Roost Air Lounge => The Classroom => Topic started by: Paper-Airplane on March 01, 2006, 01:49:31 AM
Title: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Paper-Airplane on March 01, 2006, 01:49:31 AM
I was wondering how old you had to be to train to get a pilots licence? I know you can get one by age 16, but can you train for one before that?
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Mike on March 01, 2006, 02:05:16 AM
I will see if I can get more opinions on this but as far as I know you can start training as soon as you're old and tall enough to reach the pedals. Correct me if I am wrong guys>!!
I had a 13 year old student once. I am not sure if you can solo before 16, I would have to look that up. My student never made it that far. He was a spoiled brat and his parents pushed him to learn how to fly so thay can show off with their kid doing something "better" than other kids. And, as all of us who do have a license know, if your heart isn't in this one....forget it. Won't happen...
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Paper-Airplane on March 01, 2006, 02:08:42 AM
Thanks for the info. How tall was this kid? Or how tall do you need to be to reach the pedals?
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Sleek-Jet on March 01, 2006, 04:33:23 AM
In the US... you can log dual from a licensed instructor at any age. You cannot solo a powered aircraft until you're 16, or 14 if it's a glider. You cannot get your private pilot license (single engine or helo) until you're 17. I don't know about the Sport Pilot license.
I started keeping a log book when I was 11. My Fasha (Aurtin Powers reference) is an instructor, and he let me fly when ever we went somewhere. I had alot of time in the book by them time I earned my private at 17.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: chuckar101 on March 01, 2006, 04:35:32 AM
Just get some blocks of wood ans some big phone books to sit on and you'll be fine. And like Sleek said you can do your soaring stuff earlier. Thats were I got my start and trust me its a lot of fun.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: fireflyr on March 01, 2006, 05:01:34 AM
See what I mean?
You're in good company kid, so start dreaming and you can do anything you want---I too started when I was 15 and my youngest son got dual instruction from me at age 13.
What your mind can conceive, if you will believe, then you will achieve...........
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on March 01, 2006, 05:02:35 AM
Seats are adjustable...You can always find a way to make a non-standard modification, too. ;)
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Paper-Airplane on March 01, 2006, 05:11:56 AM
I think I will start on a glider, they sound like a lot of fun. Thanks for the information guys, a lot of help.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Roland on March 01, 2006, 01:39:35 PM
I think I will start on a glider, they sound like a lot of fun.
This I think is a very good idea! To my opinion all pilots should start to fly on gliders. Only here a pilots gets the real feeling for the element he is moving in. Air. Here a pilot learns to use up-winds and to get out of winds blowing him down or close to cliffs. Here a pilot learns a lot about weather judgement, clouds and their benefits, thermals. Again, a perfect idea. It helps a lot for any later flight-training.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Inept on March 01, 2006, 11:18:17 PM
It used to be, in the 1920's and 30's that glider training was part of the training for militray aviators around the world, the reason being that if your fans fail in a plane, you find yourself in a big, heavy glider, and should know how to fly one successfully for more than just a forced landing.
To prove the value of the training before it was adopted by the U.S., a naval test pilot took his all metal, monoplane military trainer up and killed and secured his engine. He then rode the leading edge of a front for atleast fifteen minutes without losing altitude. I, unfortunately don't remember the name of the pilot, nor the year. I also don't know if it is still required at all, or if it was phased out after world war II.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Roland on March 02, 2006, 07:22:23 AM
In our modern time we live in there is not enough time to train young pilots on gliders first. Also there is not enough money to do so. But yes, in the past to fly gliders first was a normal approach to this subject. It is a perfect way to learn to use available resources, especially if they are very few. Not only the U.S. forces did so, but also in Europe it was a standard lesson for pilots to start with gliders. Maybe some “old” Captains of the famous “Luft-Hansa” can support this and talk about the days on the Wassekuppe …
Also we engineers start with gliders. Not to fly but to design, build and fly them in scaled models. It is a lovely adventure, really it is! From the very first time one puts a pencil on the paper to the moment of handing the plane to its element. I made aerodynamic tests with a scaled glider model while driving my bicycle...
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: chuckar101 on March 02, 2006, 08:49:44 PM
I loved flying the gliders and like everyone says it reallys helps with the basics. My glider instructor was all about controlling the airspeed and it does marvels when flying the 172.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Mike on March 02, 2006, 10:28:44 PM
yep, the rating even helps you when you end up flying helicopters like I did. utilizing up-drafts in the mountains, knowing where and what the winds are, and so on...
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on March 02, 2006, 11:23:16 PM
Non-craft parts of flight training can start anytime so long as the information is presented properly. I've taught the basics of things like lift, drag, etc., to kids as young as 7 or 8 (not in an official CFI capacity), and they pick up on things. The more you can acclimate someone to the topic, starting with basic knowledge first, the better prepared they will be when it comes time to take the written, and then to start the actual flight portion of their training.
