Old Guy, New Pilot, New Member

Kenny Lee

Kenny Lee

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Nov 15, 2018
Messages
102
Location
West Tennessee
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Display name:
Kenny Lee
Hey guys. 61 y/o old guy from West Tn/West Ky.

I'm about 7 -8 hours into getting my PPL. I may or may not be able to get my FAA medical. I'm Type 2 diabetic. What I've read says as long as my A1C is under 8.9 they should pass me. One can only hope. I also had a Melanoma removed last year. My doctor claims I'm cancer free, and I'm doing everything they recommend to keep a check on things. My AME sent everything off last week. They say with the holidays and their current back log I probably won't hear anything till after the first of the year. I've done all I can for now.

My mission is to be able to tour/fly cross country. I have family in Texas, and Florida. Yes, I could enjoy a Sunday afternoon flight going nowhere in particular, that's not why I'm learning to fly.

I intend to buy a plane to finish my training, but, I'm going to wait till I get my Medical card. I'm not sure what plan I'll buy, but, I'm 100% sure whatever I buy, I'll eventually upgrade to something faster . As I continue training reality seems to change my thoughts on which would be my first plane, and how soon to upgrade. It seems insurance companies don't like new pilots having fast complex planes.

Like most new pilots I still need to work on landings. Last lesson, 2 of 4 landings were good. I think I could land w/o killing myself today if I were alone. I'd prefer to live through it though. I'm in no major hurry to solo or get my PPL. It'll happen when it happens.

I'm using King's Online Pilot course for my studies. I've learned a lot. But, there is a lot more to learn than I realized. I could probably pass the written today, but, I'll keep studying. I see no reason to take the written if my medical gets turned down.

I will write on here occasionally as my training moves forward.
 
Sounds like you've got a well thought out plan and realistic expectations.

Good luck, and have fun with it.

Won't be long before we can all tell you how to spend money on "the best plane" for you! We're good at that. ;)
 
Welcome to the club, I hope you’re proficient with writing checks. If you’re not, you will be very quick.
 
Welcome. Type II diabetics is not a problem, there is a approved medical list, check and see if your oral medication combination is what’s mentioned there. There is one on AOPA. You will get a SI, then convert to basicmed.

Welcome to the jungle. Buy a real plane, you know where you don’t hang from the wing
 
I never had a problem writing checks. Keeping enough money in the account to cover them has been the issue. Where are you at in Tennessee Ryanb?
 
Welcome,enjoy the journey. You will get plenty of input ,on how to spend your money.
 
Welcome! Myself, I waited until 45 before starting... but eventually pulled the trigger in March. I'm now 41 hours into it, passed the written and preparing for the checkride now. I can't wait to get my wings and buy very expensive hamburgers... :)
 
Ok I'd like ya'lls input. As I stated earlier, whenever I get my medical card, my intention is buy a plane. My first thoughts were like this:

Buy a $30,000-$40,000 plane. I'm training in a Piper Cherokee 140. I know where a local 140 is for sale. Fly it a couple of years, and at some point upgrade and sell the 140. I should be able to recoup all or most of my investment. Then my thoughts changed.

I met a guy on my first lesson that didn't have his pilot license yet. He bought a Beechcraft Bonanza. Ultimately that is the type plane I'd like to fly, as my purpose is to travel, and like most people I have a need for speed. Well, I checked into insurance. Based on the rates I was quoted, it's obvious they think I need more experience before transitioning into this class of plane. I think they are probably right. So, again, my thought process has changed.

I could go back to my original thought process and buy the 140. But dang, that thing is slow. Maybe I need a plane somewhere between the 140's & the Bonanza's capabilities. Cessna 182? Cherokee 1980 maybe? I am training in a Piper.

Of course all of this is dependent upon getting my medical approved. I'd love to hear your experiences and thoughts.
 
Personally, in your situation, I would train in a rental and then buy the more capable machine as your first plane. Insurance shouldn’t be that bad with 100 hours and a PPL. Unless getting access to the rental is an issue, then your Cherokee plan makes sense.

In fact, that’s just what I did. Trained in rental 152 and 172s, then got my mooney after my license at about 80 hours. Insurance wasn’t a big deal.
 
Salty said:
Personally, in your situation, I would train in a rental and then buy the more capable machine as your first plane. Insurance shouldn’t be that bad with 100 hours and a PPL. Unless getting access to the rental is an issue, then your Cherokee plan makes sense.

In fact, that’s just what I did. Trained in rental 152 and 172s, then got my mooney after my license at about 80 hours. Insurance wasn’t a big deal.
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This worked for me, too. Did all training in a Cessna 172, finished PPL then five weeks later bought my Mooney.

My only advice would be to get your Complex Endorsement before buying a Complex Airplane, it will make the first year's insurance much lower.

