Korean Job Discussion Forums

SCE2AUX · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Location: Daegu

Any pilots who have tried flying privately in Korea, is that a possibility?

I'm actually looking at going into teaching aviation English after a few years of experience with teaching elementary school children (there's not that much difference between them and pilots Wink

)

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

aaron.southkorea · Joined: 20 Jan 2010 Location: Seoul

Argh! I can't find it in my history nor can I find it using "XXXX site:eslcafe.com" on Google but there was just a posting about a guy outside of Seoul who did amateur flying, lessons, take-offs, landings, etc. I think the guy was foreign, too.

Maybe someone else knows?

stoned · Joined: 03 Nov 2009

http://www.aerotourkorea.com/
http://expatflyers.net

detourne_me · Joined: 26 May 2006

A few years back I taught a number of fighter pilots in a hakwon.
They were great guys and a few times after class we'd go out for drinks.
One of the hardest things I had to do though was help a student when he brought in the manual for a new helicopter that they acquired, and wanted help understanding some of the critical components for testing the instruments.

You might want to look at applying to any military options here to teach English, I remember doing some pro bono work for the air force website, as there were little "Learn English" segments on it.

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

A little tipsy and sentimental while posting this...

If you have ever thought about flying or taking a flight in a small plane. DO IT.

It's the best.

Man, I miss flying. I miss my dad's homebuilt Stinson 108.

Too bad I don't have the mechanical discipline necessary to be a private pilot. Keep that in mind. Piloting is 20% of it. Maintenance is the rest.

Even the Three Stooges got it- Larry Fine, to paraphrase- "You're a King, or better yet, an Aircraft Mechanic."

oskinny1 · Joined: 10 Nov 2006 Location: Right behind you!

AndrewL · Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Location: Incheon, Korea

I'm actually pretty surprised to see a thread on here about GA in Korea.

I'm a private pilot (ASEL, High Performance Endorsement), and have been for 2 years. My logged time is roughly 1/3 152, 172, and TU206 time. I have another 40 or so unlogged hours in a Bellanca Scout (kind of like a Citabria) from before I got my license.

How expensive is it to fly here? My medical is still good, but at home I would be due for a BFR by the end of this month.

To the last poster who talked about friends' fathers dying in aircraft accidents: most of them are not freak accidents. Many are a combination of things that go wrong that can be prevented by aircraft maintenance, an upkeep on training, and a good sense of vigilance. An engine failure does not mean death unless you're flying too low over a mountain or a heavily forested area. Without an engine, you can glide at a lesser descent rate than you normally use to land (maybe 300fpm instead of 500fpm).

Steelrails · Joined: 12 Mar 2009 Location: Earth, Solar System

Back before I was born my dad set down his Champion Tri-Champ (his first plane) in a wheat field after mechanical failure, no damage.

One of my dad's friends died in a plane crash though. Plane wasn't climbing, clipped some power lines.

It's always a risk, just like driving.

conbon78 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008

Well flying here is WAY more expensive than more other countries. You figure about 250,000/hr. In order to fly here, you have to convert your license to the Korean one (or add it on, however you want to say it). That isn't hard to do, but you do have to pass the aviation law exam, which yes...is in English, but no - is not easy. It was easy, but they just changed it last year.

Also, if you are interested in teaching aviation English, I know of a possible position opening at Korean Air. PM me if you interested. With an aviation background, you would be a shoe in.

GwangjuParents · Joined: 31 Oct 2008

I was quoted 200,000 per hour for some weird looking contraption for something that was somewhere between an ultra light and a cessna 150.

Did it look safe? Uhhhmmmmm.....

If you have your Commercial or ATPL, you just need to write the Korean air law exam as mentioned by someone above and I assume just do a checkout/fam flight..

Not sure how it would work for PPL's as I never asked about them. Probably the same type of deal.

But if you want to go flying and go for the "200,000 Won Kimbab", save your pennies and head down to Florida for the best deals.

Besides, Korean airspace is heavily militarized, you'd be very restricted as to where you can go.