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Question on what to do after getting a Private License


Unforgiven

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Hi everyone. I have been wanting to get a private license for a while now and looked into the cost locally. That cost in manageable but I can't come up with any options afterward to actually fly and enjoy it. I am 50 and have a full time career so not looking to make this a career. Like some of my friends who fly fixed wing, was just thinking to get a license and go rent a helicopter and enjoy a few hours flying with my wife. That seems to be a totally different game and cost than fixed wing. If you can find a place that will rent one, the cost is as much as the lesson per hour so not something I feel I can sustain or do enough for the investment.

 

Are there any solutions or alternatives that I have not thought of that would make getting my license worth pursuing?

 

Thanks for any insight or suggestions.

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I've been renting for thirteen years now, haven't found any way cheaper than renting. It isn't easy flying just one hour or so every four to six weeks (basically a car payment) , but its still better than not at all,...'course I have no kids. Ironically the nearest flying club actually charges more than the school where I rent!

 

You could try saving up for a helicycle?

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I've been renting for thirteen years now, haven't found any way cheaper than renting. It isn't easy flying just one hour or so every four to six weeks (basically a car payment) , but its still better than not at all,...'course I have no kids. Ironically the nearest flying club actually charges more than the school where I rent!

 

You could try saving up for a helicycle?

 

Didn't think of flying clubs. Might be an option as I'm along the beach in North Florida so lots of great weather pretty much year round. I'll just googled helicycle. I'll have to read up on those. Thank You..

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Nice, looks clean. I haven't been there in years tho. I think this shot was from a backwards day, I was riding a rented bike.

 

I think the cost of flying helicopters will make you appreciate track days more!

I don't know. It's painful going through a set of Dunlop NTEC-211-GPAs race tires at $400 a set in one weekend including flipping the rear. I haven't been in over a year myself.

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I guess it's a good thing that I didn't dwell on the end game when I started my PPL pursuit at 60. I took it one lesson at a time with the mindset that I could quit at any time. It seems there was a new challenge to overcome every few hours, enough to make me want to take on the next one and before I knew it - it was time for a check ride.

 

I will say - it is an expensive past time. I, like you, have no desire to make a career out of flying, but I'm now a member of a small clique of helicopter pilots that rent Robbies on the weekends. It was a huge feeling of accomplishment for me to know I went the distance. I'm now working towards my commercial ticket so I can fly tour flights at the local fairs. At least that way, I can grab some free R44 time.

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I guess it's a good thing that I didn't dwell on the end game when I started my PPL pursuit at 60. I took it one lesson at a time with the mindset that I could quit at any time. It seems there was a new challenge to overcome every few hours, enough to make me want to take on the next one and before I knew it - it was time for a check ride.

 

I will say - it is an expensive past time. I, like you, have no desire to make a career out of flying, but I'm now a member of a small clique of helicopter pilots that rent Robbies on the weekends. It was a huge feeling of accomplishment for me to know I went the distance. I'm now working towards my commercial ticket so I can fly tour flights at the local fairs. At least that way, I can grab some free R44 time.

That's awesome! I just tend to look at the big picture when I think of starting something new but I like your approach.

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Here's a little poem I wrote right after my first solo. I think you can see that I got my money's worth!

 

Solo Flight

The day is just right for companion-less flight,
winds are calm with no clouds in the sky,
the critical gear has received the “all clear” –
now she’s fueled and deemed ready-to-fly.

The mixture’s full-rich, I confirm that the pitch
will adjust as I move the controls –
and the tach isn’t fazed as collective is raised,
since the grip automatically rolls.

I pull it up slow – wonder which way she’ll go
until finally she’s light on the skids –
then I counter the yaw and correct for the draw
that could lead to what safety forbids.

She lists to the side as collective’s applied,
‘cause the fuel weighs a bit more than me –
but the wonderful gift of additional lift
makes the earth set the two of us free.

It’s hard to describe what it feels like to ride
on a cushion just feet from the ground
in an aerial sled – as the blades overhead
beat the air with a thunderous sound.

The pound of my heart when I’m cleared to depart,
makes me wonder if all that I’ve learned
will ensure I survive, that I’ll get back alive –
still intact when my flight is adjourned.

