was $28/hr and the instructor was $12 for primary instruction.  I think I ended up with 67 hours total time when I took my Private Pilot check ride with Stormin' Norman.

[1LtCAP 4,262]

I started in 1986.  A C150 was $28/hr and the instructor was $12 for primary instruction.  I think I ended up with 67 hours total time when I took my Private Pilot check ride with Stormin' Norman.

shit....i can't remember who gave me my checkride. i do remember worrying myself into a massive headache over it though

 

now ima gonna hafta go through my logbook, lolol

[Kevin125 4,772]

shit....i can't remember who gave me my checkride. i do remember worrying myself into a massive headache over it though

 

Haha.   Yeah, check ride day was stressful.  Plus, if it was done on a weekend, you had everyone you knew at the airport sitting outside watching you.  The embarrassment of failing the ride would make you consider ditching the plane in the ocean and swimming home.  

 

Norm Johnson was not easily forgotten.  Nicest guy you'd ever want to meet.  He was up there in years when I flew with him, but you could tell he knew it all cold and flew like he was born to it.  Did my private and instrument with him.  The rest of it was with another DE and with the FAA in Allentown.  Funny thing was, the easiest rides were the CFI and CFII rides at Allentown.

[mikelets456 78]

2000 for me. cessna 172 was 80 bucks an hour, instructor 30/hr. club i fly with cessna 172 is 134/hour now.

 

I learned in a Cessna 152...it was cheap and easy to fly. Moved onto a 172 when I started with my IFR then continued in a Cherokee 140. Even though it was slower than the 172 I found it easier to fly and check list required less climbing. 

 

@1LTcap,

 

regarding the check ride---I took mine literally a week after John Kennedy died in the plane crash. The FAA teacher said he was going to be extra hard on me because he knew I had kids, a wife and liked to fly at night. It was no problem at all and maybe he just said that but I did pull off my best ever landing---I didn't even know that both wheels fully "touched" until a split second after.

[MLArmory 33]

My cousin is an aviation lawyer and said in 3-5 years there will be an extreme shortage of pilots.He said if I asked him 5 years ago he would have told my son to pick another field. However, it ain't cheap to become a pilot---many airlines want the full college degree with aviation school attached to the stigma. $50K to $75K per year! 

 

I have the bachelors degree in something unrelated to aviation.  What did you mean by aviation school?  Like go back to college for an aviation related degree, or just go to a flight school?

[10X 3,296]

Been considering going to aviation school.  Does anyone have any input or advice whether I would be able to get a career in this field?  I've heard a lot of negative things about trying to get work as a pilot so it has kind of made me shy away from trying.  Sorry for hijacking your thread.

 

Lotta pilots on this board!  I'm a PP-ASEL since 2005.   I think you're getting some good advice about the pitfalls.   As a career path, it certainly is a way to spend a great deal of money in return for earning a very small return, at least for a time.  And as some have noted, if you really love aviation, that may not matter.

 

In addition to what you are learning here, I'd get active on a couple of pilot bulletin boards, especially those that focus on commercial pilots.   You'll get a lot more feedback there, from those in the field.  

 

As for initial training, you can save some money if you find a non-profit flying club near you that accepts student pilots.   That's how I got started; unfortunately my club is short an instructor at the moment, so for now we are only accepting certificated pilots.