SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:25 pm Post subject: Going for the real thing...

Hey everybody, great news! I'm going up to my local airport to do the intro flight and very possibly begin my lessons in about two weeks. It's quite expensive (about $5500), but it's self-paced, so I can solely afford it and I can take however long I need. Right now, I'm open to tips and suggestions. Anybody got some? Cool

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject:

$5500 for how many lessons?

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:24 pm Post subject:

Well.... let me rephrase that.... I would spend about $5500 total before getting my license is what the instructor I talked to said. Sorry about that. Smile

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:56 pm Post subject:

Here's a tip:

Don't wear a good shirt on the day that you solo. Smile

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 10:29 pm Post subject:

i wonder if they do that around the world, i gotta take my fathers shirt when that day comes Cool

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:42 am Post subject:

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:42 am Post subject:

I am about to give you the best advice possible. You should do the following two things: Cool

#1 Apply for 6 "free" issues of AOPA FLIGHT TRAINING MAGAZINE". You can request this free subscription by logging onto:
FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

#2 Drive down to the local book/magazine store now and purchase a copy of the "May" issue of AOPA FLIGHT TRAINING magazine. The current months issue contains excellent articles that will answer most of your questions. Some article are:

How hard is learning to fly?

When will I solo?

Why do some students quit

Introductory Flights

Many more excellent articles.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 2:59 pm Post subject:

Also, keep an eye out for the Aviation Safety Reports. You can learn a lot from the mistakes of others.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:20 pm Post subject:

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:21 pm Post subject:

How hard is learning to fly? Not that hard, you might be surprised.

When will I solo? WHEN YOU ARE READY Exclamation

10-20 hours of instruction time.

Why do some students quit. THEY DONT LIKE IT!! OR THEY GET COLD FEET!! WHAT EVER COMES FIRST!!

I think you will like it though.

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject:

PlaneSmart2:

Nice guess. Now buy the May issue of the magazine and compare your answer to the survey results. Cool

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:05 pm Post subject:

I soloed an Air Knocker(Aronica Champion) before I could drive a car. When you are young you don't think about risks.... Took about 10 hours...

Check out the flight schools aircraft do they look well maintained. Any duct tape and bailing wire?

Be religious about preflights and mag checks on engine runup...

Always eyeball the control surface movements before take off...

Check fuel quanity and valves before take off.. Drain the water bowl...

Always check trim settings before take off...

With Flight Sim you can get a feel for procedures.
Sim is very realistic..

Use Sim to practise flying a flat rectangle... Over and over.. You don't want the bubble to move... Probably your first lessons..
Practise touch and gos over and over....

Have fun,,, If it ain't fun then you will have problems...

Tj

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject:

Good points. I forgot about the *wonderful* rental planes out there.

Always, always make sure your seat is securely latched in the rails. Mentally make a note on every takeoff that if the seat slips backwards, you will LET GO OF THE YOKE!

I was in a rented 152, had just rotated, not fifty feet up when the seat latch failed and the seat slid back down the rails. I had read of a fatal accident from the same occurrence. The pilot held onto the yoke as a handgrip and as the seat slid back, he had no choice but to pull back, leaving him in the typical stall attitude from which he did not recover.

So when the jolt of the seat coming loose, I instantly let go of the yoke (another good reason to check elevator trim before takeoff!), then leaned forward from the back seat, grabbed the yoke, got the plane back under control, landed, pulled up to the FBO, and asked to see the A&P who signed off on the plane. Good thing he was at lunch.

Another time, I was in a rented Cherokee Warrior, on base and about to turn final when one of the magnetos quit. With just one bank of plugs running, the engine started shaking like it was literally going to come off the mounts. Again, an Aviation Safety article which described the less than favorable weight and balance condition of a suddenly missing engine gave me the insight to do the smartest thing - chop the throttle, pull back on the mixture and land dead-stick. It's a good thing I was a bit high and fast. Smile

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject:

Its not a guess, its called experience. Got that.

Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:20 am Post subject:

To tenspace and propwash: Why not good clothes? Is the plane dirty, or am I supposed to be worried about losing my lunch or something in it? LOL

To skipperdan: Hey thanks for the info on AOPA. I've been meaning to check that site out. I didn't know they gave away 6 months issues for free.

I have a question for every real pilot in here....just how much does propeller torque and p-factor pull the plane to the left? Is it forceful or just a little? I'm sure it would take the most effect when you first punch the throttle for takeoff, wouldn't it