Flying Lessons

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Apr 27, 2006 | 07:53 AM

MikeB 88

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Fleet Mechanic

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Flying Lessons

Has anyone taken or know someone who has taken flying lessons? My 15 year old (be 16 in June) is interested in flying. He has been bugging me for 2 years now. My question is this. Is it better to take lessons at an airport with a control tower, or one without? At an uncontrolled field, he'd get more time in the air with the instructor, while at a controlled field, he'd spend a lot of his time sitting on the ground waiting for clearances.

Mike B

Apr 27, 2006 | 08:07 AM

94van

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From: Southern MD

As a former pilot and flight instructor, I always liked to instruct on the uncontrolled airports. Less traffic to worry about. You will get tower experience as time goes by.

Apr 27, 2006 | 08:28 AM

1979 Ford

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From: Not as far west as I want

Also might want to check out the new sport pilots license. They operate from uncontrolled airports. It is a less expensive method for basic flying. Or to find out if it something he will enjoy without spending a whole load of money.

http://sportpilot.org/

Apr 27, 2006 | 11:03 AM

jimandmandy

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From: Running Springs CA

I learned at a big-city towered airport (LGB), with airliner traffic, helicopters, blimps, military, you name it. It probably took me twice as long to learn the basics, but I became comfortable with radio communications, clearance procedures, etc. very quickly. If his goal is just to fly for fun and not to go on to become a professional, go with the simple untowered airport option. There are inexpensive introductory lessons available at many airports. Check out www.aopa.org for more information.

Sport pilots can operate at towered airports, excepting for class "B" airspace like LAX, JFK, etc. I think you can even get an endorsement for those, but why bother? I am very close to building a Light Sport airplane.

Jim

Apr 27, 2006 | 11:36 AM

dono

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I started at a small uncontrolled field and soloed in 6 hours. Then I switched to a busy controlled field where I completed training. Sitting in a line to takeoff and watching the tach click off the dollars was a shock and I soon learned to avoid weekends and heavy traffic times. It was a very expensive hobby that I gave up after a few years.
Dono

Apr 27, 2006 | 03:51 PM

helifixer

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From: Chino Valley, Arizona

ahhhh aviation what a disease, once you have contracted it, it never completely goes away. My only suggestion is if you start get financing and go all the way. "Spend a little cash to see if it is something he loves before spending the big money" next plan on starvation jobs until building enough time to be employable. ie. In helicopters you need 3000 hours for any decent job.as far as radio operating simply buy a scaner or a hand held radio and listen to ATC and learn the lingo

Apr 27, 2006 | 06:08 PM

NASA_Hokie

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From: Yorktown, VA

I've taken Ground School and a couple of lessons (paid for by my company). It is a fun thing to do, but if you are only doing it to fly around the flagpole, unless you've got money to burn, it isn't worth it. It is like a boat, a hole you throw money into, but much worse. Money for lessons, money to keep current, money for plane rental. I love to fly, but unless you are making a career out of it, I'd have to say it's not worth it.

As for picking up on ATC communcations, get a scanner and the frequencies for your local airport. It is amazing what you can pick up on just by listening.