There are some affordable, small single prop airplanes, and some experimental aircraft. I wouldn't want dive into a solo flight in an experimental aircraft with no lessons or formal training though. What is a relatively cheap, relatively safe method for getting into personal aircraft piloting? What about the pilot's license rules, with experimental aircraft? I've heard that one doesn't need a license to fly an experimental aircraft, and that simply simply keeping a pilot's license active isn't cheap. I want to do it safe and thorough though.

Edited August 27, 20196 yr by Coriolis

1 hour ago, Coriolis said:

I've heard that one doesn't need a license to fly an experimental aircraft, and that simply simply keeping a pilot's license active isn't cheap. I want to do it safe and thorough though.

You can fly ultralights without a license but training is still recommend unless. The links below will clarify what you can fly without a license or what you can fly with a Sport Pilot Certificate.

https://www.usua.org/faq.htm

http://www.uflyit.com/license.htm

https://www.usua.org/Rules/faa103.htm

 

As far as what classifies as “experimental” see the link below. A lot of aircraft that are termed experimental will still require a Private License to fly, so the misnomer that it’s called and experimental aircraft doesn’t void the need for the proper certificate.

https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/air_cert/airworthiness_certification/sp_awcert/experiment/

It’s true that getting a PPL these days is expensive as well as the cost to either rent or purchase your own aircraft, however, depending on what you want to fly, take passengers or not and fly cross country or out of your home area will determine if you want to persue getting a PPL. Having a PPL will open up a lot more flying opportunities and adventures than flying single seat ultralights. Although for some people flying a single seat ultralight is all they can afford or want. Just make sure to get some training so you don’t kill yourself or someone else.

 

Hi...

Yeah - aviating - is not something you want to skimp on - seriously - many of the mistakes and lessons are truly unforgiving... Yep - it's expensive - of that there is no doubt - but there are ways to reduce costs... One is to do the book work and take the written exams before getting into the cockpit in earnest... That way - you have the book knowledge and you're not learning those things while burning avgas, paying rental fees, and paying an instructor... For a ballpark figure (things are more expensive than when I learned) - but I'd say plan on spending anywhere from 10K to 15K to get your PPL... It sounds like a great deal - but I had limited time to fly so that was spread over a year and a half for me... Personally - when you're a freshly minted PPL you know just enough to be dangerous - I wouldn't even consider the "Sport Pilot" certification...

Once you're licensed - you're licensed forever - there are no other requirements for training - you could stop flying for 10 years - then get back into it with no additional training requirements - the onus is on you - the pilot - to insure you're up to speed with your skills and regs... Every few years you do need to be evaluated by a CFI to insure you're competent but that's really an insignificant cost in the bigger scheme of things...

Aircraft ownership is where you see the real benefit of "experimental" as the parts don't need to be certified therefore they cost a fraction of their certified counterparts... Just look at the certified Garmin's we simulate - they cost from 10K to 15K when you can get an automotive one for $150.00...

Best of luck...

Regards,
Scott

Two links that would be useful here in the UK. First is the LAA, they have their annual rally at this coming weekend at Sywell near Northampton, expect up to 1500 fly ins plus lots of stalls and like minded chat.

http://www.lightaircraftassociation.co.uk/

Then there is the British Microlight Aircraft Association, they will most probably have a stand at the above, I'll be there as I have for around 30 years!

https://www.bmaa.org/

Phil

 

@Coriolis It would be helpful if you stated in which country you reside, regulation varies from state to state. In the UK you generally need at least a CAA NPPL(M), EASA LAPL or SPL for fixed wing craft. Effectively you cannot fly without a qualified pilot at the controls and with good reason! Aviation is expensive and highly regulated because if done wrong it's lethal. The exceptions are paramotors and powered hang gliders if they're under 75 kg, which don't require a licence in the UK (even then you'd probably want a BHPA qualification so you can get insured, you don't kill yourself, or infringe airspace).

The modern rigid wing microlight/ultralight with enclosed cockpit is a very cost effective way to get airborne, and are almost indistinguishable from smaller single piston props (compare an Ikraus C42 or Flight Design CT with a Cessna 152 and you'll see what I mean) - you'll get most of the benefits with less running costs and less training and regulation requirements. If you were so inclined you could buy a used C42 up for £25,000, so no more than a family car, although most people co-own/timeshare or simply rent light aircraft as required. However, if you rent then generally the currency requirements will be higher, you'll be expected to fly every few months otherwise you'll be required to get checked out with an instructor. But still much cheaper than running your own, especially if it's just gonna sit there unused most of the time (which is not good for aircraft).

 

Edited August 27, 20196 yr by ckyliu

get into gliding. Its relatively cheap. Here in Canada you'll spend about the same per year as you would on golf. If you get good at it you'll fly higher, faster and further than you will in a C172 😁

12 hours ago, Coriolis said:

There are some affordable, small single prop airplanes.....

I got into Light Sport, and Trike flying about 14 years ago, give or take.  I took lessons in both, lessons are a must and my student license is still valid.  Of the two, I prefer Trikes even though for some pilots having nothing beneath your feet can be daunting, I never had a problem with it, being a coaster freak even close to 60.  The only problem with aircraft ownership in the metro area where I live is storage, Hanger rents are higher than my apartment rent, plus for light sport you have the cost of annuals, and for trikes, the cost of transport since you really need a trailer and SUV with the power to tow it.

My solution, I rent and just have a CFI give me a brush up lesson when I have the urge to fly, it keeps my muscle memory good because simming can cause issues with that, as my first CFI warned me, since we simmers like to look at gadgets and fly by FMS or IFR. 

One reason I fly Aerofly FS2 more now is it is more of a "hands on" sim than my other two sims, and gives me the desert flight experience I seek, since I live in the pristine Sonoran desert, when I am not snorin' in bed, lol, because if I do that my female roommate, a cat named Rosie my ex suggested I get, wakes me up because she cannot sleep.  Like Lindburgh, if I fly too much I get vivid visions that are a distraction, and like Lindburgh, periodically I walk away from a good landing, since any landing you walk away from is good, and crash after my hours of simming since it is my #1 hobby in retirement, as flying in real life is.

John