Do you have a pilot's license?

[Capt.]

[+and-then]

It's on the bucket list! I once had the opportunity to play with the stick and pedals on a WWII trainer. I have never had such a rush in my life as when being in control of a plane doing aerobatics - even simple ones

[bubblykiss]

I figure I will get mine when I have to flee to a 3rd world country and can more effectively oppress the people with a plane.

[Stubbly_Dooright]

Well, I think it would be a no, but I kind of started flying lessons. Yes, I did fly a one or two engine plane. It was back in May of 1991. A C-172 listed on my pilot log book. It was one time. My late brother was a pilot with a license who was still taking lessons. We both and his instructor flew down to my sister's graduation, and then flew up. They both turned to me, and asked if I wanted to fly a lesson for an hour. I'm like, what the hell! So, my brother's instructor taught me to lift off, and landed the plane. I flew the plane and it was AWESOME! My brother took care of everything for me and got me a pilot's log book and listed the lesson. I still have it, along with mine and my family's graduation diplomas and my wedding guest book album. The reason being two fold. The experience and the record of it of course. My brother wanted me to consider taking lessons, and I was too at the time. And now that he has passed away, it is also a memorial item for me too.

Edited September 12, 2014 by Stubbly_Dooright

[Capt.]

Over 400 hits and only five brave souls......

[Capt.]

[little_dreamer]

I have a mild flying phobia. I have not flown in small planes or helicopters, only on commercial airlines.

As I'm flying, I think: "Only my fear is keeping this plane in the air. If I relax for a moment, that's the end."

[HMS Dreadnought]

I don't even drive a car

[Crabby Kitten]

I'm going on a flying lesson course soon

[Capt.]

I'm going on a flying lesson course soon

A friend just pointed out that there are free online ground schools like: http://www.free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com/ These might not be for everyone but traditional ground schools run about $200.00 +/- so "free" might not be bad to try.

Not knowing where you live, you might want to try: http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/school/flight_schools/ Many flight schools offer a discounted introductory lesson that is worth taking sooner rather than later.

[Stubbly_Dooright]

A friend just pointed out that there are free online ground schools like: http://www.free-online-private-pilot-ground-school.com/ These might not be for everyone but traditional ground schools run about $200.00 +/- so "free" might not be bad to try.

So what are you training on, an online simulator?

[Capt.]

So what are you training on, an online simulator?

Ground School usually includes:

You need to know about:

1) the aircraft - what systems are part of it and how do they function

2) rules of flying, sometimes referred to as airmanship

3) aeronautical meteorology or weather

4) areonautical navigation

5) the aviation regulations

Flight simulators have questionable training value except for more advance pilots practicing IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) and possibly emergency procedures. Having said that we have one 13 year old who actually practices flying the simulator rather than crashing it and I think that it has advanced his ability to fly a plane. After only 3-4 short training flights you can tell him where you want to fly and he can naviguess his way to it holding altitude and airspeed as well as some licensed pilots but he seems to be the exception.

[Capt.]

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plane-crashes-building-mid-continent-airport-wichita-n237521 These rare incidents seem to he over hyped and the news plays on peoples' fears for ratings.