Still working towards my private pilot's, but...

JayAlarm

JayAlarm

Well-Known Member
Even though I am still working towards my private pilots license, I was just wondering what everyone thinks is the best way to build flight time for the lowest cost. I was thinking about just paying straight out of pocket and credit cards to build up flight time. People have mentioned things like being a flight instructor, but I honestly feel nervous about teaching people.
 
In order of preference:
1) Rich friends who have planes
2) Gliders
3) Instruct
4) ??
 
If you want $30-50,000 on credit cards then go for it.

Also, you should build some confidence before you even get any further. Don't worry about what jobs are "best" for you when you're at the starting line.
 
Eh, I think now is a great time to figure out how you're going to do it. The financial bar for entry is getting higher all the time, and you need a plan.

Now, with that said, I don't think anyone I know (certainly not me) could picture themselves instructing when they were working on their PPL. But a lot of us became instructors and were successful enough at it to not be instructing (at least not as a primary occupation) any longer. I'd say the long odds are that you're just as capable as the next guy, with the proper training and effort.
 
Three of my friends bought their own planes. A couple of Tomahawks and a 150. Worked for them: one is a captain in EU(737) one here (some jet) one is a MEI.They still own the "time builder" planes but they advanced much faster than the"renters" and will likely get the money back or the most of it when they sell the planes.
In other words:
--if you have more time than money: network
--if you have more money than time: buy.
Recently they changed the rules to allow the private pilots to tow gliders. If you're near a club I'd look into towing gliders.It might require a tailwheel checkout but still would be worth it, bearing in mind you'll make money, flight time and friends.
I concur with the others however: CFI is an excellent way to build time while learning the system, this however after you jump the commercial hurdle
Good Luck!
 
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Don't forget about things like flying survey, etc., to build time. I was like you, didn't want to instruct. Felt like I've learned a fair bit flying single pilot all over the country for a couple hundred hours so far, and it's a whole heck of alot better getting paid to do it than paying out of pocket.
 
Boris Badenov said:
Eh, I think now is a great time to figure out how you're going to do it. The financial bar for entry is getting higher all the time, and you need a plan.

Now, with that said, I don't think anyone I know (certainly not me) could picture themselves instructing when they were working on their PPL. But a lot of us became instructors and were successful enough at it to not be instructing (at least not as a primary occupation) any longer. I'd say the long odds are that you're just as capable as the next guy, with the proper training and effort.
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I second this. I certainly didn't feel capable of flight instructing when I was working on private (there's no reason you should at that level), but I eventually became a CFI (though I am no longer currently instructing). So you may feel differently by the time you finish Commercial. I certainly did. On the other hand, you may not, and if by that time you decide you really don't want to teach you probably should find another way to build time instead. Personally I think it's a shame that there are so many CFIs who are only "in it for the hours" and don't care about teaching.

Without a Flight Instructor Certificate, it can be difficult to find jobs as a brand new, low-time commercial pilot, but there are some out there. Some of the others who posted in this thread had some good suggestions. You might also look into aerial survey. I currently fly for an aerial survey company that often hires new, low-time commercial pilots, and most of our competitors do too.
 
Becoming a CFI really builds your confidence and learning. In just my 6 weeks of training and checkrides for CFI/CFII I learned so much more.

I strongly advise to avoid the shortcuts. Do what will make you a better pilot and you can only determine that. I really felt like if I didn't, then I'd cut corners and eventually it'd catch up to me and my knowledge would be far less than my colleagues. Everyone is different though, so survey pilot/tow pilot/skydive pilot might be better for you. Just don't look at your instructor and think "I can't do that"...

Because that's what the training is for. When I was doing my CFI training I had to stop comparing myself to 2-4 year instructors because I lost confidence and felt overwhelmed.

If you just study and stick to the training then you'll be fine. I emphasize the studying.
 
^ That's it, in a nutshell. The time to get fat, bloated, and complacent is later in your career. If you're hungry and devote yourself to flying, say, 90%, you'll be ok. Well, I mean, you'll be a huge nerd and you'll miss all sorts of opportunities, etc. etc. But you're almost certain to make it to wherever it is you think you want to be. Once you get there...ah, but that's a different story, isn't it?
 
If becoming a CFI is the cheapest and most expeditious way of building time for you, then by all means go for it. I would wager that almost everyone who has contemplated about becoming a CFI has been nervous about it to various degrees (I know I was), but eventually we all overcame it and moved on to something more to our liking (and learnt important lessons from it as well). It's only a hurdle which seems daunting to you now, but once you reach that point and surpass it, everything will be all right.
 
tcco94 said:
Becoming a CFI really builds your confidence and learning. In just my 6 weeks of training and checkrides for CFI/CFII I learned so much more.

I strongly advise to avoid the shortcuts. Do what will make you a better pilot and you can only determine that. I really felt like if I didn't, then I'd cut corners and eventually it'd catch up to me and my knowledge would be far less than my colleagues. Everyone is different though, so survey pilot/tow pilot/skydive pilot might be better for you. Just don't look at your instructor and think "I can't do that"...

Because that's what the training is for. When I was doing my CFI training I had to stop comparing myself to 2-4 year instructors because I lost confidence and felt overwhelmed.

If you just study and stick to the training then you'll be fine. I emphasize the studying.
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I'm not sure how ridiculous this sounds, but what worries me a little is getting someone with a bad motive. Not everyone is psychologically sound to be in a plane. Just look at that Eurowings guy
 
JayAlarm said:
I'm not sure how ridiculous this sounds, but what worries me a little is getting someone with a bad motive. Not everyone is psychologically sound to be in a plane. Just look at that Eurowings guy
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I was taught to have a strong elbow and don't be afraid to use it. I'm no big guy either but that's definitely something that hasn't crossed my mind. Some people have other measures to deal with that bad motive if it happens that are better than having a strong elbow or "pimp hand"...

All jokes aside, I wouldn't worry about that man. Just focus on the training and don't put instructing away just yet. I thought I'd hate doing the training for CFI which is why I tried to look elsewhere to avoid it. Come to find out, it was my best training yet and I learned that I enjoy teaching people. Just enjoy the next few ratings and get them done. Training can be exhausting. By that time a little over a year when you have everything ready, who knows what the industry will be like.
 
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Find a small company that already has a small plane or needs to get one to advance their business. Use your degree for the job (pay), fly for them in your duties for the company.
 
Get your CFI and get to instructing. After your 1st 100 hours of instructing you will be skilled and confident.

Don't make the mistake of trying to reinvent the wheel and find a "newer cheaper" way. The cheapest way to learn to fly is to join the military, if you're not going to do that then you'll probably end up instructing.
 
I towed banners for a year. Believe it or not, the money was good and the QoL was fairly good as well, as long as you're single or your spouse isn't employed - significant others could tag along on trips.
 
Erik10 said:
I towed banners for a year. Believe it or not, the money was good and the QoL was fairly good as well, as long as you're single or your spouse isn't employed - significant others could tag along on trips.
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I looked up towing banner jobs and a large majority of them wanted 100-200 hours of tailwheel time already...
 
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