As spring break approaches, many students may be preparing to embark on a cross-country road trip or wing off to tropical spots to catch up on their tans. But while anyone can wander onto the sands of Palm Springs, how many students can say they landed their own Cessna 152 right on the beach? This time next year, maybe you could.
This scenario may be a bit unrealistic, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Some may be surprised to find that Eugene and the surrounding area is an ideal spot for adventurers seeking both small- and large-aircraft flight training. Whether it’s an interest in aviation as a career or just a hobby, there are no shortage of schools ready to get the uninitiated pilot airborne.
It may be wise for the novice to think small — literally. For flight training as recreation, Randy Vyff may be the man to see. This independent instructor has been flying ultralight planes for 23 years and offers lessons for seven. He said learning to fly can be an overwhelming experience, giving people a chance to see the diverse Oregon landscape from a truly unique perspective.
“It’s just incredible to fly over the snow-capped mountains, then venture over to the coast, and down into the valleys,” Vyff said. “Most students are so excited, they just blubber on about the experience.”
He went on to state that ultralight excursions epitomize the best aspects of air travel.
“It’s just the cheapest, funnest way to fly,” Vyff said.
Ultralight training may also be more cost effective than other options. Vyff said instruction can be completed for between $600 and $700 compared to the $5000 often invested in training for larger aircraft. His lessons run $60 an hour, including instruction, use of the ultralight plane and fuel.
Once the world of the ultralight is conquered, a visit to About Time Aviation may be the next logical step. This organization offers everything from instructions to flight simulator sessions and aircraft rentals. Students can complete these sessions as well as a number of other comprehensive courses in acquisition of a private, commercial, instrument and airline transport pilot certificate.
About Time Aviation instructor Paul Preziose said there’s no way to convince someone to want to learn how to fly.
“You really have to have the desire to try it,” Preziose said. “And how far you go with it boils down to how much initiative you have.”
About Time also offers a discovery flight session for people unsure of their interest in learning to fly. This lesson includes a brief ground school lesson and a review of the flight controls while in the cockpit. According to Preziose, the student will then start the engine, taxi to the runway, take off, fly around the area and land under an instructor’s supervision.
The rates for About Time Aviation range anywhere from $39 for the discovery flight to an estimated $6000 for full private pilot training certification — this includes virtually every facet of the program such as aircraft rental and textbooks.
Lane Community College also offers private and professional pilot training. Students can even earn an Associate of Science degree through the school’s Flight Technology program.
The school prides itself on the program’s safety record. According to the LCC Web site, in June of 1998, the school received an award from the Federal Aviation Administration for completing 200,000 consecutive hours and 25 million miles of professional flight training since 1967 without a single injury accident.
The estimated cost of completion of private pilot lessons at LCC is around $4000.
When all the more practical bases are covered, perhaps a little more flashy flight training is desired. For this, Wingover Aerobatics — satisfying the aviation-as-entertainment aspect of flying — may provide the needed rush. This establishment, located at Creswell Airport, offers aerobatic rides and instructions.
From the easy-going relaxation of the ultralight to the hard-core adrenaline rush of aerobatics, flight training in Eugene is more accessible than some might think. And once the novice has been bitten by the bug, there may be no end to the adventure. Perhaps Randy Vyff put it best: “Once they do it once, most people are hooked.”