Post: #1

Question to all forum members who are owner of a Private Pilot License.

At some point in you life you decided that you want to fly an aircraft. You picked up a training school, paid around 9.000 USD and after a period of time you finished everything.

How then does a typical day in a life of a PPL-holder look like? Let's assume you aren't wealthy and don't own a single engine piston aircraft like a Cessna or something similar.

Other than the clubs aircraft you have no other options to get an aircraft which you could use to gain flight practice respectively fulfill your dream right?
How often do you go on flights per month approximately?

Post: #2

Used to go a lot more before life/work/vicious cycle got in the way. You've (sadly) reminded me that I have to get current again.

Biggest question - what part of the world/country do you live in? This matters heavily in terms of a good answer.

Post: #3

(03-08-2016 04:29 PM)RandomGuy1 Wrote:  Other than the clubs aircraft you have no other options to get an aircraft which you could use to gain flight practice respectively fulfill your dream right?
How often do you go on flights per month approximately?

One option is to buy into an airplane share. With 4 people a plane can become affordable and you each get one weekend a month. Another thing people do is buy a plane and then lease it out to a club.

In terms of how often you get to fly, it depends on how much money you have. A Cessna 162 in my area is about $130/hour wet. So do the math and figure out how many hours you could fly.

Post: #4

I'm a professional airline pilot and ATPL holder, but I've never been into general aviation, so take my answer with a grain of salt. I personally think that getting your PPL is the best way to enjoy flying. Sure, we have fun in the jets, but when you make it a career, there's so many strings attached that come in the way of the pure enjoyment.

With that said, flying is not cheap, even with "just" a PPL. You're asking what a typical day in the life of a PPL holder is, and it's probably very similar to a guy without a PPL, but the money you make in your job will be funneled towards fuel and renting/owning an aircraft. Honestly, if you're asking these questions and you're not wealthy, I would really not suggest buying an aircraft. I have years of experience in aviation, but there is no way in hell I would feel confident buying a plane.

Someone mentioned buying an aircraft and renting it out to a flight school, but maintenance will be extremely expensive as flight schools are notorious for treating their aircraft like shit.

My advice is to take some lessons, find out if you like it, figure out how often you would be able to fly, taking into account the weather in your area, the cost, your prior commitments, etc. and then make your decision.

Post: #5

Keep in mind that spending $9k is just the beginning, if you wish to stay current (not a danger to yourself and anyone flying with you) you will need to fly regularly. The worst thing you can do is get a PPL then fly 2 times per year.

That said, it really is as simple as picking up a training school, doing some theory and passing basic medical exams then off you go flying (you won't have to do the same exams as professional license holders do). Once you have a license you are deemed fit to fly a single piston engine aircraft (you get a so called SEP rating) and it needs to be renewed every 2 years.

Then it's up to you: hire an airplane somewhere and go fly, maybe take some girls/friends/family with you etc (just no commercial operations). And there are always new things you can learn in the future if you fall in love with flying (night rating, instrument rating, a commercial license, ...).

Post: #6

Thanks everyone.

The posts gave me to think about it in general, I of course knew that the whole thing is high-priced but when I only can afford to fly two times a month or so, where's the pleasure than.

For the time being I will strike it from my list till I'm more "wealthy".