Ask questions about learning to fly in California

droicheadatha

Irish expat here living in the SF Bay Area for the last ten years. I trained for my private certificate at Oakland international airport in 2011 and instrument rating in 2012. I'm currently working on my commercial certificate.

I have about 360 hours total time in less than 30 months due to the 300+ VFR days we get every year in NorCal. Examples of places I have flown to are Lake Tahoe, Mulege Baja Mexico, Phoenix, LA and Las Vegas.

Working for a company with a significant Irish presence, I am frequently asked questions by folks over here temporarily about flight training around SF. I thought I would start this thread in case anyone is thinking about traveling to obtain pilot training in California.

droicheadatha

Xpro

Im thinking of heading over myself to build a few more hours, but was thinking of florida as cali is little bit too far out.
What are the current rates at place where you fly?

Thanks

droicheadatha

Xpro wrote: »

Im thinking of heading over myself to build a few more hours, but was thinking of florida as cali is little bit too far out.
What are the current rates at place where you fly?

Thanks

My local club is Alameda Aero. Current rates are $125/hr wet for a C172N, $135/hr for a PA28-180 and $145/hr for an Arrow III. The club uses tach time vs Hobbs which saves a few bucks.

Although these rates might be more expensive than FL, chances are you'll get more flying time on your trip as the weather here is so consistently good. The experience will be tremendous as Oakland is a Class C airport located underneath San Francisco's Class B so you'll get a great workout of your comms and navigation skills.

phonypony

droicheadatha wrote: »

My local club is Alameda Aero. Current rates are $125/hr wet for a C172N, $135/hr for a PA28-180 and $145/hr for an Arrow III. The club uses tach time vs Hobbs which saves a few bucks.

Although these rates might be more expensive than FL, chances are you'll get more flying time on your trip as the weather here is so consistently good. The experience will be tremendous as Oakland is a Class C airport located underneath San Francisco's Class B so you'll get a great workout of your comms and navigation skills.

You're making me sick!

droicheadatha

phonypony wrote: »

You're making me sick!

And you haven't even flown with me yet

Tach time knocks about 20% off the hourly cost, and there's a further 5% discount if you book a $1000 block, so if you plan it right and fly economically you can fly the Alameda 172s at under $100/hour wet.

Heading further out into the East Bay- Livermore, Byron or Tracy, you'll find slightly cheaper rates but it gets quite hot in the summer (100 F+) and there's not much to do out there.

Ahart Aviation in Livermore has a 152 for $75/hour Hobbs, for example. Livermore is 45 minutes east of SF so still fairly civilized (but they do have a rodeo).

Razor44

droicheadatha wrote: »

Livermore is 45 minutes east of SF so still fairly civilized (but they do have a rodeo).

:D