I know I’ve progressed and that leaving the nest
is a ritual all must transcend,
but I find it profound that there’s no one around,
if I panic – that might be the end!

I start on my roll with the cyclic control,
get in trim with the help of a string,
then I push for the shift to translational lift
and I climb like a bird on the wing.

I’m really content with my rate of ascent,
it’s much faster than any before –
the reduction in crew makes this R22
fly a lot like an R44.

I’ve reached AGL in my flying gazelle
and the tower has cleared me to land –
I’ve already seen that the gauges are green
and the cyclic is firmly in hand.

I reach by my seat and I pull in some heat
so my rotors continue to spin –
then I pilot my coach onto final approach
and the two of us softly descend.

I try to be neat with my hands and my feet,
keep her straight ‘till we come to a stop,
and I’m back to the stand where my journey began –
the experience – over the top.

My memory’s tossed to the hurdles I’ve crossed
and the times I was ready to quit –
the tasks I assailed and consistently failed,
and a few that I hate to admit.

This tunnel has light that is barely in sight
and there’s no turning back now for me –
I’ll stay on this course if it leads to divorce,
but a pilot – I’m destined to be!

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If you are wanting to fly for fun, get into flying sailplanes. Thats how I started.

 

I actually did fly a sail plane. I would call it a training introductory flight. It was definitely fun but didn't have that magnetic draw.

 

I still remember riding in that helicopter zipping around and landing on the glaciers in Alaska and riding in the gunner seat of a UH-1 with the door open looking straight down at the ground as it banked around turns.

 

Here's a little poem I wrote right after my first solo. I think you can see that I got my money's worth!

 

Solo Flight

The day is just right for companion-less flight,

winds are calm with no clouds in the sky,

the critical gear has received the “all clear” –

now she’s fueled and deemed ready-to-fly.

The mixture’s full-rich, I confirm that the pitch

will adjust as I move the controls –

.......

Very nice and yes, it clearly shows.

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I actually did fly a sail plane. I would call it a training introductory flight. It was definitely fun but didn't have that magnetic draw.

 

I still remember riding in that helicopter zipping around and landing on the glaciers in Alaska and riding in the gunner seat of a UH-1 with the door open looking straight down at the ground as it banked around turns.

 

Very nice and yes, it clearly shows.

Well... did you fly a glider or did you fly a sailplane? There is actually a difference. I cant argue with you about your experience in a Huey. Never in a million years did I think I would fly Huey's for a living when I started my first lesson.

 

True there are many recreational helicopter pilots out there who never go beyond their private but I also understand you have a passion for aviation. I would just encourage someone with a passion for flying to also look at getting into something that will offer a realistic chance of staying involved. Any time I hear someone wanting to fly for fun, I always suggest sailplanes if its an option for where you live.

 

If your helicopter experience is based on riding in the gunners seat of a UH1, I hate to be the one to say it, but you set the bar pretty high for your expectations thats for sure :)

 

Airplanes and Sailplanes have far more to offer in the form of recreational opportunities and training than helicopters. I only offer this because I know a number of people who started out with helicopters and after much time and expense, it just became far to expensive and time consuming. But again, I dont know you, your financial situation or your time constraints. Im rated in Gliders, Airplanes and Helicopter and routinely fly airplanes and helicopters for work. But for recreation, Gliders is something I really got in to.

 

As a side note, a pilot certificate will say "Gliders" However, when you actually fly, a sailplane is considered to be more high performance.

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Hmm. I would have to say glider but not sure. The UH-1 was when I was in college ROTC. To make a long story short, in the early 80s I was lined up for either the Naval Academy or Navy ROTC Scholarship for Naval Aviation. Life long dream was to fly F-14s. During the flight physical, I found out I was color blind so ended that dream immediately. Did Army ROTC instead and then got hurt so military wouldn't take me for three years. Did College on my own and 30+ years later here I am still enjoying life where I can find it.

 

I based my desire for helicopters mostly on the Alaska flight. I got to sit up front by the pilot and just loved every minute of it.

