any pilots here?

[jkcerda]

considering taking lessons, I want helicopter but that is out of the question at the moment, thinking of getting fixed wing if the demo ride goes well, there IS a difference between flying in a 747 and being all the way in the front in a little plane so I hope it works out.
anyways looking for ways to learn online FIRST so I can head to class better prepared.
any input will be appreciated.
forever yours, Midge.

 

[quagmire]

A flight sim (X-Plane/P3D) along with PilotEdge (ATC service) will help tremendously in getting radio comms and interacting in the national airspace system down a lot easier (and cheaper!). PilotEdge has training programs for VFR and IFR flying and it is done in around the LA area which has complex airspace to deal with which is good for getting it down.

 

[jkcerda]

Homepage - PilotEdge.net

PilotEdge: professional air traffic control for flight simulators. See other aircraft, and hear other pilots on the radio. Put on your headset, dial up ground, and call for taxi. It's that easy.

www.pilotedge.net

X-Plane 11 vs FSX vs P3D: Which is Better & Why

Perhaps before we attempt to answer the above question, we should point out that whatever Flight Simulation program you opt for – and many simulation pilots have both – each are sound platforms from which to tour the virtual skies. And each has its pros and cons.

flyawaysimulation.com

these?

 

[Scepticalscribe]

considering taking lessons, I want helicopter but that is out of the question at the moment, thinking of getting fixed wing if the demo ride goes well, there IS a difference between flying in a 747 and being all the way in the front in a little plane so I hope it works out.
anyways looking for ways to learn online FIRST so I can head to class better prepared.
any input will be appreciated.
forever yours, Midge.

Terrific idea, and the best of luck with it.

I believe that @Huntn has also worked as a pilot, and may also have some useful suggestions for you.

 

[quagmire]

Homepage - PilotEdge.net

PilotEdge: professional air traffic control for flight simulators. See other aircraft, and hear other pilots on the radio. Put on your headset, dial up ground, and call for taxi. It's that easy.

www.pilotedge.net

X-Plane 11 vs FSX vs P3D: Which is Better & Why

Perhaps before we attempt to answer the above question, we should point out that whatever Flight Simulation program you opt for – and many simulation pilots have both – each are sound platforms from which to tour the virtual skies. And each has its pros and cons.

flyawaysimulation.com

these?

Yes. Just wouldn't do FSX. Either X-Plane or P3D.

With PilotEdge, don't expect hand holding from the controllers. If you make a mistake, they will treat it like a real controller would. Now if they have time, they may try to quickly explain what you should have done, but it won't be a training session sort of speak. You go through the ratings on the website, see what each task will have you do, prepare for it, then go fly it in the sim on PE.

 

[decafjava]

Wow, I didn't know there was realistic ATC with human interaction available for flight sim. I have X-plane 11 which is great (not a pilot nor will I likely ever be) but the built-in ATC is lacking to put it kindly. Properly used flight sims like X-plane and P3D like @quagmire suggest are great tools.

 

[Huntn]

A flight sim( X-Plane/P3D) along with PilotEdge( ATC service) will help tremendously in getting radio comms and interacting in the national airspace system down a lot easier( and cheaper!). PilotEdge has training programs for VFR and IFR flying and it is done in around the LA area which has complex airspace to deal with which is good for getting it down.

Great suggestion! P.C. simulations are pretty impressive, although vastly more simplistic systems wise as compared to actual aircraft, at least from the last time I flew X-Plane (10 years ago+).

For @jkcerda, I’ll ask, why helo and not fixed wing, a job or pleasure?

Aviation is not an inexpensive hobby by any means. Professionally, for helo flying, there are limited jobs as compared to fixed wing, and most of those jobs are taken by former military pilots with 10000 hrs, at least that is my impression. For pleasure, just expensive, my impression more expensive than fixed wing.

For commercial fixed wing flying, taking the civilian route, it’s along hard, expensive slog, even just getting your private pilot is exponentially more expense than it was 50 years ago. I was lucky enough to have the military pay for my flight training for a 4* year commitment.

* longer now.


I’m not trying to deter you, but offer some perspective. It’s doable if you want it bad enough and can afford the price tag.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Great suggestion! P.C. simulations are pretty impressive, although vastly more simplistic systems wise as compared to actual aircraft, at least from the last time I flew X-Plane (10 years ago+).

For @jkcerda, I’ll ask, why helo and not fixed wing, a job or pleasure?

Aviation is not an inexpensive hobby by any means. Professionally, for helo flying, there are limited jobs as compared to fixed wing, and most of those jobs are taken by former military pilots with 10000 hrs, at least that is my impression. For pleasure, just expensive, my impression more expensive than fixed wing.

