Training

Flying is an expensive hobby, especially when economic times are tough. Nevertheless, a cash outlay is always necessary to start any new hobby – whether its golf or flying.

Hence, a recent post by Marc Epner, an instrument rated private pilot who earned his rating in 1976 and then had a 25-year hiatus from flying, has written a great post for Jetwhine that is well worth reading by any potential pilot who might be worried about costs. Marc began by noting that old song “How Much is That Doggie in the Window?” and how that song is akin to the cost question that many pilots hear when talking with non-flying people. However, he then wrote that:

“How much does it cost to get a pilot’s license?” I always chuckle when I hear that question. It makes me want to answer, “Why, are you going to stop flying after you earn your license?” Of course the better question is, “how much does it cost to fly?”

Whether talking about buying that doggie in the window, or the required investment to start a new hobby (e.g. flying, golf, etc), a cash outlay will be required. But the cost to get started is dwarfed by the ongoing cost. Unlike the business world, where corporations focus on total cost of ownership (TCO), we as individual consumers focus on initial costs only.

Marc then noted that in addition to understanding the total costs, Corporations also seek to understand just how much value is realized from their investment. On the other hand and with individuals, return on investment (ROI) is rarely considered because it’s difficult to put a numerical value on emotional gain.

Nevertheless, Marc noted that there is an old saying that “a mile of highway takes you one mile and a mile of runway takes you anywhere.” Moreover and if cost is an issue, he suggested that you find a flying friend while if its time that is an issue, then you should try to combine flying with your other activities.

At the end of his post, Mark wrote that instead of asking the question of “how much does it cost to fly,” would be pilots should be asking “how much does it cost not to fly?” Or perhaps a better question would be: “What is my ROI after becoming a pilot?”

Chris Findley, a CFI and the founder of myFlightCoach.com, has written a great post for the Let’s Go Flying blog containing several important tips to help you prepare for your first cross country solo. Chris began his post by noting that you will likely be going only 50 nautical miles, but nevertheless, a solo cross county will be a huge step in your flying.  Moreover, you’ll actually be using your plane to go somewhere.

Chris then proceeded to list down his tips for preparing for your first cross country solo:

1. Take your time on your planning. Chris suggested that you begin planning several days out by reviewing your books and navigation notes. He further noted that while GPS and various online tools can be used to help plan the trip, he requires his students to do their first couple of XC plans without them.
2. Be very diligent about examining the weather along your route. Chris stressed the fact that weather is a huge part of the learning process for XCs and he encourage pilots to use all available data for weather.
3. Have a solid diversion plan. Chris mentioned the need to know all of the airports along your route and just what the best alternates are in case you need to make a diversion due to weather or mechanical problems. He also stressed the importance of  being proficient in the basic functions of the GPS but not overly dependent on it until you have mastered the basics of navigation.
4. Know who you will be talking to and when. Chris noted that you should review all of your communication procedures and frequencies. In other words, know who you will talk to first, second and so on plus what to expect.
5. Rehearse your arrival procedures . Chris pointed out that on the day of the flight, be sure to consider which runway will be in use. 
6. Don’t forget the return leg! Chris also mentioned the time he had a student who made an awesome XC plan but he forgot to plan the return leg.  In other words, make sure that you examine the weather at the time of your return and make all the necessary calculations to get yourself home.

At the end of his post, Chris added that you should not forget to have fun as your first cross country should be exciting. He ended with the advice to “plan well, fly well and enjoy the day.”

While cleaning out his home office, one of the bloggers behind the AskaCFI blog stumbled upon an old copy of “Questions from an actual oral exam – Private Pilot.” He then noted that:

I sat in an oral exam for a private pilot checkrider on 11-24-98. The examiner asked the applicant the following questions.  Your questions may be much different.  Be aware that many of the questions asked were a result of the applicant’s answers to the previous questions.

Hence, we will repeat the questions again here and also note that there is a video of an actual pilot oral exam at the end of the original AskaCFI post:

Private Pilot Oral Exam Questions:

[Read more…] about Sample pilot oral exam questions

Getting back into the cockpit after a long flying hiatus can be a little intimidating. Hence, a recent post by Chris Findley on the Let’s Go Flying Blog is well worth reading as he noted that when he works with people who have taken a break from flying, he has found that the longer the break, the more apprehension the person has about recouping their flying knowledge and skills. He then wrote that he knows what he is talking as he was in the same position himself once.

In fact, Chris had a 15 year break from flying. It wasn’t until he received a copy of Plane & Pilot’s Annual Guide to Aviation Careers by mistake before he caught the flying bug again. He then went out and found a great flight school with a patient instructor who helped him get off the ground again.

Hence and from his experience, Chris has the following advice that is well worth noting by anyone thinking of returning to the cockpit:

1.)  You will remember more than you think!

2.)  You’ll fly better than you imagined.

3.)  They’ll be more to learn and more airwork to be done.

4.)  Don’t let the jitters get to you.

5.)  Be patient.

Chris ended his post by mentioning that AOPA’s "Getting Back into Flying" site is an excellent source of information for anyone who is interested in returning to the sky.

Scott Spangler has written an interesting post on JetWhine where he noted a recent NPR story about the dwindling number of student pilots in the USA. Apparently, it is being reported that the FAA’s estimate for this year’s number of student pilot certificates will total less than 60,000 – an all time low. For some perspective: Student certificates peaked at 209,406 in 1968 (around the height of the Vietnam War) and then reached an all-time high of 210,180 in 1979. Since then though, they have been in decline and fell into the five figures in 1994.

Scott noted that he often receives plenty of questions and genuine interest about becoming a pilot from youngsters but their interests is mostly fueled by having played video games and from seeing Red Bull Air Racing. However, the NPR story also profiled a CFI and aspiring professional pilot who is the perfect example of why pilot numbers are in decline:

His loans total nearly $100,000, and to build the experience that will qualify him for a $20,000-a-year right seat in a regional airliner, he’s forced to “flight instruct, tow banners, and haul skydivers.”  Think about the attitude bred by this decades-old system and the declining student and pilot population should surprise no one.

In other words, why would anyone want to become a professional pilot under those conditions? However, Scott noted that the US aviation industry only makes changes when it is forced to but then he suggested that:

A good solution might be the military model, where candidates vie for a coveted seat, knowing they will receive top-notch proficiency-based training designed for the mission they will soon fulfill. Anyone can apply, but only the best will be chosen for the education program that fills a guaranteed professional pilot slot. Because the airlines would have more invested in their pilots, perhaps they wouldn’t treat them like Doritos: Hard financial times? Furlough them! There will always be new suckers who still believe in the happy airline pilot dream.

Hence, we want to know what our readers think – especially any USA based pilots who fly for a living. Would you choose to become a pilot again or choose a different line of work? What do you should be done to reverse the decline in pilot numbers?