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/pilot/ - Aviation

123,520 ft is the limit!

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 No.34

Hey /pilot/, I really like aircraft, and your board interests me a lot. I've got my hands tied with university at the moment, but I want to become a pilot once I finish my masters in microbial biology. Where would I start? I live in California and there are lots of small airfields nearby that offer pilot lessons, but it all seems a little daunting at the moment.
I have a few main questions:
Are there any physical/visual requirements? How much does it usually cost? I know that I would probably have to purchase fuel, but do I have to purchase an aircraft, or is it possible to rent one?

 No.36

I went to a 141 school so my costs may not be representative of what you will pay going to a part 61 flight school, but my Private Pilots License cost just shy of 12,000. If you really want to be a pilot, start saving. With regards to your medical, as long as you can see 20/20 (with or without glasses), aren't colorblind, aren't deaf, aren't on any medications, and are just generally healthy you should have no issues getting a third class medical. Once you have your license, most flight schools will allow you to rent their planes. Buying a plane is an option if you fly a lot. Buying the plane itself isn't that expensive (look around on trade a plane and you can find old 172's for about 20,000) but the insurance and maintenance is.

If the cost of it all hasn't scared you off, you could start studying aviation weather products:

http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC-0045G_chg1_fullDocument.pdf

VFR sectional charts:

https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/media/Chart_Users_Guide_12thEd.pdf

and applicable regulations to student and private pilots in part 61 and 91:

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=d0a2d54505ca8a3733cde8be6b72effb&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title14/14cfrv2_02.tpl#0

The Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is a good book to guide you through most of your initial training:

http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/

and the Airplane Flying Handbook is another good publication to teach you the basics of actually flying a plane:

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/

Don't be overwhelmed by all that stuff I linked to, you don't need to know it all before beginning your training. Your flight instructors will teach a lot of it you you while you are in training and a lot of it will make more sense when you actually start flying. With that being said, the more that you can learn before you begin training will make everything a lot easier and save you money.

 No.42

>>36
Shit all that info free online? I feel ripped off for all the books they had me buy now.

For some more study material you'll want to get a copy of the aeronautical information manual which you can find a PDF of online. It's full of useful information as far as laws, regulations, equipment and abbreviations go.

 No.43


 No.45

>>36
Thank you very much anon, lots of good info.



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