So, student pilots.. Who are we and where do we stand?

I was scheduled for my first (with a new instructor) IR training flight this morning. But KORL (Orlando Exec) had 1/4 SM viz. And no ceiling. So we did ground. Covered a lot since I've had a more than fair bit of training before and she was mostly trying to figure out what I knew and get me to use the publications to answer things I didn't remember. I've got a lot of rust removal to do. Next week is a bust due to my work schedule but the week after we've got 2 lessons scheduled.
 
Got it done today!

Second solo in the books, 1 hour in the pattern at KAEG.

Started off a little crappy. Did 3 landings with the CFI, on the third I bounced it pretty good. So he said, nope, let's do one more. Got that 4th one in and he said let's go to the ramp.

Got started back up and headed to the runway. Thing is, while we did the 4, the pattern and surrounding air was pretty quiet. I get up and in the pattern with 1 other 172 and all of a sudden this Class D got real busy. Of course! I was laughing at it more than anything, but the first lap in the pattern was a little sporty. Called me as #4 to land, with 2 straight in from the north (both faster planes). Tower tells me either extend downwind or right 360, my choice. I do a right 360...then when I get back on the downwind he tells me to extend downwind anyway...then he'll call base. Calls base 5 seconds later. Then maybe 5-10 more seconds and he says never mind, sorry, but turn right again to extend downwind more. LOL...ok...finally got to turn base and get down for touch-n-go.

With that one down, the next ones were pretty normal. Although #2 or #3 (I forget) I bounced 3 times. UGH! After that crappy one, the rest were really smooth and just about perfect.

Tower did have a few more fun instructions. Asked how many more I was doing after #4 I think (just 2-3 more)...then asked if I minded switching to runway 17 (I was on 22) because someone wanted runway 4. I said sure, no problem. Pretty used to being moved around a lot at KABQ, so it doesn't bug me.

So tower says on the go after the landing on 22, make right traffic to swing around for 17. OK...well, except on the go he says to cancel the right turn and stay left traffic for runway 22. :) OK...

Anyway, couple more then I go pick up my CFI and we head back to KABQ.

WHEW!!

Next is a solo to the practice area on Friday.

Another solo attempt, another bad day. :(

Went to go get my second solo signed off. Flew the pattern for a few at KAEG, but the winds were a little high (11-12kts), outside of the solo limits. So I figured we'd get some windy landing practice.

All of my landings were really nice. Worst of the bunch was still pretty good. Then the winds died to 8-9kts, so CFI asked if I wanted to solo. I said sure, let's get this done.

Drop him off and go for my first lap. Everything was great, good landing, come to full stop no problems. Go back to start of the runway and get going, then as I'm almost to rotate speed, plane goes left of me (well, I'm sure it's me more than the plane). I control it enough to not run off the side of the runway, but it rattled me pretty good. Had to lock up the brakes in the process.

Call tower tell them I aborted my takeoff. Asks if I need assistance and I declined, just asked to return to the ramp. Got my CFI and we headed back to the home airport.

This is the same plane that I ran off the left of the runway on my first solo landing (not during takeoff). I'm not sure what it is with me and this plane, but I'm not going to do any solo work in it. They have 2 other planes to choose from, so I'll pass on this one. Something about it doesn't mesh with me I guess. I don't know.

Really with I could figure out what I'm physically doing wrong that is causing this.

BTW...54hrs total, almost 200 landings, 1.4 solo time...I should be further along...
 
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Got a good 2.5 hours of practice in yesterday. After about 2-3 weeks of no flying. A little frustrating- I was sloppy on some details that both my instructor and I know that I shouldn't be sloppy on. Ended up off by 100 feet in the pattern at one point- just no excuse for that. I chalk it up to being a little rusty. On a positive note, my steep turns were within standards, my stalls were good and my short field landings are starting to get consistently good.

Also did s-turns for the first time- a little tricky but I think it won't take me long to get the hang of it.

