sargeanb

Hi everyone,

I am using my husband’s profile, for some reason I cannot register for the forum.
I enjoy reading all the posts where I find all different opinions and a lot of information. Thank you for that.

Well, my question is how to pay for my flying lessons. My husband and I decided to go to the local FBO and follow pay-as-you-go path all the way to the end. My position is the following: I am 28 years old, working on my Master degree, which I will finish in 6 months. I am out of debt as school was paid but have some credit cards debt. I am trying to get a decent job but for now I have no luck. I am willing to work pretty much any job even two jobs just to save for flying until I get a highly paid job. From what I am reading here, when you pay as you go it might take a few years to have the certificates done and I am not patient any more. I really want to begin as soon as possible. On the other side, FBO are not qualified schools for federal low interest rates loans, which will make me apply for a private loans, most of them with high interest rates.

I will appreciate any suggestions about this issue. And one more thing, English is not my primary language so I apologize for any mistakes in my post.

Thanks,

Gabriella

N0315

If you want to do it fast, just sollow the high intrest rates, live like a bum and pay the loans off as quck as you can.

Cubdriver

Welcome! Most people here do not use their real names, and you may wish to edit yours out while you have the chance. It's a nice name, but if you get into flaming some regional, asking for advice about your traffic tickets, or stomping SkyHigh you may wish you had anonymity.

I paid my way through flight training with truck driving jobs. It was hard going at times and I ran out of money several times and had to stop. I was grateful for the ability to continue when I could and I learned a lot. I got a multiengine rating and high performance signoff after graduating and getting a better job. But I obtained private, instrument, commercial, and tailwheel ratings by working slow, hourly jobs at a school-run flying club with 5 airplanes.

The key thing is to use your head and save money wherever you can. Use old Cessna/Pipers, not new Diamonds or what have you. Pay no more than $30/hr for a CFI. Borrow books and dvds wherever possible. Study well before flying lessons, to minimize air time. There are a number of threads on this forum on how to save money in training, use the search function for that. Good luck and welcome to your flight training, it is a great deal of fun!

-Cub

ppilot

Your English is better than 95% of the people that post here.

Where are you located? I see (assume?) your husband is a pilot, is he a CFI as well?

sargeanb

Cubriver, thanks for the advice, actually this is not my real name.

ppilot, we moved to Northern Kentucky area. My husband works as a FO for a regional now. He mentioned he didn't renew his CFI license and he is not willing to have additional hours with me as they count to the total 100/month (1000/year). Yes, I thought about saving money for instructor if he teaches me but it looks like this will not happen.

Slice

Your first mistake is marrying a regional FO! Find a sugar daddy. If that won't work, I don't see any other way than borrowing money if you won't pay as you go. Be it from a bank or family, it sounds like you'll be paying someone back. There's a loan calculator on the home page of this site. If you enter the numbers to pay back a fast track course, it may change your mind. I can't imagine the strain on your marriage that will be cause by the debt and schedules of 2 regional FO's. Good luck.

daytonaflyer

The hours your husband instructs you don't count towards his 100/1000 per year unless you pay him for the lessons. He of course does need to have a current flight instructor certificate, and he'll have to find a flight school that will let him instruct in their airplanes.

ppilot

I agree with daytonaflyer, he can instruct you all he wants and not count it as commercial flight time.

I will say this though; it can be hard for spouses to work together in this way. This person that is your equal in the marriage is unequal in the cockpit. Ego gets involved, things can turn nasty. But if the student is willing to be a student and the teacher a teacher, this could be the way for you.

If you go the FBO route, it'd help to know a little more precisely where you are. What is the nearest ga airport to you? Also, what are your goals? To get a private pilot's license, or something more than that?

sargeanb

Hi ppilot,

The nearest airport is CVG. The nearest FBO is at Clermont County Airport, Batavia, Ohio.

I want to take all the licenses but my husband said I should get my PPL first and see if I am good enough so we can get some loans.

Thanks everyone for the input.

ctd57

There is are also flight schools at Blue Ash Airport, Hamilton(might be to far north), and Lunken Field which is not to far from downtown.