Anyone earn their private pilot certificate while running OTR?
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by asphaltcowboy4x4, Sep 9, 2020.
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Being a pilot is referred to as a perishable skill. I have known numerous transport, commercial, and private pilots. All of them would say staying current is one of the most important criteria. Something like 10-15 hours month for a private pilot. That's $1500-$2000 month rental wet. Plus CFI time if needed. -
If you're type rated in anything heavy, like some of the old freighters or the fire tankers, it's almost impossible to stay current unless you're already working there.mjd4277 Thanks this. -
I'd wait because lots of negative reviews have stopped me from buying it for the first time in 25 years.Last edited: Sep 11, 2020
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Asking for some friendstscottme, GoneButNotForgotten and Wasted Thyme Thank this. -
Brettj3876 and T.Rucker Thank this.
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I still think about it though even though I enjoy truck driving. Plus,from the way the airlines were changing a bunch of stuff I’m thinking it’s more feasible to fly myself. Why spend hundreds of dollars flying on one of American or United’s 737s from Boston Logan to Chicago O’Hare when I could possibly fly a Pilatus PC-12 or Mitsubishi MU-2 directly from Fitchburg to DuPage Airport(a lot closer to my relatives in Illinois). -
I got my private pilot license for $1500 when I was going through the fleet replacement squadron up in Whidbey Island. A wet hour was $25. I think I just dated myself again.
In Washington state west of the mountains, it could go from clear skies to 500’ ceiling in a matter of minutes. I was so anxious to do my first solo flight that I went out during iffy conditions. My instructor had just landed as I was walking to the plane. He said, eh, be careful.
I flew out under blue skies, but on the way back in, the clouds moved in and got thicker and thicker, lower and lower. I was struggling to maintain VFR, and I got “temporarily disoriented.” I had no idea where I was or where the airport was. I thought I was going to die that day on the side of a mountain.
Suddenly, the radio crackled, “Piper Cherokee five niner four zero uniform, you want us to turn on the airport beacon for you?” “Yes, please,” I replied in as calm a voice I could choke out of my tight throat.
Immediately I saw the airport at my right 3 o’clock about three miles away. I turned sharply to the right, conscious of not doing an approach turn stall, lined up, cross-controlled to a decent crosswind touchdown.
I swear I kissed the ground when I landed. I did a lot of scary things that made me suck the ejection seat cushion up my arse when I was flying in the USMC, but I never was as scared as I was that day.
I passed the FAA flight exam, although my landings were like WWII carrier landings. The evaluator was a WWII vet who flew everything from Wildcats to Phantoms. The wrinkled little man who hardly said a word during the flight, except for the instructions he gave me, was a very intimidating figure.
So, I crapped my pants twice in one week.
Never piloted an aircraft after than. No time. But got that bucket-list item checked off.HighCountry, Studebaker Hawk and mjd4277 Thank this. -
I don't know how people can afford learning to fly these days. I don't do a lot of instructing any more, mostly biennial flight reviews, but when I do I try to tailor my costs to the situation. As in, a doctor or a lawyer will probably pay more than some kid that's washing airplanes in exchange for flight school. And yes, they still do that.
I was lucky. My family had crop dusters, fire-bombers, and flew freight so my lessons didn't cost me much. I usually had to pay for the gas. That wasn't much cost in a J-3 but a Beech 18 flattened my wallet pretty good.mjd4277 Thanks this.
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