If you’ve ever flown in a single-engine private plane, you know they’re a ton of fun! There’s something so special about being in the air in a small plane… Well, unless you’re afraid of flying, in which case you probably wouldn’t describe it as “special.”
Have you ever flown in one? If so, will you share your experiences about it in the comments below? We love RVs here (duh), but we also really love planes! Maybe we’ll start up planetravel.com next…
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When I returned from Vietnam I took my wife and 3 year old son for a ride in a private single engine plane. It was a great experience, but I don’t get on crowd killers.
In my area a lot of small planes seem to crash so I’d be hesitant to fly on one.
Both hubs and I have been pilots since our teens. We are now both retired. Sadly the hobby has become too expensive for us to enjoy.
Three times total. The first time was a $10 orientation flight in 1969. The last two times (two years ago) was to fall out of them (going skydiving).
Ahh, the good old days when I was a private pilot. So enjoyed piloting the Beechcraft Bonanza A36, N999DV
Husband was a pilot (before I met him), so he has flown quite a bit. Friends of mine were pilots, so I went a number of times. Loved it!
I flew as a passenger several times in my youth. We took my 2 mo old son on an 8 hour round trip in a single engine Mooney. He is a commercial airline captain today. I think flying got in his blood early.
Among other experiences, the BEST flight in a private plane I ever took was in an engine powered glider. We took off under power out of Ashland, Oregon near the California border. Once we were at altitude the pilot cut the motor off and we sailed on the air currents over the mountains. Super great day I’ll always remember!
I took flying lessons many years ago and flew solo a few hours but never got my private license. I remember I was very excited and had a great feeling of accomplishment the first time I soloed.
I’ve never flown in any plane actually.
Single engine yes, private no.
Yes, private single and twin engine plane
Yeah, got my private license in only 3 months. (Single Engine, Land). Put in an additional 100 hours on my own and figured I was most likely not going to live another 100 hours on my own. I quit and started an Aerospace Machine Shop. Safer and more profitable. LOL
Cessna 182
Awesome time, but it has gotten so expensive the last few years
My parents were private pilots, Mother was with the Ninety Niners. I still drive like they flew, I only stop for gasoline, bathroom or leg cramps. Roses ? What roses ?
Great comment!
I had the privilege of a glider ride. It’s a whole different feeling from a motorized plane. The quiet and freedom of the sky and riding the updrafts….!!
2006, took an excursion flight from Juneau Alaska to tour the Mendenhall Glacier. Had to keep taking photos to prevent getting air sick! But looking down on the glacier was really awesome.
My Dad was a fighter pilot who flew many planes over a 40 year career. His favorite was the P-51 Mustang – “sweetest plane ever!”. He taught me to fly. Will never forget the day he stepped out of the plane on the tarmac after a few practice runs and said “You’re ready to solo. Take it around Son!”
Have to add a few categories to the question. I’ve had Private certification for 35 years, Instrument Rating for 29 years. Built, fly and maintain a kit aircraft. Oh, and I live in Oshkosh WI, the Mecca of General Aviation!
Have a private pilots license ,been up in a glider as a passenger, and up in a hot air balloon ,absolutely love to be up in the air , but low and slow
So I can see the wildlife
Also introduced multiple young people to the magic of flight as a EAA young eagle pilot
Once up I would put their hand on the yoke and let them “fly” the plane in gentle turns
The smile was absolutely PRICELESS
Started my PPL when I was in college in the 80’s after growing up going flying with my best friend whos Dad owned a Cessna 172 and later a 185E (he always emphasized the ‘E’, because it had the best capacity).
First time for single engine plane was as a skydiver. 18,000 ft. Loved it
I took glider lessons for several months (in Calistoga, CA) but ran out of money and never completed the program. Seems to me it cost more to get glider lessons than powered flight lessons, I was a “po boy” attempting to get into a ‘richer’ man’s gig.
Sure, I have a ’67 B35TC. Do I feed it or the 13L Cummins in the Newmar?
Ouch
I was fortunate in that our public school system had an aviation program to fill optional credits for seniors in high school. In quarters 1-3 it was all classroom learning the basics of aircraft mechanics, construction, flight controls, and rules of the air. In the last quarter we took the district’s Cessna 172 up three times…the instructor and three students. The students rotated pilot duties each time up. That program was by far the highlight of my high school education. One could use the class instruction to count toward continuation of getting a pilot’s license or to move on to a two year technical degree in aviation mechanics.
