Time to fly!

[cj023Participant 723]

I’ve decided that I’m going to get my pilots licence and started taking the initial steps. I’ve contacted my local airport and I’m going to be taking some basic lessons this week. Have any of you guys flew a single prop cessna? Is it scary? How are these small plains different than commercial airliners? I’m determined but don’t want to scare myself into cold feet.

[WA4SWJParticipant 366]

I’ve had a pilot’s license for more than 35 years. Flying is a lot of fun, a great challenge and can be very useful for travel. It is safe IF you learn thoroughly what your instructor is teaching, practice flying and do not do anything stupid, risky or try to show off. Treat it with respect and you’ll enjoy it and gain a great skill. It is expensive so be prepared.

I have flown Cessna 152, 172 and 182 single engine airplanes along with several others such as Piper and Beechcraft airplanes. The Cessna 182 is considered a complex aircraft due to its constant speed propeller. I used to fly parachute jumpers in 182’s and did some mild aerobatics after they jumped out. Fun! These airplanes are no where near as fast or complex as a commercial airliner. An airliner cruises around 500 MPH or so at up to 40,000 feet and are powered by jet turbine engines. The small Cessnas cruise around 120 MPH at around 15,000 feet max or so depending on the model and are powered by air-cooled piston engines. If you have a VFR (Visual Flight Rules) rated private pilot’s license the max operating altitude is 12,500 feet until you have an instrument rating. You must fly IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) over 12,500 feet. Some other single engine piston aircraft with turbo charged engines can cruise considerably higher, but again, you need an instrument rating to fly up there.

Small airplanes handle in the same manner as the big planes meaning that they have aileron, rudder, elevator and flap control surfaces but they don’t have spoilers, thrust reversers and other control surfaces that the big boys have. And of course, they are slower, but they can be very maneuverable. Just look at aerobatic airplanes. Piston engines use avgas; turbines use Jet A fuel.

Good luck getting your license. You’ll enjoy it. You should be able to do it with between 40 – 55 flight hours depending on how you adapt to it plus ground school. I got my license with 45 hours on the clock. You have to pass a written test and then a check ride with an FAA examiner. You will also have to have a flight physical exam and, depending on your license level, a biennial flight review with a flight instructor and continuing occasional physical exams. Your training will teach you all that.

Have fun and be careful and enjoy!!!!

Ed

[cj023Participant 723]

I can’t wait, I’m a little nervous though. Thank you

[AutoliteParticipant]

cj023 wrote:

Have any of you guys flew a single prop cessna? Is it scary?

Yes. No.

I flew light planes and gliders but that was a million years ago. The real scary part is the cost. Unless you’re insanely rich and money doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t do it again today unless you intend to get a commercial license and make it pay.

OTOH, if money really doesn’t matter then you’ll have a lot of fun…

[Author]

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