Originally Posted by
Hoax
I wasn't sure where to stick this so the Part 135 seemed the best fit since that is where I want to end up.
I am going to start the beginning stages of getting my pilot license later this month and I am trying to figure out the best way to go about it.
I have found a school here in Ft. Worth at Spinks, Huffman Aviation. I am using the schools C172 to get my private then I want to buy. I have been looking at planes for some time now and figure I will spend around 50k on a plane. I want it to be something that I can use for myself but also grow into, something with 6 seats and twin piston engine's, something like a Barron or C310.
I want to get a decent plane (I know I am not going to get anything spectacular for 50k) that will be good to get time in and will be a nice long distance plane, but also be a plane that I can start a charter with. My instructor told me that the best way to get into being a commercial pilot (135) would be to go to work for a charter around here and build my reputation and skill for a couple of years while I get ready to get certified by the FAA for 135. Realistically about 5 years of training and working for some one else
I am planning on taking 3 or 4 classes a week until I get my private, then I will have to build time for my instrumentation and then my commercial. I didn't talk to him about the multi-engine but I don't think that will change my course much.
I currently own a company with family so I have the time and money to do it now, I might not later and the business were in is more unstable than the airlines (IMO)
I do not come from a family of pilots so I have no one to talk to me that will cut the BS, thats where you guys come in. Thats my plan for now, poke it full of holes and let me know what you think.
I just hope that I am not making a huge mistake and blowing tons of money. I will not be buying a plane until I get my private at least so I will still enjoy it as a hobby if nothing else.
Mike
Hate to say it, but if you think you're going to get a Cessna 310 or a Baron (the word has only one "r"), for $50K, you need to take a closer look at the market. The very oldest C-310s are in that price range, and the oldest Barons are typically $25K more -- and this would be for old dogs with rough paint, rough interiors, rough engines, obsolete avionics, and possibly spotty damage history, questionable records, and iffy structural condition.
I'm also somewhat unconvinced of the economy of buying an airplane for training. Training airplanes get the [expletive deleted] beat out of them, you may have insurance issues on the airplane, you may have difficulty finding a good instructor to give training in a private airplane, if (heaven forbid) your instructor gets injured in your airplane you could have some REAL insurance issues . . . I think you're better off using a flight school's airplanes and buying your own after you have a better idea about what you want and need.
You also need to do a little research about what's needed in the year 2010 to "start a charter". . . .
We all joke that flying is much better than working for a living, but I think you'd better get your head into the game a little further before you start spending money.