Interested in training, but not in a certificate
Posted by cacraw@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 36 comments
What are the chances of finding an instructor who would take on a very casual student? I enjoy flying GA aircraft in simulators, and have completed Sportys ground school, but I’m not super interested in actually getting a PPL or ever using a small plane for transport. I’ve done a discovery flight, and have friends with planes and fly with them. But I’ve figured out I’m way more interested in learning about flying and systems than actually pursuing a license.
Would instructors balk at taking on a student who wasn’t really progressing or only wanted to fly every three or four weeks? FWIW I’m 60 and retired.
Embarrassed_Dingo313@reddit
Yes, basically any instructor would do causal flights with anyone who’s not insane
Flyingredditburner44@reddit
They actually offer these Pinch-Hitter flying courses all the time.
Pretty much so your spouse can take over if you were to become incapacitated and they can land the aircraft safely.
I'm a big fan.
minfremi@reddit
That was my initial intent. I was fresh out of college. For reasons I just wanted some flight experience. I knew nothing about getting licensed or the license itself.
My instructor (career guy) eventually led me to getting me to my private. Look at me now Mr. Instructor, I’m an ATP with almost 4K flight time, most of it TPIC.
PutOptions@reddit
Sure, any CFi will be happy to ride along assuming you are not trying to kill them. 80% of their students never get their PPL anyway. Just be up front about you intentions. I got my ticket at 58 yrs old. I never rushed it. I find it fascinating that the learning side of it never really slows down even approaching 500 hrs now.
blame_lagg@reddit
Instructors would generally take any student that's willing to pay.
GaryMooreAustin@reddit
This
cacraw@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I’ve even had an instructor from my online flight sim “club” instruct me virtually. He was doing it no-charge to practice his own instruction, but I paid him in the form of a big christmas check/gift anyway. That was ideal, but now im interested in learning what you cant learn from a simulator.
blame_lagg@reddit
I spent some time with MSFS before taking lessons, and found learning to land was surprisingly difficult!
Enjoy the journey!
Ramrod489@reddit
Long-time CFI here…you’d be a dream come true to a number of my younger CFI’s trying to build time. What you want isn’t actually all that unusual; I’ve had some older folks come in that had pilot certs that hadn’t flown in years that just wanted to go up every now and then and weren’t interested in flying solo. I put the first line in one guy’s logbook since 1978!
Laxboarderchill@reddit
Wholesome af
dilemmaprisoner@reddit
Easily; lot's of people start, and then quit
BarnackBro1914@reddit
Bro: If you post this as an advert on the bulletin board of an airport with a flight school...you will have a stampede of flight instructors wanting to go up with you.
Adorable-Meeting-120@reddit
There are special jobs you can get if you at least get your PPL where you operate as a second in command in flight simulators. Which basically means you become a systems nerd. It might be a perfect job for you. If you want to fly anyways may as well just get the ratings.
Equivalent-Web-1084@reddit
If you get far enough in training learning all that why not just get the cert?
cacraw@reddit (OP)
I wouldn’t 100% rule it out, but honestly I’d rather fly 12 times per year for the next four or five years than go through four(?) months of 2 times per week.
nonoohnoohno@reddit
If you find yourself flying more, but are really only interested in daytime blue skies flying, consider a sport cert. Either way, log the time just in case.
I was a similar student. I had zero timeline or rush to "get done," no goals of going to the airlines, or anything. I was just there to enjoy flying.
The CFIs didn't even question it (other than "what do you for a living?" probably wondering how I was funding it). Just prepare anything they ask you to for next time, and I think you'll have a great time.
unable_compliance@reddit
My uncle did his PPL on a very similar structure. He knew it would take longer (and cost more) than if he trained more regularly, but he could only afford 1-2 flights a month. And he got there.
Do keep in mind though you’ll probably go through several instructors through this period, as most are there as a stepping stone in their career rather than doing it for their career. That said, there are instructors out there that do it in their down time away from airlines or semi retired but still enjoy being in the air - if that’s important to you at all.
cacraw@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I realize that a lot of young instructors may only be there for one season. Honestly, I’m fortunate that I’m fairly price insensitive. In that I mean as long as I’m getting value, I’m totally willing to pay people for their expertise…I made my living as a consultant!
THevil30@reddit
Once a week is fine if you’re ok with it taking long and don’t mind not maximizing efficiency. Especially if you go for a sport pilot cert (which is more up your alley) you’d get there eventually.
