No flying for me this weekend. 9DS is down for an inspection and needed maintenance. You might think that I’d be going out of my mind being so close to finishing my Private Pilot certification and not flying three weekends in a row, but my college course this this quarter is very brutal and I’ve been relieved every weekend I learn I’m not going up.
I’m not going to be certified in time for Sporty’s Annual Fly-In, so I’m not pushing for that anymore. My next “It’d be great to fly” event is the end of June for the annual fishing trip with my father, uncle, and brother. You may recall that it was during the fishing trip last year that I resolved to become a pilot—it’s the anniversary of starting down this road. I’d really like to be wrapped up before the date rolls around again.
This is a problem for general aviation: it shouldn’t take a year to get a certification if the student really wants to become a pilot and tries to fly multiple times each week. Sure, the weather played its part in delaying the completion of my training, but most of it is just the requirements of the training. When someone asks me about becoming a pilot, I gloss over the fact that it has taken me a year—not because I’m embarrassed by it, but because it will scare off the potential new aviator. It’s not that the people I speak with are afraid of the hard work that it takes to be a pilot, but if I tell them “it will take you a year and $10,000”, I don’t blame them for finding other ways that money and time investment might be spent.
That’s where the Sports Pilot certification comes in. “Give me two weeks and I’ll make you a pilot.” I like the idea of the Sport Pilot Certificate, and I think I’ll recommend it to people who want to become pilots but may hesitate at the cost or, more significantly, the time investment. Become a pilot, get flying in your blood, appreciate the benefits for a while, then transition to a Private Pilot Certificate when it makes sense for them.
Just my thoughts. I’d love to hear yours, because my mind isn’t set on the matter and I’m open to persuasion.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
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1 comments:
I'd prefer to tell them "It MAY take a year and $10,000," stressing the implication that it may take considerably less as well. That way they're not completely discouraged, but also prepared for the commitment. Location obviously makes a big difference in cost and perhaps even timetable.
But yeah, it's usually going to take more and longer than you thought - I SHOULD have been done in 5-6 months - in the end it was 9 due to FBO issues. THAT'S the way it goes.
BTW, I find it amusing that I have less total time even though I've had a license for two years now, than you finished your ticket up with (right around the 100 mark, I finished w/ 56). Just goes to show a) every student is different and b) if you spend all your money LEARNING to fly, you won't have much left to ACTUALLY fly when you get done. :) :(
I'm with you on the Sport Pilot license, though. I really love the idea of it and hope it grows stronger wings than the Recreation Pilot License did. At least Sport Pilot has the industry behind it (Cessna's entry is a huge push), so it SHOULD have a fighting chance. It's still not 'cheap,' but if it was around when I started, I likely woudl have gone that route since most of my favorite flying is slow and low with one in tow anyway.
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