Who has taken a Pilot training course?

Question

How hard/stressful is it, having 0 experience, to get your private or commercial pilot's license? I'm mainly looking at those 1+ year expensive schools that offer both.

Answer 1

It's not so hard if you really work at it...and put in. Like most things there are more boring aspects (such as when you study weight and balance issues) but these are balanced out by the fun and challenge of the flying.

Remember...every pilot starts at zero hours, zero experience!

It'll take a while - it's a bit easier to adjust to the sensations at first if you've travelled by air but even if you haven't it's not too hard - just different. I'd give it about 4-5 hours before you'll really get the hang of handling a plane - and most people do go solo at the 10-15 hour mark. Solo is challenging but not as daunting as you'd think - you feel ready by then and remember, you get sent solo - so you'll only go when your instructor thinks you're ready!

Commercial is naturally more expensive but I know people who only fly privately who have commercial licences for the fact it gives you more training and demands a higher level of skill.

Plus...if you want to make money in the air in any way...commercial is the ONLY legal way. Even privately, legally you have to split the costs of aircraft hire between all on board (including you) if you fly your mates around - only commercially can you charge them it all.

I'm not as experienced as some pilots - but I did train recently - and have about 200 hours at this point.

If you want to talk to me feel free to contact me - or contact the other kind person who offered - he does have more experience - but I did train more recently - so we can give you both sides of the coin.

Best of luck!

Answer 2

I had zero experience at one point, now I'm a commercial pilot, flight instructor, etc, etc. I went from zero to CFI in just under two years.

However, I will say I am not a fan of the pilot mill schools. In my opinion, they sacrifice experience for amount of ratings, and that is never a good thing. Having every single rating does not make a pilot safe or experienced.

Answer 3

Everyone is different. Some take to the air like a duck to water and others never get it. Most folks can solo with less than 10 hours of instruction.

The minumum is 40 hours for a Private license, but you should budget for 60 to 80 hours as a practical matter.

Answer 4

Been a pilot for over 45 years. It took me about 4 hours, starting at 0 experience, to become totally comfortable with flying. I'm now at 18,000 plus and counting. Contact me if you want more details.

Answer 5

its not hard. won't take you long to get the hang of it. I started from zero and it took me about 11 hours to solo.

On a side note, you can get a commericial certificate without an instrument rating. you will be limited as to privledges such as night flight with pax and such. Also you don't need high performance endorsement, multi, tailwheel endorsement to fly and have lots of fun. Now, if you want to fly for a career, i would advise you get as much multi time as you can get. Also, you will need instrument, and commercial certificates.

Answer 6

There is also "Ratings" you take inbetween your Private and Commercial like for example, Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating, Fast Performance rating and such. Just a thing to keep in mind.

Answer 7

I have, and maybe one century, I'll get my private license. Its not necessarily hard to get a commercial license though, Its just expensive, up to $10,000. Its why I can only do it intermittently

Answer 8

It is really expensive like £300/400 per hour of training. I would recommend going to the RAF or Navy.