"It's no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase ""As pretty as an airport"" appear" Douglas Adams
This week our family took a little picnic to our local airport. They have a nice grass area right on the flight line, including picnic tables and a plaque dedicated to the establishment of the airport board and the airport itself. I have hung out at this spot many times, just watching the traffic. But this was the first time my wife and son came with me. It was a hot day for us in the mountains, almost 88 degrees! Whew! The wind was 10-12 out of the south, or so the wind sock indicated. They are rebuilding the approach end of Rwy 28 so most of the traffic was using the shorter Rwy 19. At just over 4000' there was a sign at the terminal urging all pilots to calculate their altitude density carefully. I understand what that is but I couldn't calculate it, and I can't wait to learn how.
I love that the sign has an exclamation point on it. As if it wasn't exciting enough!
The picnic was an excuse to visit my local "Learn to Fly Here!" operation. I've been there before with friends who were gracious enough to take me up, but I'd never been there as a serious student prospect. I met the owner operator and asked a few questions. I found out that they have 2 planes for rent with one in the shop, a Cessna 152 and 182 if I remember right, the 182 being a bit newer model. I asked about availability issues and he said that these days they are always available. I guess a down economy hits businesses of expensive hobbies hard, which makes sense. That and we are in a resort community dependent on visitors, but it hasn't been that hard on Tahoe as we are an easy drive (2-4 hours) from more than 7 million people.
KTRK at 5,900' elevation, what's your altitude density?
I picked up 7 different business cards of local CFI's. It's time to start calling around and asking questions. Here are some questions I have:
~ Would I do better with a female instructor (and I know this is sexist) because they tend to not let their ego get in the way, as is my experience with male ski instructors?
Or, which seems more reasonable - it depends on the person and how I get along with them? Not their race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and/or fear of heights ...
~ How important is it that because I will be flying in and out of KTRK mostly that I get a good mountain learn to fly experience? The field is only 10 min. away.
Would it behoove me to go to Reno where it might be a little more economical, large airport and still get a mountain flying experience? Reno is an hour away, would I loose my savings buying gas to get there?
~ Or is an intensive program where I study and fly every day at a school in Phoenix, Oakland, Florida, etc. then come back to KRTK and hire a CFI to learn the ins and outs of mountain flying, the best? I would miss my family but how fun would it be?
~ How much of the estimated $9,500 and 60+ hours might I shave off because of my experience as a sim pilot and the use of my sim for practice. I know, nothing can substitute for seat of the pants and frame of reference you get actually flying, which you can't get on the sim. But there must be some benefit there?
~ What schedule would work best, 2 or 3 days a week?
~ Regarding ground school, I'm leaning towards an on-line school, but what are the crucial benefits of a bricks and mortar, real live person ground school?
These questions and more I will be asking these CFIs, and of course telling you about their responses in future posts.
The flight line at KTRK, lots of charter aircraft bringing the folks in to vacation here at our little mountain paradise.
Good news is I've got my first donor who has given a large amount to get me started. So I must now come up with a budget including plane rental, instruction, gear, materials, etc. and compare it with one of those all included schools. So Part 61 vs. Part 141. What do you think of each? How was your experience at either?
That's "Look Out Mountain" at Northstar-At-Tahoe in the background. The views of the airport and Martis Valley, which the airport sits in, are excellent from up there.
Finally, I've got to figure out a schedule with my family life. I must consider that in the winter, with my wife teaching school every weekday and I'll be teaching skiing on the weekends and holidays, should I start this fall and make it happen before ski season or wait until next spring and have the spring and summer to accomplish my private?
What a dilemma?
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