Want to start...

[somorris]

I wouldn't bet on that weight increase coming soon, but that doesn't mean that Sport Pilot isn't a decent option if there are Light Sport Aircraft available in your area. They are capable airplanes, and with a SP license you can carry one passenger during daylight VFR conditions anywhere in the US and the Bahamas. PLUS, the training isn't wasted as you can count your SP training toward your Private license if you later decide to upgrade.

Many people start training for their Private ticket but never finish. If you do your training in an LSA, you can take a checkride part way through and at least lock in a SP license even if you never finish the Private.

I wouldn't bet on it either, but about the time I think it is a lost cause, I read an article saying the FAA is still working on it. Maybe one of these days! I am flying on BasicMed now, but it would be even nicer to just use my driver's license.

 

[Sam Gordon]

I'm still pushing forward. I talked to one CFI yesterday and meeting another today. When I emailed everyone, I said we can chat via phone, zoom, email in person. The one today said we could meet at the airport... what aviation buff turns down a trip to the airport? lol

You guys are definitely helping.

 

[Nub_Pilot]

I was in a similar boat with having some underlying conditions. based on the recommendations of multiple people here, I had a phone consultation with a local AME and they advised me to not pursue the medical due to good chance of being denied. I thanked him for his time and have gone down the Sport Pilot route with both feet, full speed ahead. I jumped in so much that I ended up buying an LSA for my training and also am in a leaseback to a flight school as this is the only LSA available throughout the whole state.

Plus, ultimately this fits my mission the best in the end even though there are many non-las planes I would love to fly and experience.

No regrets for this old guy.

 

[Zeek]

Nub Pilot, very cool. Not to get too far off topic, but what did you end up getting?

 

[Nub_Pilot]

I bought a used Pipistrel Alpha Trainer with about 800hrs on it.

 

[Mason]

You are not too old.

 

[Sam Gordon]

I thought about starting a new thread, but I figured I'd continue my questions here...

First, I have a consultation with an AME for next week.
My wife and I are meeting with a bank loan officer tomorrow to (probably) get a loan to consolidate some bills and get money to pay for all of my PPL training.
I have talked with a couple of CFIs, and am also trying to talk to some flight schools, which bring me to my question...

One of the flight schools uses DA20s and DA40s for training. I know in the end, it doesn't matter (does it?), but I just have this image of training in a C172. The fact this school uses DA's instead of Cessna's really shouldn't factor into it, so why does it?

This is getting closer to becoming a reality which is exciting and scary at the same time.

 

[Juliet Hotel]

First, I have a consultation with an AME for next week.

Excellent.

My wife and I are meeting with a bank loan officer tomorrow to (probably) get a loan to consolidate some bills and get money to pay for all of my PPL training.

Also excellent IMO. I will fore warn you that there are those on this board who seem to take great pleasure in talking down to those who borrow money for anything that involves pleasure or recreation. I know enough not to argue with them.

But I also know that if I had never taken out a loan to get my private certificate done, I would have never gotten a private certificate. Period end of story. And the private certificate lead to an instrument certificate and a commercial certificate. Which in turn lead to my time as professional pilot which in turn lead to the career I'm in now. So I have absolutely no regrets about choosing to pay some schlub a little bit of interest in the course of obtaining my pilot certificates but there are those who would say I'm an idiot because of it and they're probably correct.

One of the flight schools uses DA20s and DA40s for training. I know in the end, it doesn't matter (does it?), but I just have this image of training in a C172. The fact this school uses DA's instead of Cessna's really shouldn't factor into it, so why does it?

You are correct, the fact you're considering training in DA20's and DA40's shouldn't factor into it. The only reason it does is because of you and your predisposed notion that one needs to fly a 172 to learn to fly.

But fear not. One of the few things I guarantee is that the 172 is so prevalent in the GA fleet that regardless of what airplane you do your primary training in, you will still get more than enough time in 172's to realize you hate them and never want to fly in them again. Trust me on this.

Economics and the fact that I don't know anyone locally to partner with have kept me from actively flying for the last few years. There are several local options available to get myself back into the air and current again that I could well afford. But they're all 172's. I've got zero interest in spending the dollars required to get myself back into the air if it involves a 1960's or 1970's 172. If I had a DA40 available locally for about the same price? I'd be current and active right now.

But that's just my biased perspective. The bottom line is this. Do your training in whatever airplane is locally available and affordable. The rest will come later.

 

[Sam Gordon]

Also excellent IMO. I will fore warn you that there are those on this board who seem to take great pleasure in talking down to those who borrow money for anything that involves pleasure or recreation. I know enough not to argue with them.

But I also know that if I had never taken out a loan to get my private certificate done, I would have never gotten a private certificate. Period end of story. And the private certificate lead to an instrument certificate and a commercial certificate. Which in turn lead to my time as professional pilot which in turn lead to the career I'm in now. So I have absolutely no regrets about choosing to pay some schlub a little bit of interest in the course of obtaining my pilot certificates but there are those who would say I'm an idiot because of it and they're probably correct.

I can't really argue with them. That would be my preference. But I'm going to be like you, if I don't get a loan, I might as well not start. There's ALWAYS going to be something needed that would take money away from lessons. And, currently rates are fairly low, so it makes sense (if you're going to do a loan) to try now than to wait and rates go higher.

