Learn to fly – Fun or Professionally
Aviation is a fantastic and you can learn to fly as a career or as just a private pilot. If you love aircraft and the military or civil fields interest you then you could become an aircraft technician.
Air Force
I chose to join the Air Force when I left school to be around the leading edge of fighter aircraft of the day. I would have loved to learn to fly then but my schooling wasn’t good enough for pilot training so I had to make a decision on what to do. I have to say the decision to become an aircraft fitter in the RAAF was a fantastic one. It took me to many parts of the world I could not previously imagined and chances to experience cultures I would otherwise never have seen.
Learn to Fly Opportunities
If you’re a young person looking to learn to fly and aviation is in your blood, then all I suggest is to take any opportunity with both hands and hang on. There are many paths for you to follow but I thought I would discuss flying in general and your current options for flying for fun.
Fast Jets
My desire was always to learn to fly fast jets and the typical top gun mentality of a young man. I was totally focused on the Air Force that my consideration of general aviation was totally outside my narrow blinkers I was wearing.
In hindsight I should have learnt to fly when I was at my first posting being a young man, alone and with more money than I knew what to do with on a wage in the RAAF. Sometimes I regret this and other times it’s a Oh well It wasn’t what I wanted at the time and I am happy with my decision’s.
Hindsight is a Great Teacher
Let’s jump forward the older man with hindsight in his pocket and look at the current possibilities for you should you just want to fly and see if it’s really for you. There are certainly a few options and the cost which generally dissuades people from flying may get answered here.
Learning to Fly Light Sport Aircraft
Flying comes in many forms so let’s look at your options. There is ultralight flying which is a pretty inexpensive way to get started in powered flight. The licensing is easy and in fact I understand you don’t need to learn but I would highly recommend it. You can purchase a used ultralight inexpensively and go flying. Maintenance will be minimal and running costs minimal.
If you want to step up, you can go to a Light Sport Pilot License which is what I have. This is probably the next best choice for fun flying and is way more inexpensive than a full General Aviation (GA) license. You can fly in all uncontrolled airspace and to any airport that is a non-towered airport. Yes, it doesn’t have a control tower so there are procedures which I will cover in another page If your interested.
Light Sport Pilot Flying Limitations
In Australia as well as the USA and Europe this will generally only have minor implications to most flights. I have flown around Adelaide where I currently live and there is a major airport here with the RAAF Base as well as Parafield Airport where a lot of flight instruction for GA and commercial takes place as well as Adelaide international airport.
I simply fly underneath or outside the airspace quite freely. You can fly around probably 99.9% of Australia and never encroach on controlled airspace. Its quite easy and again its relatively inexpensive depending on where you fly and with whom.
Learning to Fly – My Flying Club
My club at Adelaide Soring Club located at Gawler South Australia which I fly from a lot on Let’s Fly VFR YouTube channel is where I use to fly. Check the channel out for the tour I did of the airport and the Jabiru and other aircraft they have there.
Flying in this club as it is a non-profit organization and is run for the members it is a lot cheaper than other establishments. I’m guessing its $140 per hour approximately since it would have gone up since I flew last.
Considering a Flying Career?
If your considering a career then you need to start with a GA license then progress on to commercial then add on your ratings like IFR as well as multi engine and much latter turbine etc. There is a lot to do here. Maybe get a medical and ensure your all healthy before you start down this path.
The interesting thing is there are options to borrow the money to become a pilot then you pay it back over time. Its scary when you see how much money you need to get to a commercial level without all the other ratings. Remember you can check with airlines and see what they require as well as looking at what help they may give you should you be accepted into a program with them.
Learning to Fly – What can it cost?
————————————————————————————————————————————————-Wiki: Other costs include CASA license fee ($75) Medical check (about $120 – 150), CASA medical fee ($75), theory book kit ($200 for RPL and $95 for PPL), optional theory lectures, Club membership (which entitles you to the club flying rates) $198, and other small test and exam fees.
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Learning to Fly GA License
A GA license will allow you to fly everywhere pretty much as well as get air traffic assistance, flight following during flights to keep an eye on you as well as traffic. Its still your job to look and avoid regardless but another pair of eyes helps.
Getting Serious – Commercial Pilot License
Now you want to get serious with a commercial licence then you need more time and yes, money to get you there so you can be paid to fly. You need also to get an IFR certification to fly in clouds because they often are unsociable and turn up when you want to go somewhere, and you don’t have a choice.
The costs are if you get a cadetship with Qantas can be up to $87,000 or at a flying school will cost about $28,000 for a basic commercial pilot’s license. A degree will cost $6979 a year (Government supported) plus $22,560 a year for flying costs and this is likely a requirement for airlines. Research and see what is the best path for you.
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