dfd
Moderator: drseti
Re: Looking for a Certified Flight Instructor in the Bay Are
Kamron,nzdude09 wrote:It would be great if you had your own plane, I would obviously pay for fuel and be willing to clean, wax, polish and do other such things.
I wish you the best on that search. Not too many owners are going to let you train in their aircraft without getting enough to cover fuel, maintenance reserves, insurance, etc., on top of their instruction fee.
Aerodynamic Aviation at Reid Hillview in San Jose has 3 newer S-LSA's. as well as a few older type certificated aircraft that can be flown under the SP rules. Their website is : http://www.aerodynamicaviation.com/index.php . I recommend Jim Grant as a CFI.
Roger Fane
Former owner of a 2006 Flight Design CTsw
Former owner of a 2006 Flight Design CTsw
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Jim Stewart
- Posts: 467
- Joined: Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:49 pm
Here are some thoughts from an old fart. Firstly, do the ground school and pass the knowledge test with a 90+ score. This will show your motivation and commitment and will not cost more than $300. Next, seriously consider a private pilot certificate. The 3rd class medical is not difficult to pass and once you've got your private certificate, you can always let the medical lapse and fly under sport pilot privileges. There are lots and lots of pp instructors and airplanes and they are usually cheaper than the new sport planes. Finally, it might just not be the right time to start your training. Getting a degree and a job might be the best priorities for you right now.
Thank you for your advice, just still trying to find someone out there! The ground school is not really a problem for me (not trying to sound cocky) but if I can still train on an older plane and just get my certification for a sport plane.
Are there any instructors on here that are in the bay area?
Are there any instructors on here that are in the bay area?
Kamron,nzdude09 wrote:Thank you for your advice, just still trying to find someone out there! The ground school is not really a problem for me (not trying to sound cocky) but if I can still train on an older plane and just get my certification for a sport plane.
Are there any instructors on here that are in the bay area?
I'm a CFI, although I don't teach light sport. I'll second the advice to put this off until you're in a financial position to do so. I'll also second what Roger said -- you can't operate any airplane for the price fuel alone; most of us who own aircraft are not instructors and, sadly, even the ones who are do not find themselves sitting around waiting for a student to cover 20-30% of the cost of operating their airplane. I have known a number of students over the years who have quit just shy of a certificate because they ran out of money, and I can count on one hand the number who ultimately came back and finished it off. $2,000 is not likely to get you a sport certificate (especially in the Bay area). My advice would be to go get some realistic figures from a few of the schools that offer this training, add a fudge factor (it WILL cost you more) and then decide if now is the right time. Better to put the whole thing off and then complete it in one swell foop than it is to stop-and-start, in my experience.
Chris
The value of ground school
I cannot tell you how many prospective, or even licensed, pilots have come to our school with the idea they don't need "ground school" and that they can do it themselves. This is pure B.S. and shows why you need it.
You don't know what you don't know. Yes you can pass an FAA multiple guess test, but you really don't know the finer points of becoming an Aviator without sitting in a room with 25 other student pilots and multiple instructors and speakers who teach you about aviation.
Becoming a good pilot is a lifestyle, not a quick test. Invest in yourself, do the ground school and then start flight training. Also, be sure you have enough time, and money, to complete this project. Take the estimates you are given, and then double it.
It is a common misconception that a Sport Pilot is not as hard, or requires as much thought and skill as a Private Pilot license. Baloney. The main difference you are not doing the night training and some extra instrument work. EVERYTHING else is the same.
Many of the LSA are much more technically advanced airplanes than the traditional training planes. Glass cockpits and speedy, slippery, airframes. I would argue that the Sport Pilot has to be a better pilot than those flying a heavy and forgiving Cessna 172.
Enjoy your flight training. You will remember this period for the rest of your life.
Scott Johnson
Chief Instructor, LSA North ~ Stick-n-Rudder Flight Training
You don't know what you don't know. Yes you can pass an FAA multiple guess test, but you really don't know the finer points of becoming an Aviator without sitting in a room with 25 other student pilots and multiple instructors and speakers who teach you about aviation.
Becoming a good pilot is a lifestyle, not a quick test. Invest in yourself, do the ground school and then start flight training. Also, be sure you have enough time, and money, to complete this project. Take the estimates you are given, and then double it.
It is a common misconception that a Sport Pilot is not as hard, or requires as much thought and skill as a Private Pilot license. Baloney. The main difference you are not doing the night training and some extra instrument work. EVERYTHING else is the same.
Many of the LSA are much more technically advanced airplanes than the traditional training planes. Glass cockpits and speedy, slippery, airframes. I would argue that the Sport Pilot has to be a better pilot than those flying a heavy and forgiving Cessna 172.
Enjoy your flight training. You will remember this period for the rest of your life.
Scott Johnson
Chief Instructor, LSA North ~ Stick-n-Rudder Flight Training
Flight training begins on the ground, not in the air.℠
2011 FAASTeam Representative of the Year, Great Lakes Region
http://www.SticknRudder.com
2011 FAASTeam Representative of the Year, Great Lakes Region
http://www.SticknRudder.com
I agree -- ground school is important to becoming a good pilot. Sure, you can buy a study guide and pass the written test but I'm assuming you want to be a pilot because you love flying. Ground school give you even more time with the flying experience.
Ground school is an opportunity to spend time learning more than the answers to test questions. Mine was in a group setting which provided for great discussion. Put two pilots (or would be pilots) in the same room and the BS starts to fly
Hey, I even like the ground instruction for my bienniel. Just an opportunity to learn something new from someone with a different perspective.
Ground school is an opportunity to spend time learning more than the answers to test questions. Mine was in a group setting which provided for great discussion. Put two pilots (or would be pilots) in the same room and the BS starts to fly
Hey, I even like the ground instruction for my bienniel. Just an opportunity to learn something new from someone with a different perspective.
dave
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Hayward Flyer
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:24 pm
- Location: Hayward,CA
I recieved my Sport pilot training at Amelia Reid at Reid hillview in San Jose.
They are now Aerodynamic Aviation. I too ran into a lot of resistance from old school instructors at other schools that told me a sport pilot licence was a waste of time. Don't be discouraged. I trained in the Evektor sportstar which is a very stable little plane although It is a little sensitive on the rudders on Takeoff and landings. I did my own ground school using the King DVD's. Call them for rates, but if memory serves me your looking at about $150.00 an hour for plane and instructor.
Great school w/Great people.
Tell em J.T. sent you! Good luck.
They are now Aerodynamic Aviation. I too ran into a lot of resistance from old school instructors at other schools that told me a sport pilot licence was a waste of time. Don't be discouraged. I trained in the Evektor sportstar which is a very stable little plane although It is a little sensitive on the rudders on Takeoff and landings. I did my own ground school using the King DVD's. Call them for rates, but if memory serves me your looking at about $150.00 an hour for plane and instructor.
Great school w/Great people.
Tell em J.T. sent you! Good luck.