USMCFLYR

He is addressing Skyhigh, not skylover.
Didn't you say you were done with this thread some time ago

USMCFLYR

skylover

I know...I just want the scoop!

skylover

Just did the introductory flight today. In a word, incredible. It was bumpy, but I got to do everything from takeoff to landing (which was anything but a "greaser...")

It was in a 152...they seem a bit...tinny...on the outside, but they really do produce an impressive amount of power!

USMCFLYR

Glad it was a good time

C-152s are tinny. They didn't just look that way!
I'm sure a push mower produces an impressive amount of power too if you've never seen a combustion engine before .

So what is next for you? Did you sign up for lessons?

USMCFLYR

skylover

I'm not 17 yet, so I can't get a Private certificate yet. I think we are going to sign up for some lessons, not necessarily Private curriculum (it's part 141), but just to get a feel for flying a bit more. My instructor says that if I do choose ERAU, it would be a great idea to get that Private before attending, as I plan on doing. He was also saying that for folks around my age, it's a phenomenal time to join the industry. I know I've mentioned this before, but I told him I'd like to intern during college, and he said "that could be your ticket to a major after college." Fingers crossed!!

I think I have that certain pilot attitude, because I'm beating myself up about that landing right now...

USMCFLYR

That doesn't mean you should start lessons. Train while you are under the age and time it so you take that checkride for your 17th birthday!
Every dollar you spend on flying from now on ought to be towards a certain goal - not just paying to fly.

I won't even go into the "it's a phenomenal time to join the industry" line.

You have to know something before you beat yourself up about not doing it right. Otherwise you're just a stress grenade type of person - and that is no fun in life!

USMCFLYR

skylover

Got it. So maybe I'll enroll in the Private course now, and then just take my time with it. I'm just excited that I finally "got the ball rolling."

USMCFLYR

As you should be.
I still remember my first instructional flight too. It is a very exicting time.
I also remember my second even better because I got so sick I threw up on my instructor's arm on short final I felt so bad that I thought I might give up flying altogether!

Starting too early is a waste of money too. If you progress quickly and are ready for your checkride months before you are able to get your license, then the time spent to keep your skills sharp will be wasted effort too. You should look into the soaring that has been mentioned recently. The time counts towards PPL I believe, its cheaper, it helps with the basic stick and rudder skills, and you can solo and get your license earlier than with the ASEL.

USMCFLYR

PS - I thought you were 'done' with this thread a long time ago!?

skylover

To be honest, I felt a little sick too! I kept on jerking the yolk in, which created a very bumpy experience; I got that feeling of my stomach launching up into my throat... And then during landing, I did my flare when we were way too high up, which created an aerodynamic stall, and the aircraft literally fell out of the sky. Bump!

At this point working on my PPL would be too early. Once I start something, I itch to finish it, and like you said, it would be kind of a waste to do right now. Soon, though.

I definitely want to look into gliding. It looks awesome and I could get the license right away.

JamesNoBrakes

I'm not in that environment anymore, but this plan backfires more times than not. This ONLY saves money if you are proficient in all of the areas for your private, and according to 141 regulations, these schools have to assess your proficiency and make sure that you meet all the standards of the certificate you already hold (to take advantage of lowered minimum times). The lack of standardized training and holding students to standards, DPEs "rubber-stamping"-because "you're going to a big flight school", and completeness of the flight training are usually not up to the same level. I know lots of people push the "mom and pop" flight schools here, and I did do one of my certs at those, but it wasn't all that. I ended up having to "retrain" most of those. If you do this route, make sure you really know and understand the standards. Not just what your flight instructor tells you, but understanding the test standards and what's expected. If something seems impossible or you and the instructor can't get it right, that's probably a warning sign. Good luck though. With the right instruction and experience you can learn and be proficient with the material. Don't learn it to "brain dump" the next day after the checkride. This is stuff you will be using for years on end. It takes lots of repetition and practice.