I took flight lessons when I was 17 years old 13 years ago and a 1hr flight/30 min ground lesson was ~$150 in a Cessna 150. What is the going rate now in the Houston area? I have about 20hrs logged but of course would be pretty novice (does help I used to be a dispatcher so I already passed the FAR/AIM test).

Lol your mom pilots my privates

Wow, you got ripped off back then!

Modern rates for new-gen 172's should be in the 120-140/hr range wet. Doubt you'll find may 152s still on the line, but perhaps so in Houston.

It was in Rockport...actually I think I confused it with a time they included filling up the 152. It was actually ~$80 per lesson.

I used to want to be a airline pilot but decided against it after working for the airlines and lost the itch. But, I miss flying and often come to the airport (off Lee Rd where you can see landings at Bush). I understand Hooks is a good place to take lessons. Any of you had a coop with other pilots (meaning bought a plane together if I used coop wrong)?

Definitely look for a flying club... I'm not familiar with the Houston scene at all, but I'm sure there are plenty of opportunities. Get your feet wet in a club and finish your license, and then start dreaming about ownership (or a partnership) in something that can be used to travel, or go upside down, or whatever scratches that itch. My world sure changed after buying a Mooney, and I cannot imagine being plane-less again.

Being an airline pilot these days seems to be no fun, grueling, and debt-ridden to me. All of the glamour is gone, and the nice pay as well. Then there are the unions and bad management to contend with... no thanks! You could be $50k in debt (or more) by the time you have the experience to get hired as a first officer at a regional and make a whopping $17k a year!

Yea, buying would be YEARS away, and I think a group would be better because chances are it would sit a lot until I retire...which is a long way off.

That's exactly what I learned after being a crew scheduler and then dispatcher. Unless they had their family pay for lessons/certs/hours they got into big debt and made so little they were begging for extra hotel rooms or pushing their 7 day/30 day/ yearly flight hours limit. Plus being on call for a couple years as a FO and then again as a CPT at a regional airline and then again with a large carrier sounds like the suck.

Well, prices for small planes have generally plummeted in the last 4 years... right after I bought one of course. You'd be surprised what you can buy for $40k or less right now, believe it or not. Sure, the potential for expensive maintenance surprises is still there, but you don't have to be a 1%er to own a plane right now. It is financially easier in a partnership too... so start thinking about it.

[This message has been edited by Aero95 (edited 2/22/2012 3:05p).]

In my former life I wanted to be an airline pilot. But like you, I realized it's not as glamorous as most think.

I have CFI, CFII, MEI, and IGI certificates and give freelance instruction when I'm not earning a living at my real job. I've done nearly all of my training and flying out of Houston (primarily Hooks). Hooks is a great "little" airport with lots of options. United Flight Systems is the main flight school there:

http://unitedflight.com/

I have dealt with United a lot and find it to be a good school with many rental options. They have everything from 150's to twins and even have the new Cessna 162 (The Cessna light sport). I generally rent the C182 ($210/hr) but they have a number of 172's that rent around $150/hr.

As Aero mentioned, flight clubs can be a good option. However, I have yet to find one in Houston that I thought was a better deal then just renting at a FBO.

EDIT: I just realized Hi-Tech Aviation went out of business.

[This message has been edited by 13wins (edited 2/22/2012 3:18p).]

current prices at anson air in sugar land:


instructors are $42-$50 an hour

Anson publishes their rates as "dry" so you have to add those two numbers together (If that wasn't already clear).

Thanks, I've heard of united. I flew out of Hooks once with a friend to Conroe where we then took an ExpressJet CRJ? to Shreveport for maintenance.

Despite cheap prices, I have a ring/wedding to pay for soon..

Aero, what kind of Mooney do you have? I currently have a student with a M20F (1968). The plane has been completely redone (new interior, engine, paint, etc.). I'm a big fan of Mooney.

I've got a '77 M20J/201. It has been updated very nicely by the previous owner and me, and is a real dream. (Pic is in my profile.) They are the most economical and efficient cross country machine out there and a real sweet plane to fly.

The M20J is about as nice as they come.

Aggie flying club sometimes give cheap lessons. Or just get the military to train you. Cooler planes.