Overall, one of the more frustrating training days. I have about 46 hours now, so I'd just like to get all "issues" taken care of and get into the check ride (looks like January for that).
 
Final solo cross country today (CRG-BQK-CRG) of 1.9 hours. I've completed all requirements except the 3 hours of prep for checkride. Total hours right now is 39.3 and I think I will be ready when I get to about 50 hours.
 
Short side trip on the IR: I got checked out for night flying the club planes last night.

3 full stop taxi backs in a plane I’d never flown before. The last one was simulating alternator failure (no dash lights, no landing lights). Pretty ok. I don’t feel the Archer like I do the 172 so it could have been better.

We had to wait for the tower to get a plane with a radio failure down on the last take off. I got to see the light gun used (pretty dang dim compared to the rest of the lights!). It was a nice looking Mooney.

John
 
Roughly 10 hours into my PPL Training but money is starting to become an issue.
 
We had to wait for the tower to get a plane with a radio failure down on the last take off. I got to see the light gun used (pretty dang dim compared to the rest of the lights!). It was a nice looking Mooney.

John

John the controller wasn't aiming it at you or it would have been brighter. Some night when you're up or taxing ask for a light gun demo, they'd be glad to do it.
 
Roughly 10 hours into my PPL Training but money is starting to become an issue.

It will only continue to become an issue, my friend. Suggest taking out a loan/new credit card. Other alternative is to delay, but lets be honest- none of us want to do that. It sucks..
 
Roughly 10 hours into my PPL Training but money is starting to become an issue.

To echo what Ben said - evaluate your situation. If you really want to get this done - you will SAVE money by flying more frequently. You might have to borrow, beg for it, or get a 2nd job, but it will ultimately cost less in hours and $$. On the other hand, I took over 2 years to pass the check ride because I simply did not have the ability to commit the time to fly enough. I estimate it cost me about 20-25 hours extra as a result. Times roughly $175/hr (wet+instructor).

Other choice is quit entirely (or stop) and do something to make that money with every waking moment, then resume in the spring and go full-bore.

No easy choices. Its an expensive hobby. :(
 
John the controller wasn't aiming it at you or it would have been brighter. Some night when you're up or taxing ask for a light gun demo, they'd be glad to do it.
That’s what the instructor said. I’m sure you’d want it to be directional so as to not inadvertently clear all the NORDO aircraft at once.
 
Roughly 10 hours into my PPL Training but money is starting to become an issue.


If it's an issue after only 10 hours, what was your plan when you started? You knew going in that training took many more hours than 10.

And if you do somehow find enough scratch to finish training, how do you plan to pay for your flying afterward?

Sound judgment is vital to safe flying. What does your financial planning say about your judgment?
 
That’s what the instructor said. I’m sure you’d want it to be directional so as to not inadvertently clear all the NORDO aircraft at once.

The guns actually have a sight on them to assist in aiming, similar to a rifle.
 
Roughly 10 hours into my PPL Training but money is starting to become an issue.
Figure out how much per month you can put into flying, how many hours of dual does that buy? Reduce your frequency to that amount. If you don't think you can acquire the skills with that frequency, you'll have to delay and save up until you have enough to increase lessons per month. I managed to get a cert flying an average of 3 hours per month. Supplement all that down time with more reading/study prep for next flight. Good luck!
 
