Thinking about getting pilots license

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CaptMcMooney@reddit

Sounds like a mission

Buy a plane, if you're ok with letting it sit and spending money on fees, you're probably in a position where you can comfortably buy your own.

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helloworld204@reddit

Personally, getting your PPL should be a whole mindset and requires significant effort to ensure you’re studying/learning your courses. It’ll take probably 20k to get your PPL.

And your inputs are valid, sometimes a plane isn’t available or you will even have to be the one to determine it has to be down for maintenance.

Also, account for weather, you’re in the Midwest so any inclement weather can delay or cancel a flight that you may not be able to legally fly in unless you add on your Instrument license (more money).

Flying gets expensive quick

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Appreciate the reasonable response. Again money is not a issue with in reason. Im a doctor not a billionaire. Im more or less trying to figure out what avenue i would need to take and if my main use would be reasonable. I would love to fly as a hobby and as a way of travel. But mainly travel. I assumed buying a reasonable plane for my use case would be way more expensive than just renting

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Infamous_Share_8017@reddit

As a fellow doctor I can assure you that money can very quickly become an issue, not the 20k of training but the overnight rental can cost 3-5k+ in rental fees, multiply that for every additional night you stay and trip you take. Doctors are well compensated but nowhere near CEOs or entrepreneurs who can actually afford that kind of thing. Get a ppl if you enjoy flying as a hobby (or want to pursue it as a career) but for the purpose you are describing I guarantee there are more cost effective options that are probably just as convenient since you won’t have to deal with weather or competing with other pilots for rental slots.

Unfortunately I see this among my colleagues all the time, doctors tend to be pretty bad with money, and the “money is not an issue” mindset is exactly why so many fellow doctors have declared bankruptcy or forced to work into their 70s and 80s to maintain their lifestyle.

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helloworld204@reddit

If you get to the point of wanting to buy an aircraft, stay away from “V-tail Bonanza” they are known as doctor/lawyer killers

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therobbstory@reddit

This is very antiquated thinking. Bonanza doesn't have chute to pull when the oil pressure light comes on. Cirrus is the present-day doctor killer.

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KITTYONFYRE@reddit

just go get a discovery flight. like it? get your PPL. then you’ll be equipped to answer these questions

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flyingron@reddit

Sure. Plenty feasible. In fact, visiting family was one of the most effective demonstrations of the utility of private aircraft around. I lived in the DC area and the bulk of my family is in suburban Boston. I can drive to the local airport, get in the air, fly to a suburban Boston airport (BVY or OWD) and get a rental car and hit where the family is, in much less time than it takes to drive to IAD or DCA, park, go through security, wait for the flight, fly to BOS, get a bags and a rental car, drive through the big dig out to the burbs, etc...

Call around to flight schools and flying clubs and see what they have and what the rental policies are. I ended up in a local club, but I did some of my work at a school where they had one plane that rented less than the others and I got checked out in that and essentially it was always available when I wanted to use it.

Of course, if you want ultimate flexibility, you can think about buying your own plane. I always told people I drove 12 year old cars so I could fly 40 year old airplanes.

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Mispelled-This@reddit

As I’m sure you know, aviation is not perfectly reliable, due to weather and maintenance. And general aviation is far less reliable than airlines, especially the kinds of planes you will be able to rent (or even buy).

That said, the schedule flexibility is probably a net win, and not having to deal with parking, security and baggage hassles can make it faster and less stressful than airline travel.

You are a lot less likely to kill yourself if you plan trips so that you can drive if flying looks questionable. I have family about 4 hours away (by car), and I still do the drive now and then.

Also, flying isn’t like driving a car; you need to do it regularly just to keep your skills sharp, and the legal minimums are arguably way too low. Plan to fly at least once a month after you get your license. The rust builds up faster than you think.

Finally, doctors are notorious in aviation for thinking that MD makes them special and then doing stupid things that get them killed. Take flying seriously, every single time, unless you want to join them.

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

A quick google search shows theres a rental/school near me renting Cirrus Sr22s. Im new to this obviously but that would be a good plane for my case use? And i agree on flying regularly, the rust builds on my surgical skills after a few days so i absolutely understand that and definitely not something i would take lightly. I would be flying my family so theres no games to be played with that.

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Mispelled-This@reddit

Cirrus makes amazing planes. Very expensive planes. The kind of planes that doctors (and other morons who think being rich makes them special) love to buy—and crash.

The first several years they were on the market, the crash rate was so horrific that insurance companies threatened to stop writing policies. Cirrus responded by building a special training program, on top of what the FAA requires, in a desperate attempt to get rich morons to stop crashing their planes. As a result, the fatality rate for doctors dropped to almost as low as other pilots. Success?

Ironically, a Cirrus training program is now the safest bet for a doctor.

