Flight Schedule over the summer work

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edc

Well-Known Member
Ok, I have a question, I'm going to be starting up this summer and will be doing my PPL then. I'm trying to figure out how the scheduling works for the flight. I am assuming the listed time for the class is all ground training...etc...etc stuff. So do I get to pick when I fly inbetween my other classes or am I going to be given a specific block and have to conform to that? TIA. See you this summer or fall.
 
You'll pick a time slot for your normal launch time. You need to be available during this time, so don't pick your slot during class/work. You can also, depending on your CFI's availability/flexibility, work outside your permanent launch and do extra. Going extra is how to get ahead.
 
Ok one more question. How long are the slot times? And what is the range of time allowed? Like 7am to EENT? And how long are the sorties? Pre and post flight times also? Just trying to plan out my class schedule.
 
edc said:
Ok one more question. How long are the slot times? And what is the range of time allowed? Like 7am to EENT? And how long are the sorties? Pre and post flight times also? Just trying to plan out my class schedule.
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Slots are two hours long, normal lessons last around 1.5. Normal you show up .5 hrs before launch. Your launch COULD be anywhere from 6/7am to late afternoon, around 3-4. Just depends on what is left when you select your launch.
 
The slots are 2:45 on the schedule website. That is expecting the student to show up 45 minutes prior to the flight, followed by a 2 hour flight lesson.
 
edc said:
So do I get to pick when I fly inbetween my other classes or am I going to be given a specific block and have to conform to that? TIA. See you this summer or fall.
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I've always looked at the permanent launch time as more of a "last resort" time to get stuff done. You have to be available for that time, but, like others have mentioned, there are no requirements that state that you have to only launch at that time.

Usually, you launch at the most favorable time for you, your instructor and his or her students. If your instructor has a lot of students, this may create a situation where you will have a hard time scheduling lessons and getting things done since other students are scheduled to do lessons at the same time that you want to do lessons.

In this situation, it's good to have that permanent launch time that basically says, "Okay, this is when we're scheduled to launch, so let's do a lesson and get something done." Your instructor's other students will not have a permanent launch that is at the same time that yours is.

Now, if you pick an instructor with a launch time at 8:00 a.m. (like I did :)), you may not like the fact that this is your scheduled launch time because it isn't exactly the most favorable time for you to do lesson (because you may want to sleep a little longer), but, sometimes, that's just what you're going to have to go with.

The reason why my launch time is this early, even though I hate mornings like I hate idiots, is because I chose someone that I knew was an exceptional instructor, and the only available launch time that he had was at 8:00 a.m. So be it.
 
Another thing to consider with the morning launches, most normal college kids hate getting up early, so with an 8am you'll have your pick of practice areas. In the wintertime, this could also mean that you get to do most of your preflight still in the heated hangar. In the summertime, the convective thermal activity doesn't usually get strong until around 10am- and generally lasts through 6 or 7pm, so you'll also have the benefit of smoother air.
 
gotWXdagain said:
Another thing to consider with the morning launches, most normal college kids hate getting up early, so with an 8am you'll have your pick of practice areas. In the wintertime, this could also mean that you get to do most of your preflight still in the heated hangar. In the summertime, the convective thermal activity doesn't usually get strong until around 10am- and generally lasts through 6 or 7pm, so you'll also have the benefit of smoother air.
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Down here at SIU the 8am slot is usually alright. Cold in the winter, and also usually kinda hazy/foggy, but never really that busy.
 
Thanks for all the information, I am military so waking up early isn't a big deal. Though, this is about the 5th time people have talked about 8am being early though when I mention having a early morning class or launch time.

Any other words of wisdom?
 
If you're a 102, you need more time. Aircraft are available for 2 hours, you're expected to be back in 1:45. You will receive the airplane :30 min before wheels up. As a CFI, for 102's I expect you to be here :45min earlier before we get an aircraft, so 1:15 before wheels up.

Why?

You learn from a book, you practice in the airplane. 102 is very fast and very thorough. If we don't have a good prebrief on what's new, what we need to review, what standards we need to meet, and how we're going to do all that in 1:20 (leave a little time for ATC and lets do that again stuff), then it's not worth flying as you'll do every lesson twice.

Think carefully about how you want to schedule your day. I've had students that only have :10min before we grab the airplane. A lot of homework, and a lot of flights we did twice as the first one wasn't good as he wasn't prepped and I couldn't fill in all the blanks in :10min.
 
ProudPilot said:
If you're a 102, you need more time. Aircraft are available for 2 hours, you're expected to be back in 1:45. You will receive the airplane :30 min before wheels up. As a CFI, for 102's I expect you to be here :45min earlier before we get an aircraft, so 1:15 before wheels up.

Why?

You learn from a book, you practice in the airplane. 102 is very fast and very thorough. If we don't have a good prebrief on what's new, what we need to review, what standards we need to meet, and how we're going to do all that in 1:20 (leave a little time for ATC and lets do that again stuff), then it's not worth flying as you'll do every lesson twice.

Think carefully about how you want to schedule your day. I've had students that only have :10min before we grab the airplane. A lot of homework, and a lot of flights we did twice as the first one wasn't good as he wasn't prepped and I couldn't fill in all the blanks in :10min.
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Thanks for the information, I know that not being up there its hard for me to guage how things are going to be for a full day of school when you throw in flying in as well.

What do people do for jobs up there? With a full load of classes and a flying how does anyone have time for work?

Thanks you have all been a great help.
 
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