I sold my sports car and bought something considerably cheaper to operate to free up the funds for monthly lessons. I'm able to take a lesson every other week, so generally, two lessons a month. In-between, I'm reading/studying and practicing what I've learned in X-Plane 11 with my yoke and rudder pedals. As others have said, it isn't a cheap hobby. I know 'they' say you can get your PPL in 40 hours... Pffft. Whatever. I went into this expecting it to take 60-75 hours and have always known it was going to take around a $10,000 chunk out of my budget over time. I'm fortunate - my wife and I both work so we are a dual-income household, and my employer doesn't sweat it when I leave early on a Friday afternoon to go take a lesson. But I remember exploring pursuing my PPL 15 years ago and while the time was there, the funds were not. From a budgetary standpoint I'll pass along what my brother told me (He has been an airline pilot for the past 20 years and was a CFI prior to that) - Take every lesson you can in a Cessna 152 or equivalent. They're cheaper per hour and you get the most bang for your buck. It's easy to think the $30 or more extra per hour to rent the 172 isn't that big of a deal, but it adds up.. Quick. Plus, since the 152 was designed as a trainer plane and is so forgiving, you're liable to learn faster in it, potentially reducing the number of hours required for you to become proficient enough to pass your check ride with flying colors. - Just his advice. And I'm just a lowly messenger with 5 hours under my belt (6 tomorrow). Cheers.
 
I sold my sports car and bought something considerably cheaper to operate to free up the funds for monthly lessons. I'm able to take a lesson every other week, so generally, two lessons a month. In-between, I'm reading/studying and practicing what I've learned in X-Plane 11 with my yoke and rudder pedals. As others have said, it isn't a cheap hobby. I know 'they' say you can get your PPL in 40 hours... Pffft. Whatever. I went into this expecting it to take 60-75 hours and have always known it was going to take around a $10,000 chunk out of my budget over time. I'm fortunate - my wife and I both work so we are a dual-income household, and my employer doesn't sweat it when I leave early on a Friday afternoon to go take a lesson. But I remember exploring pursuing my PPL 15 years ago and while the time was there, the funds were not. From a budgetary standpoint I'll pass along what my brother told me (He has been an airline pilot for the past 20 years and was a CFI prior to that) - Take every lesson you can in a Cessna 152 or equivalent. They're cheaper per hour and you get the most bang for your buck. It's easy to think the $30 or more extra per hour to rent the 172 isn't that big of a deal, but it adds up.. Quick. Plus, since the 152 was designed as a trainer plane and is so forgiving, you're liable to learn faster in it, potentially reducing the number of hours required for you to become proficient enough to pass your check ride with flying colors. - Just his advice. And I'm just a lowly messenger with 5 hours under my belt (6 tomorrow). Cheers.

Some of us cannot fit in a C152 something about it being made for short skinny people.
 
Some of us cannot fit in a C152 something about it being made for short skinny people.

Im 6 feet tall, 195 lbs.. I rub shoulders with the CFI, but we manage. :D
 
I had another lesson this morning. Was informed that the DPE we were planning on using is going to be going south for the winter. I am moving to South Carolina for a few months, so I was given the option to either 1. Do my checkride with a "harder" DPE, 2. Take a checkride with a different plane/different airport/different everything where I am moving to in South Carolina or 3. Take a long XC south to where the current DPE will be and do it there. 3 sounded like the most fun, but I think 1 makes a little more sense.. I can't imagine a long XC from upstate NY to South Carolina is a great way to start a checkride.

Other than that, had a decent short field landing, my steep turns were adequate, did some engine out drills, and some "enter the pattern" drills. The last one I struggled with slightly.. I entered my downwind way too close to the runway. We left the pattern and came back. Did a nice short field full stop after that.
 
I had another lesson this morning. Was informed that the DPE we were planning on using is going to be going south for the winter. I am moving to South Carolina for a few months, so I was given the option to either 1. Do my checkride with a "harder" DPE, 2. Take a checkride with a different plane/different airport/different everything where I am moving to in South Carolina or 3. Take a long XC south to where the current DPE will be and do it there. 3 sounded like the most fun, but I think 1 makes a little more sense.. I can't imagine a long XC from upstate NY to South Carolina is a great way to start a checkride.

Other than that, had a decent short field landing, my steep turns were adequate, did some engine out drills, and some "enter the pattern" drills. The last one I struggled with slightly.. I entered my downwind way too close to the runway. We left the pattern and came back. Did a nice short field full stop after that.

