The first thing to do is find a flight school near you and ask for a “discovery flight”. 

For completely new people I always suggest learning to fly gliders first. It really teaches you how a set of wings and controls acts in the air. It is also cheaper than learning to fly powered aircraft, though you can later do an “add-on” for powered flight.

See this video for how cool soaring is - https://youtu.be/r7MVnaetYcI

The SSA has a directory of places - http://ssa.org . 

 Great info, thanks! 

 Flying _is_ next level.  If you live in the US then there are a million flight schools all over the country.  Just go to a nearby small airport and walk into one of the flying clubs or flight schools.  Finding a pilot to take you for a discovery flight will not be hard, nor will it be very expensive.

Learning to fly requires a significant level of dedication, and a large investment of time and money.  You should plan on taking at least two lessons per week for a half year or more.  Once you get your license you have to keep flying at least once per week just to stay sharp.  Piloting skills are perishable and have to be constantly refreshed.  You do not dare let them languish.

Airplane rental is not cheap.  Depending on the aircraft you can expect to spend $100-$200 per hour.  Instructors are also expensive at ~$80-$100/hour.  Many people find it more economical to buy a small airplane instead of paying rental fees.  You can pick up an old Cesna or Piper Warrior for ~$30K or so.  It'll cost you another few thousand in maintenance each year.

Once you get your private pilot's license you should definitely go on to get your IFR license.  Once you are instrument rated it makes using an airplane a lot more practical.  Weather is always going to be a factor, but an instrument license vastly opens your options.

Owning and flying an airplane is _freedom_.  No TSA.  No X-ray.  No crowds. No parking hassle.  No rental car busses.  You can carry a pocket knife or a leatherman.  (Hell you can carry a gun if you are legal to carry).  You can get anywhere in the US at one half to one third the time of driving.  I can fly from Chicago to DC in three hours while listening to Pink Floyd in my bluetooth headset and watching the scenery go by.  It's the best seat in the house!

The FBOs at the airports scattered around the country are very convenient.  They have food, coffee, and louges with wifi.  They often have courtesy cars that you can take for an hour or two, and they'll arrange car rentals for you too.  I mean there's nothign like landing 10 miles from a business meeting, walking from your plane into the FBO to grab a cup of coffee and then hopping in the rental car that's there waiting for you.  After your meeting you drive back to the FBO, park the rental, pay your bill, and then inspect and hop into your plane that they've already pulled out for you. 


From: (AbstractEquilib...) at 09/24 21:20

> How does a normie go about getting a license & training to fly?  Motorcycles are fun and all, but flying seems next level

CC: Peter N. Steinmetz