distance to drive? hmmmm

[rayray311]

Any opinions on how far my commute should be to the airport where I will be getting my training? I am going to choose a local FBO and do ALL my training there probably about 3-4 days a week while I keep a part time job for maybe 2 days a week.

So I'm curious, based on everyones experience, how close should I be to the airport? Is a one hour commute going to kill me? Should it be within 30 minutes of my house?

Let me know what u think!

Thanks!!!

Senior Ray

[jrh]

I've commuted anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes to reach various airports throughout my training.

From those experiences, I'd say if you're knocking out entire ratings, keep the commute to 30 minutes or less. Maybe 45 if you're unusually patient and dedicated.

The problem I ran in to with the 1+ hour commutes was that it just wore me out after doing it for several days in a row. I'd want to go flying, but then I'd think...ugghh...another 2 hours on the road...maybe flying doesn't sound that exciting after all.

Or, from a practical standpoint, I'd think about going flying, but simply not have the time. I'd have the morning off work and if the airport was 20 minutes away I could go flying no problem, but if I'd have to factor in 2 hours of driving, I wouldn't have much time to fly. How worth it is it to drive for an hour each way, then only have enough time to spend 30 minutes in the air?

Also, weather is a very dynamic factor to consider. Maybe it's lousy weather, but forecast to clear soon. If the airport is just down the road you could wait for the weather to actually clear, then go flying. If you have a long commute, you'd have to start driving and hope the weather is good when you get there. If the forecast was wrong and the weather is still bad, was the long commute worth it?

Conversely, sometimes the weather is only good for a little while. Maybe you get off work at 4 p.m. and the weather is forecast to close in at 6 p.m. Well, if you live 15 minutes from the airport, you could still squeeze in a decent flight before the weather goes down hill. If you live an hour away, you wouldn't be able to get there before the weather closes in.

See what I'm talking about? That's why I say limit the commute to 30 minutes.

[rayray311]

Originally Posted by jrh

I've commuted anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour and 15 minutes to reach various airports throughout my training.

From those experiences, I'd say if you're knocking out entire ratings, keep the commute to 30 minutes or less. Maybe 45 if you're unusually patient and dedicated.

The problem I ran in to with the 1+ hour commutes was that it just wore me out after doing it for several days in a row. I'd want to go flying, but then I'd think...ugghh...another 2 hours on the road...maybe flying doesn't sound that exciting after all.

Or, from a practical standpoint, I'd think about going flying, but simply not have the time. I'd have the morning off work and if the airport was 20 minutes away I could go flying no problem, but if I'd have to factor in 2 hours of driving, I wouldn't have much time to fly. How worth it is it to drive for an hour each way, then only have enough time to spend 30 minutes in the air?

Also, weather is a very dynamic factor to consider. Maybe it's lousy weather, but forecast to clear soon. If the airport is just down the road you could wait for the weather to actually clear, then go flying. If you have a long commute, you'd have to start driving and hope the weather is good when you get there. If the forecast was wrong and the weather is still bad, was the long commute worth it?

Conversely, sometimes the weather is only good for a little while. Maybe you get off work at 4 p.m. and the weather is forecast to close in at 6 p.m. Well, if you live 15 minutes from the airport, you could still squeeze in a decent flight before the weather goes down hill. If you live an hour away, you wouldn't be able to get there before the weather closes in.

See what I'm talking about? That's why I say limit the commute to 30 minutes.

u r a wise person. thanx for the input. i never thought of those situations.

I live in LA and the weather is almost always perfect luckily. but i will consider that greatly. i thought 30 minutes would be what i should do.

[Kevin.Held]

Ray,

You probably know that we're in the same boat so I'll share my thought process. There's an airport 10 minutes from my house with an FBO that didn't impress me. I decided on a place that is about 40 minutes away but seems like a great learning environment. To me, its worth a little extra driving time to get better instruction. That being said, i probably wouldnt go much farther than an hour.

Keep the faith brother

[MQAAord]

My commute was 1.5 hours each way. I trained full-time, at least 4 days a week. My dad was acting DOM at the flight school I trained at, and teaching the AMT program at the community college at their facililty on the field, so we carpooled. With sharing the driving, I didn't have to drive it alone everyday, so that made it easier.

[MarkE]

I'd say to find a place that isn't gonna kill you to get there. A long drive isn't that bad in itself but a long drive in traffic might wipe you out.

[Cruise]

Make flash cards for whatever rating you're working on at the moment. Turn the radio and study/ quiz yourself during your commute. Use the time you spend in the car for a useful purpose. Then, regardless of the commute distance, you'll have accomplished something during that time.

My $.02 It worked well for me....and I only had a 10 minute drive.

[rayray311]

Originally Posted by Cruise

Make flash cards for whatever rating you're working on at the moment. Turn the radio and study/ quiz yourself during your commute. Use the time you spend in the car for a useful purpose. Then, regardless of the commute distance, you'll have accomplished something during that time.

My $.02 It worked well for me....and I only had a 10 minute drive.

I dont know how much reading I will be able to do with flash cards while on my motorcycle!!! LOL

thanks though

[Cruise]

Originally Posted by rayray311

I dont know how much reading I will be able to do with flash cards while on my motorcycle!!! LOL

thanks though

Ah yes, I can see how that would present a problem....oh well. Be safe out there.....

two types of riders you know.....
those that have been down, and those that are going down.

[WindyCityPilot]

I would say it really depends if you like the place you train at. If you train close to home but don't like the flight school or instructors then you won't want to go. I currently train at an airport that is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away but I love it. I like the atmosphere at the airport, my instructor is great and the price is way cheaper than anywhere near the city. For me it works.

[MarkE]

Originally Posted by WindyCityPilot

I would say it really depends if you like the place you train at. If you train close to home but don't like the flight school or instructors then you won't want to go. I currently train at an airport that is about 1 hour and 15 minutes away but I love it. I like the atmosphere at the airport, my instructor is great and the price is way cheaper than anywhere near the city. For me it works.

where do you train at?