sschlesinger

Howdie yall. I went to the flight school that I will be attending this summer and was talking to the cfi and he said since its a part 141 I only need 35 hours. According to him he has never seen any one do it in under 50 hours since he has been there (8years). My question is I really want to do it (pass check ride) in 35 hours maybe 40 at the most. What can I do to pass it at the minimums. Is there a secret. I know the national average is about 60 hours.

FlyerJosh

There's no secret. Study and try to fly regularly (aim for at least 2-3 times a week). But don't put the pressure on yourself to get done with the bare minimum.

While it's obviously a worthwhile goal to finish in as little time as possible, setting an exact number to finish in can be frustrating and stressful to yourself, especially when you reach the inevitable stage in training where you just don't make any progress (us instructors call that a learning plateau). Do your best and progress as you do. Focus less on the hours, and more on what you need to accomplish to be a safe and confident pilot AFTER the checkride.

kremit14

Fly every day and get your written done as soon as possible but if the 35hrs come and go don't feel like it is a reflection on your self my students it takes 70 to 100 hrs.

sschlesinger

That makes sense to fly every day. If I had a yoke and rudder pedals and used a flight simulator at home is there any value to practicing(manuvers) that way, when i'm not physically in an airplane. Would it actually help me at all.

Planespotta

Well, use FSX if you're using a sim at home. Don't spend money on rudder pedals, but get a joystick that can yaw in addition to pitching and rolling. Save up that extra $$$ for flight school!

While the C172 in FSX is very accurate, you still don't get the real feel of flying unless you're in a simulator or a real aircraft. Just practice shooting some approaches in varying weather, etc. Have some fun manuevering through the crowded buildings of Tokyo -- it's a real challenge! Also, there is a whole set of a dozen or so flight training courses in FSX with the C172 (the training courses go all the way up to the 744, where you do full CAT-IIIC approaches with APP/Autoland, etc.). One of the C172 training flights is a solo flight, where you take off, bum around the airport in an oval, and then land again. Good practice for sure.

Good luck!

Slice

The 35 hour thing is way outdated. If you learn to fly in the prairies of the midwest it may work. With today's airspace it is nearly impossible to do, especially if flying from a tower controlled airport which can easily add .2 to .3 on every flight by waiting to takeoff or getting extended on downwind for sequencing. I'd be more concerned with learning the right way than with my hours total. 8 years and your CFI hasn't seen it...I don't think it will happen but flying as often as you can(at least 3 days a week) and studying will help the pursuit.

FL600

Take the ride when you are ready, and if that means more than 35, then wait!!! Why blow $350 on a checkride just to get a pink slip? 35 is the BARE minimum. And while I had soloed etc way before I hit the 35 hour mark, there is NO WAY I felt like a safe and competent pilot. I took my checkride at 70 hours, and it went beautifully.

Good luck!

mcartier713

i would say to to fly atleast 3 times a week, and just live and breath your training. spend the rest of the time studying for your written and get it out of the way as fast as you can. and with what somenoe else said, i wouldn't set too crazy of a goal, like 35 hours, because it will just frustrate you until you get there. i would set a goal to something like the national average and however short you get of that is just a bonus and will make you feel that much better and save you that much more money...

sschlesinger

Hey thanks all for the suggestions and from what it sounds I will not shoot for the minimums. I'm just going to fly until i feel like im ready to take the test. I also just joined aopa and am thinking about the mentor program, has anyone in here used the aopa mentor program if so can I get your thoughts about it.

xpigx

I am planning on joining too. Is it worth it?