CPL - command hour building

[propelled]

Hi guys, just after a bit of help/advice from those who have 'been there-done that'...

Im completing the 200hr CPL- have been getting there slowly over the past 5 yrs.. Currently have approx 140 total (60 command)..

I understand I will need appox 40hrs command, which will leave me about 20hrs dual for CPL Navs, gen. handling, etc...

What is the cheapest way to go about finishing it off?... seeing as though I'm on a shoestring budget... ok ok I'm also being a tightass...lol..

Some thoughts are:
1) renting from an aircraft owner privately? how do I go about finding aircraft for hire privately?
2) buzzing around in a c150
3) giving ultralights a go? i'd imagine rental is cheaper than a c152?- these hours will count right??
4) any other ideas?

I'm not really worried about aircraft type, its all the same navigation, just that I will get there slower than a faster type...

Any tips & advice would be appreciated...

Cheers!

[AerocatS2A]

You could go on a trip with friends and share the cost. Or you could do what I did and front up to an aeroclub with a lump of cash and offer to take their Piper Cub around the country for a few weeks. They were happy enough to get some flying for the machine and gave me a discount. I managed to avoid crashing it and had a great time.

[flog]

I knowq you can count Gliding towards your ATPL hours, can you count it towards the CPL?

Otherwise go jump in a Jab/Tecnam/etc.

[Aerodynamisist]

This may or may not help Prop when I was in your situation I washed alott of aeroplanes, and worked for a aerial ag mob for two (cotton) seasons and was able to get some time in a cherokee and a 172.

[go_soaring]

G'day flog,

That's right, you can count gliding time towards your ATPL (up to 750hrs). Generally most clubs around AUS hire out their gliders for 60cpm and launch costs are from $6-40 for 1500-2000'. Often there is also a max charge for the day, starting from $80-150/day. If the wx is good, you can stay up for over 10hrs, but sadly the winter has just started and flights of around 3-5hrs are generally possible.


go_soaring! instead

[AussieNick]

grab a map of australia, throw 5 darts at it, ply connect the dots, you have your flight plan. Then go get a C150 and cut loose. remember its not how far you fly, but how long that it takes you to get there

[tmpffisch]

Not trying to undermine the experience and skill required in gliding (because it is an art), but how would prospective employers look upon your experience/logbook when you have 50 hours of gliding instead of 50 hours of navigating PIC in a plane with an engine.

Yes, the hours count towards your licence, but would they count towards a real-world job.....

[solowflyer]

Could try meat bombing or glider towing on you ppl.

You would be better off jumping in a technam or other type of Rec AC than the normal GA types, this will save you a bundel. Another one is do some more ratings ie NVFR etc, If you are paying to hire an AC might as well get the most bang for your buck.

Also don't over look net working you might be able to find someone who has there own 172 for business that you may be able to convince them to let you fly them to where ever they are going.

I scraped up some cash together and did a tour of the country, was great fun.

[Mr. Hat]

Have a look in the CAR's but i remember somewhere that glider time or ultra light time can contribute to total time but not sure about command time...

i contempletaed it when i couldn't find a job and wanted to keep the hours ticking over

[propelled]

Thanks for the info so far guys...

all good tips... i'll have a further look into RA as this seems to be a good saving...
also keen to rent privately from aircraft owners.. any directory on this online, or all 'word of mouth'?..

Cheers..

[tmpffisch]

CavityDriller
I don't doubt that, as I said it is an art. However, when a prospective employer is looking at a 250hr pilots resume, is he going to be wishing that the few hours the pilot does have flying, that it had been in a plane, with passengers, making PIC decisions, navigating? ...Or in a glider (as you so aptly put, practicing forced landings)

Is it going to matter? Do they care?

[Brian Abraham]

Sully in fact was asked if his gliding experience was of use during the accident and his reply was a definite "No".

