This morning I passed...

[SoonerATC]

The Chap 30 will not pay for your Pvt pilot license, but will pay 60% of any training beyond your PPL. Chapter 33 (Post 9/11) will pay up to 100% of your training, including your PPL, as long as it's part of a college degree program. That's why I have to take classes, in addition to my flying, because I'm doing it through a university aviation program. I actually already have a college degree, so it's kind of annoying to have to go back to school, but it's what I have to do in order to have the GI Bill cover my PPL.

My original plan was to just "go to school" until my PPL was done, then do any additional flying by itself so I don't have to attend college classes, but as long as I'm in school, they'll pay for the flying AND I get BAH, whereas they'll only pay 60% if I do flying outside of a college degree program. If I can at least get to my CFI certificate before my benefits run out, then I can earn the money for additional ratings, but at present, I wouldn't be able to afford to train without the GI Bill.

 

[Old Fart]

Congrats! As I duck hiding from a fly by........

 

[Ccpatrick]

Congrats! Remember to not do what 3 pilots have done in the Tulsa area recently. When they lost power they pulled back hoping to gain altitude. Instead they lost speed, lift, stalled and died.

 

[JRSherman]

Congrats! Remember to not do what 3 pilots have done in the Tulsa area recently. When they lost power they pulled back hoping to gain altitude. Instead they lost speed, lift, stalled and died.

I believe, from what I remember on the news, they also had airplanes full of people and ran their planes until they were on fumes.

My Grandpa always said knowing, and calculating, your weight limits based on the aircraft were of the utmost importance, as well as how much fuel you have onboard, and your range from that. The one time he didn't figure out his fuel levels after he had soloed, he wound up stuck in a field waiting on one of the guys from the airport to bring him some fuel.

I'd say the more important thing is to not get comfortable flying at low altitudes(where you can't recover). I started out taking flights with a friend named Robert Bozeman in an old open cockpit airplane, and had the time of my life. We'd fly around at 300-400 feet, doing lazy-eights and buzzing some people we knew, and it was a blast.

A while later, Robert was taking a guy for a ride and doing the same thing. Up on his wingtips about 250ft, lost power, and dove straight into the ground, killing both of them.

Just like most things, follow the learned rules and you'll be fine.

Also, thanks for the info Sooner. It's something I may definitely look into. I think Spartan operates with some college for something like that, but I don't know for sure.

 

[Jholmes]

That is AWESOME!! CONGRATS!!!!

 

[n423]

thought you were going to say a stone



congrats!!

 

[SoonerATC]

Also, thanks for the info Sooner. It's something I may definitely look into. I think Spartan operates with some college for something like that, but I don't know for sure.

It appears TCC has an aviation degree that will take you through Commercial-Multiengine with Instrument ratings. If you have the GI Bill, I'd definitely look into it.

http://www.tulsacc.edu/43402/

Congrats! Remember to not do what 3 pilots have done in the Tulsa area recently. When they lost power they pulled back hoping to gain altitude. Instead they lost speed, lift, stalled and died.

Definitely the wrong thing to do. I remember watching a show on TV about a Canadian airliner crossing the Atlantic that had a fuel leak and ended up losing both engines. They were high enough that the pilots were able to establish the plane in a glide attitude that carried them nearly 65 miles to the Azores, where they landed safely without incident.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_236

 

[av8r]

Congratz on passing your written exam! have been a pilot since 1991, currently own a Bonanza. am also an A&P. flying has been one of the most pleasurable things I have done in my life. My only regret is that I didn't do it 20 years sooner!!

 

[Waltherfan]

Congratulations. I got mine about 25 years ago. Lots of fond memories.
Just remember "There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots" (except Chuck Yeager)

Having a healthy sense or paranoia will keep you alive. Don't let the ground rise up and smite thee.

 

[SoonerATC]

After one failed practical, a review flight, and a weather delay, I finally passed all requirements for my pilot certificate and am officially an FAA certificated private pilot. I had my oral and first practical last week, but unfortunately had Murphy following me around most of the day. I passed my oral, however, and passed all but two areas of my practical.

Did a review flight with my instructor, but then had to post-pone my retake due to low ceilings, but as of this afternoon, got the coveted SAT.

What a relief!!