Flying in the Portland area

January 7, 2010 7:31 PM

AviationFilter: Is anyone here a private / GA pilot in the Portland, OR area by chance? If so, I have a few questions for you ...

I'm new to the world of flying but plan to work toward my private pilot license this year, preferably training in a Diamond DA20 or Cessna 172.

Do you fly out of one of the airports in the Portland area? If so, I'd be interested to know of any good CFIs, flying clubs, FBO/rental places, etc. you would recommend ... or perhaps equally important might be any warnings of places/things to avoid ... or anything you wish someone had told you about when you started. Thanks in advance for your advice!

posted by dacoit to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (4 answers total)

Can't help with the Portland question, but I'd encourage anyone to pick the DA-20 over the 172 for primary flight training. What a gorgeous airplane; spectacular visibility and so much fun. It'll be harder to find an opportunity to fly one when you're not training, though, so I say pursue it now. If you do it like I did, you'll join a flying club after you get your ticket at a commercial operation, and the club won't be operating anything but Cessnas and Pipers. Save the spam cans for then or for your instrument rating---it's not hard to transition, and in the latter case, you won't be looking outside of the plane anyhow.
posted by tss at 8:24 PM on January 7, 2010

I'm not in the Portland area, but I recommend that you check out the AOPA. If they are still doing what they did a couple years ago when I started you can get a free membership for six months. I find that the benefits are worth the relatively minor cost for this organization, and in particular they give you access to the forums where you are more likely to find folks to answer your questions above.

Another resource you might check out is The Purple Board a little more informal group, but similarly helpful.
posted by meinvt at 8:26 PM on January 7, 2010

As to other general advice. If you can find an experienced CFI who is in it to teach for the long haul that is the best. I'm expecting that there is a cost difference for the DA20 or Cessna. Personally I was quite happy to have the opportunity to learn to fly in a 152 as I probably wouldn't have stuck with it due to finances at the higher prices a better plane commands. Your situation might be different, and certainly if I could just choose an airplane to fly it would be something closer to the DA20.

My only other advice is to view the training as fun experience and opportunity in and of itself. You'll get a lot more out of it if you are doing it for the activity, not just in a race to some finish line (such as getting your license).
posted by meinvt at 8:30 PM on January 7, 2010

Have you tried going to Troutdale or Hillsboro (whichever is more convenient for you) and asking around?
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 9:42 PM on January 7, 2010