2025 flying goals

I didn't set any goals. TBH last year at this time I wasn't even sure I would continue flying.

I flew 150 hours, made two HXC trips (halfway across the country), competed in aerobatics at 3 regional contests and the national championships, and did some upgrades to my plane.

So I guess I met or exceeded my goals.
 
WDD said:
162 hours on airplane 2025
Avionics installed 6 weeks
A&P Start in Spring 2026, missed Fall
Five Angel Flights
Flew the FISK, and so far no Hoover documentaries
Not doing Commercial
Plane is behaving, and not at A&P as much
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Where did you get avionics installed in 6 weeks?!?!?!?
 
StraightnLevel said:
Fly 100+ hours (did 140 in '24)
Finish and pass intrument rating
Complete a refurb on J35 Bonanza
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Did a bit over 150 hours, and still not done for the year.

Instrument rating completed.

Refurb still not started. Probably will start Q1-26 with interior and paint. Avionics to follow...or shift to a different plane. I really like how the Bonanza flies, but something a bit faster with a 'chute would make SWMBO happier.....

2026 goals will include the commercial cert and at least another 100 hours.
 
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I don't think I logged goals in PoA this year. So much the better, I would have fallen short...

Life gets in the way.

Medical passed w flying colors in January. Thanks Bruce!

I'm going to try and break 110 hours for calendar year '25. I made it to 3/4 events I committed to: Rough River, Gastons and 6Y9. Wish we could get more PoA'ers to make the journey, I think they'd enjoy it.

I was far too sick in January to make it to the inaugural Cedar Mills trip (but still paid for the hotel all weekend!).

Did my trip to Phoenix (favorite flights).

But I still fly Mr Arrow every chance I get :cool:.

Despite the upcoming move to SF I still intend to make 6Y9 and Gastons this year. Due to timing rough river is a stretch, sadly. Hours wise? No clue what my '26 goals should be.
 
StraightnLevel said:
Where did you get avionics installed in 6 weeks?!?!?!?
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FWIW, Skycom in Waukesha did a pretty major upgrade for me in 4 weeks several years ago. Pulled ADF, DME, old separate audio panel and intercom, ERMI/old MFDish thing, radios, GPS, and maybe some other stuff, and all associated wiring. Added GTN 750, GMA 350c (and dual PTC buttons on the yokes), GTX 345, FS510, filled some holes in the panel, relocated HSI slaving controls and some other stuff, refurbed both of my KX-165 nav/coms and put one back in (kept one on the shelf in case that one goes bad)...

3 years later, added a GI275 and tied it to our KFC150, upgraded engine monitor, removed vacuum system (incl. electric backup pump), etc and I think that was maybe one week.

Both were done on time and on budget. They're not going to give you the cheapest quote, but it's at least reasonable and they get the job done right which saves a crap-ton of money in the long run. I'm pretty happy with them.
 
kaiser said:
From last year…



So… 2025
1) Flying: Transition to majority travel trips (I did lots of time building in ‘24)
2) Rating: CFI

Stretch goals:
- Add a client
- west coast trip
- 1500TT
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It's always a lot of fun to look back in time and see where we were with our flying, our goals, and our aspirations. On goal #1, I met this as I didn't do much time building. Though I didn't fly as much as I nearly wanted to. In fact, personal flying was only 120 hrs this year. I didn't make any progress towards #2 at all and have set it on the shelf for the time being. The west coast still eludes me. Interestingly enough, I met the first stretch goal by adding a client (two actually but I think one won't really materialize into much more).

Can't wait to set my 2026 goals!
 
I had no flying goals but ended up with a nice stat line:

- Just over 90 hours, most of it XC going places
- Knocked out the two major ADs my plane has
- Got the plane U.S. registered (it was registered in Canada) with its original N-Number it had from 1960 - 1966
- Got my full, standalone FAA PPL (previously, my FAA certificate was based on my Canadian certificate)
- Had a ton of fun (and spent a ton of money) doing all of the above
 
ColinD said:
- Commercial certificate and possibly CFI
- reach 500 TT
- Stay IR current, try to log as much actual IMC as possible when icing season is over.
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Currently sitting in the FBO decompressing from my successful commercial ASEL checkride. Logbook says 671.1 TT, some of which is actual IMC added this year, and I'm instrument current. :ihih:

CFI in 2026? ASES add-on?
 
