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Flying as a hobby

Old 23rd May 2016, 04:56
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Flying as a hobby

Hi All,

Been a long time reader of this forum,and I have always had a keen eye toward taking steps to obtain a private pilots license. I don't want to give the whole spiel about how it's always been my dream, because funnily enough it's not something I want as a career. I'm 22 years old and relatively happy with my employment, however want to add that bit of extra excitement to my life.

So my main question is; Is it too expensive of a hobby? Spending thousands upon thousands just to fly? Any information/criticisms would be helpful. I live 10 minutes drive from Moorabbin airport so getting to and from isn't an issue

Thanks!
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Old 23rd May 2016, 10:01
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It depends on how much disposable income you have.

Not flying for a career is good decision, unless you enjoy living in marginal poverty or want to join the ADF.

Get a good job - nobody I know who works in IT gets out of bed for under 250K - and fly as and when you can afford.
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Old 23rd May 2016, 10:48
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The thing with flying is the cost is highly visible, fly an aircraft that costs $300 per hour for one hour and yep you guessed it, it costs $300.

I have mates that have spent $100k plus on a boat that gets used 8 times a year but fall over if I mention any costs to do with aviation. When they sell their boat now worth $70k they take no account of the money spent running it whilst they had it.
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Old 23rd May 2016, 10:50
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And once you learn to fly, perhaps find a few friends who also share your passion?

Then you can share costs as you explore the wonderful country that we live in.

Go for it!
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Old 23rd May 2016, 10:53
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Teach your children to fly.

Then they'll never be able to afford drugs.
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Old 23rd May 2016, 11:18
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I know probably 200+ people in IT or so my contact list in my phone says so, and probably only three of them would be earning over $200k.

Flying as a hobby, sure, go for it and if you change your mind about enjoying it, you won't have to also change careers as well !
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Old 23rd May 2016, 11:47
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some options

if you are serious about having a go consider recreational aviation power flying and gliding.
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Old 23rd May 2016, 13:17
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if you are serious about having a go consider recreational aviation power flying and gliding.
And before you seriously consider the above as a hobby, I recommend you read the latest Flight Safety Australia magazine at flightsafetyaustralia.com/closecalls. It sure scared me away
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Old 23rd May 2016, 14:16
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Have a go, you can always stop if you don't like it or if it becomes unaffordable.

Flying has been my hobby since my early twenties. I, like you, have never wanted to fly as a career but have enjoyed the lifelong learning, challenges and social aspects of flying. I am now the wrong side of fifty but still go for a flight nearly every weekend and still immensely enjoy the experience.

In terms of expense, if you are really passionate about flying you will find the funds. I did stop flying for a period of some 10 years from the age of about 34. This was partly due to funds (mortgage, kids etc) and partly due to a demanding career.

I am now in the fortunate position to be able to afford it. In any case, I have never regretted spending the money on something that is solely for my enjoyment and benefit. If you are really passionate and interested in flying then have a go - I am certain you won't regret it.
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Old 23rd May 2016, 14:34
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You don't have to be a pilot to enjoy flying


Mickjoebill
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Old 23rd May 2016, 20:22
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Perhaps an idea would be to go to New Zealand and learn to fly.
Cheaper, easier, nice scenery to fly over, seriously good fishing, far less stressful and you don't potentially become a criminal every time you sit in an airplane.
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Old 24th May 2016, 09:30
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So my main question is; Is it too expensive of a hobby? Spending thousands upon thousands just to fly?
So go and spend $20K on a jet ski, use it every second weekend for 6 months of the year then once a month next summer and then be lucky to get it out once the following year. Sell it for $10K

Or spend $20K on a skill you have for life. Yep there are ongoing costs. A mate of mine learning to fly put it this way.

"An hour of flying costs me (for example) $300. But that hour of flying actually takes me an hour dreaming about what I want to do, an hour convincing the wife it is a good idea, an hour planning the flight, and hour getting the plane ready, the hour of flight, and hour putting the plane to bed, three or four hours reliving the flight over th next few days, lather rinse repeat." So for every hours flight I might actually do 6-8 hours of "stuff" to do with that flight, which is all part and partial of that flight and also a big part of the enjoyment, if I work that out at an hourly cost across that it comes out to less than $40 per hour. That is very much value for money in my book".

