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I’m just curious ... how’s the pandemic affecting your logbook? Personally, I’ve flown very little since March. I tend to fly for social reasons - visit friends and family, see museums, go to concerts, etc. - and almost all of that has ground to a halt. I used to average twice a week. Now I’m...

I remember my dad watching some scare journalism in the 1980s ("60 Minutes," maybe?) about how ultralights were death traps. That was his takeaway. I don't know much about them. Seems like with lower speeds and the ability to land almost anywhere if the engine fails, they'd be pretty safe...

I got my PPL five years ago and bought a Cherokee three years ago. I've flown religiously, once or twice a week, and absolutely loved it ... until recently. Since the start of the year, I've only flown a handful of times. Tonight is a great example. Beautiful weather. Perfect night for flying...

I've watched all the King Schools instrument rating videos and feel pretty overwhelmed about taking the written exam. It's like drinking from a firehose. I know I can do it, but I've got a whole lot of practice tests and more studying before I'm confident I have all the material down. In the...

I just started working on my instrument rating. Bought the King Schools videos and love what I'm learning so far. I've also heard a home simulator can be useful for instrument training, so I bought X Plane and a yoke. (I know I can't log the time ... don't worry.) So far, I've just flown the...

My Cherokee's first annual is coming up in February. Are there any "while you're in there" type upgrades that you'd recommend to do when the plane's opened up? Example: I've been needing some new carpet. Since the seats, etc, will be out for the annual, it makes sense to go ahead and put down...

After buying my first plane several months ago, and finally completing the paperwork to the FAA's satisfaction, I received my registration in the mail today. Yipee!! Until ... I noticed the FAA misspelled my last name on the registration. Ugh. My application was correct. All their...

One of my favorite things about being a pilot has been giving first flights to kids (and a few parents) who've never flown in an airplane before. I've been fortunate to do that several times already, probably because I live in an area where lots of folks can't afford to travel by air. Small...

As I understand it, the FAA test for instrument pilots just got overhauled. Since I'm about ready to start working on my IR, does it make sense to wait a bit for the test prep companies (King Schools et. al.) to update their materials for the new test before I buy? Or does it really matter? I...

So to avoid a ban, here are the pictures of my Cherokee 180.

So I just bought my first plane (YAY!!!!!!) and already want to upgrade it. My secondary nav/com radio is an ancient King box that apparently uses 50 khz spacing (e.g it can tune to 133.40 or 133.45, but not my home field's AWOS frequency of 133.425. I can't hear AWOS when turned to those other...

I need a pre-buy inspection for a Cherokee in Houston. Any recommendations (or shops to avoid, for that matter?) The plane is at West Houston Airport. Feel free to send me a PM.

Forgive me for the newbie question ... but what does this compression check mean? One cylinder is considerably lower than the others on a plane I'm thinking of buying. 600 hours on the Lycoming 180 hp. #1 - 73/80 #2 - 75/80 #3 - 64/80 #4 - 72/80 This was at the last annual in July last year...

I'm in the market for my first plane (see this thread). I plan to do my instrument training in it and, presumably, a fair amount of IFR flying in it after I get my instrument ticket. I'm looking for a plane I want to keep for a good long while and ideally a real four-seater like the Cherokee...

Some of you may recall I've been saving up for my first plane. My plan was to save $60k and buy a $40k plane, leaving $20k in reserve from the get-go (I'm very conservative). Well, here I sit with $57k in the airplane fund and ready to pull the trigger. Obviously I'd like to stick to my...

I'm taking a look at a Musketeer Super III (200hp fuel-injected) in the morning. Might want to buy it as my first plane. On paper, the specs look pretty close to the Archer II, the plane I trained in and the only one I've flown. If the numbers on RisingUp.com are correct, the Super Mouse...

... for a plane to not be flown regularly? I'm shopping for my first plane (fixed gear, IFR rated for me to do my instrument training, decent cross-country machine, preferably with GPS and autopilot under $50k or so ... but realizing I might have to go up in price to get that). And maybe...

I'm getting closer to starting to seriously shop for my first plane, and my wife just brought up a good point: "I don't want you test-flying airplanes when you don't know how well they've been taken care of!" That made me realize that 1) I don't know how the process works when you're shopping...

Just curious ... at what point do most aircraft reach the bottom their depreciation curve? I know they lose value like a rock in the first few years, just like cars, but will often start to level off in price — or even appreciate — in the really long term. Is most of the depreciation finished...

So as I've been saving up money and dreaming about buying my first plane, I've realized a retractable fits my mission the best. I'd love the speed for cross countries and can afford the added maintenance. Plus I plan on getting my IR shortly after I buy it, which should help with the insurance...