From the editor: This material was written by Ilya Naumov. Ilya is in love with small aviation, which Russia so lacks for the coherence of the country. We are glad to post Ilya’s story about how he started flying on his own, if only because he turned his hobby into a job and today works for the ChelAvia company.
Many office workers are well aware of the strong desire that comes at the end of the week to switch their brain to something other than the current job. People solve this problem in different ways: some go to a bar, some go to a bar, and some try to escape from routine with the help of extreme sports.
I offer you another interesting alternative - learn to fly an airplane. I'll tell you a few reasons why you should try it, and also try to dispel some popular myths about small aircraft.
So why will you enjoy flying?
New degree of freedom
Flying is perhaps one of the best ways to get to know your country. One and a half to two hours of flight from an airfield near Moscow - and now you are already in Lipetsk, Voronezh, Nizhny Novgorod or the Tver region. In the summer, at a leisurely pace during daylight hours, it is quite possible to fly to the south of Russia. Unlike car travel over such distances, flying by plane is much less tiring, and at the same time much more spectacular.
Even a flight near your “home” airfield can be very interesting - there are local natural or architectural attractions almost everywhere.
No boredom
Aviation is interesting, first of all, because the possibilities for self-improvement and development in it are almost limitless. Night flights, instrument flights, new types of aircraft, various types of avionics (on-board equipment), flights from water, aerobatics, jet technology, helicopters and gliders - the list is endless. The pilot studies his entire flying life - and still remains an amateur in many areas - this area of knowledge is so vast. If you are curious, are drawn to everything new and like to get to the bottom of things and strain your brain with various non-trivial tasks, most likely you will like flying.
Most people believe that only oligarchs can have their own plane. But, in fact, becoming an amateur pilot and buying your own plane is not that expensive. The amounts are commensurate with the cost of a good car; fuel, maintenance and care will cost a very reasonable amount. And then fly as much as you want, take your friends for rides, travel. While some are dreaming of the sky, others have already acquired their own plane and are enjoying it!
In order to see how people learn to fly and what planes can be bought, I went to one of the small aviation airfields near Moscow - Severka. In addition to my good friends who have started developing a pilot training company, I am greeted by old airplanes. This one belongs to the MAI branch in Zhukovsky.
They are still flown in many places now. You can buy a Yak18 in good condition for 35-40,000 Euros.
In small aviation, a woman at the helm is common.
Grasshopper)
While we are going to see the new airplanes, I ask about how to become an amateur pilot.
What do you need to start flying yourself?
- There are two options. The first is to undergo training with us, obtain an amateur pilot certificate, become a member of a flying club and purchase an aircraft, the cost of which ranges from 38,000 to 125,000 euros (excluding VAT and customs clearance, this is another + 40%) depending on the type of aircraft, deliver the aircraft is parked and maintenance is carried out in accordance with the regulations.
- And second?
- Everything is the same, but don’t buy a plane, but rent it for flights. On average, it costs about 8 thousand rubles/hour, depending on the type of aircraft.
- How much does the training itself cost?
- The cost of training for the amateur pilot program is from 402,000 rubles. up to 442,750 rubles, the difference in price depends on the duration of training. A four-month training period costs 402,000 rubles, an express course for two months costs 442,750 rubles.
- What will they teach during this time?
- Training takes place in two stages - ground training and flight training. Ground training includes the theoretical part of the program for the study of disciplines: aircraft and engine design, practical aerodynamics, aviation and radio-electronic equipment, aviation meteorology, etc., incl. testing equipment on an aviation simulator, which simulates flight dynamics and the operation of aircraft control systems. Theoretical training classes last no less than 200 hours and are held in Moscow. Flight training is carried out at the Severka or Myachkovo airfields of your choice, the flight time according to the program course is at least 42 hours.
- That’s it, can we fly?
- Yes, after that you can fly yourself.
Here is one of the smallest aircraft. Tecnam P2002 Sierra worth 74,000 euros + VAT and customs (40%). Total about 4 million rubles.