CeznaFL30@reddit
Does your credit card work?
cacraw@reddit (OP)
lol! Yep!
Quirky_Roll_6451@reddit
I was just like you. No hurry no rush. Just flying when I wanted too with a CFI. Nothing special. I was so casual that when I looked around I noticed that I had probably 10 or more different CFI and one of them, Angela, jumped out of the plane one day endorsed me and started sending me on a solo than a XC and another one then another one, next thing I'm looking at an examiner with a 172 on the ramp. Passed 1st time, as I'm flying back to home base a thought popped in my head, like how the hell did this happen! I was only interested in the thought and science of flight. 😊 Best thing in my life besides family ❤️
cacraw@reddit (OP)
Love that story. Thank you!
MultiMillionMiler@reddit
I'm kind of feeling the same way atm, I took 4-5 intro flights at different schools and wanted to keep flying for fun and the lowest price school said I had to enroll to keep taking lessons so I did. Made it clear at the beginning I wasn't sure if I wanted to formally pursue PPL and kept saying just a couple more lessons every time and now have done 23 lessons. I have enough $$$ for PPL but don't want to blow my entire savings on it so am only taking them when I have the spending cash available every couple weeks or so, sometimes less frequently and sometimes more depending on how much extra cash I have. The idea of soloing and taking a checkride make me nervous as hell. I'd rather not have the pressure. As of now I'm taking the lessons seriously as if I'm going for it cause why not, and most of my maneuvers are within standards according to the couple CFIs I've had, but it's exhausting and don't think I'm cut out for the level of multi-tasking and continuous focus required for making a career out of it. But if in the future 200 hours later or something I get good enough to take the tests maybe I will if I can afford it cause again why not?
Santos_Dumont@reddit
Sounds like you should look into Sport Pilot. It’s only 20 hours.
But if I were in your shoes I’d call the CFI, explain the situation, and book a 100 dollar hamburger run, fishing trip, etc so you actually use the plane to go somewhere. Learning how to navigate is more fun than actually flying the plane.
TravelerMSY@reddit
There’s nothing wrong in that, but keep in mind there are losses from infrequent training. I.e. – an hour, once a month for 20 months, is the first hour 20 times over again. At hour 20, you may not know more than you did from hour two.
cazzipropri@reddit
100%
All the fun, none of the pressure? You are a GREAT customer!
ltcterry@reddit
80% drop out. They just don’t tell the instructor in advance. Plenty of people will be glad to take your money.
Environmental-Rub878@reddit
One of my previous instructors had two "students" exactly as you said.
I asked about it. He said it was a pleasure and enjoyed his "coffee time" in the air with an enthusiast. Gave me a different perspective that some people just enjoy it and if willing to pay, they get a bit more out of it but not all the stress.
Go for it and enjoy!
nightlanding@reddit
That sounds like a fun gig for an instructor, I would have done it no problem.
bhalter80@reddit
If you're straight with them about what you want absolutely especially if you geek out on it and get better every flight even if they're infrequent
makgross@reddit
If it’s intentional and understood, it’s fine.
I start to get disturbed when students say they do want a certificate, and then don’t work toward it adequately. But if it’s not the goal, we design something different.
It would be a challenge to design an appropriate curriculum, but there is nothing wrong with that.
InJailForCrimes@reddit
People do this all the time without meaning to. I wouldn't see any problem with it.
StageMajestic613@reddit
I’m kind of the same mindset. Age 54 and 19 hours pre-solo. Plan on getting the PPL, but don’t plan on hauling anyone around or trips, rather just fly for the fun of it, and definitely not in a rush to do it.
My CFI is in his 40’s and has a stable WFH job (accounting I believe) so just instructs for the fun of it, and doesn’t plan on a career of it. He is the CFI who typically teaches the dads.
Maybe look at a flight club, as the instructors there are typically part time.
Mrkickbutt12@reddit
Every instructor I've ever met (myself included) would love to do that. Just don't expect us to let you solo anytime soon, (if that's even something you'd want to do)
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
What are the chances of finding an instructor who would take on a very casual student? I enjoy flying GA aircraft in simulators, and have completed Sportys ground school, but I’m not super interested in actually getting a PPL or ever using a small plane for transport. I’ve done a discovery flight, and have friends with planes and fly with them. But I’ve figured out I’m way more interested in learning about flying and systems than actually pursuing a license.
Would instructors balk at taking on a student who wasn’t really progressing or only wanted to fly every three or four weeks? FWIW I’m 60 and retired.
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