Question about Learning to fly?

My attitude is that life begins with the private pilot ticket.

Also consider getting the LSA or sport flying license (no night flight,
two-seaters only) which would be a lot cheaper to do, with no medical exam.
That will get you in the air and able to go places, though it will limit the
type of plane you can rent. You can upgrade later to PPL. Here's the rules:
http://www.sportpilot.org/rule/final_rule_synopsis.html

And if you have an aptitude for it, it should still be possible to get the
PPL for under $4000 -- you'll need a minimum of 20 hours of dual instruction
and 20 hours solo, plus medical, books, ground school, written test and
check ride. I think the average student now takes about 70 hours but it is
possible to do it at the minimum if you focus and fly smart. This would be
in a light two-seat trainer, a C-152 or similar 100hp class airplane. Doing
in in a 160hp 4-seater would be more expensive.

Starting out in gliders is good advice -- in the long run it will make you a
safer pilot with superior skills. It will make your progress to the power
ticket longer, because glider hours don't count toward the power license.

Good luck!

Seth

If you have an aptitude for it it's possible to get
"Stubby" wrote in message
...
Dwayne Smith wrote:
Something I always wanted to do is learn to pilot an aircraft. And one
day
own one. I have even started flying model aircraft just to control the
flying itch. That's not working anymore. So I've been talking to the
local
flying schools and have learned this is not a cheep hobby. I have the
G.I.
bill to use toward the cost, however it doesn't help until I receive the
private pilots certification. So I guess my questions is, is it worth the
expense? If you don't own a aircraft, what do you do? And finally, how
would
you recommend someone on how to start out (with DVD's and such)?

I sense a few misconceptions about "flying" in your comments. First,
understand that flying is something you do because you enjoy it. It is
fun to get in a plane, make it take off, talk to ATC, navigate, etc. So,
"getting a PPL ticket" isn't the real goal.

Next, flying does not suddenly get free if you have a PPL certificate,
even if you own your own plane. Much has been written in these groups
about the cost of insurance, annual inspections, repairs, engine
replacements, medicals...

Another thing you want to do is continuing education, getting other
certificates through a CFII. ATP is probably out of reach. Spreading out
to ASES, maybe a RH, Gliders, etc and LTA. (BTW: Balloons are much more
expensive than ASEL!)

So there is not much point to saving a few thousand dollars for you basic
instruction. My advice is to proceed at your own pace, renting a plane
and instructor from your favorite FBO. One of these days you'll get
blessed with a ticket. But nothing will change except that you can go
off on your own.