Good afternoon everyone!
This is my first post on these forums and I want to start off by saying what a huge load of useful resources I found here. I honestly went through many posts on checkrides and advice that was given on preparing for my checkride. Because of everything I read I figured I would share my story on aviation and the struggles that have been a part of that.
My story starts off in October 2016 I was sitting at around 40 hours of flight time and my instructor was ready to sign me off for my checkride. It was a really special moment for me because all the practice and planning finally prepared me for this moment. I was part of a flight school based out of KHVN. Unfortunately tragedy struck at the sister branch in KBDL and a student pilot lost their life in an accident. At this time the flight school closed their doors during the investigation and about 90% of the CFIs had left including the one I did all my training with. The reason for the crash and accusations that the flight school had told the news really split the community and many people had cut ties with the school.
Despite my CFI leaving we always had contact with each other he finished giving me my endorsements and I was ready but didn't have a plane. The flight school was under investigation and had me on the hook for four months. At this point I didn't fly at all and ended up having to put more hours on with the only CFI left at the school who was very young and dreamed about working for the airlines. He signed my endorsements and I was ready for the checkride again.
The only reason I had stayed with this flight school was because the warriors that I flew were owned by the FBO, the school had owned the tomahawks. That Saturday my 2nd CFI had lost his life in another accident with the same flight school at Tweed airport.
At this point I was completely done, a student and CFI have lost their lives in performing aviation, something that they loved. At this point the FAA and FBI were all over them again.
I completely seperated my self from the flight school and linked up with my initial CFI. Honestly he had helped me through this process of many months and struggles. He had started at a new flight school and new plane at KBDR. It took me some more time to get used to all this and he made sure I was ready. We scheduled the ride and ofcourse it was 1/4sm vis and ovc 003. I ended up calling the DME and we were able to finish the oral that day.
We saved the flight the flight for next week and I couldn't wait. All these months that went by of the struggles, the ups and downs and thankfully after the ride I walked away with my PPL.
I learned many lessons from these past months but I've gotta say the aviation community is a strong knit group of individuals and I'm now getting ready to start instrument training!
Safe flights
Rich
This is my first post on these forums and I want to start off by saying what a huge load of useful resources I found here. I honestly went through many posts on checkrides and advice that was given on preparing for my checkride. Because of everything I read I figured I would share my story on aviation and the struggles that have been a part of that.
My story starts off in October 2016 I was sitting at around 40 hours of flight time and my instructor was ready to sign me off for my checkride. It was a really special moment for me because all the practice and planning finally prepared me for this moment. I was part of a flight school based out of KHVN. Unfortunately tragedy struck at the sister branch in KBDL and a student pilot lost their life in an accident. At this time the flight school closed their doors during the investigation and about 90% of the CFIs had left including the one I did all my training with. The reason for the crash and accusations that the flight school had told the news really split the community and many people had cut ties with the school.
Despite my CFI leaving we always had contact with each other he finished giving me my endorsements and I was ready but didn't have a plane. The flight school was under investigation and had me on the hook for four months. At this point I didn't fly at all and ended up having to put more hours on with the only CFI left at the school who was very young and dreamed about working for the airlines. He signed my endorsements and I was ready for the checkride again.
The only reason I had stayed with this flight school was because the warriors that I flew were owned by the FBO, the school had owned the tomahawks. That Saturday my 2nd CFI had lost his life in another accident with the same flight school at Tweed airport.
At this point I was completely done, a student and CFI have lost their lives in performing aviation, something that they loved. At this point the FAA and FBI were all over them again.
I completely seperated my self from the flight school and linked up with my initial CFI. Honestly he had helped me through this process of many months and struggles. He had started at a new flight school and new plane at KBDR. It took me some more time to get used to all this and he made sure I was ready. We scheduled the ride and ofcourse it was 1/4sm vis and ovc 003. I ended up calling the DME and we were able to finish the oral that day.
We saved the flight the flight for next week and I couldn't wait. All these months that went by of the struggles, the ups and downs and thankfully after the ride I walked away with my PPL.
I learned many lessons from these past months but I've gotta say the aviation community is a strong knit group of individuals and I'm now getting ready to start instrument training!
Safe flights
Rich