Welcome to the club, have fun and fly safe!
 
Kenny Lee said:
Hey guys. 61 y/o old guy from West Tn/West Ky.

I'm about 7 -8 hours into getting my PPL. I may or may not be able to get my FAA medical. I'm Type 2 diabetic. What I've read says as long as my A1C is under 8.9 they should pass me. One can only hope. I also had a Melanoma removed last year. My doctor claims I'm cancer free, and I'm doing everything they recommend to keep a check on things. My AME sent everything off last week. They say with the holidays and their current back log I probably won't hear anything till after the first of the year. I've done all I can for now.

My mission is to be able to tour/fly cross country. I have family in Texas, and Florida. Yes, I could enjoy a Sunday afternoon flight going nowhere in particular, that's not why I'm learning to fly.

I intend to buy a plane to finish my training, but, I'm going to wait till I get my Medical card. I'm not sure what plan I'll buy, but, I'm 100% sure whatever I buy, I'll eventually upgrade to something faster . As I continue training reality seems to change my thoughts on which would be my first plane, and how soon to upgrade. It seems insurance companies don't like new pilots having fast complex planes.

Like most new pilots I still need to work on landings. Last lesson, 2 of 4 landings were good. I think I could land w/o killing myself today if I were alone. I'd prefer to live through it though. I'm in no major hurry to solo or get my PPL. It'll happen when it happens.

I'm using King's Online Pilot course for my studies. I've learned a lot. But, there is a lot more to learn than I realized. I could probably pass the written today, but, I'll keep studying. I see no reason to take the written if my medical gets turned down.

I will write on here occasionally as my training moves forward.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the joint. Have fun
 
Kenny Lee said:
Hey guys. 61 y/o old guy from West Tn/West Ky.

I'm about 7 -8 hours into getting my PPL. I may or may not be able to get my FAA medical. I'm Type 2 diabetic. What I've read says as long as my A1C is under 8.9 they should pass me. One can only hope. I also had a Melanoma removed last year. My doctor claims I'm cancer free, and I'm doing everything they recommend to keep a check on things. My AME sent everything off last week. They say with the holidays and their current back log I probably won't hear anything till after the first of the year. I've done all I can for now.

My mission is to be able to tour/fly cross country. I have family in Texas, and Florida. Yes, I could enjoy a Sunday afternoon flight going nowhere in particular, that's not why I'm learning to fly.

I intend to buy a plane to finish my training, but, I'm going to wait till I get my Medical card. I'm not sure what plan I'll buy, but, I'm 100% sure whatever I buy, I'll eventually upgrade to something faster . As I continue training reality seems to change my thoughts on which would be my first plane, and how soon to upgrade. It seems insurance companies don't like new pilots having fast complex planes.

Like most new pilots I still need to work on landings. Last lesson, 2 of 4 landings were good. I think I could land w/o killing myself today if I were alone. I'd prefer to live through it though. I'm in no major hurry to solo or get my PPL. It'll happen when it happens.

I'm using King's Online Pilot course for my studies. I've learned a lot. But, there is a lot more to learn than I realized. I could probably pass the written today, but, I'll keep studying. I see no reason to take the written if my medical gets turned down.

I will write on here occasionally as my training moves forward.
Click to expand...
Are you based at KUCY?
 
Buying a plane now is probably a bit too soon. Your thoughts of flying across the country open up several new possible thread discussions. I can give you our rationale for the 182.

1.) We are getting older so keeping it simple (fixed gear, no fuel pumps)
2.) We did want to be able to fly 4 people and have several times
3.) We can dial back the power when buzzing around the pattern and limit the fuel burn a bit
4.) Definitely wanted doors on each side.
5.) Preferred a high wing.
6.) Wanted a plane with more HP and constant speed prop and the 182 does climb out nicely.
7.) Wanted room inside the plane and there is quite a bit up front and in back.
8.) We do fly into grass strips on occasion
9.) The 182P maybe be boring but it also has just about every STC, etc.
10.) Good availability for parts and mechanics.

...many other planes meet most of those requirements but the 182 seems to check them all. I think if we were in our 30's we would have went for a different plane (not need 4 seats, faster, etc).

Have fun with the training and don't buy anything until the medical is done and behind you.
 
Sinistar said:
Buying a plane now is probably a bit too soon. Your thoughts of flying across the country open up several new possible thread discussions. I can give you our rationale for the 182.

1.) We are getting older so keeping it simple (fixed gear, no fuel pumps)
2.) We did want to be able to fly 4 people and have several times
3.) We can dial back the power when buzzing around the pattern and limit the fuel burn a bit
4.) Definitely wanted doors on each side.
5.) Preferred a high wing.
6.) Wanted a plane with more HP and constant speed prop and the 182 does climb out nicely.
7.) Wanted room inside the plane and there is quite a bit up front and in back.
8.) We do fly into grass strips on occasion
9.) The 182P maybe be boring but it also has just about every STC, etc.
10.) Good availability for parts and mechanics.
Click to expand...

