Posted on Nov 29, 2014
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I have always been interested in aviation since I was knee high to a grass hopper. That being said in February 2005 while stationed at Fort Benning, Ga I finally took the plunge and went to the local airport and inquired about flight lessons. A few short months later (June 2005) I passed my check ride (flight exam) and have been flying ever since.
Aviation
Hobbies
Flying
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 10
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Got my private pilot certificate in 2011. I started lessons at the age of 12 in 2005, not trying to make you feel old or anything SFC Rice! I'm currently attending Kansas State University in the flying program, half way through Instrument now, but I think I'll be switching to Airport Management next semester and plan to join the K-State flying club, $85/hr for a 172 is pretty good these days. Much better than the pilot program at KSU which is about $ 135/hr. :(
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Once you get your private certificate I would suggest people look into the organization that I do oversight for. That is the Civil Air Patrol. If you join, you can get checked out in their aircraft which very from C-172's to the latest Garmin cockpit 182's and turbo 206's. As a member you can rent the Air Craft for flight proficiency at wet rates well below the civilian market and even the prices at the base aero clubs. If you have 100 hours of PIC time you can get qualified as a mission transport pilot. At 200 or more hours you can get mission pilot qualified to do air search and rescue and disaster relief reconnaissance.
They also allow for flight training towards advanced ratings like instrument and commercial ratings. They don't allow for initial training towards the solo or private for the adult members.
I would highly encourage everyone who pursues aviation to work towards an IFR rating at a minimum as it may save you one day if you happen to poke your nose into a cloud.
They also allow for flight training towards advanced ratings like instrument and commercial ratings. They don't allow for initial training towards the solo or private for the adult members.
I would highly encourage everyone who pursues aviation to work towards an IFR rating at a minimum as it may save you one day if you happen to poke your nose into a cloud.
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SSgt (Join to see)
That's 200 PIC hours as well. I made the mistake of assuming the hour requirements were total time. Went up for Transport Mission Pilot after reaching 100 total hours and got shot down because I only had 75 PIC :( Finally got to 101.2 PIC last week and was supposed to take my TMP Form 5 ride yesterday but mother nature said no -_-
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SGT (Join to see)
Maj. Stanton,
Does that include 200 hrs PIC through the CAP group, or is that total PIC time? Because if its total PIC time, I ll go sign up right meow. Even with my Guard obligations and instructing full time, I ll go and help. Its a great organization.
Does that include 200 hrs PIC through the CAP group, or is that total PIC time? Because if its total PIC time, I ll go sign up right meow. Even with my Guard obligations and instructing full time, I ll go and help. Its a great organization.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
All you need is just 200 PIC hours to be a SAR/DR mission pilot with 50 hours of cross country time. Does not matter if it was done in or out of CAP. In fact they would probably not have many pilots if they made it a requirement to do it all in CAP.
When you join CAP you have to take a check ride with their Check pilots, which is similar to doing a biannual flight review and re-hacks your FAA flight review as well. You pay for your first flight review then they cover the additional ones. You have to do an abbreviated check to fly different models of planes. But once that is done you only recheck in the most complex plane the next year and it rehacks the rest.
The only catch to being a mission pilot is that there is a training curriculum that involves CBT's and some practical classroom type instruction. Usually done on a weekend or two. You have to get mission scanner qualified first as a prereq to mission pilot. This is a fairly easy requirement to hash out for pilots. There are a few other requirements to show proficiency in as well.
You do not have to be mission qualled to be checked out in their planes to use them for flight proficiency or become a cadet orientation pilot.
When you join CAP you have to take a check ride with their Check pilots, which is similar to doing a biannual flight review and re-hacks your FAA flight review as well. You pay for your first flight review then they cover the additional ones. You have to do an abbreviated check to fly different models of planes. But once that is done you only recheck in the most complex plane the next year and it rehacks the rest.
The only catch to being a mission pilot is that there is a training curriculum that involves CBT's and some practical classroom type instruction. Usually done on a weekend or two. You have to get mission scanner qualified first as a prereq to mission pilot. This is a fairly easy requirement to hash out for pilots. There are a few other requirements to show proficiency in as well.
You do not have to be mission qualled to be checked out in their planes to use them for flight proficiency or become a cadet orientation pilot.
