Buying a Plane for Training?

[Flying Ninja]

Maybe I am confused but why would you want "airline style flight training" for your PVT through Commercial Multi...

It sounds cool and it helps programs like CAPT dupe students to paying them big bucks for it. They say it helps you transition easier. But that easier transition sure costs a hell of a lot considering Pilot A with "airline style" training and Pilot B with traditional training will both succeed at a regional.

Here's your airline style training in a nutshell: Don't be stupid.

There, I just saved you thousands of dollars.

 

[Sawmill]

777-2H4:
If you think you will drop out of flight training, then dont buy a plane. if you think you will stay with it, then it is much more cost effective to have your own or 1/2 interest in one. As far as after your commercial multi (>250 hours), would you rather build time in a multi or a single? The single is cheaper obviously and you will need another 700 hours or so to be viable for the airlines. Just rent a multi for the 100 hours you need to apply to the regionals.

 

[Sawmill]

Well, like I said in an earlier post, I bought a plane and saved thousands. I was almost duped by the scam-artist flight schools in Florida a few years back. Fortunately I listened to pilots wiser than me and did not drink their kool-aid. I have since interviewed at 5 airlines and was offered jobs at 4 or them. Oh, by the way, I flew for 2 of them and just quit yesterday from the second. I've had enough of the madness with the regionals. I'm going back to making real money at a real job and enjoying flying my little single engine around the SE.

 

[bell47]

See my add for my 150 under the stuff for sale! bell47

 

[777-2H4]

Once you get past the IFR and Multi stages of training, isn't it more advantageous to do most of your flying in more complex (multi) planes? I realize that all hours flown will count and you can do the bare minimum in a multi...of course I suppose you could get your MEI and instruct in a multi in order to get more time in it.

also, what about weight? This pilot told me that for a 200lb guy like myself I'd be better off in a 172 than a 150....?

As for whether I think I would drop out or not, well I don't know. How does anyone know before you do it?

 

[Flying Ninja]

Sure, if you can afford to pay for multi-engine flying from thereon in. Around my area, a multi costs about $220 per hour to rent. That's a lot of clams to build time with considering in the eyes of the FAA and airlines, an hour is an hour is an hour. They do want multi time but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone with more multi hours than single hours prior to working for a regional.

As far as weight is concerned, I wouldn't worry too much. A 150 looks small but it's got enough there for two 200 lb. people plus fuel load. A 172 does help since you can carry more weight and fuel.

 

[bell47]

No one hiring is gonna say "you've only been flying a 150, but if you had been flying a 172 all this time, well, I'd hire you." Remember that you are building time, not trying to get somewhere in a hurry. Who cares if you only go 90mph. Would you rather spend 200 bucks to fly 8 hours (in your own 150) or spend $800 bucks renting for the same amount of flight time(in some 182, that cost $100 bucks an hour, if you can get one for that). Do the math, it makes sense to own your own. Split your multi with a Safety pilot. If you think that you need "airline" type training, find some local guy who flys for an airline to do some of your training.

 

[Crizz]

Facts:

1965 172
Purchased 4/02 - $38k
Sold 2/05 - $44k

That bird sold for $6500 brand new in 1965 - hows that for appreciation.


Total spent for flight training: Solo-CFII/MEI $23.5k (Includes 30 hrs multi and all instruction)


Find a flight school that will get you all those ratings for less than $50k, and do it in less than a year - NONE will.

You dont have to do it alone. Put the numbers on paper, and show another person at similar stages in their training. Thats what I had to do... it took alot of convincing but the numbers spoke for themselves.

Good luck and PM if you need any more info about specifics.

 

[777-2H4]

I'm still trying to understand how this works. Do you buy the plane **before** you begin even your PPL lessons, or wait and rent until you are signed off as solo? How would you go to pick up the plane in another city if you are not solo'd? Flying out there with a CFI and back could get expensive.

Also...how does a total beginner know what they really need in a plane? Sales listings describe a laundry-list of equipment but until you have acquired some knowledge how do you know what equipment to look for, and which brands are better? I wold think that it would be quite difficult for a total zero hour person to make a knowledgeable choice. I'd have to hire an A&P mechanic to go over it?

 

[Sawmill]

My suggestion is go take a few lessons and see if you are going to like it first. The answer to all your questions is research my man. Go to Barnes & Nobles and buy some books and magazines. Use the internet. Ask a lot of questions to everyone in aviation that you meet. People who fly will be more than happy to give you guidance and their opinions. Dont sweat the details right now, like how you will get the airplane home, until you find the "right" aircraft for you.