Hi All, I just created my account here, been reading a bunch for a couple weeks already. Looking for some events, locations, hangouts, to start getting involved with. I'm just starting my training for PPL certificate, second flight this weekend then I'll schedule a solid plan to get 'er done. My goal is to have the certificate complete within a few months, I have a full time (plus some) day job but it can be flexible and I think I can train 3 days/week if the school can do Sat/Sun every week. I'm doing ground school on my own (Sporty's course) and hope to get high passing on my practice exams soon, then schedule test and take it. Medical should be okay, I researched a couple conditions and they seem all good according to AOPA documents and meds list. So, I want to go full bore into aviation since I've been thinking about it since I was 10. I trained paramotors but lost the bug when I finished training. Who else is in Arizona, and knows of pilot hangouts, hangars that usually have a good bunch of people standing and chatting and working, events that are put on that are great places to meet pilots and get involved in cool event or even trips? I've found a couple resources online that have lists, I cant post any links yet. I'll plan to attend the Buckeye Air Fair in February. But what are some less advertised gathering, events, and get-togethers that welcome newbies and are interesting to be involved with? All around the Southwest is good, as I have all the time in the world outside work, and would love to see new places to attend something fun and engaging. Thanks!
Welcome to POA. I’m in AZ much of the time and keep a Turbo Lance at Goodyear. The west isn’t well-known for fly-ins. The Buckeye event is an exception. Time to make local friends and tag along on some flying!
Thanks! Yeah I don't see much going on out west, a thing or two in Cali, but mostly midwest and FL areas. No biggie I guess, I can make travel plans. I was raised in New England, VT to be exact. I plan to get back there, I'd like to be closer to my parents again, for a while at least. The pilot certificate is a small part of that plan, making travel a bit more accessible. I'd also like to explore the southern east coast states and areas, finally.
Welcome! Are you doing this for a hobby or do you want to do this for a living? Either way I'd suggest getting the medical in hand as soon as you can. Read up on it as much as you can before you see apply and see an AME to make sure all the bases are covered. Sounds like you have a great plan - keep posting your progress!
Look for local pilot clubs associations. They often arrange fly-ins. For example, there is a South Carolina group that has been doing regular fly-in breakfasts since 1938 (except during WWII rationing). Many local flight schools, clubs, an EAA Chapters host social events. WINGS seminars. Sign up at FAASafety.gov. Check out SocialFlight
Thanks! I checked out the EAA chapter search page, and there are actually quite a few chapters in AZ! Now comes the task of finding out which ones are quality groups to get involved with! Just takes visiting each one and saying hi! Thank you! I am so looking forward to formally being trained. I've been studying the ground school material every evening for months, listening to radio comms for months, trying to get my brain used to it, and I think its starting to work! Now I am chomping at the bit to get the physical feel of piloting and start getting the muscle memory working.
Thanks! Doing this for pleasure only, I have a fun/frustrating/rewarding career already which is good currently, so definitely not a career thing. I have wanted to travel and fly to places on weekends for as long as I can remember. Flying myself to different places is far superior to the alternative. Been getting prepared for the medical, I'll probably contact the AME via phone before I do anything, so I can get their guidance and opinions first, before ever opening or filling out any forms for the official FAA documents. Fantastic! That's great info. I have found a handful of pilot clubs online, and can only guess there are more, which are unpublished likely. I'd love to attend meetings/gatherings though on some of the searches I've done, there are a bunch of seminars like Aviation Insurance Provider conference, and other non-pilot oriented conferences, which doesn't sound like the most interesting things to me. I'll check out the things you've suggested!
Ha! I posted a reply but since there's a link in the message I quoted, lets see how long it takes to get approved and displays for you all. Anyway, thanks!!
Yeah, it says 5 posts before links. Makes sense. Too bad the platform doesn't strip out the link in Replies though, a very small inconvenience. But this post makes 5 I believe!
When you searched, did you come across the Arizona Pilots Association? Another possibility is Angel Flight. It's a charitable organization in which pilots volunteer their time and airplanes to transport people for non-emergency medical treatment. Many pilots like to include a helper, sometimes a pilot, sometimes, not, so the PIC can do their PIC job without distraction. I know inexperienced pilots who have volunteered as "mission assitants" and got a chance to learn a lot about flying, sometimes even being allowed to handle the controls on the empty legs of the flight.
Hi from Salome. Next month will be the Copperstate Fly-in at Buckeye. (Also called the Buckeye Air Fair.) You might check out the Arizona Pilots Association.
Welcome Marc. Where in AZ are you? I’m in Tucson and we happen to share the same birthday only I’m slightly older.
I've been looking around on my Foreflight app, there's a massive difference in the number of airports displayed in the green east US vs the brown west US. It was surprising to me, but I could understand after thinking about it. Once I get airborne and certificate in hand my goals involved lots of cross-country as well, and seeing all that green again. Sedona for sure is near the top of my list of runways to touch! I had not yet thought of these possibilities, I'll check into them! I think if things work out, and I get the honor of owning my own plane, I would like to volunteer for stuff like this. Maybe start with pet-courier flights and such. I'm noting that down and looking into it as well! Thanks! Absolutely, I will be at the Buckeye event! I think I went there maybe 3 years ago when I was getting into paramotors, not sure if it was the same location/group as this one, but I feel like it was. I am in the North Phoenix area, about 2 miles from KDVT!! Hearing the aircraft all day and night makes me giddy to get flying. Hey! Birthday brother! We can say Scorpio or Libra, depending on how attractive the woman is whom asked.
This weekend was great! I got there 7:45 am Saturday and wandered around all day. Visited the seminars when I got over that end of the area, signed up for the AOPA membership, took a bunch of pictures of great planes, and enjoyed chatting with some new friends. 8 hours of walking around there and I was wiped out when I got home. Glad to be meeting people, and getting involved in some good events.
