The better deal?

[Pietrantonio]

Hey everyone, just another question. Right now, I'm working on building my x-country hours to meet the Instrument Rating requirments. I have 18 hours x-country, and I have planned to get about 22 more hours to put me at 30 hours x-country. I know that 50 is needed, but, my question lies in going the cheaper route, while building the x-country times and the IR times. Here's the breakdown.

22 hours @ 113.00 = 2486
and then start my IR training

or,


Estimated Costs*
Cessna CPC Training Materials w/ DVD $339.00
30 Hours Dual Flight Time $3,390.00
30 Hours Flight Instruction $1,350.00
10 Hours Simulator $350.00
10 Hours Simulator Instruction $450.00
15 Hours Ground Instruction $675.00
1.5 Hours Solo Flight (PTS Exam) $169.00
Estimated Cost - Instrument Rating
$6,723.00

I would just like to know whats the better deal? Is it possible with my 18 hours x-country now, to start my IR training, and with each flight make a x-country? I'm not sure how this works. I've tried working some numbers, but I really don't know what to expect, but I'm guessing starting training and using the training to build x-country time would be the better. Thanks for the help and advice!

[E6BAV8R]

I don't think that would be a problem at all. You might as well be learning and going over instrument stuff and procedures while doing X-Cs.

[flyer8]

How about this:
Start your training right now, learn the basics and fundamentals of Instrument Flying. Then get somebody who can be in the right seat and act as SP (Maybe even split cost), while you will be under the hood going going XC and shooting VFR practice approaches.

[JetJok]

Originally Posted by flynik

How about this:
Start your training right now, learn the basics and fundamentals of Instrument Flying. Then get somebody who can be in the right seat and act as SP (Maybe even split cost), while you will be under the hood going going XC and shooting VFR practice approaches.

As a instructor this should not be a problem. With the amount of xc time that you already have, I would go ahead and begin training and when you are in the approach phase(final part) of your instrument training than if you need more xc time do it with a safety pilot and become more fluent with approaches.

If you haven't already began studying for your instrument, now is the time to begin.

You shouldn't begin instrument training unless you have a firm grasp of the written exam. You will save yourself alot of money if your written is already completed before you start flying.

[SIUav8er]

Heres what i would do: Start instrument training immediately or as soon as possible after getting your PPL. Theres no reason to go "build time" as a VFR private pilot. Start in on the IR, then do all the XC time under IFR with your CFII or maybe doing some VFR XC's under the hood but fly along airways and request the practice approach at the destination. Thats the most economical way to get the rating.

[SteveC]

18 + 22 = 40

[flyer8]

Originally Posted by SteveC

18 + 22 = 40

+10 = 50

61.65 d(1):At least 50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes for an instrument -- airplane rating

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by flynik

+10 = 50

OP: " I have 18 hours x-country, and I have planned to get about 22 more hours to put me at 30 hours x-country. "

[flyer8]

Originally Posted by SteveC

OP: " I have 18 hours x-country, and I have planned to get about 22 more hours to put me at 30 hours x-country. "

You got it.

[Pietrantonio]

Originally Posted by SteveC

18 + 22 = 40

Thanks for catching that one Steve. I didn't even realize that I did the math wrong.

Also, I appreciate everyone's advice. I'm going to start my IR training on the 27th of this month. I'm looking forward to it.