<p>I’ve read they have clubs where you can get your PPL, other FAA ratings or just rent a plane on a weekend, but it says it is at the students expense. How do the students go about paying for them? Is there some sort of loans you can get or do the cadets get the money before they enter the academy? I’d like to make flying a big part of the experience but I don’t exactly have thousands of dollars saved up right now. Also, without joing any clubs or EC’s that involve the students paying for them, how big of a part does flying actually have in the Academy? Thanks</p>
<p>I'm taking lessons with the CAP right now, and I will get my license on my 17th birthday (2 months!). After that I will start working on my glider license and instrument rating.</p>
<p>There are many clubs that you can join, but don't expect it to come free or anywhere close to that. I looked into joining a club but it still would've cost me about $4,500 or so. Through the CAP I'm going to finish at about $1,800.</p>
<p>I've paid for every hour that I've flown, and it's very rewarding. What I am a little upset about is that I didn't mention that on my SS application, only that I am "taking flying lessons".</p>
<p>If you plan on going to the USAFA and you know you will get in, I wouldn't get your PPL. I've talked to AD that went and they said that you will have absolutely no time to fly; it would be a huge waste of money.</p>
<p>The reason I'm working on mine is because I want to do the ROTC route and still be able to have the normal college life (plus fly when I want). In ROTC, flying hours are a pretty decent boost to your PCSM. I'm hoping to have 1,000+ hours or so when I graduate.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>USAFA cadets let us know if you guys get a lot of time for flying or not, thanks!</p>
<p>People can fly if they want and if they make the time. I could realistically go flying probably 10 hours or more a week if I wanted to. </p>
<p>There is a discount for flying I believe, but I don't know the exacts, I'll ask my friend when I remember.</p>
<p>USAFA has a different PPL program. I don't remember the exact name (again I'll ask) but its a special type of FAA school that is much more intensive than most programs around the country. </p>
<p>My parent's payed for my time while I was in high school, but I wouldn't get my PPL there just because of the outside work involved. But once you're rated you can have a lot of fun.</p>
<p>But is there a loan or something you can get while at the academy or is it something you need to save up enough money for before you go to the academy? And yes, if you could find out the cost that would be a big help. Thanks</p>
<p>Here is some info for you. </p>
<p>Thanks for the link. There is a lot of good info on there, but i have to be reading something wrong. It has "Flight training DISCOUNT for cadets: $12 per flight hour dual; $8 per flight hour solo." Is it really THAT cheap? I know they have the $35 initiation fee and then $19 per month, but I have to be missing something. Around here it is around $148 for one hour of dual. Do you have to pay to rent the plane and that price is not listed or what? Here is the link to the exact page... <a href="http://www.usafaservices.com/cadets/aerooptions.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usafaservices.com/cadets/aerooptions.htm</a></p>
<p>Those prices are incorrect, I'll get the correct ones in a few days if I can.</p>
<p>USAA offers a $30,000 loan our junior year I believe at something like a 1% interest rate. Don't have to pay it off for a decent period. So, you can use it for your ring, car, housing later. I know I will take it and be investing while I can. It's an offer not to pass up IMO.</p>
<p>Yeah hornetguy's right it's not that cheap. Once you're checked out by the Aero Club if you have your PPL I believe its over $100/hr that the engine is one, but I'll check when I'm back.</p>
<p>Wow i really need to take this more seriously. Iv gotten like a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Im gotting to get my pilots license for free through the Make-A-Wish foundation and i havent kept up on it, but thanks for the heads up.</p>