petershaw

I've been trying to weigh my options as far as starting my flight training. I've come up with 3 possibilities but am unsure whether to go with the cheapest (seems like the best option) or go with the more expensive (and better plane). Please tell me what you think!


OPTION #1
Cessna 152
$76 /hr wet (aircraft) + $35 /hr (instructor) = $111 / hr
50 – 60 hours logged
Total (roughly): $6,105 + Jeppesen books
*factor in a 2.5 hour roundtrip commute (flying in blocks of 2-4 hours)

OPTION #2
Cessna 172
$98 /hr wet (aircraft) + $35 /hr (instructor) = $133 / hr
50 – 60 hours logged
Total (roughly): $7315 + Jeppesen books
*factor in a 2.5 hour roundtrip commute (flying in blocks of 2-4 hours)

OPTION #3
Piper Warrior
$110 /hr wet (aircraft) + $35 / hr (instructor) = $145 / hr
50 – 60 hours logged
Total (roughly): $8,000 including Jeppesen books
*factor in a 1 hour roundtrip commute (flying in blocks of 2 hours)



Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Cubdriver

Cheaper is almost always the best option in flight training although occasionally something else trumps the money. It's all the same to the DE, whether you flew a Piper or a 152. There's no substantial difference in the training or the aircraft. I did my ppl in a couple of 152s owned by the flying club. Wet rate was $48/hr, plus $20/hr for the instructor. Gas has gone up since 2003, but I am still finding 152s for around $70 wet. $35 is a standard FBO instructor rate.

ppilot

I agree with Cubdriver, go for the C152...unless maybe you and your instructor are too big for the airplane. When it comes time for your instrument rating, think about how the airplanes are equipped, and maybe change up then, depending on how the aircraft are equipped and whether you are going on a career track or not.

petershaw

hey thanks for the thoughts cubdriver and ppilot. At this time I definitely want to be on the career track. I just finished my bachelors degree in business and want to start my training by the beginning of July.

Couple questions. What/who is the DE? Is it a bad idea to fly in 4hr blocks (ie: too much information to absorb at one time)?

FL600

DE= Designated Examiner. The person who does your checkride.

I used to fly weekends only in big chunks of time - and I liked it. It really gave me the opportunity to be introduced to a bit of info and then practice it. I would also intermix ground into the day as well. HOWEVER, after I got my private, I started flying daily - and my skill improved ten fold just being in the airplane every day instead of a day a week for a long time.

I'd also vote for the 152. I learned in a 152 and 172 - have a BLAST in training!

Radar

152, if you fit. Don't fly in big chunks of time. Frequency is best.

Ewfflyer

152 152152 152152 152152 152152 152152 152152 152152 152!!!!!!

Ok, now that I got that out, it's cheaper, it will teach you not only how to fly, but how to finesse, and a little how to finagle. The plane is under-powered, and light. It has great stall/spin characteristics' that are good for learning, not necessarily great in regular ops, but the learning part is key. If it was up to me, you couldn't get your private in anything but a 152(size permitting). My best students came from that plane(not saying the others were deficient, but there's something extra that comes from the 152 students)

petershaw

Wow I guess the vote is overwhelming for the 152! It would be my first choice as well as it seems to be the cheapest (minus the drive to get there).

I've been reading on this forum for a while now, and I'm happy I finally decided to post! Thanks again!

FlywithStyle

My vote is to find the best CFI that fits with your personality becuase you are not going to learn very much with someone you do not like

ppilot

Best of luck with your training, and HAVE FUN! You'll never be a new pilot again; don't be that guy so eager to be done that you don't enjoy the ride!