Little did I know at the time that I would spend a good portion of my life as a passenger in commercial aircraft traveling around the world for business. It gave me some comfort knowing the basics of what makes them fly. 🙂
I bought a new Piper Colt in 1961. Soloed n 4 hours. This was in Anchorage Intn’l. AK. My Private Pilot cross country was Anchorage to Summit AK (an FAA Station at the base of Mt. McKinley (Denali)(that’s a big rock!) and on to Fairbanks and return. I had to get my log book signed at each stop. Over the years following, I earned a Commercial Certificate, Instrument Rating and a Ground Instructor Certificate. Flew many different A/C – Cessna’s to Beechcraft and Piper and even a Mooney!
Got my PPLSEL (Private Pilot License, Single Engine Land) in 2005. Years later, when I started RVing, my time and money went to RVing. I’ve had several flights as SIC (Second in Command ie Copilot) since but it’s been about 10 years since I’ve been PIC (Pilot in Command).
An RV is just SO much more versatile than a plane. I could not justify continuation of flying as PIC. I DID enjoy my time flying as PIC though. For people considering getting a Pilot’s License, they would do well to start with gliders. MUCH less costly and, transitioning to “regular” pilot status will be easier and much less costly. Gliders are also a LOT of fun to fly!
A friend has a single engine Cessna and has flown me to visit family. It is a different experience. He actually lands and takes off from the golf course he owns.
Pilots name Keith? Cause ive flown in a cessna from an airport by a golf course owned by the pilot.
Learned to fly when 16 in So CA. Bought a Piper 180 Cherokee in the 1980’s. Always housed in a hangar in the mountains (6500′ elevation). Flying out of the mountains can be a challenge and really bumpy. It made weekend adventures to our second home a breeze. Gave up flying and sold the airplane last year. Gotta know your limitations as we age.
I said no, but years ago while stationed in Greenland, I had to fly with bush pilots to two of the Dew-Line radar sites. Their goal was to scare the crap out of the AF medic (me). They flew the Canadian Twin Otter planes that had 2- Engines. They would take off with only one engine and just barely clear the mountain at the end of the runway. Once, on a bet, (not with me, we landed with NO engines on the stripes at the begining of the runway. So I guess I flew with no engines.
Once from Central Fl to South Fl, on business. Single engine 4 or 6 seater. When I got on I saw a nun sitting in the co-piolet seat and felt a bit better about such a small plane.
One time about 60 years ago. I like my feet on the ground so I leave the airplanes to other people.
Yes as pilot in command, took flying lessons in my early twenties, too expensive more than I could afford to continue, but loved aviation and spent the next 36 years as an aviation mechanic working on small aircraft to ending my career on the Airbus’s A320 family of aircraft.
earned my SPL (Sport Pilot Certificate) back in 2012. took me 30-years to accomplish the goal but I did it!
Once, in Greenland, on an aero club Cessna w/ 3 others on board sight seeing over the ice cap. A bit hairy on takeoff with the engine cutting out, and again on landing against a strong head wind when we were nearly hovering by the time we touched down. Interesting flight!
I have a little over 800 hours flying around the Pacific Northwest selling private aircraft parts for the aircraft distributors.
Mostly in Cessna 172 and 182, some in the Cherokee 180 and 235.
Yes….my first airplane ride ever. My now husband, was 19 at the time and I was 17. I imagine, now, had I told my parents it might not have been my first ride in an airplane but then again…..that was 45 yrs ago
My dad always wanted to learn to fly so after he retired at 60 he took flying lessons and had his license by his 61st birthday. He rebuilt a crashed airplane in the driveway while taking care of my mother who had cancer. He got a postcard from the Air Force congratulating him and asking if he wanted to join. I told him to reply Yes, if he could be stationed with his daughter. We flew with him several times and hoped my sons would take it up. He was still cleared to fly when he passed away at 85.
I took this as 1 of my college courses, then found out I was color blind and could not get a commercial license. I flew off and on for ten years but this is an expensive hobby. Take a free fall jump lesson ( free fall your first time out of plane) the adrenaline stays with you for days.
A number of times, fun! Great photo you posted with the survey.
Used to take aerial photos of farms to sell to the owners, (1970’s b4 they could access satellite images, not a big money maker but fun)
My little brother was the pilot. He took me aloft 3 or 4 times. I was very proud of his dedication in getting his license and additional ratings.
I got my private pilot’s license while in college but was quickly priced out of that once in the real world. Back in the day though (way back), I could rent an Aeronca Champ or Taylorcraft for $7.00/hour wet (fuel included). Fun times.
Earned my license while a junior in high school. Learning to fly was just the tip of the iceberg; the confidence and decision-making skills went far, far beyond. The 42-year flying career was a dream come true.