Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
Subject: Re: Potential Student Questions
From: jbolinger@lintek.com (J L Bolinger)
Organization: AeroFlex Lintek
X-Newsreader: WinVN 0.99.9 (Released Version) (x86 32bit)
References: <fi7Q1.481$3a6.857893@news3.mia.bellsouth.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset=US-ASCII
NNTP-Posting-Host: 206.175.50.78
Message-ID: <361118eb.0@news.netwalk.com>
Date: 29 Sep 1998 13:29:15 -0500
X-Trace: 29 Sep 1998 13:29:15 -0500, 206.175.50.78
Lines: 45
Path: news.jprc.com!dca1-feed2.news.digex.net!dca1-hub1.news.digex.net!digex!cyclone.i1.net!newsfeed.enteract.com!chicago-news-feed1.bbnplanet.com!news.bbnplanet.com!uwm.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!news.cis.ohio-state.edu!arl-news-svc-4.compuserve.com!news-master.compuserve.com!compuserve.com!news.netwalk.com!206.175.50.78
Xref: news.jprc.com rec.aviation.student:33789

In article <fi7Q1.481$3a6.857893@news3.mia.bellsouth.net>, 
rnmco-nospam-@bellsouth.net says...
>
>Hi everyone,
>
>I am a 44 year old "potential student" here in Nashville, and have a couple
>of quick questions that I would appreciate any help or advice on.  Here
>goes:
>
>1.  I am deaf in my left ear (nerve deafness since childhood, incurable).
>How far could I go with my flight training before this stopped me?  I know
>you have to take a physical even if you are just going for a private
>license. Also, would this cause a problem with headsets, etc.?
>


The regulations say that you must be able to hear a 'normal' conversation
from a distance of 5 ft I beleive.  (working from memory here---can anyone
verify that?)  I don't think you will have any problem.  In fact, the
worst thing that can happen, I think, is that you will be restricted to
uncontrolled fields.  No problem with headsets that I can see.



>2.  How do I justify the cost to my family?  This is the tough one, cause we
>are certainly not well to do, and as you know learning to fly costs plenty.
>I would be curious to know how people explain to their significant others
>why they must fly.  Surely it is not just to get from point A to B!
>

On multi-day trips by car the cost is comparable in a small plane.  (Don't
forget the extra meals and one or 2 stops at a decent motel.)

As far as the cost of lessons, you can pay as you go an do 1 or 2 lessons
a week as I am doing.  It will take you longer and will cost more in the
long run, but you will be spending only $100-$200 a week.  (On the other
side you could go on a $3000 'vacation' and come back with your PPL.)

As far as convincing your family, if it is something you _really_ want to
do and you can pry loose the $100-$200 a week then they should be agreable.

I guess my wife got tired of me saying 'i should have done it 20 years
ago', and told me to go ahead :-).


