good or bad deal...?
05-15-2007 | 11:26 AM
#1
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From: Learjet 45 & G-IV
good or bad deal...?
ok guys I need your opinions.
here is the deal. my instructor has me and this other kid finishing up our PPL's on the same day (next saturday). so he told me today that if I let this other kid fly safety pilot with me for about 100 hours (time building for commercial) in my plane (and for those of you who dont know or dont remember I pay $15/hour plus fuel, which is around $3.75 here. so, wet, my plane runs about $45/hour), then he'll give me my instrument and commercial training for free.
so i guess my question is, is this a good deal? or should I just find someone else to split the plane/fuel costs straight down the middle and pay for the instruction separately?
here is the deal. my instructor has me and this other kid finishing up our PPL's on the same day (next saturday). so he told me today that if I let this other kid fly safety pilot with me for about 100 hours (time building for commercial) in my plane (and for those of you who dont know or dont remember I pay $15/hour plus fuel, which is around $3.75 here. so, wet, my plane runs about $45/hour), then he'll give me my instrument and commercial training for free.
so i guess my question is, is this a good deal? or should I just find someone else to split the plane/fuel costs straight down the middle and pay for the instruction separately?
05-15-2007 | 02:51 PM
#2
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Safety pilot time is not the greatest way to build commercial time, but I suppose it is technically legal. If the OTHER guy asked the question I would tell him not to use safety pilot time towards HIS commercial.
But it sounds like you'll be the hood pilot, not the safety pilot? If so, I suppose there's nothing wrong with hood time towards commercial (as long as your required VFR commercial X-countries are not done under the hood). Doesn't sound like too bad a deal to me, but get it in writing from the school or FBO...if that CFI gets an airline job, who's going to provide your free training?
But it sounds like you'll be the hood pilot, not the safety pilot? If so, I suppose there's nothing wrong with hood time towards commercial (as long as your required VFR commercial X-countries are not done under the hood). Doesn't sound like too bad a deal to me, but get it in writing from the school or FBO...if that CFI gets an airline job, who's going to provide your free training?
05-15-2007 | 02:55 PM
#3
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From: Learjet 45 & G-IV
it would be half and half stuff... like fly a 4 hour trip, first 2 hours I would be under the foggles and the last 2 hours he would be under the foggles... just taking turns between the seats.
and as far as my instructor goes, he's legit. he is just an indepentant CFI who is a college professor with 3500+ dual given. he has no intentions of going to the airlines. plus, its all pay as you go. if he decided he doesn't want to give me free instruction anymore, i just don't take that other kid along with me.
and as far as my instructor goes, he's legit. he is just an indepentant CFI who is a college professor with 3500+ dual given. he has no intentions of going to the airlines. plus, its all pay as you go. if he decided he doesn't want to give me free instruction anymore, i just don't take that other kid along with me.
05-15-2007 | 03:37 PM
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From: MeSAABa
I had the same deal as a student, but fuel was a bit cheaper 5 years ago so my plane was running about $35/hour. The CFI was willing to work for free to get the time as the airport was a bit out of the way and students were a bit rare. The result was substandard training and during the summer when he had enough students to keep busy it was difficult for me to get enough time to make progress. I would find a good instructor and pay them well for their work. You will actually need the knowledge. 121 training is difficult enough without making it harder on yourself by not having a good base of knowledge to work from. Just my 2 cents; paying good money is well worth it.
05-21-2007 | 07:15 PM
#7
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I've heard of some places not looking too highly on saftey pilot time....for example, SKYW.
However, in the grand scheme of things, 100 hours isn't a big deal. How much would the instruction cost, vs. the amount you will spend to operate the a/c ? Whats your instructors hourly rate?, and how close are you to being finished up?
However, in the grand scheme of things, 100 hours isn't a big deal. How much would the instruction cost, vs. the amount you will spend to operate the a/c ? Whats your instructors hourly rate?, and how close are you to being finished up?
05-21-2007 | 07:18 PM
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I'm sorry, I just re-read your post. It doesn't sound like a bad deal...you will need the time for your commercial anyway, If it runs you about $4500 to operate the a/c for 100 hours, how much would the instruction cost you for your instrument and commercial?
05-21-2007 | 07:49 PM
#9
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From: UPS 757/767 Capt ONT
I don't get what in if for him that he's willing to instruct you for free?
Sounds like something I'd consider unethical is going on, though, you have to consider I think the whole safety pilot thing is unethical in the first place.
But if you made a deal with the kid for some safety pilot time, how does that benefit the CFI? Somethings fishy in Denmark.
Sounds like something I'd consider unethical is going on, though, you have to consider I think the whole safety pilot thing is unethical in the first place.
But if you made a deal with the kid for some safety pilot time, how does that benefit the CFI? Somethings fishy in Denmark.
05-21-2007 | 08:20 PM
#10
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From: JS32 FO
I'm kinda wondering about the other student too. Most people rent an airplane on their own and fly around when they're learning Part 61. After all, you'd need 250 total, but can learn the Commercial maneuvers in less than 20 hours.
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