Is a PPl really worth it?

S

Simtech

New Member
Ive been running the number to get my PPL and not sure it is cost effective for a hobby. I would like to think I could get my CFI and recoupe some of the cost but not really sure I have that much free time. Flying is a dream of mine and I went up for a intro flight last week and I loved it! I work as a Simulator tech for the Air force (civilian) on the T-6 side and got to fly in one of those and LOVED IT!!!! I flew R/C aircraft all my life and enjoy them. It is in my blood but I just cant seem to grasp a hold of the cost for it. I talked with my wife about it and I try to talk about how we can fly down to the beach for a weekend or even a day trip but with rental fees it would be a $400 day trip! Or I talk about flying home in 3 1/2 hours instead of driving for 8, but again with rentals fees and landing fees and fuel I could fly commercial for cheaper. Im getting real bummed out about it all and starting to think Ill never do it.

I was in the Air Force for 8 years and worked on the flightline. I went to school full time while in so I could try and get a pilot slot. Well...long story short I have a cat and Im alergic to it and they said I had asthma and medically separated me. So Military flying is out the door. On a positive note I finished my BS and my MBA thanks to my GI Bill!

I guess in all Im just wondering if I should spend the $8k to get something I might never use just to say I got it or just let it pass. I know its my decision but just wondering what others did that might have been in my shoes. Part of me says oh its my dream just do it but the expense factor kills it real quick! Thanks!
 
Simtech said:
Ive been running the number to get my PPL and not sure it is cost effective for a hobby.
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I didn't read the rest because your first sentence said it all.

"Cost Effective" and "hobby" are mutually exclusive terms which don't belong in the same sentence.

Do you or do you not want the privileges of having a PPL? If so, do it. If not, do not do it.
 
Doug Taylor said:
I didn't read the rest because your first sentence said it all.

"Cost Effective" and "hobby" are mutually exclusive terms which don't belong in the same sentence.
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Yes you are correct. I mean R/C aircraft was/is an expensive hobby cause stuff was always breaking, a gallon of fuel cost over $10. But it was something I enjoy so I do it. So yeah you are right! You know even as trying to make a career...it is still expensive and I think it has to start out as a hobby. At least for me, cause I like my current job and it pays well. I would like to fly commercial but I just cant make the numbers work so I stick it in the hobby category for now.
 
Something I find myself saying quite a bit lately is, "it will save you time, but it won't save you money".
 
If flying is a dream for you, and you have the opportunity to pursue it as a hobby (albeit a serious one, we don't want anyone who isn't serious about flying safely running around up there), then by all means, go for it.

Aviation makes a great serious hobby.
 
I flew every week when I could rent a 152 for $42 an hour, now it is $112 I fly GA every few years.
 
I_Money said:
I flew every week when I could rent a 152 for $42 an hour, now it is $112 I fly GA every few years.
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Thats what I mean! Sure I can afford it and yes I want too, but is it really worth it. But you know renting a 152 for $42 hour how many years ago? Would that figure be the same as the $112 in today's economy? I can rent a 1981 172 for $109 wet or a 98 172 for $125 or a 2000 172 for $145. All those are wet. I could fly an hour or 2 every month of the 81 model for about the same I would spend on R/C supplies and gear! I think Im gonna go for it and sign up with my local CAP and do flights for them so I could fly for free and get hours. I mean I was gonna get my PPL back in 1999 for about $3k now it is almost $7k. If I wait another 10 years its likely to be $16k! What kind of small jobs can one do with a PPL? I was thinking like arial photography..or do you have to be commercial for that?
 
ever thought about a Sport pilot certificate? Or even going out to get your glider rating? Both would be much cheaper than a PPL, more limiting however you would still be able to get up in the air.

edit: We posted at the same time, and no, you cannot work for hire with a PPL, you need a commercial
 
Yeah I thought about the sport but there are none around to rent and from what I gather I need a CFI who is trained to teach that and as small as our community is I bet we dont have one. But yes I did and I would go that route. I figured that about the commercial part! I just thought taking pictures would be different. It was just a thought! Never thought about gliders.
 
I thought any CFI could teach Sport. You just need a sport rated plane.

I know a few individuals who got their own sport planes (see experiementals, GSC HAWK etc) And got to fly for a fraction of the cost. Think about it.
 
You mentioned that you're a veteran...have you considered using your GI Bill benefits at an approved flight school?
 
The way I look at it is that some people have a ton of less expensive hobbies: fishing, hunting, birdwatching, photography. For me, I'd prefer to have one more expensive hobby that I really enjoyed.
 
Simtech said:
What kind of small jobs can one do with a PPL? I was thinking like arial photography..or do you have to be commercial for that?
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I'll let some of the legal beagles on here answer this. I believe the general answer for getting paid to fly with your PPL is a no no, but I think if you own your own business you are able to exercise your PPL privileges in "furtherance of your business."
 
exneophyte said:
I'll let some of the legal beagles on here answer this. I believe the general answer for getting paid to fly with your PPL is a no no, but I think if you own your own business you are able to exercise your PPL privileges in "furtherance of your business."
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...and if the flying is only incidental to your employment, and if the aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire; or all that other stuff in 14 CFR 61.113.
 
pwttogfk said:
You mentioned that you're a veteran...have you considered using your GI Bill benefits at an approved flight school?
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I don't think you can use the GI bill for a PPL. You can use it after that though because beyond that, it is no longer considered a hobby.
 
is it worth it? no. I say that only because you are asking. If you have to ask "if its worth it" to become a pilot, than it most definitely is not!
 
exneophyte said:
The way I look at it is that some people have a ton of less expensive hobbies: fishing, hunting, birdwatching, photography. For me, I'd prefer to have one more expensive hobby that I really enjoyed.
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Less expensive hobbies.....not necessarily. I can show you very quickly what costs are incurred with tournament fishing, bowhunting and photography. I can also guarantee you that a serious tournament Bass fisherman or traveling hunter, will indeed spend more than someone in GA as a hobby, unless said individual purchases an aircraft. That being said, as others have pointed out, it comes down to the individual and what is important to them. When something brings joy to our lives, we tend to splurge on it. So for the OP, if it means that much to you and you do not have anything else that you are as passionate about, go for it.

Good Luck!
 
Delaware,OH has Spencer Aviation which is a pretty nice flight school and their prices aren't terrible either. $80 for a Cessna 150 or $96 for a light sport. Nice airport too.

Also, not sure if it was mentioned before but you can get your PPL and possibly instrument done in a LSA.


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