Maximum payload 263 kg
- luggage compartment capacity 20 kg
- cruising speed at 75% power 215 km/h
- practical ceiling 4500 m
- run 120 meters
- fuel tank capacity 100 liters
- fuel consumption 17 l/hour
- maximum flight range 1100 km
- maximum flight duration 5.9 hours
Amateur pilot.
First, inspect the aircraft.
Everything has been checked and takeoff is cleared.
Do you need any permits to fly?
- Now flights are carried out on a permit basis and this takes time. But the topic of small aviation has finally begun to be given serious attention and a notification procedure is being urgently implemented, which directly depends on the optimization of the boundaries of airspace zones prohibited for small aviation flights. In the airspace zone of Russian airfields, incl. region of the Moscow region everything is much simpler, fly as much as you like. First of all, this concerns airfields located in the south-eastern direction of the Moscow region (federal highway M5), Myachkovo (16 km from the MKAD), Ramenskoye (36 km from the MKAD), Severka (73 km from the MKAD), Voskresensk (75 km from MKAD), Kolomna (100 km from MKAD).
-Where can I fly?
- You plot a course to the required airfield within a given altitude corridor, bypassing prohibited areas and fly in the desired direction. At the destination airport you will need to pay for parking, which is not expensive. You may need to refuel; fuel costs about 30 rubles per liter.
- Well, it turns out that for an hour of flight, about 600-700 rubles will be spent on fuel.
- Yes, somewhere like that.
What happens to an airplane when you're not flying it? Where is it stored, maintained, how much does it cost?
- The plane is attached to the flying club and is under service support. It is stored at the airfield in covered hangars or in the open air (at the request of the customer). The cost of storage ranges from 8 (in the open air) to 27 thousand rubles (in a hangar). You can rent out your plane to flying clubs. Thus, in mutual settlements it will be possible to reimburse the difference for parking and maintenance or receive additional income.
Can you give rides to your friends and acquaintances, or attach an advertising banner to it and fly?
- You can ride anyone and as much as you want, even your favorite pets. It is forbidden to attach any structures to the fuselage - this will affect the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. But sticking an advertising banner or doing airbrushing is welcome!
Will you be able to fly to the Kremlin? - I ask a stupid but interesting question
- Most likely not, all of Moscow is a closed zone for small aircraft.
- It's a pity, oh well ;)
- After completing the amateur pilot program, is it possible to improve your qualifications and continue training?
- In Russia there are three levels of flying skill. Recreational pilot (private pilot), commercial pilot and line pilot. If you study at a higher aviation educational institution, you will immediately receive a commercial pilot certificate. If you are going to learn to fly at a flying club, you will first need to obtain an amateur pilot certificate. Commercial pilots have the right to be pilot-in-command of single-engine aircraft, pilot-in-command of multi-engine aircraft in the case of non-commercial flights, and co-pilot of any aircraft. A line pilot can fly as a PIC on any class of aircraft, but must have at least 1,500 hours of flight time and appropriate health. Commercial and line pilots are assigned classes from 3rd (lowest) to 1st (highest).
One of the largest and most expensive aircraft, Tecnam P2006T, costs 373,000 euros + VAT and customs (40%). Total about 20 million rubles.
Tecnam P92 Echo Super aircraft, costing 69,000 euros + VAT and customs (40%). Total about 3.8 million rubles.
There are many other options, it’s like with cars, you get tired of choosing;) Although, as I already wrote, you can just unlearn it and then rent a plane for flying.
In addition, you can simply come for a ride as a passenger and give someone a gift certificate for a flight. It’s especially cool to throw a party for your company’s team, take everyone out of town in good weather and go for a ride on an airplane!
In general, small aviation is not as expensive as it is commonly thought, and now it will develop rapidly.
