PiedDroit Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) Hello fellow flyers, This question is addressed to people who have a Private Pilot Licence for a while: What is the minimum number of hours you people spend flying every year - and frequency of flights, in order to stay in shape and enjoy flying?:pilotfly: I'm not talking about regulations / mandatory hours. I'm trying to find out how much it will cost (money / time) every year - after the initial investment :smartass: - to be able to keep flying in good conditions. In other words: if I'll able to afford it after paying the initial cost:helpsmilie: Let's also assume I will never fly transport flight sim on the computer, only combat flight sim (DCS, etc):joystick: What I think I'll do with the PPL: Leisure flights and occasional inter-city flights, IFR rating. Thank you for your answers! P. Edited May 2, 2015 by PiedDroit The question does not seem clear...
Isegrim Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 Type of license... IFR - VFR Country... ? There are some variables.... Also radio license. "Blyat Naaaaa" - Izlom
PiedDroit Posted May 2, 2015 Author Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) Probably IFR. Be aware that I'm not talking about training / initial cost - I'm asking about sustainment cost on a personal (not regulatory) level. Edited May 2, 2015 by PiedDroit
smnwrx Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) Different countries have different currency requirements. Here in the U.S. at a minimum you will have to fly enough to stay current. 3TO/landings every 90 days. 3to/landings full stop1hr after sunset( if u plan to fly at night). And a biannual flight review. IFR requires a 6mo check ride that includes inst approaches, holds and other inst. procedures (very hard for the average weekend flyer to keep current, however in my opinion makes you a much better GA pilot). if ur flight school has a faa certified sim, a lot of this can be accomplished there to reduce costs. On top of that you have ur own personal minimums, basically how often you need to fly to feel comfortable. After that there is the cost of medical and renter insurance. Where I fly the average wet rate is 130/ flight hr. http://www.avianflight.com/rental/currency.php Edited May 2, 2015 by smnwrx
PiedDroit Posted May 2, 2015 Author Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) Different countries have different currency requirements ... Again, I know that there is regulations for every country! I can read the regulations, thanks. That is NOT what I'm asking :( Regulations and personal minima are a different thing. EDIT: .... On top of that you have ur own personal minimums, basically how often you need to fly to feel comfortable. ... THIS is the kind of info I'm looking for! Thanks in advance ;) Edited May 2, 2015 by PiedDroit
smnwrx Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 (edited) Again, I know that there is regulations for every country! I can read the regulations, thanks. That is NOT what I'm asking :( Regulations and personal minima are a different thing. Ok, I am just tring to point out that it varies. I spent 5k American on around 35 hrs of recreational flying, currency and biannual last year. As far as personal minimums go, as long as you meet the currency requirement, that is entirely up to the PIC Ps. around half of this cost was split with a passenger. Edited May 2, 2015 by smnwrx
PiedDroit Posted May 2, 2015 Author Posted May 2, 2015 Ok, I am just tring to point out that it varies. I spent 5k American on around 35 hrs of recreational flying, currency and biannual last year. Ps around half of this cost was split with a passenger. Thanks for the data :thumbup: I actually only need a figure of hours and frequency of what people deem necessary. With those figures, I will then calculate a cost using the local prices. For example if I see that most people think it's necessary to fly at least X hours every year, I will translate that in $$ and see if I'm able to pay this every year. If this cost is too high for me then I might reconsider doing a PPL... I can afford the legal minimum - otherwise it would already be a no-go...
smnwrx Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 I see. Well if you are just wondering people's opinion then for me personally as long as I get up and do my take off and landings once every 90 days I feel that is good enough for me in ideal conditions. Now if I think I'm going to be shooting approaches down to minimums anytime soon i would want to put some effort into sharpening those skills before hand. It's always good to get up with an instructed to iron out bad habits and work on the ot of the ordinary stuff. Again this reposibailty lies on the pilot.
PiedDroit Posted May 2, 2015 Author Posted May 2, 2015 Thanks! I don't want to rely solely on the regulations to make my move, because sometimes what's in the book is quite far off real life requirements.
AlphaOneSix Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 I think 50 hours is a reasonable goal to strive for as a private pilot, even though I'm a bit below that myself. If you're planning to be instrument rated and maintain it, I would call 50 hours the minimum, unless you're okay doing occasional refresher training with an instrument instructor. There is no currency requirement for a private pilot to be PIC during VFR without passengers, other than the 2 year flight review requirement. In order to carry passengers, you must have had 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days. If you intend to carry passengers at night, you need 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop at night. You don't need an instrument check ride every 6 months, as long as you remain current you don't ever need one. Of course, to be considered current for instrument flight, you must perform and log at least 6 instrument approaches within the preceding 6 months (plus at least one hold and tracking a course).
smnwrx Posted May 2, 2015 Posted May 2, 2015 I think 50 hours is a reasonable goal to strive for as a private pilot, even though I'm a bit below that myself. If you're planning to be instrument rated and maintain it, I would call 50 hours the minimum, unless you're okay doing occasional refresher training with an instrument instructor. There is no currency requirement for a private pilot to be PIC during VFR without passengers, other than the 2 year flight review requirement. In order to carry passengers, you must have had 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days. If you intend to carry passengers at night, you need 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop at night. You don't need an instrument check ride every 6 months, as long as you remain current you don't ever need one. Of course, to be considered current for instrument flight, you must perform and log at least 6 instrument approaches within the preceding 6 months (plus at least one hold and tracking a course). Thanks for clarifying the passenger and IFR requirments. i admit i have left my IFR ticket incurrent way to long.
PiedDroit Posted May 2, 2015 Author Posted May 2, 2015 That's interesting... I might hold the horses and stick to VFR then.
NoJoe Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 My personal preference is to fly at least once per month, even if it is just a couple takeoffs and landings. If possible try to include in each flight a power-off 180 landing (pull the power to idle in the pattern and land, simulating an engine failure and forced landing). The more familiar and comfortable that is, the better. Proficiency is ultimately about safety, and that requires practice. 3 takeoffs/landings every 90 days might be enough to stay proficient (and safe) if you're flying a small non-complex aircraft in non-complex airspace. I fly piston twins in a complicated area, so once a month is my bare minimum.
PiedDroit Posted May 3, 2015 Author Posted May 3, 2015 My personal preference is to fly at least once per month, even if it is just a couple takeoffs and landings. If possible try to include in each flight a power-off 180 landing (pull the power to idle in the pattern and land, simulating an engine failure and forced landing). The more familiar and comfortable that is, the better. Proficiency is ultimately about safety, and that requires practice. 3 takeoffs/landings every 90 days might be enough to stay proficient (and safe) if you're flying a small non-complex aircraft in non-complex airspace. I fly piston twins in a complicated area, so once a month is my bare minimum. Is this for VFR or IFR? From smnwrx's and AlphaOneSix's comments it seems IFR is much more demanding. Thx
smnwrx Posted May 3, 2015 Posted May 3, 2015 IFR is all about staying ahead of the airplane, and yes this requires more practice to stay sharp. flying the airplane and communicating while in IMC require a lot of concentration as well as preflight planning. The good thing about IFR is that IMHO sims like FSX with vatsim can help you retain a lot of what you learned procedurally.
NoJoe Posted May 4, 2015 Posted May 4, 2015 Is this for VFR or IFR? From smnwrx's and AlphaOneSix's comments it seems IFR is much more demanding. Thx Oh, my once-per-month is for VFR. Adding on IFR is going to require more practice, but that can be done in a simulator. Even flight sims on your PC at home can help maintain some IFR proficiency if done right.
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