Another option is a C-177B Cardinal. Easier to get into. Better view outside. More room inside. Almost as fast as a 182, but with a smaller engine and less fuel burn. Also, less expensive. Does have a lower useful load, overnights with two are fine, but not with four.
 
Hey cooter. Presently not UCY but probably eventually will be. Right now flying out of Fulton KY.
 
Skydog. Every day I tell my wife my knees feel 61 years old. Rest of me feels much younger, except my legs, back, ....well in my mind I am younger
 
Welcome.
you're just a ways over yonder across the Dam. Holler sometime when you get to solo'n and we can meet up.
And be sure to come to the Rough River fly in next April!
 
Welcome, Kenny. Congrats on pursuing your dream.

I would concur with the advice to wait to buy until completing your training. You'll have a much more complete picture about your needs and wants by that time. Even if they're unlikely to change, your opinions and ideas about the best plane to fit that mission profile might.

I think your odds of getting a 3rd class medical are quite good. There are no "gimmes" when it comes to pilot certification, including the medical, so I'm not suggesting you count your chickens before they hatch. However, I would proceed with the expectation it will work out.

Aircraft ownership is its own steep learning curve. No need to throw that on to the pile while you're learning to fly. Let the rental plane take the abuse, let the flight school handle the operational aspects of keeping it maintained and airworthy for you, and focus your efforts just on what you need to know to get that coveted private pilot certificate.

Good luck, sir.
 
Kenny Lee said:
Hey cooter. Presently not UCY but probably eventually will be. Right now flying out of Fulton KY.
Click to expand...
Nice area, I like Fulton. I’ve done some flying out of KUCY. Welcome to POA!
 
I’m your age and starting out, but wanted to get my medical before I started lessons. I waited 4 months after a deferral, but I got my 3rd Class yesterday. Now I can focus on the flying without the worry of passing medical.

My concern was the possibility of doing the training, getting proficient, and then being grounded for months because of a deferral on my medical certificate.
 
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Congratulations on getting your medical. Now you can concentrate on flying!
 
Not much to update ya'll on. Holidays and other things kept me from flying much. Twice in the last 4 weeks. I'm hoping to get 2-3 a week from here on out. I still land just well enough to not kill myself. It gets frustrating I just can't grasp the last part of the landing, flaring etc. It'll come though. Appreciate all the input from everyone. Still waiting on my medical. When that comes through I'll start searching for a plane. Zeroing in on a C182.

CFI showed me some maneuvers yesterday. Trying to do the impossible turn from 700 FT AGL. He wouldn't have made it, and he was VERY aggressive in trying. Then while at pattern elevation he did a power off to mimic a failed engine. He was on the downwind a bit past the end of the runway. Impressive is all I can say. He had control of the plane of course. Was flying a Piper 140. He doesn't have brakes. He landed pretty fast, no flaps. After he landed he said Brakes. I was calmly sitting there in awe of his control of the plane. He again says brakes. Again I didn't clue in. The third time he got louder and I remembered he didn't have brakes. :). oops.

I'm going to learn how to handle and land this plane if it takes every cent of my kids inheritance.
 
Kenny Lee said:
And thanks for all the responses. I really am listening.
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Ya know Kenny, I was really liking you up until you started complaining about how slow the Cherokee 140 is. It takes an extremely skilled and good looking pilot to fly one correctly, so perhaps your skill set doesn't match the plane.

I'm kidding....sort of. Welcome to the forum.
 
Timbeck2 said:
Ya know Kenny, I was really liking you up until you started complaining about how slow the Cherokee 140 is. It takes an extremely skilled and good looking pilot to fly one correctly, so perhaps your skill set doesn't match the plane.

I'm kidding....sort of. Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...

LOL Timbeck. I can assure you, I'm neither skilled nor good looking. Don't give up on liking me just yet. I might grow on ya.
 
Heh, heh. I WAS kidding and I like your attitude in the first post. Truth be known, I bought my Cherokee to train in because I didn't like the hourly charges my local flying school wanted. My plan was to fly the Cherokee while I built a Vans RV-7 and then sell the Cherokee when it came time to buy the engine. I've since grown quite fond of my Cherokee and put a lot of time and money into upgrading to what I wanted. I'm 80% there. Sure, its a little slow but its fast enough for what I want it to do.
 
Welcome Kenny!

I'm a 62 y.o. new student pilot (American, based in Norway) and still low time flying. Been a lot of hurdles.
I did my MED right away. It went ok.