 

[Ryan F.]

Hi Sam,

It's a "life event," that is, becoming a pilot. I can't think of a single pilot who ever said "Wish I hadn't done that."

When you look back on your life some day in the distant future, you'll remember this decision and be thankful you introduced this special element into your life.

GA is always looking for more pilots. We sure do need you.

It'll be a challenge. Enjoy it!

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

I can't really argue with them. That would be my preference. But I'm going to be like you, if I don't get a loan, I might as well not start. There's ALWAYS going to be something needed that would take money away from lessons. And, currently rates are fairly low, so it makes sense (if you're going to do a loan) to try now than to wait and rates go higher.

Sam, I must confess I am in the “never borrow money except for a house or education” camp. JH’s loan at least ended up being a money maker in the end.

Be that as it may, how about taking some smaller steps at a time rather than borrowing a ton up front?

As others have suggested, maybe take the discovery flight first and see how you like it? You can log that time.

Another alternative to consider when starting with limited time and money would be a glider club. Is there one in your area? Learning to fly gliders is a great way to start in any case as it really teaches the fundamentals of flight. The time you put in can ultimately be applied to a powered airplane rating.

You can solo more quickly in a glider and even at a commercial operation a private certificate may only cost $5k. At a club, it will go more slowly and you will put in more sweat equity, but the cost will be a lot lower and will come in smaller affordable chunks.

Just another idea I thought I would throw out there. The Soaring Society of America, http://ssa.org , has a lot of good information on getting started.

I will post one of my favorite soaring videos which shows how elegant this kind of flying can be -

Also, have you looked for and joined a local EAA chapter? They often will have monthly meetings that you can attend and talk with local pilots. A lot of them will likely be happy to help a student get started.

 

[Sam Gordon]

What is EAA?

As far as the loan, we're doing as part of a debt consolidation, and the interest we're saving on that debt will actually help with the flying. I did go to the SSA website and there is literally nothing listed in my entire state.

ETA: The loan would be for "education"... flying lessons.

 

[PeterNSteinmetz]

Experimental Aircraft Association http://eaa.org.

I see you are somewhere near Lexington. Looks like the closest soaring club would be up in Seymour, IN. Likely a 1.5 - 2 hour drive. Usually you would spend most of a day up there on the weekends, helping out and then perhaps getting in some flights. It is a more social and slower and much cheaper way to learn to fly. http://soarky.org/

Given the weather in that part of the world I imagine you would be looking at 1-2 seasons to get your private.

I learned to fly gliders at a commercial operation about a 45 min drive from my house. I now also belong to a club about a 1.5 hour drive away. Typically I will drive up Friday night and then spent Saturday and perhaps some of Sunday up there. I camp on the field for free and cook in the clubhouse. It is a pleasant time.

I think what my grandfather meant by that saying was education to improve one's professional credentials. Are you thinking of making a career of it?

 

[odie451]

Experimental Aircraft Association eaa.org

https://chapters.eaa.org/eaa169

This chapter is 25 miles from KLEX.

 

[Sam Gordon]

I think what my grandfather meant by that saying was education to improve one's professional credentials. Are you thinking of making a career of it?

I know that's what he meant. I was trying to make a joke.

No, I'm not making a career out of it.

Thank you @odie451. Frankfort is about 45 minutes to an hour from my home. I might look into that.

 

[Marshall Alexander]

What is EAA?

As far as the loan, we're doing as part of a debt consolidation, and the interest we're saving on that debt will actually help with the flying. I did go to the SSA website and there is literally nothing listed in my entire state.

ETA: The loan would be for "education"... flying lessons.

I'd almost be willing to bet there's an EAA member, or two, in your area. Could be right next door and you don't even know it. We're EVERYWHERE.

 

[Sam Gordon]

I had my first flight instruction last night. Despite reading and watching videos, I felt like I did everything wrong. I couldn't taxi straight, I couldn't hold a consistent pitch, I couldn't hold a consistent bank, I held a "death grip" on the yoke, I spent too much time looking at the instruments, etc, etc. It's like I just forgot everything. That's the bad news. The good news is the instructor is still willing to work with me. Unfortunately between his schedule and mine, it's going to be three weeks before we can fly again.

 

[AggieMike88]

I had my first flight instruction last night.

Good news... it gets more natural with repetition.

During the downtime, heat a solid head start in the knowledge items.

Is your instructor using a written syllabus? If yes, get a copy and that should help with your preparation before the lessons.

 

[Kritchlow]

I had my first flight instruction last night. Despite reading and watching videos, I felt like I did everything wrong. I couldn't taxi straight, I couldn't hold a consistent pitch, I couldn't hold a consistent bank, I held a "death grip" on the yoke, I spent too much time looking at the instruments, etc, etc. It's like I just forgot everything. That's the bad news. The good news is the instructor is still willing to work with me. Unfortunately between his schedule and mine, it's going to be three weeks before we can fly again.

Everything you listed that you were doing wrong are exactly what an instructor is expecting on lesson 1.
They are all extremely common errors in the beginning.