Flying Where?

So where have I flown? Taking lessons on the Front Range of Colorado I've flown into Boulder, Longmont, Ft Collins - Loveland, Ft Collins Downtown, Ft Morgan, and Pine Bluff and Cheyenne, WY.

Since my instructor is also a good friend I've flown with him into Sidney, NE, a few times. This was in his aircraft and not a flight lesson. These are trips to Cabellas. Radio the FBO on approach and the van will be waiting for you by the time you tie down.

Since my instructor and his wife are from Illinois and Indiana. We also took a trip with them back east and we got dropped in Iowa to visit my wife's sister and her family. This worked out well, kind of like the idea behind Pilot Share the Ride. We got to surprise our twin nephews and enjoy a long Thanksgiving weekend.

We had planned on leaving Saturday due to the weather in Colorado moving in on Sunday, but then the weather was bad in Chicago on that day. So Sunday we headed out and made it as far as north east Nebraska when we decided to stop at my wife's aunt and uncle's place. The snow pushed through that evening and we were able to depart around nine the next morning and we were back at work at 1 pm on Monday. Beautiful blue sky and a great view of Longs Peak as we approached Ft Collins-Loveland Airport (KFNL).

Working toward that license, Part II

After reading the previous post it occurred to me that I never discussed how to finance. While I earn quite a bit more than I did in the military, your expenses tend to grow into what you are earning. Once I decided it was finally time to learn I did a few things, which so far, have resulted in lack of dollars not being a hindrance when I can fit in the flight time.

First thing I did was setup a separate checking account.
Second, I started an allotments to that checking account. After looking at the budget my wife and I decided $100 every pay period, i.e. $200 a month. Was within the existing budget.

Now it is very easy to go through $200 when taking flight lessons, books and flight bag alone will run you $100 to $150 depending on the program. And even if you have a lower rental rate on the airplane you need to fly with your instructor and that adds another $35 to $50 depending on the instructor. And then there is ground school time. Another way to help cut that bill is to join AOPA and get their credit card. Most schools and FBO's are in their 5% rebate program. Also, check if your school offers discounts if you buy your hours in bulk, usually about 10 hours. Get 10 or 15% off from your FBO or school for buying bulk hours, you need at least 40 anyway, and charge it to the credit card and get another 5% rebate.

Once the allotments was setup, in January by the way, I let it sit there until June when I took my first lesson. With cancellations due to schedules, weather, TFRs, etc. I have never been in a position where I wanted to fly but didn't have the money.

Now with the last pay raise, I've increased that amount. This is in anticipation of having that pilot license and taking longer trips.

One warning: Whatever you do don't use that money for something else. It is your flying money and if you get in the habit of using it as a personal fun account, you will quickly deplete it. Now I'm not saying it is totally sacrosanct. We had significant emergency house repairs and my wife and I both dislike being in debt. It also happened to be winter time and I wasn't doing much flying so we took a chunk of the money from the flying account and used it.

What I hope to do with my license is exactly what Phil and Nancy Verghese do. Check out their web site and look at their Trip Journals. By the time I have the license and I'm proficient enough for extended trips I hope HomeAndHangarExchange has more than its current five listings! And one of those doesn't count since it is my own listing.

Working Toward that Private pilot License

I started working toward my private pilot license a little over two years ago. This is something that I had always wanted to do, but usually lacked the funding. As a member of the military there were usually great flying clubs with reasonable rates, but still beyond the means of an enlisted member with a wife to support.

Now that I work for a fortune 50 company I have the money but not necessarily the time. By extending the learning process I realize that I am paying more, but some delays have been unavoidable.

Things that I've learned about starting this process:
1) Interview the flight service and a number of instructors. Also, talk to other students at that FBO or school.
Why? I started out at a small airport and I talked to a couple of instructors and selected one. However, shortly after our first lesson he stopped instructing because his wife wanted him home more often. I ended up with another instructor at the same field. And while he was a good instructor he was also a student at the local university and either I was busy, he was busy, or the planes we used were busy. I managed to get in only about six hours of instruction due to all the scheduling conflicts.
2) Larger school offers more opportunity, costs more initially, but may be worth it.
Why? I then started taking lessons at a bigger school. Many more available aircraft and the few times I was unable to schedule with my primary instructor he referred me to one of the many other full-time instructors at the school. All were very professional and it was good experience to fly with the other instructors. I soloed while learning at this school.
3) Weigh friendship with your need to learn.
Why? In my case a long time college friend reactivated his CFI and became an instructor at the above mentioned school. I started flying with him and got close to completing my license. However, he and the owner of the school had a falling out and he moved to private instruction at a smaller airport which basically has only two aircraft. Now I'm back to the same situation as One above.

So, when will I finish. Hard to say. I recently changed jobs and I'm learning my new role. Until that time I don't feel comfortable with taking some time off. I've also investigated a "Get it done" course and while a bit more expensive than working with my current instructor it will probably be cheaper in the long run.

Enough of my rambling. If you are looking at earning your private license I would encourage you to do so, but I hope some of my cautions will help you get it done quicker than I am.