Simviation Forums

So today I finally got around to calling a Glider instructor with the Tucson Soaring Club to get some prices, the answer was shocking. So I called and we had a nice chat, when I told him I was 16 he got very excited beacuse there are very few young ones out there, but thats beside the point. When I asked him how much it is to get a glider licence he said it was around $3000, this shocked me at first, I make less than $100 per month. Then we went over the individual prices and i found out the 3000 dollars was over a period of a year or more, this shocked me beacuse it was less than I thought  ;D so it all breaks down like this:

Club dues: $55 per month
Aircraft tow: $25 per
Instructor per hour: $20
Flying without an engine: Priceless
(sorry the set up was perfect  ;D )

I will only be able to fly on weekends and wednesdays, thats the club times for flights. So if I go out for 2 flights a month its ABOUT $155 per month, atleast. This is manageable for me if I save for awhile and I am very excited.  ;D

And for any who don't know any prices of lessons, glider or powered, this is a VERRY cost efficent way to fly. And it allows me to spread it out over a period of time, some places can get you your licence in under 2 months but they are twice as expencive and its all rushed (to me). This will allow me to fly with good people, have fun, and most important, fly.  ;D I am so excited!!!

Flying without an engine...?! That's an emergency in my book

I think I'll stick to engine powered aircraft

But seriously, good luck man

sounds like a fun time to me

I've done gliding (never really liked the lack of an engine) and it is fun. Good luck with it

I think that is an excellent example representing the true cost of obtaining a Pilots licence, either Private or Commercial...
Many folks (some of them here!) seem to me under the impression that gaining a Pilots licence is similar to obtaining a (cheap) motor car licence.
Far from it... ...!
It is one of the most expensive occupations you can possibly think of, and may very well bankrupt you...!
..and as to owning an aeroplane...?
...you can forget it...!

Purchase an aeroplane magazine and take a look at the prices of obtaining Pilot training, etc....and the price of aeroplanes......!

Cheers all...!

Paul.....Brain in gear...feet firmly on the ground......!

Good one. I think every pilot should start on gliders. Then they would really know what flying's all about.

Two flights a month. I would find another job that pays more.
Firstly, at that rate you will never learn and secondly, once you realise what fun gliding is you will not be happy with the amount of time that you can afford.  Saying that you may be able to learn the basic of control, but landing, twice a month just will not do. Take off emergency procedures, whether by aero tow, tow cable break or you are dumped by the tug, or winch launch  failure or cable break, again twice a month, you will not learn. For cable break and winch failure practice, during my learning phase, happened two or three times a weekend. Also no self respecting instructor will let you solo with two flights a month under your belt.
Sorry, I do not mean to put a dampener on this for you, this is the reality, but every opportunity to fly should always be taken. Personally,I think that twice a month is more likely to frustrate you than inspire you.
However, if my club is a good example, the social life is almost as good as the flying was (yes, was, make the most of what you can while you can......house, wife, children, nightshift)


Matt

A VAST difference between the cost of Sim flying a Boeing 747..(50 pence of electricity?)...and forking out for the training to obtain a Pilots Licence, Private of Commercial..!
Example:

standing in his garden, flapping his arms, at no cost

Your name isn't Worzel Gummidge is it Paul?

Paul...standing in his garden, flapping his arms, at no cost...

I tryed that, its cheaper but you dont get much altitude  ;D


I am trying to get a better job and there are 3 things i am saveing for and at my current income, it will take years  :P

I want to start this gliding thing soon but I know I need to save money first then do as much flying within a 6 month period as I can.  ;D thats what the instructor suggested

At my local flying club the cost of a ppl is