[propelled]

thanks all for ur input...

at this stage i'll try to get my hands on a c150 privately around aug/sep and go for a trip around the country...
Cheers all! :ok:

[MartinCh]

Sully in fact was asked if his gliding experience was of use during the accident and his reply was a definite "No".

Well, then go asking the Cpt of 'Gimli Glider' :-D

[tmpffisch]

....A glide from FL410....

Captain Pearson, however, was an experienced glider (http://www.pprune.org/wiki/Glider) pilot, which gave him familiarity with some flying techniques almost never used by commercial pilots. In order to have the maximum range and therefore the largest choice of possible landing site, he needed to fly the 767 at a speed known as the "best glide ratio (http://www.pprune.org/wiki/Glide_ratio) speed". Wikipedia

Yes, glider experience was critical to the safe landing because it afforded him the knowledge that to glide the furthest, one had to adapt the best glide speed....who woulda thunk it. :ugh:

[manymak]

Be aware of your avaliable endurance in a C150/152. Shortly after gaining my PPL I set of on a trip up the east coast in a C152. You will be forever refuelling. If you were to head out to central aus/top end/kimberlies there may be instances where you can't find fuel on long legs which may push your endurance.

As mentioned previously. Gather a few friends and hire a C182/PA28R. There are plenty of these avaliable for hire and will travel much further/faster. Not to mention much more comfortable! :ok:

[propelled]

yep thats a good point manymak.... i one of those may be the 'go' :ok:

i've got 3 wks off in oct, so will try and line one up for then...
cheers!

[ZappBrannigan]

Yes, glider experience was critical to the safe landing because it afforded him the knowledge that to glide the furthest, one had to adapt the best glide speed....who woulda thunk it.Yep, who would have ever guessed it :)

I watched the Air Crash Investigation take on the Gimli Glider - they spoke about sideslipping as though it was a manoeuver never before tried by anyone except Chuck Yeager (not to take anything away from Mr Pearson's brilliant efforts).

[CazbahKid]

I watched the Air Crash Investigation take on the Gimli Glider - they spoke about sideslipping as though it was a manoeuver never before tried by anyone except Chuck Yeager (not to take anything away from Mr Pearson's brilliant efforts).

Not really...just that it had never been tried in a 767 before...

[propelled]

Hi guys... have booked my annual leave (3 wks this Oct), and hoping to get 20-30 command hours in on a trip in a 172 or possibly a 210...

after looking at the 'photos' thread, have noticed some quite interesting scenery and airstrips and have my thinking and drinking cap on!

so, am after some ideas for places to go...

* will be travelling with 1 or 2 mates.
*departing from syd basin.
* looking for a mix of coastal and inland stopovers..
*some places with a good pub to drink (and stay at) for non-fly days would be good too!..

if anyone has done a trip 20-30hrs ex syd, let me know some ideas!

look fwd to your suggestions!
cheers

[tmpffisch]

propelled:

Coffs
Cooly/Gold Coast or somewhere around it
Hamilton Is. or Mackay
Cairns
Longreach
Noccundra Hotel
Broken Hill
Back to SydneyNot accounting for wind, you're looking at about 23 hours flying time to do that round trip based on some basic calculations. I haven't flown it, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

[multime]

My command time was an outback dream. Coloundra to Ayres Rock, stopping at Charlliville, Windorah, Birdsville, Bourke, etc etc You,ll never forget it.
Fly by Wac not gps although a good backup. Learn. Get notams and weather everyday on your decisions. Be prepared to be flexible. Firstly - ? fuel, carnet, cash, creditcard,? essential stuff.
Accomodation at this stage is second. But camping in a C172 isn,t fun. And cold. Attractions ? combine your time with what you,d like to see. Take a good camera and spare batterys. Plenty to see, ! mum and dad love that stuff.
Take it as a challenge and a big learning curve, both in flying and how to deal with the locals.! Great Stuff.
Goodluck
Multi:ok: