Spring Break
'The sky's the limit' for OSU Flying Club
Students, faculty and staff of OSU and LBCC can join OSU's Flying Club with no experience and gain a private pilot's license
Lauren Sigel
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: News
"During one trip, I picked up my friend at the Portland airport on our way to go camping at Hood River. It was awesome to taxi down the runway and be in the line-up with these huge jets, I bet they could barely see the Cessna," Foster said.
After achieving a private pilot's license, the next step is to obtain an instrument rating, which allows pilots to fly without any outside visual references and depend only on their flight instruments. Foster is currently working on achieving his commercial license, which takes at least 250 hours of flight time.
"Once you get your commercial license, you can get paid to fly," Foster said. "I'd like to become a professional pilot once I graduate and get my instructor's rating as well."
In order to receive a private pilot's license, members must be willing to put in time, effort and money. The cost of joining the club is $274 total ($224 for OSU students), which includes a refundable deposit, initiation fee and the first month's dues.
After the initial joining cost, there is a monthly membership fee of $24 that covers fixed costs like insurance.
Also, new members must reserve time with a flight instructor for lessons, and each instructor has an hourly rate. Add that to the cost of renting a plane (starting at $65 an hour for a two-seater Cessna 152) and it's not hard to see that learning to fly is a serious commitment.
Chris Jordan, a sophomore majoring in economics, is an employee of the Corvallis Airport and is well aware of the financial costs that come with getting a pilot's license.
"I would love to get my license, but there is no way I could afford it right now," Jordan said. "However, I do get to meet a lot of interesting people working here. It never gets old."
Even though the costs may seem daunting, compared to other flight schools and rental fees, members of the OSU Flying Club pay considerably cheaper rates.
To further reduce costs, it's suggested that members begin their flight training only when they are financially ready. According to their website, it's also recommended that people who are working towards their license consistently work towards their training, at least flying one to three times a week in order to retain the concepts that are learned and to do the necessary training over a shorter and more concentrated period of time.
Those interested in joining the flying club are encouraged to visit their website at http://flying.oregonstate.edu/.
Lauren Sigel, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
After achieving a private pilot's license, the next step is to obtain an instrument rating, which allows pilots to fly without any outside visual references and depend only on their flight instruments. Foster is currently working on achieving his commercial license, which takes at least 250 hours of flight time.
"Once you get your commercial license, you can get paid to fly," Foster said. "I'd like to become a professional pilot once I graduate and get my instructor's rating as well."
In order to receive a private pilot's license, members must be willing to put in time, effort and money. The cost of joining the club is $274 total ($224 for OSU students), which includes a refundable deposit, initiation fee and the first month's dues.
After the initial joining cost, there is a monthly membership fee of $24 that covers fixed costs like insurance.
Also, new members must reserve time with a flight instructor for lessons, and each instructor has an hourly rate. Add that to the cost of renting a plane (starting at $65 an hour for a two-seater Cessna 152) and it's not hard to see that learning to fly is a serious commitment.
Chris Jordan, a sophomore majoring in economics, is an employee of the Corvallis Airport and is well aware of the financial costs that come with getting a pilot's license.
"I would love to get my license, but there is no way I could afford it right now," Jordan said. "However, I do get to meet a lot of interesting people working here. It never gets old."
Even though the costs may seem daunting, compared to other flight schools and rental fees, members of the OSU Flying Club pay considerably cheaper rates.
To further reduce costs, it's suggested that members begin their flight training only when they are financially ready. According to their website, it's also recommended that people who are working towards their license consistently work towards their training, at least flying one to three times a week in order to retain the concepts that are learned and to do the necessary training over a shorter and more concentrated period of time.
Those interested in joining the flying club are encouraged to visit their website at http://flying.oregonstate.edu/.
Lauren Sigel, senior reporter
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Bud Weisbrod
posted 3/10/09 @ 3:33 PM PST
Aloha!
I soloed at Corvallis Airport in 1952, and eventually went on to become a Flight Instructor (in addition to an OSC Engineer!).
Been flying for 57 years, still flying! No club in those days, so four of us bought a Piper Cub for $600. (Continued…)
TD
posted 3/12/09 @ 2:45 AM PST
WOW..
I want to join the club...
Bob Parrott
posted 4/24/09 @ 5:23 PM PST
I learned to fly through the flying club in 1986 and I have since obtained my flight instructor ratings for single, multi-engine and instrument. OSU Flying Club is an opportunity for students and staff to see the world from a different perspective, one from above!
games
posted 11/01/09 @ 12:00 PM PST
An ability to get a private pilot's license, that is really cool!
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