Chile Forum

Did a search looking for topics on flying in Chile or posts by pilots in the fora. Sorry if I missed any as I thought I read a few posts by a pilot somewhere, but can't find it.

I am researching moving to Chile permanently.

I have an expired single engine private US license and I am thinking about getting current before coming to Chile .. or getting current in Chile .. or not bothering if Chile is unfriendly towards foreign pilots in their airspace.

Any pilots out there who can comment on an economical path to flight in Chile?
Are rentals and flight schools and clubs similar to what one finds in the US?

Not a pilot, but since the earthquake aid flights I have spent a lot of time around the flying clubs and pilots in the south. Getting my license is on my todo list. Wife says I can have a plane, after we were invited to one of the asados at the flying club.

You definitely want to get in touch with one. They are pretty friendly and helpful to foreign pilots and planes from what we have seen.

Just keep in mind flying here is likely one of the most exclusive groups in chile. It is the super rich and thus the super connected old money that flies. It also means the super attitudes of the upper crust. It is not a middle class sort of thing in chile in anyway like it is in the states. Adjust cultural attitudes accordingly.

admin wrote:Not a pilot, but since the earthquake aid flights I have spent a lot of time around the flying clubs and pilots in the south. Getting my license is on my todo list. Wife says I can have a plane, after we were invited to one of the asados at the flying club.

You definitely want to get in touch with one. They are pretty friendly and helpful to foreign pilots and planes from what we have seen.

Just keep in mind flying here is likely one of the most exclusive groups in chile. It is the super rich and thus the super connected old money that flies. It also means the super attitudes of the upper crust. It is not a middle class sort of thing in chile in anyway like it is in the states. Adjust cultural attitudes accordingly.

Can I wash your windows and check the pressure in your tires for you when you get your plane?

My husband is a pilot. I asked him and he said that the men in the pilot clubs are very nice and welcoming. Since I don't know exactly how the process is in the U.S. I can't say for certain how similar it is, but from the information I do know it appears to be quite similar. Do you speak Spanish? Obviously if you don't that could make it a bit more difficult. My husband is Chilean and bilingual so if you want to PM me any questions I will just let him reply to you. Best of luck.

I hear Pinera dabbles in flying/crash landing/running out of gas....

On a serious note, what country allows its president to fly in a private helicopter as a pilot?

Not all pilots are the crème de la crème who fly. In the Forestal industry part of Chile there are some foreign pilots working as fire fighter pilots. Also "normal" chileans doing the same work part time.

Then there are the ones who have a small planes for transportation because of necessity, like the planes hopping between mainland and Isla Mocha (been there once and is a flight you definetly wont forget).

Hi,
I also have an expired single engine PPL and was interested in picking up flying again down here.
I went to the club in Curacaví (1/3 of the way between Santiago and Valparaíso) and was shocked.
They want CLP 1.000.000 just to join the club, normal rates to use any of the club aircraft of course on top. I will try the club in Vina/Valpo but have little hope that is is going to be allot cheaper.

Groschi

PS: I have a southafrican PPL therefore I can't compair anything to the US.

Groschi wrote:Hi,
I also have an expired single engine PPL and was interested in picking up flying again down here.
I went to the club in Curacaví (1/3 of the way between Santiago and Valparaíso) and was shocked.
They want CLP 1.000.000 just to join the club, normal rates to use any of the club aircraft of course on top. I will try the club in Vina/Valpo but have little hope that is is going to be allot cheaper.

Groschi

PS: I have a southafrican PPL therefore I can't compair anything to the US.

I think you will find joining a flying club in CHile is akin to joining a polo, golf or country club.

Thanks for all the great responses.

A few more questions:

Are rentals available only through clubs?

English is the international language for pilots - anyone one know what if controllers at the domestic airports can handle English?

Rentals are not available exclusively through airclubs. You can rent through fly schools and rental plane companies. The controllers should not be a problem for English obviously, but to get your license you will need to fly with an instructor and that is where the language could possibly be a problem for you.

I would say almost all the pilotes I have talked to in chile speak some sort of english