Where in SC are you moving to?
 
6-1 and 225, I fit Chief. A ***** getting in and out though at my age, 69. :D
But once in, I'm good.

I’d rather spend a bit more and be more comfortable while I’m learning. I find it annoying having to crane my neck around in a 172 to see my wingtips.

The only reason I didn’t pay more to learn in a DA-20 is I feel (and look) like an ape crammed into a shoebox in the Diamond. With the canopy closed there is about .25 to .5 inches between my head and the canopy, not even enough room for a headset.

The good news is I am scheduled for 2 lessons this weekend (in a C172). Bad news is I should be soloing in an hour or so, but I have to wait on my medical for a few more weeks.
 
The good news is I am scheduled for 2 lessons this weekend (in a C172). Bad news is I should be soloing in an hour or so, but I have to wait on my medical for a few more weeks.

Good to hear Chief! Sounds like you're moving right along. Why the wait for the med? Availability?
 
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I’d rather spend a bit more and be more comfortable while I’m learning. I find it annoying having to crane my neck around in a 172 to see my wingtips.

The only reason I didn’t pay more to learn in a DA-20 is I feel (and look) like an ape crammed into a shoebox in the Diamond. With the canopy closed there is about .25 to .5 inches between my head and the canopy, not even enough room for a headset.

The good news is I am scheduled for 2 lessons this weekend (in a C172). Bad news is I should be soloing in an hour or so, but I have to wait on my medical for a few more weeks.
Did you mean to say 152? you're confusing me, what airplane are you actually paying a bit more for?
 
Did you mean to say 152? you're confusing me, what airplane are you actually paying a bit more for?
I am learning in the 172. I didn’t even try to get into the 152, one look and I knew I woukd not be comfortable in it.

As I stated I have to crane my neck to see the wingtips while flying the 172.
 
I am learning in the 172. I didn’t even try to get into the 152, one look and I knew I woukd not be comfortable in it.

As I stated I have to crane my neck to see the wingtips while flying the 172.
OK so you're paying a bit more and are still too snug, I see.
 
Good to hear Chief! Sounds like you're moving right along. Why the wait?

The wait is getting back with my military Dr to show I have no issues with recently started BP meds. My CFI and I have talked about it and our plan is to just keep going with training and I can solo when I get the med straight.
 
The wait is getting back with my military Dr to show I have no issues with recently started BP meds. My CFI and I have talked about it and our plan is to just keep going with training and I can solo when I get the med straight.

Ahh I see. When my civilian Doc put me on HBP medicine he issued the medical to me at the same time. And that was for a First Class when I was flying for an airline. Maybe should have used a civilian AME, might have been quicker.
 
"Ape in a shoebox"... LOL
I'm not laughing at you, I promise. But the visual is hard to shake. Good analogy. And thanks for the Friday morning chuckle.
 
"Ape in a shoebox"... LOL
I'm not laughing at you, I promise. But the visual is hard to shake. Good analogy. And thanks for the Friday morning chuckle.

It’s cool, I laughed at myself when I got in and realized how silly I looked.
 
OK so you're paying a bit more and are still too snug, I see.


Yep, still a bit snug but not too uncomfortable to fly.
If there was a larger aircraft available At the school I’d pay a bit more to fly it. But the 172 is serviceable for me until I get my PPL.
 
So that's a definite 'No' on an Ercoupe, then. Got it. :D
 
Take my written tomorrow. Do not feel as prepared as I should, but I don't think that feeling will ever go away no matter when I take it.

Also a bit of depressing news. I only need my long solo cross country, dual night cross country, and an hr or so of solo practice before I begin checkride prep. But our 152 just hit the 100 hr mark inspection mark and is grounded and won't even go into the shop until December 18th. I am debating asking my instructor if he wants to just switch over to the 172 (we have 2 in our club) and just finish out on that but will most likely just twiddle my thumbs and study for another 3 weeks until she comes out of maintenance. Last 100 hour she was down for 2 weeks though waiting on a prop AD. I would hate for something like that to happen again.
 