ColinD said:
Currently sitting in the FBO decompressing from my successful commercial ASEL checkride. Logbook says 671.1 TT, some of which is actual IMC added this year, and I'm instrument current. :ihih:

CFI in 2026? ASES add-on?
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Congrats!
 
Thanks!

I did my commercial training from the right seat (haven't flown from the left in over a year now - I've taken many passengers, flown approaches in actual, etc.) and I've been trying to talk my way through everything I'm noticing, all the actions I take, etc - act like I'm demoing a maneuver whenever I'm flying. I'm hoping that will all make the transition to CFI slightly smoother.
 

ColinD said:
Currently sitting in the FBO decompressing from my successful commercial ASEL checkride. Logbook says 671.1 TT, some of which is actual IMC added this year, and I'm instrument current. :ihih:

CFI in 2026? ASES add-on?
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Well done! Now get your swagger on and make strong women swoon and get the vapors.

1766504287578.png
 
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ColinD said:
Thanks!

I did my commercial training from the right seat (haven't flown from the left in over a year now - I've taken many passengers, flown approaches in actual, etc.) and I've been trying to talk my way through everything I'm noticing, all the actions I take, etc - act like I'm demoing a maneuver whenever I'm flying. I'm hoping that will all make the transition to CFI slightly smoother.
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This is how I did it. A year flying from the right seat, practicing teaching solo or with humans and pets. It seemed to help a great deal.
 
2025 had just over 100 hrs with my panel taking from Jan - March. Also flew from Southern Missouri to Calgary.
2026 Goals:
- Fly to Treasure Cay, Bahamas
- At least 100 hrs
- NO EMERGENCY LANDINGS
- No major repair work!
- Take my granddaughter on her first flight
 
Katamarino said:
Get the plane the rest of the way to Australia; last year was USA to UK, start of this year should be the remainder. Stops planned in Slovenia, North Macedonia, Jordan, Kuwait, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Christmas Island, and then Australia.
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Success! Have had the 'plane in Perth Australia since the end of April, exploring WA.

Australia map.jpg

2026 should be a quiet year; just one trip planned, a little one out to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
 
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Katamarino said:
View attachment 148385
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Dang! That's some serious XC! I managed to fly across the US last summer, but never got out of sight of land on my trip. Still, it was a year with a lot of flying hours for me. I even managed to squeeze in a stop at AirVenture/Oshkosh on the way home! My initial plan was basically a great circle route in both directions but weather required a LOT more zigs and zags than I had planned. It was still a great experience!

RT-As-Flown.jpeg
 
New goal for 2025. Make it home before 2026.
 
I have been pretty happy with my flying for the past couple of years. I am logging somewhere around 400 hours in a rolling 12 months reasonably consistently, which is pretty good.

However, last year I had lulls in logging Phenom 300 time and some months were pretty sparse. This year I want to be more consistent with my Phenom 300 time. I also want to get current on seaplane time and try to be a bit more consistent with that. While I don’t have great access or need for seaplane time, it is an absolute blast!

Abram Finkelstein
N685AS
 
AvNavCom said:
Thanks to a combination of hard work, perseverance, grit, and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence, I can announce that I met precisely none of my goals.

Maybe next year. :D
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If you set more unrealistic goals, you'll set yourself up for consistency at least. Or if you just don't set any goals, you can meet all of them!

...says the guy who puts "take a nap" on his to-do list so he can take a nap while working on his to-do list...

Jim K said:
Open Cockpit.

That's not a double entendre, but it could be :biggrin:
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Especially when they find out he has to solo from the rear hole... Or something. :dunno:
 
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