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I am 16 years old and I know it is very unlikely that I will get my license within a few years or so (college, not enough money, etc). I only started expressing an interest in aviation a few months ago. I don't know why, but there's something about it that's so compelling.

Now, I do know that 16-year-olds can get a private pilot license/certificate. However, I would like to know what kinds of planes 16- or 17-year-olds typically fly. I would really appreciate pictures :)

Also, what entails flying a private plane? Is it hard to control, or scary? Is it really unique? Anything I should expect?

2007-01-23 13:22:45 · 5 answers · asked by cve5190 4 in Cars & Transportation Aircraft

I don't want a career in aviation. It would be purely recreational.

2007-01-23 14:04:55 · update #1

5 answers

With all due respect to the author of the first answer, yes, you can get a private pilot certificate at the age of 16. That is, if you get a glider rating! Gliders are a great, relatively inexpensive way to learn to fly. Glider pilots can solo as a student at age 14. Gliding gives you the basic aeronautical knowledge and skills that are also required for powered aircraft. Please check out www.ssa.org (Soaring Society of America) for more gliding info. Also check www.aopa.org (Airplane Owners and Pilots Association) and www.eaa.org (experimental aircraft association) for lot's of info!

Flying an aircraft is not "hard", but takes great dedication and careful planning to be a safe pilot. It is unique. I've been flying for over 30 years, and enjoy every flight!

2007-01-23 14:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by gliderguy 2 · 0 0

You actually cannot get a private pilot certificate at the age of 16. However, if you begin taking lessons, you can get a student certificate that allows you to solo, which is still fun, but you aren't allowed to carry any passengers.

If you have the aboility to take aviation courses through a university, do it. It's much better and much more thorough. I have actually learned through both a private school and a university and I wish I would have done the university first.

There isn't really a limit to what you can fly at young ages. If you ahve the time, money, and flight hours logged, you can fly pretty much anything you want (after additional classes). But right when you finish, most are typically endorsed in single engine, non complex, non high performance aircraft such as a Cessna or Piper.

I took the classes and I love flying, but i would not recommend it as a career choice. You can't really get a decent job flying until you are much much older becuase most places pay based on seniority programs. Plus you end up flying for a week straight, then take a week or two off. It's an annoying way to live and near impossible to maintain a family.

Heres a website that has pictures of the type of plane a lot of people usually learn on:

http://skyhawk.cessna.com/

That has interior and exterior photos.

Look at other websites too... and single engine aircraft under 200 horse power is a typical recreational pilot aircraft.

2007-01-23 21:44:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

BlankB covered a bunch of it.....as for the experience,
it is really fun. Just flying a plane in the air is an amazing experience and i personally love trying to get the precision of landing as well. The only scary experiences I've had were when i almost hit a bird and when the winds were near the "limit" for the plane when landing (the plane was demonstrated to be able to land with 1 or 2 more knots of wind) Most of this stuff is due to living in the San Francisco bay area. (birds and wind) but anyway.
Most Pilots including me start out with a Cessna 152 or 172....i started with the 152 but recently moved to the 172 because it is more powerful and comfortable.
Hope this helps and Have Fun!
P.S. I'm 15 and have a little over 40 hours.....starting early helps!

2007-01-23 22:05:17 · answer #3 · answered by bravestdawg101 3 · 0 0

If you really want to have fun flying on a budget, go to a small airport and go for a ride in a two place ultra-light like a Quicksilver MX2. They fly low and slow. You will get a real thrill, guaranteed.

If you get a used single place Quicksilver you can expect to pay around 4grand and you won't need a license, but you should take some training. They are pretty light aircraft, around 260# and fly around 45 MPH. They are a hoot. The first time I flew in one I thought "Boy, what a rush." I personally like gyrocopters better.

Look on eBay.com. Type in Ultralight Aircraft. They are for sale there. Or go to Barnstormers. com, They have tons of them there.

2007-01-24 01:28:37 · answer #4 · answered by gyro-nut64 3 · 0 0

These guys have pretty much covered everything, but I wanted to add in that I've been flying for almost four years now and I'm 40 days away from my 16th birthday. I've flown everything from biplanes to the newest planes on the lot... and trust me, if you decide to pursue aviation, you will never ever ever regret it.
Ever!!
Go to your local airport and see if anyone will take you up for an intro flight.
If I can do it, you sure can! Heh heh.

Best of luck, and if you want to talk about airplanes, drop me a line at ElationAviation@yahoo.com.

2007-01-23 22:44:50 · answer #5 · answered by ElationAviation 2 · 0 0

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