His view might not work for everyone but I do love his very pragmatic approach. As Left 270 said, the hourly cost, costs you an hour, but realistically that is not all that is involved in that flight, or any flight. Just the most visible part.

I don't know any single pilot who flies or has flown for fun who has ever regretted his or her decision. In fact nearly everyone I know regrets not doing (insert something here where they could have made more money but decided not to for whatever reason) to fund more flying!

If you want to do something, you will find the time and money. If you don't want to do something, you will find an excuse.

Cheers
CB
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Old 24th May 2016, 11:09
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Have you ever flown a light aircraft before? If not, go and get some lessons and see whether you like it! Spending maybe $500 on a couple of hours in a plane with an instructor is absolutely worthwhile if it helps you decide whether or not to spend a lot more money in the future.

You can drop out at any point during the training, or once you've got a PPL, with the only loss being the money you've already sunk into it (for which you've gained a lot of experience). Unless you actually go and buy a plane it's trivial to just walk away from the whole industry.

Like Cloud Basher has said, it's pretty rare to find a pilot who's regretted his/her decision. It seems like a good bet that all those who were going to regret it dropped out before getting a license. On the other hand, there are a lot of pilots who are now approaching or into their 80s, and the only thing that'll stop them flying is failing a medical. They've been flying for 50+ years and still enjoy it.
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Old 24th May 2016, 12:53
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I fly for fun

I fly just for fun. I have clocked up 500hours over 8 eight years. Its been a hoot. There is a lot of satisfaction as you build your flying skills and once you have a licence flying is a great way to see Australia.

It's not cheap and therefore you need a good job or, better yet, a rich wife. RA is cheaper than GA but with GA it's possible to take friends and family with you. If it is just you and one other maybe RA is all that you need.

If you have the spare cash why not fly?
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Old 24th May 2016, 14:18
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The only person who can answer the question of whether it is too expensive to fly as a hobby is you. But when you come right down to it, most hobbies that involve complex equipment are expensive. Flying, though, literally gives you an entirely different perspective on life. If you've always had an eye to getting a private licence, then you may as well find out if you really do want it.
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Old 25th May 2016, 02:04
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Best ways to make flying affordable.
1. Dont smoke
2.Dont gamble
3.Only drink socially ie 6 beers per week max
4. Join a good syndicate ( this can half your flying costs)
5.Share fly whenever possible.
You could also add dont get married or have kids
Oh and have a steady ,reasonable paying job
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Old 25th May 2016, 12:06
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I was like you and always wanted to fly, but it took me until I was 40 to actually do it. Do it while you are still young - it's much harder learning something as complex as flying when you are just that little bit older.

Yes, it gets expensive. People say that being a sailor is like standing in a cold shower ripping up hundred dollar notes, and flying sometimes feels like you are standing in front of a fan with your wallet open. But along the way you'll have a series of amazing firsts - first flying lesson, first landing, first solo etc - and they are incredible experiences that you will never ever forget.

Find yourself a good flying school and a flying instructor who you click with. Don't be afraid to try a few different instructors until you find the right one for you. Pay lesson-by-lesson in case you decide the flying thing is not for you (or the flying school goes bust).

With work and a busy life outside flying it's taken me two years to get where I am, but I am pretty close now to achieving my lifelong goal of a private pilots licence. It's the single best decision I ever made.
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Old 26th May 2016, 11:27
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spending thousands upon thousands just to fly.

There are blokes out there that spend even more to go car racing....some of them are even happy running at the back.

ITs your money ralph, waste it on the thing that gives you the most enjoyment.
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Old 26th May 2016, 12:28
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Moffla,

Perhaps plan for the day when you may be flying with friends over the Painted Hills within the Painted Desert in S.A.?

You will all be amazed by the marvellous beauty of the place.

And none of your friends will be able to say that they've driven there by 4WD. Because there are no roads there...

Go for it!
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Old 26th May 2016, 14:05
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When I consider the 10's of thousands of dollars I've spent on ratings and renewals I don't even use (MECIR what was I thinking?) to try and score a job that pays crap money I wish I had better advice from the start. I just saw yesterday a Chief Pilot job advertised with a salary half of what I make now. Contending with a flood of VET-FEE HELP funded CPL holder only makes it worse.

I absolutely recommend flying as the greatest hobby in existence. Try all different types, paragliding, aerobatics, gliding, recreational flying, helicopters if you can afford it. Find what you like and stick with it. You'll never regret being able to fly.
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