Retirement gift?

[zapfbroad]

Didn't do it it time for father's day.... father inlaw is retiring in aug/sep tbd yet. Have been hearing the radio ads for pilotjourney.com. it's like $129 instructor does landing/take off but turns over control for you to fly part of the trip. I'm thinking he might really like this. Is it appropriate for a retirement gift or should we just feed his golf addiction lol. Anyone with flyin experience is this a good deal? He's only ever flown commercial to my knowledge & I don't know I he will really have a huge interest. Are there better package deals out there anyone would recommend?

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

[TrickyNicky]

My brother got a similar gift a while ago only it was in a biplane. I'll ask about the details if you like.

I think anyone with an interest in aviation would have a hoot doing something like that. Golf gear like shooting gear seems highly personal, unless you know his tastes very well I personally would recommend letting him buy his own. Unless you know his ball brand preference and just want to buy him a bucket...

[Karnage]

Not a bad deal. The last time I rented a plane, about a year and a half ago, it was $100.00 an hour. The website says they also give you a log book, about $10.00.

[Guest bkelm18]

I got my private pilots license when I was 18. I fell in love with flight after my dad signed me up for one of these things.

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

I got my private pilots license when I was 18. I fell in love with flight after my dad signed me up for one of these things.

What do you tell someone who is mortified of flying now? What would you say to them ?

[Guest bkelm18]

What do you tell someone who is mortified of flying now? What would you say to them ?

I think one of these little flights would be a good idea for them. In my experience, a lot of people who are afraid to fly aren't as scared of the little Cessnas as they are the big boys. The pilot isn't some random voice over the intercom, he/she is a real person sitting right next to you. A good instructor/pilot will recognize a person's apprehension and will do their best to mitigate it. I think once they get up there and see what an incredible view there is to be seen, they might just forget they were scared in the first place.

Edited June 17, 2012 by bkelm18

[zapfbroad]

That's how I was the first time I tried to snorkel...I spent like 20 min trying not to drown to death then I actually saw the view below good and relaxed

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk 2

Edited June 17, 2012 by zapfbroad

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

I can handle the snorkel..

but I cant handle the flying .. I am mortified of it.. I have nightmares about it.. its sad but that is what is keeping me from seeing my mother in Germany who is not in good health and over 70 years old..

[TripleDigitRide]

My father and I were given one of these (or something very similar) as a gift a few years ago. I used mine at John C Tune airport in Nashville. It was an awesome experience, until the instructor decided to use the last few minutes to "show me what the plane could do". I spent the rest of the day fighting off the urge to puke my guts out.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S II Epic 4G Touch using Tapatalk 2

[Bubba0031]

My part time job while I was in colllege was a flight instrucor. There were really very few people that were afraid of little planes and I only had one person that just couldn't learn. Most people loved the intro flight. I'm still amazed at the number of person that, in the fall, would want to fly over the Smokies and Cades Cove. It wasn't unusal to make 3 or 4 trips a day. It also wasn't unusal when there were kids for the parnet to ask if the child could sit in front. I would agree and let the child "fly" the plane after getting to altitude.

I also flew fire patrol one year for the state forest service. I would fly from Downtown Knoxville each morning to Rockwood and pick up a forest ranger. He had a handheld radio, a GPS, and a map board. Once I took off he would fly a route around East TN. I stopped in the middle of the day for fuel and then handed him the plane. At the end of the day I would land let him out and go back to Knoxville.

I miss flying but taking care of sick family members I don't have time and I also don't have the money.

[peejman]

$130 for a half-hour lesson with an instructor isn't a bad deal. If you think he might be interested, go for it.

We got my Dad a glider ride for Christmas a year or two ago. He had a pilot's license for a long time but lost it due to medical. I thought the glider ride might get him back into it, but it seems not. Regardless, he said it was a lot of fun. http://chilhowee.com/glider_rides.php

I love flying...

I can handle the snorkel..

but I cant handle the flying .. I am mortified of it.. I have nightmares about it.. its sad but that is what is keeping me from seeing my mother in Germany who is not in good health and over 70 years old..

It's hard to know what to tell people without knowing them personally. My wife isn't real fond of it either. Is there any particular aspect of flying that frightens you?