The Baltic Aviation Academy has just put into words something I have always wondered idly about but never examined: why is there such a huge number of aviation enthusiasts around the world, but relatively few of them even try to get a private pilots' licence?
Flying as a paid career is not the only way to become an aviator.
Here is Baltic's puzzled observation about aviation enthusiasts: "These people can spend hours talking about various aircraft engine types or cockpit differences, observing and discussing detailed aircraft pictures and expressing their fascination with people who have had an opportunity to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot.
"It is truly puzzling how people who have accumulated so much aviation knowledge refrain from integrating themselves directly into the world of aviation.
Here's Baltic's pitch: "One of the easiest steps towards getting to know this feeling is the PPL course. You can officially call yourself a pilot after just 6-12 months of training. Throughout the PPL studies the candidate gains all the knowledge and practical skills necessary to operate a single-engine, single-pilot aircraft."
Back in 1969 I paid (with difficulty) for my own PPL course, night rating and IMC rating at Booker (aka Wycombe Air Park) in Buckinghamshire, UK. This was before I was accepted for training by the RAF, and I did it mainly because I wanted to, and I knew I might not be good enough for professional selection.
Cockpit familiarisation at Baltic
Ever since then I have retained an immense fondness for "amateur" general aviation and club flying.
Light aviating is the real thing. It's what the Wright Brothers did. It's what Biggles did. It's about mastering a new element, a third dimension, the skill of navigating a windy sky without road-signs. It is liberating and inspirational.
Don't just stand there at the end of the runway with your camera: go and fly a real aeroplane, like the young woman in Baltic's photograph.
on March 16, 2012 3:49 PM | Reply
There's lots of reasons people don't get a PPL. Off the top of my head I suspect money, time, risk factor and personal health are probably the big ones. For me, I think if you really want to aviate for a hobby I'd go fly gliders. They are cheaper, silent and just all around more fun than rattling around in a noisy, single engine prop.
on March 18, 2012 7:33 PM | Reply
I would love to, Mr.Learmount, and of course you're right about light flying being the "real thing".
Only, here in India, it's too frightfully expensive for your average office-going bottom-feeder to even consider. The likes of us spend time on Microsoft Flight Simulator instead.
on March 19, 2012 10:46 AM | Reply
I think not everyone who's interested in aviation wants to become a pilot. I do not understand why some pilots think so.
I'm interested in internet, literature and music too. Doesn't mean I want to be programmer, writer or play violin..
Personally I think many people are too creative / unpredictable to become safe pilots..
on March 19, 2012 1:32 PM | Reply
Dirty Harry once said a man has to know his limitations. It's one thing having an amateur's fascination with aircraft and knowing all the geeky trivia. It's quite another to be sitting in a cockpit and having the skills and personality to deal with all the things that can go wrong. I wouldn't last five minutes.
on March 22, 2012 9:45 AM | Reply
I' m flying Big Jets for 30 years
(Now MD-11, before that, B-747, L-1011,MD-90 & B737s).
I will pay to fly small private planes when possible because it is real fun flying low and slow, not high and fast like we do now.
Yes,,Money is a problem & it is getting very expensive, but if you can afford it, do it and if not MSN flight simulator is really fun too.
You don' have to be a professional pilot, pc programer, musician, etc, as Mr Keesje said,,,,,,you are just a private user and won't to try things you like at least once.
I agree with Mr John that some people won't last a minute(not 5).
Sameer Kano
on April 10, 2012 10:45 AM | Reply
It was a close friend of mines dream to fly and If he had not taken it up as a career I doubt he would have been able to learn at such a young age. As such I think it's money that keeps many people from getting their PPL.
on April 21, 2012 6:21 PM | Reply
Mr Learmont, a thought often crosses my mind which I think is not too far from your own comments wondering why enthausiasts who revel in the detail of their subject and may even have model versions of their passion, but never engage in the real thing, whether aircraft, helicopters, boats or cars. Having said that, I would much rather fly using the PPL I had the opportunity to earn 20 years ago, but without succeeding at progressing to a commercial licence the cost of private flying in the UK became prohibitive compared to the limited reward and satisfaction. Oh that I could fly once again in the dry sunny Californian (and less expensive) skies where I trained... or is it too late to try once again to go for
the commercial?