Helicopters & Airplanes

[Robmeister]

So I've been going over my short list of things I've always wanted to do, and now that I can afford it I was looking into scratching off the list getting my pilot's license

Was checking out helicopter and fixed wing schools.

MAN what a difference!   Helicopter flight school costs around $15,000 to $25,000, whereas fixed wing flight school comes in around $6,000 to $9,000.

Gonna do a "Discovery" flight at both a chopper school and a fixed wing school where ya pay the basic hourly rental and instructor rate and an instructor takes ya up for 30-45 minutes and lets ya take the controls for some basic maneuvers.

Any chopper or fixed wing hobbiests?

[tomgallagher]

Been flying fixed wing for years but never been in a chopper or a glider for that  matter.

[Nonick]

Yeah, let's just say the fixed wings are more "fun".  Planes can soar and do fun stuff.  With a helicopter you have to constantly be on the controls and be ready for anything.  When you're on your ride, ask the pilot what he would do if his transmission were to jam (can you say glidepath of a rock?).   
Also, if you decide to get into helicopters, make sure you get an instructor who can teach you all (ALL) of the emergency procedures.  Back in the 80's the Army had the bright idea not to teach all of emergency procedures because some were "dangerous" and the cost factors.  After they started losing machines and pilots, they must have learned the error of their ways.
Let's just say that planes are more "fun" (safe) as a whole.

[Robmeister]

Yeah, let's just say the fixed wings are more "fun".  Planes can soar and do fun stuff.  With a helicopter you have to constantly be on the controls and be ready for anything....Let's just say that planes are more "fun" (safe) as a whole.

excellent points, thanks.....let's see.....safer, more fun, more versatile, and a lot less expensive.....yeah....I think I'll go with the more dangerous, less fun, less versatile and totally expensive route.

[Robmeister]

OK...yeah....going with fixed wing.

Had my second lesson today in this little Jewel.  It's a 2004 Cirrus SR20 with Avidyne displays, dual Garmin 430 integration, and S-Tec autopilot.  AMAZING how far personal aircraft have come, man!

[Nonick]

SAWEET!!!
(Also, good move on the fixed vs. rotary.  Been there, done that.)

[PilotJeff]

If you have any questions or need advice let me know, I am a flight instructor.

[JasonR]

Wow...flight school is something I've always wanted to do. Congrats on doing it man...keep us posted.

Planning on buying a plane at all?

[tomgallagher]

Great airplane. Good luck Rob. Keep us posted.

[gunngee]

I am envious, I do structural repairs on aircraft. Currently I only have experience on Helicopters mainly Hueys. I have always wanted to get my pilots license but just can't justify it. I haven't been up in a helicopter yet but want to try it just to say I have done it. I do agree though that planes are a lot more safe. Working at an airport I have seen some of the safety maneuvers these guy perform like auto rotation. I forget the minimum elevation needed to perform this maneuver (you need a certain amount of elevation because airspeed is crucial) but basically if your engine quits and you are under this altitude, you're going to fall like a rock. Even if you are able to do the auto rotation (you have enough elevation) you only have a certain amount of time to react and it's only a few seconds.

[Robmeister]

Great airplane. Good luck Rob. Keep us posted.

Well that was 2 years ago and my cash situation has drastically rearranged my priorities.....I know I'm one of the few that has been adversley affected by this f'd up economy  but the flight school thang has been postponed to say the least....what I have done is to take another goal on my short list of thangs to do in life that actually PAYS money.....not much but I absolutely LOVE it....that is driving a big rig....my home biz took a bit of a dive (I know....I'm one of the minority) so decided to travel a bit and check off one of my "list" to fill in the gaps and build some working capitol.   

[PilotJeff]

Cirrus make awesome airplanes. Terrible for training but great if you know how to fly. They are not an airplane you want to practice stalls in.

[Robmeister]

Cirrus make awesome airplanes. Terrible for training but great if you know how to fly. They are not an airplane you want to practice stalls in.

Understanding you know more than me....but I LOVED the Cirrus over the old Cessna I did my first lesson in.....the Cessna was like an old Volkswagen.....

Ain't at the point to do stalls.....

Look forward to it when the time and the CASH is right

Thanks for the input, P-Jeff!!

[tomgallagher]

Departure stalls are always a lot of fun.

[Hingatao]

I'd love to learn how to fly. Either fixed wing or chopper, doesn't matter.