 

Here is a somewhat hokey video I put together when I did the glider. I'm and iron Maiden fan so if the music bothers you, turn it down, lol. It was definitely fun. And also a picture. It was a Blanik L23. He let me fly it pretty much entire time after the cut away up to the setting up the landing. He guided me to find the thermals though.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVwh2bg17cQ

 

 

 

sailplane.jpg

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My advise would be similar to Flying Pig's. You said you want to get your PPL and go for an occasional flight with your wife. In all reality even in a helicopter you will be going from one airport to another for lunch, right? Get your airplane license and spend a fraction of the cost, then you will go from airport to airport quicker, cheaper, and safer. I'm not a nay sayer, I would highly encourage you to get into aviation. It's the most rewarding thing I've done.

 

This is just my opinion, yours may differ - Helicopters can be very safe machines. Unfortunately, for them to be safe the pilot has to be completely engaged in flying them AND current AND experienced. In the right hands a helicopter is very safe…..in the wrong hands or inexperienced hands its incredibly dangerous and unforgiving. Airplanes are significantly more forgiving and don't take as much attention to fly.

 

That's just my 2 cents! Whatever you decide, enjoy the ride!

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In all these years I've only flown once to an airport for lunch,...and that was during training in a 206 for a job. :D The fuel guys often mention doing that, but they're in a plane not a chopper. I suppose that kind of trip is possible in a helicopter if the school isn't going to use it for several hours, but I've never had the urge to do it. I looked into taking it up to Reno one weekend once, but it was just going to be too expensive,...and way too slow over the hills! If that's what you plan on doing I'd suggest a sport rating in an airplane.

 

For me taking a 22 out is like having a jet ski, I'm not really going anywhere, just tooling around the city on a joyride! I also like to practice once and a while (or when the fog keeps me away from the city). Usually max takeoffs, steep approaches, quick stops and such,...you know the fun things you can't do in a stuck-wing! :lol:

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In all these years I've only flown once to an airport for lunch,...and that was during training in a 206 for a job. :D The fuel guys often mention doing that, but they're in a plane not a chopper. I suppose that kind of trip is possible in a helicopter if the school isn't going to use it for several hours, but I've never had the urge to do it. I looked into taking it up to Reno one weekend once, but it was just going to be too expensive,...and way too slow over the hills! If that's what you plan on doing I'd suggest a sport rating in an airplane.

 

For me taking a 22 out is like having a jet ski, I'm not really going anywhere, just tooling around the city on a joyride! I also like to practice once and a while (or when the fog keeps me away from the city). Usually max takeoffs, steep approaches, quick stops and such,...you know the fun things you can't do in a stuck-wing! :lol:

When I asked about rentals at the place where I am thinking about taking lessons, they told me that you can't fly anywhere like lunch. You take off and come back to your starting place. Not sure if all places are like that.

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One place wouldn't let anyone take passengers unless they had a Commercial rating. Another said if I wanted to land anywhere else I had to go there with one of their cfis first. You just never know.

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I'm going to call the other school tomorrow and talk to them. There are two schools close to me and one that is about an hour away which is the one that I spoke to first, Tomlinson Aviation in Ormond Beach. The two close to me is Helicopter Academy that have schools all over the place but has a School in Jacksonville and Saint Augustine.

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No restrictions where I fly. We've got a number of 'helicopter friendly' destinations scattered around north Georgia. A popular country restaurant up in the northeast corner of our state has a designated spot for helos. You have to clear a split rail fence and avoid trees and a flagpole. Another one at a marina on Lake Lanier has a spot with 'Helicopter Parking Only' signs around it. We've even got some chain restaurants that welcome helicopter visits. The wife and I make our Christmas Party hops in an R22. I have to avoid the spiked eggnog - but it's worth it.

 

post-44620-0-69443000-1455536404_thumb.jpg

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Like a normal landing with any significant airspeed? ;)

 

You would be surprised at how many helicopter only pilots really have a tough time with an 80kt approach. Or better yet, actual IFR. For the most part, lets face it, relatively speaking most helicopter pilots have 0 IFR time. Flying under the hood is nothing like actual.

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I'm going to call the other school tomorrow and talk to them. There are two schools close to me and one that is about an hour away which is the one that I spoke to first, Tomlinson Aviation in Ormond Beach. The two close to me is Helicopter Academy that have schools all over the place but has a School in Jacksonville and Saint Augustine.

 

Tomlinson is a good operation.

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