After getting my MED in order, I flew a little, but found out for me, here in Norway anyway that I had to pass the written before I could solo. So I knew it was so much work (what with regular job, grandkids to look after, etc.) that I spent a pretty long time getting through that. It was all in Norwegian so it was slower going for me. I passed and did well.

So now it's flying.

I wish you luck! I have gotten over my tendency to curse myself for waiting until I was an old fart to learn. I always wanted to fly but as a kid never had the money. So I forgot about it, just one of those things "I won't be able to afford". So when I did, it was a forgotten thing, crossed off my list in my thoughts, until I remembered and thought "damn...I should do this!"

Now I'm not so sure, with time left, that I might have chosen sport instead of PPL. It would have been easier and cheaper, somewhat. But what the hell. I really did want a PPL...
 
Nailed my landings today. Well not exactly nailed it, but they were good, and the CFI didn’t have to nudge the controls any. My best landing today...as I was on final approach I just knew the approach was spot on..the speed was right, winds were calm...just felt right. At the beginning of the flare again, it just felt right, and the thought crossed my mind, why has tjis been so hard? Then it bit me a bit, I didn’t pull back enough at the end, and it settled a bit rough, but not bad.

Just feeling what a correct landing is supposed to feel like...i think I will get it now with a bit more practise.

Now to get through this medical B.S. Heard back from FAA yesterday. They are making be jump through some more hoops. I think I will get there, but, I think they set me back 3-4 weeks longer than I was hoping.

Talked to my CFI about it today. If I had the medical in hand today, I would probably solo in the next lesson or so. As of now I have 10.7 hours logged. Instead of soloing, we are going to work on cross countries, night flights, communications, navigating and practise maneuvers. So I may have 20-30 hours before I solo. So? I am fortunate, the CFI is a friend and charges $0 for his time. I would like to do something tor him but not sure what yet
 
This may be the only post on this forum about a new student pilot struggling with landings. :) Maybe 12 hours into my training. Time before last I thought I had my landings figured out. I nailed all my approaches. Still was struggling with the flare/touchdown a bit, but overall, good landings. No one died and the plane wasn't damaged. I thought I had it figured out..Nail the proper speed, everything else will fall into place. Flew yesterday and for the life of me I could not get the plane low enough. Seemed it kept wanting to just fly. Made all my landings w/o any input from the CFI. Again, they weren't text book. Looking back I have no idea how many RPM's I went into the pattern with. I think I had too many though. It was 2 weeks between lessons. Feel like I need to fly more than that. We're in a hold pattern with my training right now until I can get my medical sorted out. Appointments next week after Christmas with Vanderbilt to give the FAA what they want. I'd guess it'll take two more months to hear from them after I send them the information and test results. I may not solo until I have 40 hours! LOL
 
Kenny Lee said:
This may be the only post on this forum about a new student pilot struggling with landings. :) Maybe 12 hours into my training. Time before last I thought I had my landings figured out. I nailed all my approaches. Still was struggling with the flare/touchdown a bit, but overall, good landings. No one died and the plane wasn't damaged. I thought I had it figured out..Nail the proper speed, everything else will fall into place. Flew yesterday and for the life of me I could not get the plane low enough. Seemed it kept wanting to just fly. Made all my landings w/o any input from the CFI. Again, they weren't text book. Looking back I have no idea how many RPM's I went into the pattern with. I think I had too many though. It was 2 weeks between lessons. Feel like I need to fly more than that. We're in a hold pattern with my training right now until I can get my medical sorted out. Appointments next week after Christmas with Vanderbilt to give the FAA what they want. I'd guess it'll take two more months to hear from them after I send them the information and test results. I may not solo until I have 40 hours! LOL
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No you're not. The PAPI is your friend, as is your altimeter. Plus, watch to see if the runway is coming up to meet you, if it's steady in your window, or if it is going to pass under you.

If you have three or more red PAPI lights, you're too low. Three or more white, you are too high. The ASI should be showing about 500 ft. per minute descent.

If you are too high, you can always pull the throttle back a bit, and pull the nose up, to slow down. Once you are back on track, nudge the throttle a bit, and see what happens.

When you have the plane on a stabilized descent, look at your tachometer. That will be close to where you'll want the RPM to be when you start your final approach.

I never thought it would happen with me, and this is only with flight simulator, so YMMV, but the more landing attempts you make, the more time you seem to have to make adjustments. I've attempted a lot of landings on my simulator, and at first, I had the same issues I had in the plane. Not enough time to make the adjustments, especially during the flare. Now, I have time to do what the experienced pilots talk about.

The experienced hands will tell you when you flare, you pull the nose up a little bit to keep the plane flying level with the runway, and as it settles, pull the nose back a little more, but not too much. Keep doing this, and the plane will run out of airspeed just as it runs out of altitude, and you'll hear the stall horn just as you hear the tires chirp on the runway.

Keep at it. You'll get it.
 
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