skymama 37 #1 March 23, 2003 Can you please check out this website for me and tell me if you think it's a good deal or not? www.beapilot.com According to the website, you can get an introductory flying lesson for $49.00. I'm thinking about giving it to my mom as a gift for Mother's Day. She always had a dream of being a pilot when she was a girl, so I thought it might give her a thrill to sit behind the controls. I just hope you don't have to sign up for complete lessons to get the $49 one. Any thoughts on it would be appreciated. She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #2 March 23, 2003 It's probably legit. Many flight schools offer a reduced price for an "introductory" lesson. It's a good deal, and it's a lot of fun - my ex bought me one for my birthday one year. The instructor told me that hour "counted" if I wanted to continue toward a license. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #3 March 23, 2003 Yeah, think of it as a Tandem jump at a place that offers ISP. --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydiverbob 0 #4 March 23, 2003 It is legit, I took one of them, was a gas. Got a nice 30 minute flight, no pressure at all. Only downside is I keep getting mail from them wanting me to continue, and a nice DVD all about flight school.Who Dares Wins Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phatcat 0 #5 March 23, 2003 That's a great idea for a present! The "Be A Pilot" thing is kind of a mass advertising plan, trying to get more people signing up for flight lessons. Nothing wrong with that, but here's just an idea. Try calling a local flight school - look in the yellow pages. Ask to speak with a flight instructor. Tell him/her just what you want to do - take your mom up to fly the plane. They should be more than happy to take her up, not just for a scenic flight, but to actually fly the plane. It may or may not cost more than 50 bucks, but I think the idea is to get a more personalized "lesson", as opposed to just a quick scenic flight. And make sure you explain that's what you want, otherwise they may just assume she just wants to "ride along." Be prepared, though - she might sign up for more! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #6 March 23, 2003 I'm a private pilot and I completely agree with the previous suggestion. Don't give this huge firm your money. Instead, go visit a small local airport and walk around the flight schools. When you find one that looks friendly, professional, and approachable, go to the counter and explain what you want. They'll be thrilled at the idea and will be able to offer a personalized, real training experience. And probably at a similar price, but instead of it going to some clearinghouse, it'll all go to the school and the flight instructor. It's a great gift! First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #7 March 23, 2003 No this is a good deal cuz instead of charging by the hobbs meter its a fixed rate, can't go over the agreed. And they are trying to sell it so they do whatever the prospective student wants. Quite a few years ago I did the exact same thing for a chopper intro. I was already a pilot looking for an add-on rating. Instructor was a police pilot moonlighting cuz he loved it. Got a unbelievable ride my "hands on" most of it. Including cruzing down the river bed in ground effect. He was really trying to sell what choppers do that fixed wing can't. Did everything but fly the thing under a bridge and at the end he apologized for going over the allotted time tee hee. Glen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #8 March 23, 2003 Beapilot isn't a huge firm...you send in the info...they send you stuff on where your closest "participating" flying instruction school is....I believe Comair at Sanford is your closest Andrea. I gave my ex wife this very thing......it was fun...even if I knew she'd never want to be a pilot due to her not being able to attain a medical... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymedic 0 #9 March 23, 2003 it is sponsored by cessna... Marc otherwise known as Mr.Fallinwoman.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MC208B 0 #10 March 23, 2003 Hi Andrea. That is a good deal ,Just make sure your Mom doesn't have to sign WAIVERS! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slotperfect 7 #11 March 23, 2003 I would call the FBO you plan to have her use for her intro flight first, though. My introductory flight was only $20. That was North Carolina 5 years ago, but nevertheless . . .Arrive Safely John Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #12 March 23, 2003 Thanks for all the info you guys. That is a really good idea for me to just call a school and see how it compares if I don't use the program. I'm psyched! I love trying to pick out great gifts for people that they would really like instead of just giving another shirt or something.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #13 March 24, 2003 Most schools will do exactly the same thing. It basically represents the plane time (depending on the plane) and a instructor for 30 minutes. A 4 seat Cessna 172 is around $70-80/hour + instructor ($25-35/hr). A 2 seater is a little cheaper. Since you're basically paying for time, you can fly longer if you want to. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybeergodd 0 #14 March 24, 2003 It is probly a very legit business. I took an intro flight before I took actual lessons and got my private pilot cert. They said it was only $30.00 for about 30 mins. and I would get to fly the plane and help land it. Well that intro was only $30.00 but it ended up costing me about $3500 because like jumping it is highly idictive and I just couldn't stop. Now I jump on weekends and fly during the week. Your Mom will love it. Great gift idea. Blue Skies and soft landings Kelly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #15 March 24, 2003 Yeah like others have said, Be A Pilot is not a company. It's a huge advertising campain sponsored by a whole bunch of organizations and companies. I believe both the AOPA and EAA are involved, and last I heard the advertising is working great. It is NOT like 1-800-skydive, which is all about getting students to go to participating dropzones. Be A Pilot is all about getting more student pilots to start flying. They will only refer you to participating flight schools I'm sure, but thats because they can only offer certain prices for schools that agree to those prices. The whole idea is that a certain percentage of people that take into flight lessons goes on to finish and get licensed. The more people that start, the more will finish. Nobody is getting rich off Be A Pilot. Definitely a good program, but it's also not the only way to go. Check the yellow pages for flight schools too. You may very well find a better deal somewhere else on an intro flight. It's a great gift though! Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhonda66 0 #16 March 24, 2003 Hiya - I'm just about to take my checkride and I started with the intro. (also sometimes known as the "disco" or discovery) flight for $49 last summer. Like some of the others said, most flight schools offer these reduced cost intro. flights that last about a half an hour. The problem is that you take the nice, cheap innocent little intro. flight, get hooked, and wind up spending a heck of a lot more than that to get your PPASEL. Here in MA, lessons in an old minimally-equipped C-152 cost me $108/hour, $68 for the plane and $40 for the CFI with most lessons racking up 1.3-1.6 on the Hobbs and they want you to fly at least twice a week. If she just wants to make an intro. flight, then it's a great deal . Flying is the best though - it's almost as fun as jumping and it sure has taken over my life in the past year. It would make a great gift. Rhonda PP ASEL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
