<p>I was looking into getting my PPL before going to the Academy. I just have a couple of questions.</p>
<li>What kind of discount is there for Cadets looking to earn their PPL?</li>
<li>Is there time to actually do that as a 4dig?</li>
<li>Should I try to get as many hours now, then finish at the Academy?</li>
<li>Is there enough time get my PPL before going to Basic?</li>
</ol>
<p>pm,</p>
<p>Cant' give you the full story on what getting your PPL at the Academy would be like, but I can give you some basic info. Perhaps some cadets can fill in the blanks...</p>
<p>1) Don't know if there is a "discount" per se, but I do know the AFA has an Aero club, which probably means you can rent the planes at a cheaper rate than you would be able to at a civilian airport. </p>
<p>2) Probably not, but I'll let a cadet give you the real story on free time as a 4 Dig. Better yet, search this forum, the answer is here somewhere.</p>
<p>3) Getting hours now can't hurt, but what you should actually be using your free time for at this point is doing things that will PREPARE you for the AFA, not for whatever it is you want to do afterwards. PT, and lots of it. Get in shape. If you think you're in good shape, get in better shape! Run, Forrest. Run! Having a PPL is NICE. Being able to meet the physical demands of BCT is CRUCIAL (and thus, more important for you to concentrate on) If you can make time to get some hours in to fly, fine. But put your first priority on getting ready for what matters most as a 4 Dig.</p>
<p>4) A PPL in under 5 months (assuming you have no hours at this time)? It can be done. You'll also probably have to fly 2 -3 times a week to get it done though. Got that extra $500 a week available? That's about what it will cost. Each hour of flgiht instruction runs about $130 - $160 (renting the aircraft, paying for fuel, and paying the Certified Flight Instructor). And don't think it's only 30 hours and I get my licence. A good CFI will only send you for your check ride when they think you are READY. Most likely, there will be extra sorties and hours because they feel you need more practice in a certain phase (stalls, turns, landings, etc.) Most people get their Private licenses after 40 - 45 hours, sometimes more. If you find an instructor who "garauntees" you'll have a license after the minimum number of hours, walk away. They're sheisters looking out for the money, not looking to make you a safe pilot.</p>
<p>And honestly, that is the bottom line: expense. If you have the cash (anywhere from $7000 to $8000) getting a PPL is a GREAT hobby, and has the benefit of giving you a SLIGHT advantage when it comes time to score you for getting a pilot slot. But since practically EVERYONE medically qualified at the AFA who wants a slot gets one, the advantage is nil....</p>
<p>Bottom Line: fly for the pleasure of flying, if you can afford it. Make a better use of your free time and prepare for the Academy instead . Now, get off the computer and go for a run!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice.
lol, I actually posted the first post then went and ran a few miles and did some pushups/abs. Basically, I want the PPL for the pleasure of flying. I do have the cash... I worked a lot this past year and should have enough to cover most of it (parents may shell out for some for a graduation present... college fund + no expenses for tution= extra money). I'm looking to go about 3 times a week (depending on weather, etc)</p>
<p>~PM</p>
<p>What bullet said. haha</p>
<p>I actually looked into this because i thought it would be a very nice gift to give to my cadet.</p>
<p>So, you can check out the info here:</p>
<p>Aero</a> Club</p>
<p>Here is a quick breakdown though.</p>
<p>Total Cost of Course
This depends on how long it takes you to complete the course, what aircraft you decide to use for your training, and the optional supply items you decide to purchase. The manager is available any time during business hours to go over the costs in detail.
Following is a breakdown of costs based on what 45 hours of flight time will cost:</p>
<p>Aircraft Rental for 45 hours...........$4,005
Flight Instruction 65 hours..............1,950
Ground School................................325
Aero Club Fees...............................132
FAA Written test..............................85
FAA Practical.................................335 </p>
<hr>
<p>Total........................................$6,832</p>
<p>I concur with Bullet's and Usafa2011 replies, and have a couple of words to add.</p>
<p>The academy aero club is a very good deal, but it would be unrealistic to expect much progress toward your PPL during the 4th deg year. If you went there with your PPL, you might be able to fly enough to stay technically proficient by the FAA regs (3 flights in 90 days) - but I am guessing not much more than that. My take would be either go for finishing your license completely (flying, written test, etc.) before heading to USAFA - or postpone starting until your sopohmore (3rd degree) year. I would also agree with Bullet that you are probably looking at ~$8,000 for the venture and will have to have good access to an aircraft and good weather!</p>
<p>Being that I am Soaring Dad ---if you want to get your "feet wet" in the sport, look around and see if soaring is available in your area. A couple of advantages are that you really learn good stick and rudder skills and spend much time in the "slow flight" (near stall) envelope of flying. It is also less expensive to get into than power. Soaring Son went from just having been on a few flights to solo in less than a week of flying (see GLIDER</a> RIDES for a pic of Soaring Son flying in NM). We had a blast that week...</p>
<p>However, being Soaring Dad - I will also say that soaring has its' own set of logistical difficulties (starting with needing a method of tow/launch) so it is not the best option for everyone.</p>
<p>Anyhow, good luck and I will leave you with words similar to Bullet's...your educational achievement and physical conditioning are much more important. But if you want to fly and can swing it//have a ball!</p>
<p>i wanted to do the same thing.</p>
<p>from a 4 dig perspective: depends on your schedule. right now, on M days, i've got 3rd and 4th periods. afternoons are completely free. so in theory, i could use that time for flying... however, if squad training came up, or you wanted (needed) to spend that time on homework, forget it. i DO spend my afternoons on hw and working out... </p>
<p>it's up to you, again. lol you can spend your time doin whatever you want. the courseload doesnt really get easier as you move up. wait for some upperclassmen to give their opinions. i DO know some friends that are in the aero club and fly often.. so if you were to do it, i'd say get alot of hours before coming to the academy so it wont take as long to finish up here. just my 2 cents from bein a 4 dig..</p>
