I have been in contact with a few instructor pilots (since Hokie Flying Club refuses to respond to my emails), and they said they are always excited about student pilots. New River Aero, a company at the airport (very similar to Hokie Flying Club with the exception that they teach as well) said that it takes the average student pilot about 65 flight hours to get enough experience for the private pilots license. They charge $158 an hour for this, so it becomes quite expensive ($10,000) for the license. They rent planes to pilots though, which is much needed given the fact that most pilots do not have there own plane.
As I have visited the airport, I have noticed that at about 11 PM the airport shuts down for incoming and outgoing flights. The main terminal has hours from 8-6, but I have often seen planes land after 6 PM. One time I was sitting on a hill about 100 yards off the end of the runway, watching a plane take off and land. It was about 10 PM, with no moon, and it was beautiful to see all the runway lights and the stars with the plane practicing taking off and landing. I watched the plane take off and land three times, each time making a big loop over the campus and the surrounding hills. It was a Cessna 152, a two seat training plane, and the sound of the propeller revving and waning was melodious. There is just something about flying that man has always desired.
I plan to move forward by taking an introductory flight with New River Aero, and talking to two other student pilots which I know. One has actually taking me flying before on a grass runway (she got her license 1.5 yrs ago, and is in HS) and the other person is a fully trained pilot but is lacking his license. These resources will be beneficial in my studies of flying in Blacksburg and student flying.
5 comments:
This is really interesting! What an awesome thing to research. It seems like you're really interested in flying and that you have the guts to do it.
Oh, and yes, the Newman Community is a Christian group; well, it's the Catholic community here, and it is on campus!
"There is just something about flying that man has always desired."
Keep thinking about this. I think the idea is really interesting.
Brian, send your email address over email. I have some contact information for you--people who are willing to talk to you.
found your email--sent it.
I can tell you know a lot about flying Brian, especially if you could identify the plane as a Cessna 152 just from watching it take off and land. Many props to you. I also share your love for flight, with the extra addition of space-flight. I actually have two Apollo posters in my dorm room and, needless to say, they are the focal point around all the other clutter in the crowded space. One of my personal goals by the end of my four years here at Tech is to obtain my private pilots license. I was a little shocked to find out as I read your article that it could cost somewhere upward of 10000 dollars to get the necessary flying hours, and I was wondering if you had come across any possible alternatives in your research? Also, what is the Hokie Flying Club and what do they do? Can you be a novice like me and still join? Finally, I just wanted to let you know that I plan on writing a rebuttal to your point, I just haven't found the time yet.
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