Chris Hodgson
Filing Flight Plan
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2013
- Messages
- 1
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Display name:
Chris
I have been lerking here for a while and I thought I would relate my experances getting my pilots licence, as I took a differant approch than any I have read here. I have wanted to get my pilots licence ever since I washed a P-51 when I was in high school - my first paying job BTW. As with many; life got in the way with wife, house, kids etc.and I never got around to flying. On my 60th birthday a friend suggested I should get to it sooner than later as there would be a time in the not too distant future when it would be to late...
So after looking over what was available in the used market I bought a Grumman Tiger and had it delivered to my hanger by the former owner. We have a customer who is a senior pilot at one of the major airlines and a CFI - I called him up and asked him to teach me to fly. Notice I said “teach me to fly” nothing about getting my licence, no time or financial limits; just make me safe an confident. So, I know you want to know - how long did it take? 1 year, almost to the day - my first flight to my checkride. Time? 151.4 hours, 74 instruction the rest PIC. 472 landings. Events? Got lost for 10 minutes on one of my solo cross countrys, popped a tire practing short field landing 2 days before the checkride, needed the instructor to take over controls on a early strong crosswind landing. I never rushed anything, he had to push me to solo after 30 hours. Every flight with him was a learning experance and I look forward to more in the future as I plan on get my instrment rating in a year or so.
Hearing my wife say “my husband is a pilot” Priceless...
So after looking over what was available in the used market I bought a Grumman Tiger and had it delivered to my hanger by the former owner. We have a customer who is a senior pilot at one of the major airlines and a CFI - I called him up and asked him to teach me to fly. Notice I said “teach me to fly” nothing about getting my licence, no time or financial limits; just make me safe an confident. So, I know you want to know - how long did it take? 1 year, almost to the day - my first flight to my checkride. Time? 151.4 hours, 74 instruction the rest PIC. 472 landings. Events? Got lost for 10 minutes on one of my solo cross countrys, popped a tire practing short field landing 2 days before the checkride, needed the instructor to take over controls on a early strong crosswind landing. I never rushed anything, he had to push me to solo after 30 hours. Every flight with him was a learning experance and I look forward to more in the future as I plan on get my instrment rating in a year or so.
Hearing my wife say “my husband is a pilot” Priceless...
It is nice seeing someone flying because it is fun, and not worrying about that piece of plastic.
