Simviation Forums

ok, well, I am only 14, and want fly planes, at least just for fun, and first of all, how much does it cost usually to get a liscense, I am thinking then when I have one, to get a plane, how much do planes usually cost, I am not very smart when it comes to all this, but thought asking you guys would be the best way, as I see many of you are pilots and have planes, also, to be an airline pilot, do you need to be in the airforce, or can you just apply there after flying for a while?  to be an airline pilot, do you need to go to a flight college or something, haha, I may sound like an idiot cause I really dont know a lot, and have heard from many of you and know many are pilots, any help would be highly appreciated

A private pilot's license costs around $3K

A used plane is $18K or more, a new one will run you $150K +

All of this plus insurance, fuel and maintenance.

My advice:

Save your pennies, go to college and major in something that makes big money and, more importantly, you like and go from there. Even if you can afford a PPL now, you can't get it until you are 17.

As for being a commercial pilot, take the same route, have a plan B, C and D and save save save! To get from student pilot to airline pilot will probably cost you around $50K.

Someone else can explain how you get the licenses, I'm tired and filled with numbers right now

ok, thanks, yeah, i plan on having backups and stuff, lol, cause yeah, it can all crash through, i thought it would be much more expensive too, thanks a lot!

Prices on flying lessons vary wildly from place to place. Im going to be spending about $2400 for a PPL, but an alternative place (also a closer place) would cost me $4000+. Ive heard some people who live in different areas say that it is costing them $20,000 or more. So before you start, shop around. Also, heres a good site for pricing used planes: http://www.controller.com/

Because I am 6'5", I had to take lessons in a 172 and it took me about 42 hrs to get my license and close to $5,000 after all the tests and supplies needed.  Rates at my local airport are about $90 per hour for a 172 wet and $120 w/ an instructor (about 2/3 of training).  To expensive for me, I spend all my money now on flying, but I am in college and not working so if you were working all week, then flying on weekends, it might work out better.  Good luck.

Hello,

Its nice to see you have an interest in real world flying.  Prices to get a liscence can vary, depending on several things such as landing fees if applicable, price of aviation fuel, and the behind the stage charges from your flight school.  You can expect the private liscence to be around $5000+.  But of course, it depends on where you are, and can be lower or higher.  

How much does it cost for a plane?  Well... I don't own one, and Im not sure I will for quite some time.  I remember seeing a 172 for 200000 ish.  And it costs a lot to maintain aircraft according to the law as well.  But you dont have to own a plane to fly for fun

To be an airline pilot, you do not need to be in the air force.  Air force experience helps because you get your share of airtime as well, and its an economical way of doing it.  Just have to balance your lifestyle with money on that one.  I believe that once you get your Airline transport pilot liscence, which is thousands of hours away, you can start flying the larger aircraft

Hope this answers your questions  :)


Oh by the way, even though I never started early, I think when your around 15-16ish you can start learning to fly if you want, won't be getting your liscence right away but you can get some hours if you want to put some money into it.  

Yeah, you can solo at 16 and get your license at 17 in the US, I don't know about other places.

I like the use of (,) instead of full stops!, blimey what would my English teacher say!  ;)

Jimbo

i'd say a more accurate estimate for PPL would be in the $5,000 range.  i got my license at the very minimum required and still put about about 5 grand.  Also for buying a plane... $18,000 would practically get you an ultralight.  A safe price to start out, I would say, is starting more toward 35,000 at least.  And as they previously mentioned... maintenance costs are increadible for airplanes.  

But, don't let any of this detract you from starting flying now!  It's a great blast, and i recommend you go up for your introductory flight ASAP!  You will love it and from that point on, nothing will completely satisfy you untill you're back up there.

I don't know where you're from Naturenut but another way is to join a youth organisation. Many pilots in the UK started out in the Air Training Corps (ATC). This is run under the RAF but there's no obligation to join up. One of the advantages is the gliding courses & Flying Scholarships if you're good enough. You would be just the right age to join but would obviously have to wait until you're old enough before qualifying for any of this. I'm sure other countries have similar organisations. You would learn a lot about aviation & get used to a little discipline which never did any harm to anyone.

In the US a great way to be flying before you get your license is to join the Civil Air Patrol. Fly at least 8 times a year and keeps you up in the air.
Even at the minimum required, expect at least 5000 USD. That's in a 172. A 150 or 152 would prolly be around 4000 USD or so, but you can't rent those just anywhere these days. I would say go ahead and get the 172 rating, you'll need it somewhere eventually.
And no, you don't have to be in the Air Force to become an airline pilot. That was my routing since the Air Force pilot training didn't cost anything, but it's definetly not required. The airlines aren't big fans of hot shot fighter pilots, if you go the Air Force way, try your best to fly cargo planes. Airlines LOVE that. I flew both and had no problem getting a job.
Hope it helps.

ok, thanks!  yeah, i dont really want to be in the airforce, at least not now, it seems too dangerous, yeah, i live in US, thanks a lot for all the information on this, I always look at stuff and everything says contact someone, and i dont want to start getting on lists of like 20 different places, as it gets to be too much and they always come back, so thanks a lot for helping me out, you inspired me more to fly, and i cant wait to start, thanks!

No problem. Though for an Air Force pilot, now is a great time. They are gettin' lots of flight hours in. Everyone from F-16 pilots to the big C-5 cargo carriers are flying lots and doing their missions. For an AF pilot, this is the time to shine. Wish I was still in sometimes.

of course you need to be 16 before you can join the military  ;)

...you need to be 18.