Learning to fly is pricey. And water is wet…right, we all know this. But a father/son duo discovered a way to make flying affordable using “tag-team” flight training to keep lessons cash-conservative and fun.
Out of Money and Out of Reach
From the start, both David Mann Jr. and his father, David Mann Sr., had the bug to fly. But the high cost of flight lessons, made the dream a tough sell. Knowing they could barely afford training for one person—let alone two, forced them to set the dream aside.
However, after a couple teaser flights in a Cessna 182, along with taking a Sporty’s ground school course, their hearts stayed in the game. Still, the high cost of flying was a deal breaker.
With new trainers going for a cool 120 grand, and rentals fetching $130 per hour, plus instructor, both buying or renting options appeared out of reach.
The Ugly Duckling: A Budget-Friendly Cessna 150
If you’re short on cash, you can always pay as you go. However, this can drag on for months…or even years. (I was a pay-as-you-go slug, and snagged my private license in a blistering 15 solid months.)
With pay-as-you-go not an option, how could two pilot wannabes possibly afford to enter the pricey world of airplanes on a “used car budget?” Perhaps, buy a used-car budget airplane.
Mike Tillison (Dave Jr.’s grandfather and mentor) did just that. A 1966 Cessna 150 had been sitting on the north ramp at Sacramento Executive airport for years.
Although the owner kept up with the maintenance, he rarely flew the airplane and was torn between keeping it, or selling. When an offer came, the timing was right. The little Cessna sold for the price of a used car.
Tag-Team Training
With 97,000 flight instructors in this country, you have to ask yourself, “Do I know a CFI who could lend a hand in training?” Tillison knew one of these guys. His brother (yours truly).
I put together a “tag-team” plan that allowed both students to participate simultaneously. We’d begin with the basics: flight principles, maneuvers, goals, etc. No office was used. Instead, things were done, out at the airplane. After our ground session, one Dave would fly while the other Dave took time to reflect on his notes and material we had just discussed.
After the first Dave flew, I’d again, hold a team briefing, encourage discussion, feedback, and field questions. Once the debrief was done, the roles would switch—the second Dave would fly, followed by another team debrief. This cycle of fly-discuss-fly, fostered super-tight reinforcement and total engagement.
This training was somewhat reminiscent of Hans Alfred Brieting, a Namibian pilot who traveled from Africa to California to get his commercial license with me, in an accelerated 7-day window. We called it, “fast-track-your-talent, Africa style” (For details, see Pull Up!)
Family Bonding Bonus
Beyond technical training, another powerful element was coming together: father-son bonding.
With each new bit of information, the two volleyed back and forth new concepts and points of interest. If one person was beginning to grease the landings, the two would talk it over, analyze, and fuel each other’s fire.
It was an unexpected, but beautiful display of family bonding. Whether it was landing technique, radio calls, or dissecting weight and balance calcs, the conversations spilled into their daily life—often stretching to the dinner table and beyond.
To Solo, Performance was the Key Requirement
On the day of solo, family members gathered on the ramp at Mather Airport (MHR). Lounge chairs, water coolers, sandwiches, cold drinks, and cameras all on hand. Prior to the solo “event,” family members were advised of one strict caveat: No one would solo unless each person independently demonstrated required performance levels of ability. Everyone was cool with the rule.
Neither Dave Senior nor Junior had a clue. To them, the family gathering on the tarmac was simply a wholesome expression of family support and innocent observation.
Tag-Team Payday
Dave Sr. was first up to bat. After exhibiting consistently safe landings, he was advised, “We better make a full stop landing to change the intercom battery”. The paperwork was signed off while Senior swapped out the battery. Then, he was given his mission to solo.
They say one of the most memorable days of a pilot’s life is that first solo. Most every pilot remembers lifting off, in total command of their airplane. The two Daves were no exception.
The post-solo mood on the ramp was palpable and emotional (as our 90-second video shows). Congrats from ground crews and tower alike made the experience, a student pilot’s dream.
Dave Jr. summed it up best. After his solo and subsequent shut down, he threw open the C-150 door, and breathlessly screamed out, “That was totally awesome!”
There is no Limit
Here’s the takeaway: If you have the passion, you can make anything happen. Yes, there may be some turbulence enroute. You may even have to be “nudged” along the way, but nothing will stop the man or woman on their quest to go higher.
And here’s the proof: You’ve done some pretty “awesome” things in your life. Maybe something you’ve forgotten, or have simply chalked up as part of the game. Maybe you even experienced a type of “tag-team” in the form of others helping you. But it’s happened nonetheless.
If you think you’ve already reached “cruising altitude,” think again. Cinch up, and prepare to go even higher. Opportunity is waiting to lift you further and take you anywhere you want to go. There is no limit.
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Think back on your “solo” moment. How did it come about? How did you feel in the moment? Please comment. It can have a profound effect on others who simply need a perspective of your own positive solo experience.