My daughter is was 14 when she started her actual flight portion of her training. As long as you can reach the controls, it's never too early. Just remember that you have a limited time from taking the written to complete the practical flight exam from a DE, and you can't fly solo until you're 16, so.... those are really the only limiting factors.
One should gauge interest, and how seriously the youngster is able to take the topic of aviation. Kids tend to think they are invincible, and take great risks with physical activities, including driving, so it is not every child that has the mental temperment to be a safe, serious (by that I mean taking the topic seriously and knowing it can be deadly if not treated with respect), and thoughtful candidate. Judgement can be taught, but one also has to have the basic knack for reasoning things out logically and not impulsively.
Hope this is of assistance :)
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: SkyKing on April 07, 2006, 09:04:04 AM
I started learning to fly a little after my 8th birthday. That was 4 decades ago.
I won't stop learning about flying until I am no longer flying, because there is always something new.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Frank N. O. on April 08, 2006, 12:03:10 AM
Yeah, there is a superman/woman phenomenon going on strongly in most kids (with me as the exception that confirms the rule) but people are diffeent most luckily learn better before it's too late, this is were skilled veterans come in handy (and I mean that term with respect, not to call you old and a wash-out).
SkyKing, that last line is simply superb! |:)\
Frank
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: fireflyr on April 08, 2006, 12:27:59 PM
Yeah, there is a superman/woman phenomenon going on strongly in most kids (with me as the exception that confirms the rule) but people are diffeent most luckily learn better before it's too late, this is were skilled veterans come in handy (and I mean that term with respect, not to call you old and a wash-out).
SkyKing, that last line is simply superb! |:)\
Frank
Holy Cow Skyking, That would make you about 48---can you still climb into an airplane unassisted? Myself, I started at 15 (lets see--that's 4 decades, 1 lustrum, and 4 years ago) and my nurse helps me into the cockpit then takes my walker off the flight line so as not to become FOD. ;D Seriously though, I wholeheartedly agree with you on the learning attitude, you can't ever stop learning because you can't ever know it all. |:)\
And thank you Frank for not considering us wash outs. |:)\
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on April 09, 2006, 04:42:04 AM
What's a lustrum?
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: fireflyr on April 09, 2006, 07:45:18 AM
A lustrum is a 5 year period 8)
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Plthijnx on April 09, 2006, 02:59:48 PM
when i earned my private, my instructor rightfully said: "there's your license to learn!"
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Gulfstream Driver on April 09, 2006, 04:12:30 PM
when i earned my private, my instructor rightfully said: "there's your license to learn!"
That's what it is. The FAA figures you know enough not to get into a situation that will kill other people (they don't really care about one pilot), and that you will work to learn more.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: SkyKing on May 02, 2006, 07:34:35 PM
Yeah, there is a superman/woman phenomenon going on strongly in most kids (with me as the exception that confirms the rule) but people are diffeent most luckily learn better before it's too late, this is were skilled veterans come in handy (and I mean that term with respect, not to call you old and a wash-out).
SkyKing, that last line is simply superb! |:)\
Frank
Holy Cow Skyking, That would make you about 48---can you still climb into an airplane unassisted? Myself, I started at 15 (lets see--that's 4 decades, 1 lustrum, and 4 years ago) and my nurse helps me into the cockpit then takes my walker off the flight line so as not to become FOD. ;D Seriously though, I wholeheartedly agree with you on the learning attitude, you can't ever stop learning because you can't ever know it all. |:)\
And thank you Frank for not considering us wash outs. |:)\
I just hang my cane on the pitot.
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: SkyKing on May 02, 2006, 07:36:02 PM
A lust room is where the customers wait their turn at Mustang Ranch.
HAAA-- Didn't see that one coming, of course, I've never been there so how would I, ;D HMMMM? That place was just more proof that if it Flies, Floats, or (you figure it out), it's cheaper to rent!!!! ;)
Title: Re: How old do you have to be to start training for a pilots licence?
Post by: Ted_Stryker on May 03, 2006, 03:02:10 PM
A lust room is where the customers wait their turn at Mustang Ranch.
HAAA-- Didn't see that one coming, of course, I've never been there so how would I, ;D HMMMM? That place was just more proof that if it Flies, Floats, or (you figure it out), it's cheaper to rent!!!! ;)
;D ;D ;D Well.... it would seem it is cheaper to rent in many cases..... aircraft... cars.... ahem... etc!
I saw a special on "The Ranch" on TV some years back... I think it was on HBO. They actually DO have an airstrip on the premises and a white plane with pink lettering ... but it was the Bunny Ranch, not the Mustang Ranch, if memory serves. How'd you like the job of Pilot over there?! Preflights might get very interesting!