<p>oh yeah, money. you may wanna save some of that. money is good to have as a 4dig. lol we get paid between $130 and 170 a month, rarely maybe a little more... so, it's up to you how you wanna spend it. i really wanted to get my license while i was here, just for the sake of having it... but that would've depleted a LOT of my savings that i wanna have after i graduate. so i've pretty much decided to wait til after i got outta the AF before i get my PPL... and maybe go fly for a company.</p>
<p>on that note, once pilots retire (or leave) the AF, do their flight hours count for anythin in the civilian world? obviously, a fighter/bomber/cargo/heli is alot different from a cessna 172.</p>
<p>I think it sounds good. I think you should try. It won't hurt! My boyfriend who also goes here has his PPL and loves to fly every chance he gets...which is a lot!</p>
<p>As a four degree, you will not have a whole lot of free time during the week. Also, the airfield is on the other side of the base, so you would need some transportation.</p>
<p>However, I know a four degree who IS getting his PPL. He ended up being late fore class once. So it can be done. Don't count on it though.</p>
<p>One thing I am surprised I haven't seen mentioned is they have a powered flight club - not sure what the exact name is but they are an IC club. It is really hard to get into from what I hear but to even try you have to come here with your PPL. If you get it before you come here, and manage to join, that will give you plenty of hours to stay proficient.</p>
<p>The "power flight club" is the flying team. They only take about 5 people a year (must have the PPL to even apply) and is VERY VERY competitive to get on. Do NOT hedge your bets on getting onto it, no matter your skill. It takes the skill and winning the good side of team members to be accepted to the team. Go for it, but don't hope that will be how you keep up your time.</p>
<p>I actually took some flight lessons this summer, before my junior year in high school, to see what it was like. Here is the biggest lesson I learned: make sure you have enough time and money to fly once a week, minmum. I tried flying once every two weeks in order to stretch my money and maintain interest longer, but it didn't work. I got far better results from once a week lessons because I remembered much more frm the previous lesson and could build off of them, but didn't have enough money to keep going unfortunately. So for anyone out there who wants to get their PPL, follow the advice of the above posters and make sure you have at least six to eight thousand socked away.</p>
<p>And now for my 2 cents as a 4 dig to tag on with HNeedle...</p>
<p>I am a HUGE advocate of finding escapes and activities that allow a 4 dig to release stress and to get out of here whenever possible... But along with tht, I am not a big fan of those who engage in activities other than an IC sport tht take away from the overall idea of being a 4 degree, which boils down to missed training sessions and such which are a huge responsibility for a 4 dig... If it is what ya want bud and you have the money, than go for it all the way, but trust me when I say ya dont want to be "that guy..."</p>
<p>Ya got 4 years man, PLENTY of time... ;)</p>
<p>If getting your PPL is a life long dream of yours than go for it, but having a PPL will neither help nor hinder getting into flight school.</p>
<p>To answer your questions:
1. What kind of discount is there for Cadets looking to earn their PPL?
2. Is there time to actually do that as a 4dig?
3. Should I try to get as many hours now, then finish at the Academy?
4. Is there enough time get my PPL before going to Basic?</p>
<p>Cost posted in above thread is accurate.
1. Yes, there is a discount.
2. Yes, but you need transportation.
3. Depends on your objectives.
4. Yes.</p>
<p>Again, I just wanna fly now. I've always wanted to, and I have the money now. I don't really care if it would give me an advantage of getting a pilot slot. I figure it would help me a little if I made it to UPT.</p>
<p>I think I'm going to do it. I just have to find and instructor and materials needed.</p>
<p>For those who want it but maybe can't afford it, there is a wonderful scholarship that is given away yearly that pays for the entire process! It's given away by the widow of an Air Force Hero that attended USAFA. Check out their website. It's a wonderful opportunity. I believe the application period is open until Jan. 31st of each year. If you hurry you can get an application in! Our family contributes every year to this fine cause. Leroy was an amazing man.</p>
<p>The LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation Flight
Training Scholarship Program</p>
<p>Scholarship Overview:</p>
<p>LeRoy Homer was the First Officer on United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked and crashed in Pennsylvania
on September 11, 2001. The mission of The Foundation is to continue LeRoy’s love of flight by encouraging
young men and women who wish to pursue aviation careers as professional pilots. The Foundation will award
flight instruction scholarships to potential students for private pilot certification</p>
<p>I'll have to apply for that... too bad I found out about it so late... last year would have been great.. but oh well.</p>
<p>Packermatt -- if you're serious and have made up your mind, then do a little homework on who might be the best instructor for you too. First, there are two ways to get your private ticket -- one, through a "141" school -- the 141 referring to the FAR's that pertain to that method of instruction, and two, through any instructor who may teach you both ground school and air work at your pace. The main difference is a 141 school follows a prescribed program, with certain numbers of hours and benchmarks between each phase of your flight. That program was approved by the FAA for their "program" and that is the way you learn. If their school says, for example, 24 hours between first flight and solo, then it is 24 hours. If you are with an instructor on your own, and s/he thinks you're ready to solo at 20 hours, 14 hours, or 35 hours, then that's what it will be, because the instructor is working with you, not the "syllabus." Does that make sense? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. And, there are ways to get a read on available instructors, or schools, to insure you get one that's best for you. In Omaha you have several different airports to look at as well -- North Omaha as I recall is small and may have different options than Eppley. Bottom line: there are ways to be efficient, or like another poster said (about one lesson every two weeks) ways to waste money. PM me if you want more info.</p>
<p>Sending you a PM right now.</p>