Roughly 10 hours into my PPL Training but money is starting to become an issue. - uuu, that's baaad :(
For years I've been paying off all my debt and when my c.score hit over 800, I confidently applied for a massive credit card and started my training charging everything on the card (knowing that work is secure and income is stable to pay off the card in the future).
Without that card, I wouldn't have been able to save enough to start training but whatever I read prior to starting my training about how long it will take, how much it will cost, none of it was true. Don't believe what you read. They say 40+ hours and you are ready, $10-$15 large total and you finished. Bulls**!
I am at 89 hours and little north of 30 grand and only now I reached the point of CR next month. Good thing the excellent score provided a big credit limit but I was surprised how fast the money was flying out the window. Especially here on the west, where CFI rates at $100 per hour, C-172 is almost $170/h.

But the bright side? Credit card is with an airline, I accumulated enough points to take hubby on a fancy multi-city vacation :)

Ps: here's a trick for any of you trying to have the bank increase your credit limit on those cards: a friend of mine said he needed to use my credit card for a large transaction ($5,000) because he was participating in an educational course and his name and card was already on file with the system but he needed a new name/new card to receive some course at a discount. He gave me the 5K, I gave him my cc. He charged the 5K on my card, got access to that course thing he wanted, I put the cash in the bank the next day and instantly the bank raised the credit limit on that card with 3 extra thousands. More flying time for me :D
So if you know someone (you trust) who's about to make a large purchase and they have the cash for that, lend them your card to put the charge on it, pay it back in full the next day and voila, credit limit goes up!
 
@Ronbonjovi I know how you feel, my flight school only has the one plane. So when it went down at about the same point you are, it bummed me out. I used that time to study a lot, and as soon as it was back online I made the commitment to fly 2x a week minimum until I was signed off for the check ride. That worked out great until the check ride got delayed 2x due to weather/conflicts. Personally, if I had the choice I'd switch over to the 172 for a while to keep current. Nicer XC machine anyway...
 
Ahhhhh that felt great!

Did my first solo away from the airport today! :D

Flew down about 15-20 south to one of the practice areas. Did some steep turns (one was junk), s-turns starting from both directions, and some general sight-seeing because I haven't been able to do much of that yet :D

Returned to the airport and proceeded to bounce the landing a little. I had been rounding out high, so a few lesson ago I really focused on NOT doing that and I think I've begun rounding out a little late. It's a fine line, ya know. But it was weird...the slowest, most gentle bounce ever. I let it settle and bleed of energy, then as it started to come down slowly pulled the yoke back and it settled down perfectly. Not my best by a long shot, but I feel like I handled it well.
 
Ahhhhh that felt great!

Did my first solo away from the airport today! :D

Flew down about 15-20 south to one of the practice areas. Did some steep turns (one was junk), s-turns starting from both directions, and some general sight-seeing because I haven't been able to do much of that yet :D

Returned to the airport and proceeded to bounce the landing a little. I had been rounding out high, so a few lesson ago I really focused on NOT doing that and I think I've begun rounding out a little late. It's a fine line, ya know. But it was weird...the slowest, most gentle bounce ever. I let it settle and bleed of energy, then as it started to come down slowly pulled the yoke back and it settled down perfectly. Not my best by a long shot, but I feel like I handled it well.


Congrats. That sounds like fun. I can't wait until I do my first solo.
 
New student pilot here! Just a couple of hours (intro flight, another quick flight with a CFI at my local club in an RV-9A) into it, but I am all in. Meeting with my (hopefully) CFI Monday to go over a plan. He is going to get regional airline training Jan and Feb, but that gives me time to finish up home projects, fill up the plane and CFI bank fund, and schedule time to train several times a week for the first part of the lessons.