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1SG Eric Rice - Like MSgt (Join to see) said, congrats on taking the plunge and accomplishing such a rare feat. I started flying back in September 2004 when I was still in college at Georgia Tech. Luckily they had a flying club that made it much more financially feasible than taking lessons out in town. After a long break while finishing up school and starting a full-time job, I passed my PP checkride in March of 2006.
Haven't flown in a while due to time constraints, but I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about doing it. Especially if you are near a USAF installation that has an Aero Club...
Haven't flown in a while due to time constraints, but I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking about doing it. Especially if you are near a USAF installation that has an Aero Club...
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Got mine while stationed at Camp James Rudder in Florida at Eglin Air Force base. I'm out of currency and need a flight review, but being in paramedic school right now makes it hard to study what I need to. Looking forward to taking to the skies again in October when I'm done!
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The Army taught me to fly airplanes as well as helicopters so I've had my pilot's license for 25 years. In all that time, I have never rented or borrowed an airplane to fly for fun. Always working.
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Congrats to your achievement. I've been wanting to do this since I was kid but it has never been financially feasible, since total cost is anywhere from 6 to 10 thousand. At 6'3", I've flown only once in a 152 and will never do it again- the yoke was in my knees constantly.
I joined my local Civil Air Patrol squadron about a year ago which has renewed my interest but until I can save up for at least half of the costs I'm not going to start ground school. Another option I'm looking into is University of Oklahoma's aviation bachelor's degree CPL program. Since it's a degree program, the GI Bill applies.
If you are a young enlisted servicemember and want to cross to the commissioned officer side to be a pilot (I hear they have cookies), having a PPL or better can help grease the wheels so long as you meet the other requirements.
I joined my local Civil Air Patrol squadron about a year ago which has renewed my interest but until I can save up for at least half of the costs I'm not going to start ground school. Another option I'm looking into is University of Oklahoma's aviation bachelor's degree CPL program. Since it's a degree program, the GI Bill applies.
If you are a young enlisted servicemember and want to cross to the commissioned officer side to be a pilot (I hear they have cookies), having a PPL or better can help grease the wheels so long as you meet the other requirements.
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Congratulations 1SG Eric Rice for going out and doing want you have dreamed of doing. I have always thought about it but have never acted on it.
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MSgt (Join to see)
Very good advice and maybe someday I might push myself to do it. But life has a way of puling you in different directions at times.
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SPC (Join to see)
Never too late to follow your dreams? New 670-1 says I cant become a military pilot cause of my tattoo that doesnt go past mid forearm. Completely hidden in uniform but HEY. Lets discourage people from trying to be pilots
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1SG Eric Rice
SPC (Join to see) - You might want to check on your eligibility now that the tattoo policy has changed. Don't give up on your dreams just because of what happened in the past.
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So, without creating a new thread, and just digging up a relevant one for at the PPL holders; what was your commands first reaction to telling them you can fly a plane? Of those, who actually owns their own plane? Do you have to do a monthly POA inspection with your first line at the airport? Looking at acquiring my license when I return to the US, and possibly purchasing an older affordable aircraft.
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Late to the game on this post.
But I have my PPL ,SEL with instrument ratings about to complete my Multiengine commercial
Also I have a glider rating.
main plan is to finish my commercial , get my Instructor glider , and then eventually work on my CFIG, CFI , CFII
people ask me to this day why I didn't choose the AF. Simply because my eyesight doesn't meet the requirements. And I am now to old to be one lol
But I have my PPL ,SEL with instrument ratings about to complete my Multiengine commercial
Also I have a glider rating.
main plan is to finish my commercial , get my Instructor glider , and then eventually work on my CFIG, CFI , CFII
people ask me to this day why I didn't choose the AF. Simply because my eyesight doesn't meet the requirements. And I am now to old to be one lol
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I have taken and passed the FAA exam and have 68 hours of VFR flight time in an MXT-7.
Cross-country solo completed. Did not complete check ride and sign off with Dr. Roberson at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia Ar. I was also offered a position with the SC National Guard warrant officer candidate aviation course...I don't know why I did't take it. I had a CWO endorsement even.
Cross-country solo completed. Did not complete check ride and sign off with Dr. Roberson at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia Ar. I was also offered a position with the SC National Guard warrant officer candidate aviation course...I don't know why I did't take it. I had a CWO endorsement even.
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