Pilot Journey Forums

Greetings All!

Taking the plunge and starting Ground School.  Hope to have PP Certificate by Mid 2007.  Hope to have IFR end of 2007.  Would then like to (but not required) learn to fly jets as well as props.

That being said (and I'm extremely new to flying) I have a few questions:

(1) I'd like to ideally fly around the world.  Granted, this isn't a simple as it sounds, and I know I'm being over simplistic, but please try to answer generally.  Is this possible?  Who should attempt this?  I'm not talking, also, about flying *around* the world, but rather, in my piloting over the next 10-20 years, I'd like to be able to fly internationally and from/in/to the United States and other countries.  My first trip might be Costa Rica (San Jose\SJO).  I realize that there is MUCH to learn, so can someone please give me high level general tips on what my goals would really entail?

(2) How hard is the transition from prop to jet?  How much is involved, and what kinds of things should a private pilot (with average funds and abilities) expect?

(3) What things make a good pilot?  Why?  What has experience taught you that nothing else can?


Thanks alot.  I look forward to learning ALOT from these boards and forums!!

Jeff,

First we need to know, do you wish to fly for a company or airline, or do are you looking to purchase your own aircraft to make these transcontinental/international flights? 

I will give you some insight into your other questions.  There are only a few things to international flying that differ from flying locally.  It is just simply, more planning.  You just need to find airports of entry (those with Customs) that can review (if necessary) the plane and passenger documentation (Passports, possibly luggage, etc.).

Otherwise, it is pretty much the same (you will have to deal with different accents) and the charts/IAP's used may look slightly different, but no big deal.

The typical transition is piston-to-turboprop-to-jet.  The only difference is the complexity of the systems.  When you break it all down, they are all just airplanes and the 4 fundamentals of flight apply to all of them the same.

If you want to be a good pilot, learn the right way.  Once you have learned the right way, always do it that way.  Do not take short cuts.  Short cuts are bad habits that can be picked up along the way (not using a checklist, not doing a thorough pre-flight, etc) that will one day catch up to you.

If my experience has taught me anything, it is that I am always learning new things.  Maybe not "learning" things, but seeing and hearing things that I did not think were possible; 9/11 being the most notable.

Brian