Learning to Fly - Home School?

[LarryX]

Hello fellow passionate flyers,

I always wanted to learn, how to fly but day-jobs and routines never allowed time to do so. I think one has to find time to what he or she really want to do in life! So, I have now decided to pursue my long overdue dream of flying.

I would like to know if it is practical to do the ground training / theory at home or one has to go to flying school?

What books are required to learn flying (and to be get a PPL)? I have just ordered Jeppesen GFD Private Pilot Textbook to get through basics of flying and also got X-Plane 11 with a bit of hardware (Yoke and Throttle). My intention is not to jump right into the simulator or train out of simulator and fly a real plane; the idea is to get the theory right and understand the basic principles of flying, understand the instruments etc. I completely understand that real-life flying situations are far from sims.

Looking forward to any advise.

Thanks again.

[alex90]

Get your medical & at least one trial flight before investing a lot of time and money into it. I have seen people getting to solo stage and realising that they'll never be able to fly due medical.

Don't use the simulator, you'll pickup really bad habits that your instructor will hate you for... at least until you get to instrument flying anyway!

I used the Pooleys books because they suited my style a bit better, and were easier to carry, but nothing wrong with jeppesen's series. I then practiced with an app called EASA PPL Exam which was pretty good.

I would take a trial flight (or several at different places) the relationship between you and your instructor will be very important, so do look around.

Never ever pay upfront for the whole (or even half) the course.

I would start the ground school at home, make time for it - and supplement it with your instructor.

Good luck and let us know how you get on!

[MrAverage]

Alex!


The OP is in the USA - Great as they are, Pooleys will not work for him.


Larry:


You're already showing great wisdom, but as Alex says - take a trial lesson somewhere first.

[rudestuff]

If we're talking FAA here, sportys.com do an online private course for $199 which covers everything and gives you the endorsement to take the written test, so you can turn up at school with the written test in your hand and save a fortune. I knew a lot of people at school who were ready for check ride, but hadn't passed the written and end up stringing out their training unnecessarily.
Step 1 should always be trial lesson and medical.

[mary meagher]

I've been learning to fly since 1983! ! ! no, seriously, began in gliders and went on to get the power license. Mainly in the UK, but I also visit family in the US a lot, and fly myself to visit them in Florida, Texas, N.J. and Michigan.
I got the instrument rating in Georgetown, Texas.

In which state do you live? and what airfields are near your home? that is the best way to start looking, snoop around and ask questions. O yes, and as Alex 90 says, go see your doctor FIRST, it would be very frustrating to find out some medical condition might get in the way of a license.

Don't spend too much time on the technical stuff, the books and the simulators. It is MOST IMPORTANT to get your butt into a REAL airplane, with an instructor if possible, so the experience of leaving the ground is what matters. Experience the weather, handling controls, finding your way, and learning how to land without bending it! Nothing else matters, that can all come later, and it will make a lot more sense.

So near your home, that matters. Because you will make friends wherever you learn to fly. ( Your other friends won't have a clue what you are talking about any more!)

[alex90]

Oh Damn! Sorry! I was on my phone and must have missed the location... Sorry!

Please ignore the books and app bit - doesn't apply to you! I have heard good things about the Sportys series, but I know little else.

Definitely go to your local airport, and shop around the schools to see who you get on with best, and who is likely to be ripping you off!

[LarryX]

If we're talking FAA here, sportys.com do an online private course for $199 which covers everything and gives you the endorsement to take the written test, so you can turn up at school with the written test in your hand and save a fortune. I knew a lot of people at school who were ready for check ride, but hadn't passed the written and end up stringing out their training unnecessarily.
Step 1 should always be trial lesson and medical.

@rudestuff - Thank you, I looked at sportys.com and indeed a very good website and great package. I think, I would sign-up here soon after my medical. About the trial lesson, I did fly over Acadia from a local airport on Cessna 172 and I must say it made me decision even more stronger to go for flying lessons. Thanks again, very helpful.

I've been learning to fly since 1983! ! ! no, seriously, began in gliders and went on to get the power license. Mainly in the UK, but I also visit family in the US a lot, and fly myself to visit them in Florida, Texas, N.J. and Michigan.
I got the instrument rating in Georgetown, Texas.

In which state do you live? and what airfields are near your home? that is the best way to start looking, snoop around and ask questions. O yes, and as Alex 90 says, go see your doctor FIRST, it would be very frustrating to find out some medical condition might get in the way of a license.

Don't spend too much time on the technical stuff, the books and the simulators. It is MOST IMPORTANT to get your butt into a REAL airplane, with an instructor if possible, so the experience of leaving the ground is what matters. Experience the weather, handling controls, finding your way, and learning how to land without bending it! Nothing else matters, that can all come later, and it will make a lot more sense.

So near your home, that matters. Because you will make friends wherever you learn to fly. ( Your other friends won't have a clue what you are talking about any more!)

Thank you Mary?,

Very inspiring words, I completely agree with you and what other fellow responders said; I am taking appointment for my medical examination before I pursue any further.

I live in Vermont and have taken trial flights before; I must say my decision to learn flying became even more firm after those flights. Love the feeling of taking off the ground and aligning back to that blossoming runway!

Thanks again.

Larry

Oh Damn! Sorry! I was on my phone and must have missed the location... Sorry!

Please ignore the books and app bit - doesn't apply to you! I have heard good things about the Sportys series, but I know little else.

Definitely go to your local airport, and shop around the schools to see who you get on with best, and who is likely to be ripping you off!

No worries Alex, what matters is that you replied even when you were busy. Thanks for your input.

Alex!


The OP is in the USA - Great as they are, Pooleys will not work for him.


Larry:


You're already showing great wisdom, but as Alex says - take a trial lesson somewhere first.

Thank you.

[Discorde]

Hi Larry. 'Handling Light Aircraft' by Julien Evans (ebook) might be helpful to you. Good luck with the training!

[LarryX]

Hi Larry. 'Handling Light Aircraft' by Julien Evans (ebook) might be helpful to you. Good luck with the training!

Thank you Discorde, much appreciated. I will find this eBook.

[LarryX]

Thank you everyone for wonderful feedback and advises. Love the suggestion of Sports.com for homeschool, I am definitely enrolling.

Since I am planning to obtain PPL, apparently I am told there is Class II and Class III. Class II has 12 months validity and Class III has got 24 months validity. Which medical class test is required for PPL and how long is the test valid for really?

Sorry about all rookie questions but there are different versions on the internet.

Thanks,

Larry