For commercial fixed wing flying, taking the civilian route, it’s along hard, expensive slog, even just getting your private pilot is exponentially more expense than it was 50 years ago. I was lucky enough to have the military pay for my flight training for a 4* year commitment.

* longer now.

I’m not trying to deter you, but offer some perspective. It’s doable if you want it bad enough.

From what I could gather, reading his post, @jkcerda has actually (for now, at least) chosen fixed wing rather than helicopter training.

 

[Huntn]

From what I could gather, reading his post, @jkcerda has actually (for now, at least) chosen fixed wing rather than helicopter training.

My comments were based on his comment, helo out of the question for the moment, as if he was still wanting it, for perspective purposes.

 

[jkcerda]

Great suggestion! P.C. simulations are pretty impressive, although vastly more simplistic systems wise as compared to actual aircraft, at least from the last time I flew X-Plane (10 years ago+).

For @jkcerda, I’ll ask, why helo and not fixed wing, a job or pleasure?

Aviation is not an inexpensive hobby by any means. Professionally, for helo flying, there are limited jobs as compared to fixed wing, and most of those jobs are taken by former military pilots with 10000 hrs, at least that is my impression. For pleasure, just expensive, my impression more expensive than fixed wing.

For commercial fixed wing flying, taking the civilian route, it’s along hard, expensive slog, even just getting your private pilot is exponentially more expense than it was 50 years ago. I was lucky enough to have the military pay for my flight training for a 4* year commitment.

* longer now.


I’m not trying to deter you, but offer some perspective. It’s doable if you want it bad enough and can afford the price tag.

Pleasure, I like Helo an being able to land anywhere. and I am learning about the significant price differences, even training wise fixed is about 8k vs 12-16 k helo.

 

[quagmire]

Great suggestion! P.C. simulations are pretty impressive, although vastly more simplistic systems wise as compared to actual aircraft, at least from the last time I flew X-Plane (10 years ago+).

Aircraft add ons have gotten more complex and closer to the real thing. X-Plane has reality expansion packs and P3D has A2A which will let him practice the basics of systems management. But where the sims will really help him save money in training, doesn't really need a complex simulated plane (but it helps with fidelity, don't get me wrong) which is what PilotEdge will provide which is radio comms and procedures.

Sims are not going to be good for stick and rudder skill development. But rock for learning procedures.

 

[Richdmoore]

considering taking lessons, I want helicopter but that is out of the question at the moment, thinking of getting fixed wing if the demo ride goes well, there IS a difference between flying in a 747 and being all the way in the front in a little plane so I hope it works out.
anyways looking for ways to learn online FIRST so I can head to class better prepared.
any input will be appreciated.
forever yours, Midge.

Be cautious of learning bad habits from a sim (looking at the instruments vs looking outside for example.)

if you want to get a leg up, I would start with reading some of the free faa flight training publications. (Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything.

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/media/pilot_handbook.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/media/airplane_flying_handbook.pdf

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_00-6B.pdf

I also wouldn’t apply for a medical certificate/student pilot certificate yet, but if you have anything that may be an issue, doing some research might be a good idea before you invest lots of money in flight training. (The good thing is most issues can be mitigated, but may take gathering some documentation/research beforehand.).

 

[JamesMike]

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a good way to test your flying potential on a wide variety of aircraft.

 

[SinbadtheSailor]

Reiterating that beginning on a PC flight sim is a bad idea. Everyone learns to fly visually first rather than on instruments, the sim will create a bad habit of relying on the instruments which your instructor will have to correct.

Do a couple of trial flights first before you spend any significant amount of money, some people just don’t like it. You’ll start in something small like a cessna 152/172 or a small piper. It’s a different experience to flying in an airliner.

If you intend to fly professionally, you’ll need the appropriate medical certification depending on you country. Get that done before you spend any significant money on training.

If you get bitten by the flying bug you’ll end you spending lots of money, nothing in aviation is cheap, especially rotary wing. Best way is to get someone to pay you to fly, but it is a lot of time, effort and dedication to get to that point (and money for civilian).

Good luck and I’ll answer any questions you post.

 

[Glideslope]

considering taking lessons, I want helicopter but that is out of the question at the moment, thinking of getting fixed wing if the demo ride goes well, there IS a difference between flying in a 747 and being all the way in the front in a little plane so I hope it works out.
anyways looking for ways to learn online FIRST so I can head to class better prepared.
any input will be appreciated.
forever yours, Midge.

Do some research from the links others have provided in this thread. Go for a few rides in a single engine with an instructor and see how it "feels" to you. As Huntin pointed out going the Civilian Route is extremely expensive these days.

I'm having trouble differentiating as to wether you're interested in a career as an ATP or a recreational pilot? How old are you? What is the end goal here? If it's a recreational pilot then I'd suggest getting your Private VFR License and Time Share on an aircraft with a group of others unless you are financially well off. The military is the best training in the world hands down for a career if you're a youngster.

As for the suggestions for using Sims I agree with both arguments presented in this thread. My choice to use a sim would be P3D. However, a Sim is a Sim. It can only help you to a point. There is no substitute for actual stick and rudder time.

Spend the dollars and go up with an instructor a half dozen times or so in a single engine. Pay attention to "how it feels" to you. If after you're done you can't sleep at night being filled with excitement over going up again then it might be worth the investment.

Just remember, if you're looking to make a career out of this forget having a valued personal life, lean to enjoy living out of your overnight bag and commuting from home to a base if you're lucky. Otherwise you'll be hopping jump rides across the country to work.

The days of when people like Huntin and I left the AF no longer exist IMO. After I was discharged I went into consulting for all of the reasons I listed above, as well as having a medical. You could PM him as he was a line pilot with a major for many years.

Best of luck.

 

[HDFan]

You might want to check out the Mentor Aviation app. Videos on how to setup and fly the 737ng.

 

[Huntn]

Do some research from the links others have provided in this thread. Go for a few rides in a single engine with an instructor and see how it "feels" to you. As Huntin pointed out going the Civilian Route is extremely expensive these days.

I'm having trouble differentiating as to wether you're interested in a career as an ATP or a recreational pilot? How old are you? What is the end goal here? If it's a recreational pilot then I'd suggest getting your Private VFR License and Time Share on an aircraft with a group of others unless you are financially well off. The military is the best training in the world hands down for a career if you're a youngster.

As for the suggestions for using Sims I agree with both arguments presented in this thread. My choice to use a sim would be P3D. However, a Sim is a Sim. It can only help you to a point. There is no substitute for actual stick and rudder time.

Spend the dollars and go up with an instructor a half dozen times or so in a single engine. Pay attention to "how it feels" to you. If after you're done you can't sleep at night being filled with excitement over going up again then it might be worth the investment.

Just remember, if you're looking to make a career out of this forget having a valued personal life, lean to enjoy living out of your overnight bag and commuting from home to a base if you're lucky. Otherwise you'll be hopping jump rides across the country to work.

The days of when people like Huntin and I left the AF no longer exist IMO. After I was discharged I went into consulting for all of the reasons I listed above, as well as having a medical. You could PM him as he was a line pilot with a major for many years.

Best of luck.

I think he’s looking at pleasure flying.

As far as the military, I am definitely out of touch. I have no idea how many people are recruited each year into military aviation, and the obligation more than doubled from 4 years when I joined the USN to 10 years for the USAF. Airlines did not used to hire you if you were over 30, now they do.

One thing I do know or did know, is that you could walk out of a military flying slot right into a major airline, but going the civilian route, you’d have to work your way up though commuter pilot ranks and might not ever get to the majors. On the other hand, I knew several military pilots who could not get though the screening process for whatever the reason.

At Northwest Airlines screening involved a 2 stage, 2 day process of intelligence, psychological testing, the MMPI (personality testing), interviews, and a ride in a simulator. I remember the instructor walked into the briefing room (for the sim), threw down a diagram, said this is the flight profile, memorize it, then walked out giving us a couple minutes to study it, then took us into a 747 simulator to see if we could fly it. I had been flying an airplane that weighed 1/10 as much, but a simulator is a simulator.

 

[jkcerda]

Do some research from the links others have provided in this thread. Go for a few rides in a single engine with an instructor and see how it "feels" to you. As Huntin pointed out going the Civilian Route is extremely expensive these days.

I'm having trouble differentiating as to wether you're interested in a career as an ATP or a recreational pilot? How old are you? What is the end goal here? If it's a recreational pilot then I'd suggest getting your Private VFR License and Time Share on an aircraft with a group of others unless you are financially well off. The military is the best training in the world hands down for a career if you're a youngster.

As for the suggestions for using Sims I agree with both arguments presented in this thread. My choice to use a sim would be P3D. However, a Sim is a Sim. It can only help you to a point. There is no substitute for actual stick and rudder time.

Spend the dollars and go up with an instructor a half dozen times or so in a single engine. Pay attention to "how it feels" to you. If after you're done you can't sleep at night being filled with excitement over going up again then it might be worth the investment.

Just remember, if you're looking to make a career out of this forget having a valued personal life, lean to enjoy living out of your overnight bag and commuting from home to a base if you're lucky. Otherwise you'll be hopping jump rides across the country to work.

The days of when people like Huntin and I left the AF no longer exist IMO. After I was discharged I went into consulting for all of the reasons I listed above, as well as having a medical. You could PM him as he was a line pilot with a major for many years.

Best of luck.

prices I am seeing is 5-7k. provided you pass everything the first go , if you need more time in the air it's about 124 if alone or 212 with instructor

Pricing

California Aviation Services flight school prices

caaviationservices.com

I am 48 physically & about 12 mentally
this is just for fun, not looking to make a career out of it , and yes I will take a few demo flights to make sure it is for me.

 

[Richdmoore]

prices I am seeing is 5-7k. provided you pass everything the first go , if you need more time in the air it's about 124 if alone or 212 with instructor

Pricing

California Aviation Services flight school prices

caaviationservices.com

I am 48 physically & about 12 mentally
this is just for fun, not looking to make a career out of it , and yes I will take a few demo flights to make sure it is for me.

i thought of one other piece of advice. Be hesitant to put a huge block of money down for the whole course at once, there has been some bankruptcy’s in the past at other flight schools that have resulted in student’s money disappearing. You may get a discount by putting some flight training money up front, but be cautious in any case and consider the risks vs benefits.

With the airlines hurting for pilots, right now there is a lot of turnover of instructors as well, so a larger school may be an advantage as they can more easily shift you around to another instructor if required. (Either way, be sure they are using some sort of formal syllabus to more easily transfer students between instructors if needed.)

 

[jkcerda]

i thought of one other piece of advice. Be hesitant to put a huge block of money down for the whole course at once, there has been some bankruptcy’s in the past at other flight schools that have resulted in student’s money disappearing. You may get a discount by putting some flight training money up front, but be cautious in any case and consider the risks vs benefits.

With the airlines hurting for pilots, right now there is a lot of turnover of instructors as well, so a larger school may be an advantage as they can more easily shift you around to another instructor if required. (Either way, be sure they are using some sort of formal syllabus to more easily transfer students between instructors if needed.)

I know they push you to the loan area to secure the funding and make sure you stay with them, I am planning on a pay as you go program to keep it safe.

 

[Glideslope]

prices I am seeing is 5-7k. provided you pass everything the first go , if you need more time in the air it's about 124 if alone or 212 with instructor

Pricing

California Aviation Services flight school prices

caaviationservices.com

I am 48 physically & about 12 mentally
this is just for fun, not looking to make a career out of it , and yes I will take a few demo flights to make sure it is for me.

I see. Well, good luck if you decide to go through with it. As others have noted, be very wary of the up front costs. Not all Flight Schools are created equal. Do research on them, and talk to current and former students.

 

[decafjava]

I am 48 physically & about 12 mentally
this is just for fun, not looking to make a career out of it , and yes I will take a few demo flights to make sure it is for me.

Funny I am a bit older 53 but also about 12 mentally. Seriously I wonder about age limits for flight lessons? Pretty sure they are more restrictive for commercial pilots than private.

I'd consider it if it wasn't so damn expensive in Switzerland.

 

[Huntn]

prices I am seeing is 5-7k. provided you pass everything the first go , if you need more time in the air it's about 124 if alone or 212 with instructor

Pricing

California Aviation Services flight school prices

caaviationservices.com

I am 48 physically & about 12 mentally
this is just for fun, not looking to make a career out of it , and yes I will take a few demo flights to make sure it is for me.

You used to be able to get a private pilots license for $3500, 50 years ago. I wonder what the equivalent $ would be today?
[automerge]1582814825[/automerge]

Funny I am a bit older 53 but also about 12 mentally. Seriously I wonder about age limits for flight lessons? Pretty sure they are more restrictive for commercial pilots than private.

I'd consider it if it wasn't so damn expensive in Switzerland.

In the US:

• Glider/balloon pilot: 14 years old
• Private Pilot: 16
• Commercial: 18, read, speak, write English.
• ATP: 23 (Airline Transport), not sure if this was always the age. At Nothwest Airlines, I remember talking to guys who were hired in the 70s and had to wait to get their ATPs.

 

[jkcerda]

I have my demo flight tomorrow

 

[Weaselboy]

I have my demo flight tomorrow

Good luck! Be sure and let us know how it goes.