Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
From: trisoft@realtime.net (James M. Knox)
Subject: Re: Becoming a private pilot
Organization: TriSoft/CyberSearch
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In article <Mor2Hug-2411981838370001@183.san-francisco-08.ca.dial-access.att.net>, Mor2Hug@worldnet.att.net ( ) wrote:
>Hello everyone,
>
>I've become interested in pursuing a Private Pilot license and want some
>feedback from the NG on how to go about achieving the highest quality
>training possible in the most economical manner.  Like most of you, I'm
>neither a trust fund baby or a lottery winner, and any tips on how I can
>keep expenses down would be greatly appreciated.

I'm sure you'll get lots of replies, because this is one of those topics where 
most everyone has an opinion.  For my own two cents...

Ground school... probably a waste of good time.  The questions are just not 
very hard, and the better study guides are excellent.  If you have an 
instructor who will help with the things you don't understand on it (pay 
him/her for 30 minutes of Q&A now and then related not to the flying but to 
the written questions) then you guides and books should get you through.  You 
will probably do a lot better than "just pass" (most ground school's goals), 
and the books will be a lot more valuable afterwards than any weekend class.

See if you can find a mentor, either informally or someone actually in the 
AOPA mentor program (check the AOPA website for more info).

The most efficient use of flying money is to have enough to carry you through 
the program from start to finish.  Try to fly two or three times a week.  
There are plenty of folks who have got their license by collecting empty pop 
bottles on the sides of the roads and managed to get a 30 minute lesson saved 
up every month or so.  More power to them, I admire their perseverance, but it 
is not the most cost effective way to go.

You will see some schools listed as "Part 141" schools and some not.  Ignore 
the fact that part 141 schools can theoretically get you your license in 5 
less hours.  Won't happen.  *But* part 141 schools *are* required to have an 
organized training plan and regular stage checks.  This can be a big plus.  
[Non-part 141 schools *can* be just as organized, but no assurances.]

Lastly, make SURE you find an instructor you are comfortable with.  You are 
going to be spending a lot of time in a close high-pressure environment with 
this person.  The fact that some instructor is a great flyer is useless if his 
teaching method and your "learning" method don't jive.

And feel free to ask us questions here or e:mail, tell us about your travails, 
etc....  We've all "been there."

                                                james knox
