Flight tomorrow!

Damn, you ever come down to Texas -- you rent the plane, I'll give you a some free lessons. (oh crap, am I lowering the bar? :p)
 
DC10FlyBy said:
Well, on my way I got lost due to the new SGF terminal. So I was like 15 minutes late. I also went the wrong way on like 5 roads; it's very poorly thought out. Then my shifter knob broke, so I couldn't get my car out of Drive or into Park or Reverse.

But I finally got there. It was very, VERY lame. Not worth my $75 AT ALL. It was probably the worst first flight I could ever take. He flew through the check list, but did manage to let me steer down the runway using the foot pedal things. :P See, I don't even know what they are called! He didn't explain anything, and when he did, he flew through it. I flew the plane with the 'foot pedal things' and the 'yolk' for about 2 or 3 minutes. Then he took over, and that was it.

It was supposed to be a half an hour, but it ended up being about 20 minutes, and that's stretchin' it!

So yeah, I'm basically blocking this one out of my mind, and going to the downtown Springfield runway and startin all over. Gosh, I'm pissed.

On the bright side, I got some sweet pictures! As well as saw a DC-9 (I believe) fly over us and land. :)
I'm going to post pictures in a little bit.
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Could it possibly be shorter and rushed because you were late? I know at my flight school, when someone is late, it pushes everything back which affects everyone.
 
youngflyer said:
Could it possibly be shorter and rushed because you were late? I know at my flight school, when someone is late, it pushes everything back which affects everyone.
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Nope. He was totally cool. He was late too. I was the last of the day. Right when I got there, he walked inside from the previous scenic tour.
 
I've been really tempted to head to a local flight school and do a discover flight. They don't know my background, but it is more of an experiment to see how flight school treat their customers and how they are selling the whole flying thing. You figure with the crappy economy, flight schools are struggling getting students. I'm not saying they should try and sell you into signing up for flying lessons, but if they are truthfully answering questions about the current industry, future, etc.

DC10FlyBy, sorry to hear about your bad experience. If you go on another discovery flight, be sure to ask lots of questions! Also, 20 minutes for a discover flight is about right, depending on the school and how much they charge. Usually they don't make any money on discovery flights. When I was an instructor, our discovery flights were $49 and about 0.4-0.5 on the hobbs.
 
CRJDriver said:
I've been really tempted to head to a local flight school and do a discover flight. They don't know my background, but it is more of an experiment to see how flight school treat their customers and how they are selling the whole flying thing. You figure with the crappy economy, flight schools are struggling getting students. I'm not saying they should try and sell you into signing up for flying lessons, but if they are truthfully answering questions about the current industry, future, etc.

DC10FlyBy, sorry to hear about your bad experience. If you go on another discovery flight, be sure to ask lots of questions! Also, 20 minutes for a discover flight is about right, depending on the school and how much they charge. Usually they don't make any money on discovery flights. When I was an instructor, our discovery flights were $49 and about 0.4-0.5 on the hobbs.
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But, he told me on the phone we'd be IN THE AIR FLYING for AT LEAST 30 minutes. He also said I can fly for the majority of the time if I'd like...
 
Kid, you got royally ripped off. I did a few discovery flights in Denver B4 settling on a flight school. I was in the LEFT seat every time. All your pics are from the wrong side of the plane for a discovery flight IMHO. Perhaps the rules are different in the "wild west" but i was in the left seat, nervous, and had a great time...all at once.

And now I have my PPL for a mere $14000. BTW: I dont know how old you are, but civil air patrol gives cadets (from 12-17) 5 free flights and 5 free glider rides as part of their aeronautical education experience.

Out in MA, they are also signing up cadets and seniors for seriously discounted PPL training (ground school: free, instruction $25/hour)....guess they are worried that no one will be left to fly if Obama's user fees ever become reality.
 
and you sat right seat too?

that seems really weird.

On my intro flight my CFI took me to MDW and had me land, probably one of the best CFI's i've ever had. I dont fly where he works anymore but still keep in touch.

sorry about your experience.... check with other schools
 
Yeah, thats pretty weird that you sat in the right seat... did you happen to look at his CFI certificate? Some schools seem to have a slight problem of CPL (but not CFI) doing quasi-instruction.
 
SpiraMirabilis said:
Yeah, thats pretty weird that you sat in the right seat... did you happen to look at his CFI certificate? Some schools seem to have a slight problem of CPL (but not CFI) doing quasi-instruction.
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Wow so the people don't even get to log the flight time! What a ripoff. :banghead:
 
ozone said:
Kid, you got royally ripped off. I did a few discovery flights in Denver B4 settling on a flight school. I was in the LEFT seat every time. All your pics are from the wrong side of the plane for a discovery flight IMHO. Perhaps the rules are different in the "wild west" but i was in the left seat, nervous, and had a great time...all at once.

And now I have my PPL for a mere $14000.
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Huh? Did you train in a Cirrus or something?
 
Holocene said:
Huh? Did you train in a Cirrus or something?
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Nope.

Here's my math:

(Cessna 172-SP at $122/hour + $45/hour for instructor ) * 72 hours (nationwide average...thank you very much) + headset for $250 + random crap like kneeboards + $100 to the FAA for the written test + $400-ish for the FAA checkride = $14,000
 
ozone said:
Nope.

Here's my math:

(Cessna 172-SP at $122/hour + $45/hour for instructor ) * 72 hours (nationwide average...thank you very much) + headset for $250 + random crap like kneeboards + $100 to the FAA for the written test + $400-ish for the FAA checkride = $14,000
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Well, I guess that does make sense. I too had 70-something hours, but I trained in a cheap Cherokee. 130/hour including instruction. I probably spent $10K including materials and other expenses outside of flight time.
 
ozone said:
Kid, you got royally ripped off. I did a few discovery flights in Denver B4 settling on a flight school. I was in the LEFT seat every time. All your pics are from the wrong side of the plane for a discovery flight IMHO. Perhaps the rules are different in the "wild west" but i was in the left seat, nervous, and had a great time...all at once.

And now I have my PPL for a mere $14000. BTW: I dont know how old you are, but civil air patrol gives cadets (from 12-17) 5 free flights and 5 free glider rides as part of their aeronautical education experience.

Out in MA, they are also signing up cadets and seniors for seriously discounted PPL training (ground school: free, instruction $25/hour)....guess they are worried that no one will be left to fly if Obama's user fees ever become reality.
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I think we are actually supposed to be in the right seat here. Yes, I was int he left. 14,000 is CRAZY! I have actually been considering CAP. I don't have time, though.

charlie1017 said:
Wow so the people don't even get to log the flight time! What a ripoff. :banghead:
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Yeah, I didn't get to log it.
SpiraMirabilis said:
Can you fit in a 152?
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I can use their Cessna 150, he said. It's $65/hour, instead of $110/hour for the 172.
 
Haha, that would've been the way to go for a cheaper PPL. I did do my IR in a 150. No need for the tow bar; just pick it up and carry it into the hangar....:cwm27:
 
Can both you and an instructor (and fuel) fit in a 150? I taught a lot in 152s because I dont weigh very much. Try to find a girl instructor or a short guy. Heh
 
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