Just began my lessons - a lot of fun. (commercial, military) - Aviation -Airplanes, aircrafts, pilots, airports, airlines, helicopters - City-Data Forum

PedroMartinez · 02-21-2016, 09:45 PM

I'm at 12 hours now. My first solo was in a Cessna 172 and second in Piper PA-28-151.

I wish I had done this long ago.

wankel7 · 02-21-2016, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

I'm at 12 hours now. My first solo was in a Cessna 172 and second in Piper PA-28-151.

I wish I had done this long ago.

Good for you !

What are your plans beyond private? Get your own plane? Instrument rating?

Vf6cruiser · 02-22-2016, 04:43 PM

congrats and you have many adventures ahead of you..........but the day you get your ticket will make it all worthwhile, and walking around with a set of plane keys is simply great.

PedroMartinez · 02-22-2016, 11:19 PM

Thanks.

I'm actually doing it so I can operate drones commercially. Yes, you have to have a pilot certificate to do that, which actually makes some sense.

I've wanted to fly forever, and this is a good excuse to do it.

Weather wiped out my flight today and tomorrow, but I should be going up Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

I'll be doing my first landing at an airport with a tower Wednesday.

joe moving · 02-23-2016, 09:09 AM

I feel like I keep hearing that the military prefers non pilots to operate their drones. They recruit from video gaming conventions or something?

jetwhisperer · 02-23-2016, 10:48 AM

How many hours did you need before you flew solo? I've been wanting to learn for a long time.

DMenscha · 02-24-2016, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetwhisperer

How many hours did you need before you flew solo? I've been wanting to learn for a long time.

I soloed in 6.5 hours and got my license at 44 hours. This was in 1969, it may have changed, but I think it depends on how one performs in the cockpit as much as anything.

sunsprit · 02-24-2016, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I soloed in 6.5 hours and got my license at 44 hours. This was in 1969, it may have changed, but I think it depends on how one performs in the cockpit as much as anything.

these were really good numbers DMenscha, far lower than the average new student these days.

IIRC, AOPA Pilot had an article a few years ago where the "average" new student was taking around 8 hours to solo and around 65+ hours to a checkride.

Those "averages" were very close to my numbers.

joe moving · 02-25-2016, 10:28 AM

8 hours to solo is still pretty low.

DMenscha · 02-25-2016, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunsprit

these were really good numbers DMenscha, far lower than the average new student these days.

IIRC, AOPA Pilot had an article a few years ago where the "average" new student was taking around 8 hours to solo and around 65+ hours to a checkride.

Those "averages" were very close to my numbers.

It's all good. I'd hate to think how my hand eye coordination has suffered since then.