Newbie from Victoria

[FlyingMitch]

Hi everybody im Mitch and i am 13.

 

I would really love to become a commercial airline pilot when i grow up,

 

And i need some advice on if it would be better to start in an ultralight now or wait untill im 16 and learn in a GA aircraft. I heard that if you start in an ultralight now it would mean i would have much more experience when im 16.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[Guest Decca]

So far

 

Good morning Mitch.

 

Burning the midnight oil? One of the joys of flying, especially commercial level, is that there will be plenty of night flying to do. Someone has to do it.

 

So far what you've heard sounds right Mitch, can't recall if there's a minimum age to start learning in GA though.

 

First, welcome to our forums. What got you interested in flying?

 

Another advantage of starting in recreational is that it's more cost effective, but at a good flying school you still get all the theory, practice and examinations that you would in GA.

 

Regards, Decca.

 

 

[Tomo]

Morning Mitch! Great to hear from you, you've come to the right place for all your questions, this place is over flowing with decent people. :thumb_up:

 

Learning to fly Recreational aircraft would be one way to get you in the air quicker, and cheaper for starters, then later on you can work your way up to commercial level. I'll list below how it goes in an order.

 

Recreational:

 

*You apply for a Student License from the RaAus office (you can get a junior membership now, for under the age of 15) for more information you can go the RaAus website Here.

 

*Once you get your RaAus pilot certificate (instructor is happy with your flying), it changes from Student license to Pilot license. (with that you are restricted to 25nm radius from the airport, until you get the cross country endorsement) (25nm is just under 50klm)

 

*From Here you got to train for cross country flying, taking a passenger, and many other little things you can learn to get into more involved types of stuff.

 

GA - General Aviation, (Cessna's and stuff)

 

*You start off basically the same as RaAus, though you have to pass a "General Flying Progress Test", (gone solo, instructor is happy to let you fly on your own etc), once you pass that test you now have a Student pilot license. That lets you fly by yourself in the training area only, taking passengers also if you like.

 

*You then move into doing cross country flying and a heap of other bits along the way to eventually be able to do you Private license Test, upon passing that, you have a PPL (Private Pilot License). That allows you to pretty much fly anywhere you like in Australia. Flying General Aviation types.

 

*The next level is CPL (Commercial Pilot License) To which I don't know a lot about, but you have to have something over 200 hours of flying, and pass all the required tests etc...

 

You can start learning to fly RaAus types now (at your current age) but won't be able to go solo until your 15, a great 15th birthday pressy for yourself if you can do that! :thumb_up:

 

Hope that helps :big_grin: Seeing as your a young'un your welcome over here :big_grin::big_grin:

 

Regards,

 

 

[djpacro]

A friend of mine paid for his 12 yr old son to take some flying lessons in a GA a/c (Cessna 150 operated by the scouts). Things went well but didn't seem to make sense to me to proceed until much closer to when he could go solo at age 16. I suggested that he start with gliders.

 

 

[Deskpilot]

G'day Mitch, to the forum. It's nice to see a lad of your age knowing what he wants to do with his life. Most haven't a clue. Being so young, and recognizing the rate of change in aircraft design, it's hard to imagine what will be flying when you reach, say 21. Of course, rules and regulations might have changed by then as well but judging by passed experience, that probably won't be an issue as the wheels of progress turn very slowly in aviation.

 

All that has been said so far is right, but I question the order in which some have mentioned, even though it's more or less straight from the horses mouth i.e. the RAA Operations Manual.

 

In reality, once your ready to go solo, the first test will be your Radio Endorsement. Many find this intimidating because the whole world is listening in...sort of. I certainly did.

 

Once you have your Pilots Certificate (note It's not a 'license') you will most likely get your Passenger Endorsement. This will allow you to take a friend with you, anywhere within the 25nm radius of your start point. You'd be surprised on how large an area that is, and for many, it is large enough.

 

To really go places (at a cost) you have to have your XCountry endorsement. Then you can worry about other endorsements that may or may not advance your dream.

 

Now, one thing not mentioned up till now is Health. At 13 we all hope you are in the best of health, but it would be advisable to look into health requirements/conditions now, and into the future. Don't answer this, but do you suffer from dibetis, are you a heavy smoker (God I hope not ) Do you wear glasses, if so, are your eyes likely to get worse in the next 10 years or so in that they might prevent you from flying. Get the picture I'm painting? Will you be healthy enough to make this a career? Better to know now than find out after spending many $'s.

 

Now, assuming you're fit, have a high IQ and pass all your year 12 stuff, you could go the RAAF way. They don't only fly fighters. A few years flying transports is a good lead in to civil aviation. What's more, I believe that they will pay your Uni hex fees in returned for X number of years service. You'll have to look into this as I'm not the expert around here. I will say though, life in the forces is something all pilots should experience as it really teaches you the value of Discipline.

 

You have time ahead of you my friend, use it wisely and you will, Soar with the Eagle.

 

 

[country kid]

starting younger is better, my mate wants to become an airline pilot and he didnt start in ultralights and is having some difficulties crasping the more advance concepts of flight. it makes a great starting point for your carrer in aviation its affordable and teaches you alot of stuff. RA-Aus has just started a jounior membership program thats will mean you can do all your training but not go solo till your 15 as soon as your 15 you can go solo which is a big plus. :D

 

 

[dazza 38]

Welcome young FlyingMitch , have fun with your flying , and study