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KITTYONFYRE@reddit

show us on the doll where cirrus hurt you

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aftcg@reddit

That last sentence is very correct. Sauce: taught many doctors how to fly

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Haha idk what doctor hurt you but you should get that issue ironed out😂.

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Mispelled-This@reddit

I love doctors. I just hate seeing them kill perfectly good planes—and drive up insurance rates for the rest of us.

Also, please look into becoming an AME. If you can take a beating and still laugh, you would probably be a good one; that’s a critical skill for dealing with the FAA. We need more AMEs who are pilots.

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SSMDive@reddit

There are places that allow overnight rentals. The trick is going to be if one of them near you allows it and you can only find that out by asking them.

I'd not get my hopes up. They want that plane flying not sitting somewhere. They might charge you 4 hours/day, but they would really rather have that plane available and flying. Nothing worse than having students and not having a plane and if you take a plane for a weekend they can't rent it to someone and that someone might not come back.

It sucks, but that is just the way it is. I pretty much quit flying because it was not actually practical till I bought a plane.

You are putting the cart before the horse a bit... First you need to decide if flying is something you want to do and feel good about. This is such a big part of this.

As for actual use.... Eh.... There is a saying, "Have time to spare? Go by air!" Meaning that without an IFR rating you are going to find many of your trips are going to be canceled or at least delayed. With GA "travel plans" are more "guidelines". You might want to leave at 9AM Friday.... But you might actually have to leave Thursday or Saturday.

So if money is really no object... Go get a PPL and see if it is something you still want to do. Then buy a plane.

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Appreciate that. Iv talked to a local place that has a Sr22 available for overnights 2hr min per day 380$ a hour is whats listed on the website. As far as the IFR it sounds like that would be the route to go if i actually wanted to achieve my goal.

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jtyson1991@reddit

Which generation of SR22?

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

21’ sr22

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jtyson1991@reddit

Wow. For only $380?? That's a nice rate man. That's how much an SR20 is here.

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Dry rate. And you have to buy the hours in blocks.

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ebeing@reddit

that aircraft is 310 HP, thats alot of power when you're just learning.

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Obviously im going to take my time learning and work up it

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jtyson1991@reddit

Ooh, gotcha. So add ~$100/hr (at least) for fuel.

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travis2886@reddit

IFR is only way to go for your family safety and for any kind of reliability for scheduling You still will have to reschedule many times Mid west weather ,particularly spring can be too much for anything you can fly If you have very flexible schedule have fun Be as precise as in your flying as I hope you are in surgery and you should enjoy it good luck

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travis2886@reddit

Also check “ useful load” 4-7 hours fuel and how many passengers

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mirassou3416@reddit

This, focus first on getting your PP cert, then you can figure out how you're going to fly afterward; buy a plan, go into partnership on an aircraft, join a club, rent from an FBO, etc.

Regards getting your cert, start by reviewing local flight schools and taking an introductory flight to find an instructor who syncs with you

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Id rather not waste my time getting the certificate without any knowledge on how im going to actually fly in the long run.

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aftcg@reddit

That doesn't make any sense. Go to a flight school that's more mom n pop vs a flight school that pumps out airline bound pilots. Get good at flying after your flight test, and rent their planes.

Getting to the point of being good enough to travel in a plane a few hundred miles is a big skill set.

It's a whole lifestyle, and it's nothing like renting a boat for a weekend. It takes a huge amount of time, commitment, and effort. Expect it to take about 6 months, 2+ lessons a week. Maintenance, weather, scheduling will all be a factor.

You'll make connections, learn the ins and outs of taking care of your very perishable skills, and see how much effort is involved with staying proficient and competent.

Finding a club, or partnership is key until you've figured out what airplane fits 80% of your mission.

In my experience teaching doctors how to fly, the best ones are orthos, dentists, and dermos. The worst ones were the ones that had the doctor God complex, like this award winning cardio surgeon I clould hardly get to learn how to steer the plane on the ground. They couldn't learn, refused to be wrong, and thought money could make them safe. Humility is paramount

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

I didnt know the aviation community hated Doctors this much😂. Im a good learner and an extremely coachable person. Never once thought i was better than someone just cause i bare the title lol.

I completely understand this isnt a taking the boat out for a weekend. But i wanted to make sure i can achieve my use case before i wasted all that time and effort to not be able to do what i wanted.

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aftcg@reddit

You can do it! Usually, money is the biggest obstacle. Time is next. If you have both, learning how to fly is freaking awesome. Very rewarding, especially because it is hard. And, you already know how hard it was to get where you are, so that's not going to be as huge of a challenge.

Does your wife or similar got your back?

Next, go to a few flight schools around you, and not just at one airport. Feel the vibe. You're going to spend a fiscal crap ton of AMUs (Aviation Monitary Unit = $1000). You might want to see how the school and it's instructors fit with you. They are probably going to be young, mid 20's. Unless you find an instructor that has a normal job, or isn't airline bound.