I am lucky that I have a private club grass airpark 10 min from my house. 2800' smooth wide grass. Tiedowns are cheap, I can build a hanger later on there if I need, and there are lots of old guys to learn from. One of the members wants to sell half of a 150F and I am going to do it. It will cost me the same or less than renting ($6000) and in the end, I will own a plane (well 1/2 of one) to cheaply fly and keep my skills up. I figure I can sell it later on for basically the same price and upgrade to a 4 seater. Since the owner is keeping 1/2 of the plane and the rest of the guys in the club have given me the all clear in terms of its condition (800 hrs SMOH), I don't have much hesitation. I just did the driving portion of ferrying it over to the mechanic for its annual.

Does anyone else train in a 150 here? I know that it is the most popular trainer and I can't go wrong on that end. Not the best plane to own for cross country or flying a family around later, but it should be around $30/hr wet to fly including insurance and an overhaul fund (autogas STC). Now I just have to trim down the 15 pounds I put on since taking care of my baby boy this past year so I can carry another 2.5 gallons of fuel!

A question for everyone as well. How about EFBs? Do you use an ipad or iphone and either Foreflight or FlyQ? It seems like FlyQ is a great option now that they have an online planner for the computer, $19 membership for student pilots, and work with the $250 ADS-B in devices like Stratux. How do your CFIs handle the use of the new devices. I heard that DPEs usually allow an EFB, but may say that it "failed" during the checkride. Any experiences with that? One story I heard was a guy who had 4 borrowed ipads in his bag and each time one "failed", he pulled out another one until the DPE gave up.
 
New student pilot here! Just a couple of hours (intro flight, another quick flight with a CFI at my local club in an RV-9A) into it, but I am all in. Meeting with my (hopefully) CFI Monday to go over a plan. He is going to get regional airline training Jan and Feb, but that gives me time to finish up home projects, fill up the plane and CFI bank fund, and schedule time to train several times a week for the first part of the lessons.

I am lucky that I have a private club grass airpark 10 min from my house. 2800' smooth wide grass. Tiedowns are cheap, I can build a hanger later on there if I need, and there are lots of old guys to learn from. One of the members wants to sell half of a 150F and I am going to do it. It will cost me the same or less than renting ($6000) and in the end, I will own a plane (well 1/2 of one) to cheaply fly and keep my skills up. I figure I can sell it later on for basically the same price and upgrade to a 4 seater. Since the owner is keeping 1/2 of the plane and the rest of the guys in the club have given me the all clear in terms of its condition (800 hrs SMOH), I don't have much hesitation. I just did the driving portion of ferrying it over to the mechanic for its annual.

Does anyone else train in a 150 here? I know that it is the most popular trainer and I can't go wrong on that end. Not the best plane to own for cross country or flying a family around later, but it should be around $30/hr wet to fly including insurance and an overhaul fund (autogas STC). Now I just have to trim down the 15 pounds I put on since taking care of my baby boy this past year so I can carry another 2.5 gallons of fuel!

A question for everyone as well. How about EFBs? Do you use an ipad or iphone and either Foreflight or FlyQ? It seems like FlyQ is a great option now that they have an online planner for the computer, $19 membership for student pilots, and work with the $250 ADS-B in devices like Stratux. How do your CFIs handle the use of the new devices. I heard that DPEs usually allow an EFB, but may say that it "failed" during the checkride. Any experiences with that? One story I heard was a guy who had 4 borrowed ipads in his bag and each time one "failed", he pulled out another one until the DPE gave up.
Flyq is great, I use it. Stratux costs about 140 to build, build one, if u can't build it, PM me and pay me the cost price and shipping, I will build one and ship to u. My DPE didn't fail iPad. I also told him before the flight that I have panel mounted GPS, iPad is my backup and phone is another backup. He was cool with that. However , my CFI did fail all electronics in mock check ride and had me find airport with VOR and paper chart.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
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