In the summer, I want to persuade my friends to organize rides for bloggers. So if anyone wants to fly, write in the comments! So that I don’t forget to invite anyone later. Although it won’t do without selection ;)
The issuance of pilot licenses in the North-Western Regional District is temporarily suspended. In this regard, in St. Petersburg we conduct practical training (see above) in order to obtain piloting skills without taking into account flight hours. The start of training with the possibility of obtaining a private pilot certificate is scheduled for May-June 2017. Contact us to sign up for the waiting list and we will call you as soon as we fill groups.
Professional aircraft piloting training includes flight training for private pilots and the study of the theoretical basis necessary to pass the FAVT TKK exam. After successfully passing the test, the cadet receives a standard pilot's license. The table below shows the flight hours standards and the aircraft class corresponding to the SAF and PPL certificates.
To give you an idea of what we're talking about, let's give an example. Ultralight aircraft include, in particular, the V-2 (weighing 170 kg) and Ptenets-2 (weighing 270 kg) - an SAF license is sufficient to fly them. But to fly a Cessna-150 (weighing 504 kg) or, for example, a Piper PA-28 (weighing 767 kg), you will need a private pilot (recreational pilot) license PPL.
What are the benefits of obtaining a private pilot license?
PPL gives the right to perform the functions of commander, as well as co-pilot, of any aircraft of a specified weight, excluding the possibility of working as a pilot for hire. In addition to flying hours and professional training, when learning to fly an aircraft, a cadet must study the theory in detail and thoroughly master the program for passing the TKK FAVT exam, as well as meet basic requirements (age 16-65 years, weight up to 100 kg) and undergo a medical examination in accordance with FAP.
In the near future (approximately spring 2017), the training center will be opened and full pilot training will resume. You will have to go through the entire program for learning to fly an airplane from scratch, even if you already have the skills and flight hours (these are federal aviation regulations).
At the moment, you can undergo training at our branch in the Czech Republic and obtain a flight license for an international aircraft, which is valid in the territory of EASA member countries - these are 28 countries of the European Union and four more - Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. After passing validation, this pilot license is valid on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Training takes place directly in the Czech Republic in English. It can be divided into several parts. There is accommodation available at the airport. The cost of training to fly an airplane with the issuance of a certificate starts from 520,000 rubles. (practical and theoretical training of pilots). More detailed information can be obtained from the office.
Number of programs: 1
Have you always wanted to fly a plane into the sky? This dream is real. After you have completed training in flying an airplane, you will be able to lift the “steel bird” into the sky without much effort. We offer to buy a certificate for your loved ones so that they too can make their dream come true. After all, what’s better than heaven as a gift? Moreover, the price in Moscow is low, and the sensations will be remembered for a lifetime.
How the training works
First you need to master the theory and pass the exam. You can take it on your own or sign up for group classes. The price of aircraft flight training depends on which option you choose. In any case, it will not cost much. The program includes the following disciplines:
- navigation;
- meteorology;
- basics of aerodynamics;
- aircraft design;
- radiotelephone communication.
After completing theoretical training, you are admitted to. Theoretical classes are usually group, but practical classes are individual, because piloting is not an easy matter.
You will practice on the simulator, and then you will be able to sit at the controls of a real aircraft. If you want to get a pilot's license, you need to fly at least 40 hours.
Peculiarities
After you have completed the theoretical training in flying an airplane, you will practice. An instructor with extensive experience will help you. This is the best option for consolidating theoretical knowledge and mastering the basics of management.
Practical training to fly an airplane begins with the use of a simulator. Every professional pilot studied on it. You will learn the basic skills in complete safety. Instructors will constantly accompany you, so soon you will board a real plane and perform your first stunts at an airfield in the Moscow region.
Learning to fly an airplane is incomparable entertainment. It has long become popular in Moscow, because everyone who tries it gets a lot of bright emotions. Buying a certificate that is inexpensive is affordable for everyone. Your first flight experience will remain in your memory for the rest of your life.
If you have any questions, contact us online or by phone. We will dispel all doubts and make sure that you enjoy your first flight experience and will not be your last.
