MagentaLiner

Hello all,

I recently got my PPL and have amassed a whopping 51 hours TT !

I am ready for regionals!

On a more serious note, I have been reading the threads about low hour options. It seems getting my instrument, then CFI are the most "suggested" route to take for building time. I think thats a great idea, except I am a terrible teacher.

I am thinking short term to get my total 50 hours of XC time needed to begin IFR would be to buddy up with someone with the same goal. Now I have asked everyone under the sun at my local FBO about sharing time/getting time. (Why is there not a regional section on this forum!? I need to know who is local looking to split costs with!)

Do you think this is my best option for getting my time for XC to begin my IFR training?

hickspilot

What makes you think you are a terrible teacher? There are people that thought they couldn't teach and love to be cfi's and vise versa. There is a regional section on the forum right under the major section. Time sharing is probably the cheapest way to do it but i would say it depends on your situation. Do you have an airplane? Are you renting an airplane? Did you go to a school? The reason im asking is it can vary with cost. good luck!

USMCFLYR

He means 'regional' as in locale - not in airline terms - I'm pretty sure.

ML - You have a long ways to go before you have the experience to decide that you're a terrible teacher. You might be able to say right now that you don't WANT to teach. I was in those shoes myself at your point. Just build your time and concentrate on learning the fundamentals. Btw - did you say that you need 50 hours of X/C time before you can *start* your Instrument rating?

USMCFLYR

SiouxPilot89

Depending on your personal situation you can build time pretty quick if you can find a partnership on a reasonable plane such as a Cessna 150. When you divide the expenses across 3-4 guys. It would then just cost gas when you fly. Depending on where you rent, you could be ahead with just buying. If you get a IFR one you can even do your instrument in your plane!

Also dont forget about getting your commercial. Then you can get paid to fly to build time It will also help with insurance rates!

Javok

This. Don't get too stressed out about whether to teach or not. I think too many people become fixated on building time fast, fast, fast. While you certainly don't want to drag along, enjoy the ride. I wish I would have done more of this during my PPL. Learn as much as you can about what you're doing now so that you can have a good solid foundation of WORKING knowledge.

Timbo

When I was in the 'time building' mode (ie. between PPL and my CPL) I would rent a C172 on a Friday or Saturday, and fill it up with my college buddies and go on a cross country flight, split the cost 4 ways.

Now, it certainly helped that I had a girlfriend at an All Girl School, about an hour (flying time) away. My offer to my UNH buds was, "Hey, I'm flying up to Colby Sawyer this weekend, my girlfriend's room mate and her other friends want me to bring some guys for them! You in?"

I never had trouble filling the seats, and they never had trouble finding a bed to -sleep- in!

Be careful what you do though, 30 years later, I've got 3 daughters...

Karma's a Beoch!

My Mom just laughs and laughs, "Serves you Right!" she says.

Cubdriver

The typical training progression:

• ASEL private pilot
• instrument rating
• ASEL commercial certificate
• multiengine rating
• certificated flight instructor
• instrument instructor
• multengine instructor

(ASEL= airplane single engine land)

It appears you just got your PPL (private pilot license) and are looking at adding an instrument rating. Rather than randomly building hours according to your reading of the FARs, start your instrument training with an instructor. They will tell you when to start building flight time doing simulated IFR approaches with a "safety pilot", who is usually another instrument student.

After you finish that effort you should get your commercial certificate most likely.

SittingOnHands

I've known several people, who were fresh commercial pilots, that jumped into traffic watch and banner towing with out a CFI ticket. They average around 6-7 flight hours daily. Is this an easier road to take to gain hours? Probably. Is this job going to constantley push your knowledge of aerodynamics, weather theory, engine systems, etc.? Probably not. I never saw myself as a teacher in the beginning as well, mostly because I was inexperienced and lacked confidence. As you earn new certificates and ratings that knowledge and confidence in yourself will increase. Wait another 200 hours and make up your mind what road you want to take. Probably every CFI, CFII and MEI on this board can tell you they learned more while instructing then they did working on the acutal certificate.

Cross-country time question:
I am guessing you already have around 5 hours of cross-country PIC from your private? It wouldnt be a bad idea building cross-country time with a buddy to save money, but be aware of the 250 nm cross country with your instructor. I would suggest doing at least 6-8 hours of the cross-country time with an instructor for experience and knocking out the 250nm x-country.

MagentaLiner

I think its safe to say at this point, I dont think I would be a good teacher. I have never taught anyone anything, except for a few people to dive a manual car. That went pretty well I think but flying is totally different.

I do not own an airplane, though I would love to. I would be renting probably. I am a fresh college graduate, to answer your questions.

And USMCFLYR is correct, when I mean regionals I mean "Midwest, southeast, north etc".

MagentaLiner

Thanks for the insight. Yes, my instructor keeps saying I need 50 hours of cross country time. I have about 6 right now with my PPL, so I am assuming I need 44 more of XC before I can start my instrument. Am I wrong?

Sounds good, I am excited to excersize my privledges of a PPL. Just need to see if these money tree seeds will grow!

Funny story! That sounds like a good idea. I probably would fly a few times to get comfortable before I take people. But flying out with a bunch of buddies to snag some tail sounds fun!

Are you saying I can start right on my instrument rating even though I dont have 50 hours of XC time?

Thanks for the advice.

I think I am a bit confused on the 250 nm xc thing. Care to elaborate?