After finding the school, take a few lessons. Not just a discovery flight. A real first flight lesson. There's a difference. Discovery flight is like a ride along where you get to play with the controls. A lesson is a lesson. Instructor should have about an hour or so explaining things that hardly make sense, and you two then try to apply them in a real 1ish hour flight. If you feel overwhelmed and super stoked after, and feel like you could use a nap, good!

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ltcterry@reddit

“Time to spare, go by air.”

It’s funny because it’s true.

It takes a lot of time and a lot of airplane to make these trips reliable.

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Not trying to get my license in a day and do it. Simply asking if its possible to get to the point where i can make those flights easy. And if planes are available for rent that could do those trips or if i would need to buy one in the long run. And what requirements i need to get. I committed to 10 years of schooling i have no issue committing years to achieving this.

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TxAggieMike@reddit

You’re likely will need to purchase one.

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JSTootell@reddit

I would fly because it's a fun way to travel, not as a shortcut. One weather delay and now you are sleeping on the floor of an FBO and arriving a day late, when you could have just driven. Or, risk ending up on Blancolirio.

Also, flying is a skill, you need to practice it. Use it or lose it. Flying once a month to go visit family is also not a good idea. Both bad for the plane and bad for your brain.

If money isn't an option, then go get your PPL and go from there. Or, at least consider a discovery flight.

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MangledX@reddit

If money isn't an issue and you're that worried about the intangibles such as availability, then just shop around the idea of buying your own plane. You could buy something, get your training done in it and then have it available whenever you'd like to fly.

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

I would prefer to rent. Im not opposed to owner ship but im asking if renting for my use case is reasonable.

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MangledX@reddit

This would depend on how often you'd be wanting to fly. If a few times a uear (less than five) then yeah renting would probably make more sense. If a couple times a month, you'd definitely be better off owning.

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Yeah, it sounds like renting in the early stage would at least allow me to meet my goals and get me into it and if I enjoyed it enough, I would look at buying something later on.

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Squawk_0877@reddit

Renter on your mission, PPL VFR only on those 4-7h trips, you're probably making 50% of planned weekends on time VFR has to hold at departure, en route, destination, and alternate, and Midwest spring eats half the weekends anyway. Overnight rentals also stack 2 hr/day mins plus nonowned insurance you'll need, for regular family visits it's really PPL+IR + a share, not pure rental

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Yeah thats is what im gathering. Thank you!

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Aggressive_Light_173@reddit

In general, you should be fine! My local flight school's policy(not that this is universal, but most places tend to be pretty similar) is that multi-day rentals are allowed, you just have to pay for a minimum of 2hrs/day even if you don't fly that much.

At least in my area, planes are generally always available to rent for a multi-day period if you book 2+ weeks out and sometimes available for a multi-day period 1 week out. Maintenance isn't a huge factor usually(just book another plane if one is down), but weather can cause delays. I'm not familiar with Kansas weather, but where I live, there's about a 70% chance the weather permits me to fly on any given day. You'd have to be willing to be a little bit flexible sometimes on that, for sure. If your funds allow for it, you could also go for your IFR rating, which still wouldn't let you fly in all weather but it would at least expand your options by a good bit

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KensenWhite22@reddit (OP)

Appreciate that a ton! That was helpful

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Ipad74@reddit

The first thing is to take an introductory flight or two at your local flight schools, to see if you think you would actually want to train to become a pilot, no point putting the cart before the horse.

Clubs, shared aircraft ownership, or just outright purchase are options, besides rental aircraft. Each has costs/advantages/disadvantages.

If you just want to go, but not fly yourself, chartering flights may be an option as well.

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EliteEthos@reddit

You should focus on getting a license first before wondering about how to schedule an airplane.

And since money isn’t a factor, you can just buy a plane and not worry about that.

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nuclearDEMIZE@reddit

If money is no option then buy your own. It's certainly feasible, but just be aware especially in the spring time in that area, is expect a lot of weather delays. If you have the flexibility to sit out a day or two until it's safe to fly then do it!

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Flying-Diver@reddit

Look for flying clubs at your local airports. Clubs are much more lenient about overnights than a commercial fbo.

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

As the title states im thinking about getting my pilots license. My main reason for wanting it is i have a lot of family 4-7 hours away with no commercial flights available. Im wanting to find a place that allows me to do over night rentals. Is that a thing? I know some places require a daily minimum. Money is not really a issue so im not to concerned with paying a few thousand to let the plan sit. My concern is the logistics of planes actually being available, weather and maintenance causing delays in my plans. Im located in kansas city mo. Can someone with more experience chime in on how feasible this is? Or have any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

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