Still working on the PPL

dmcummins · 05-15-2012, 05:50 AM

A little update on my quest to get my pilots license. I'm down to needing the night cross country and 1.5 hours of practice for the checkride. I was scheduled to take my checkride on the 17th, but the examiner canceled and its now set up for the 28th.

I was going to practice on Monday and do the night cross country on Tuesday. But the rental 172's tires were shot, someone must have really put on the brakes, there was a lot of cord and metal showing.

So Ive decided to go ahead and get some dual time in my new Debonair. I don't want to keep spending money on the rental. So Wednesday I'm going to get in a hour or two of dual, and then Thursday night I'm doing the night cross country in it also. That is dual also and my instructor is fine with it. I need to log 25 hours dual in the Debonair for insurance reasons, and I'll need the complex/high performance endorsement.

So it looks like I'll have over 50 hours in, and Ive spent around $8,000 including books, written test, insurance, and various supplies. And some things I really didn't need. Its been fun so far, and It's been more difficult than I expected. My landings are not always great, but I'm getting better. Soft field landings are interesting. And I need to watch my altitude while I'm looking at the maps, but I, and my instructor, think I'm ready for the checkride.

So I had my first lesson in December, took 3 weeks off for vacation, and had some crummy weather. So around 6 month's for a PPL and probably at least another month before I can fly my own plane solo. I could have bought a very nice condo in Florida with what I spent so far including the plane. I'm hoping I use it more though. I'm excited about flying, but the cost do worry me.

So wish me luck, and any tips for the ride.

widgeon13 · 05-15-2012, 06:05 AM

Relax, sounds like you have everything down fine.

Once you get the PPL, the learning begins.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Way to go!

No tips, but the examiner is not there to fail you.

They just want to make sure you know what you are doing before turning you loose in the air. Just do what you've been doing with your instructor and all will be fine.

Have you had a chance to meet with the examiner in person? I think that may be a good idea. That's what we do out here when possible.

I hope to finish my long journey this summer.

Here's a frontal of your Bonanza's younger cousin.

gshase · 05-15-2012, 07:47 PM

I have never had a student fail a check ride. If you screw up and you should know if you do, Say I can do better and ask if you can give it another try. I think the worst thing is to bust the parameter he gives you and you do not realize or think your poor attempt was worthy enough to get your ticket. Most check airmen will try to show you something just to let you know he is a check airman.

gshase · 05-15-2012, 07:48 PM

The national average for a private is 67 hours.

onewhippedpuppy · 05-16-2012, 03:21 AM

I am, and will continue to be, jealous. I have close to $10k sitting aside as my flying fund, but I haven't pulled the trigger on starting yet. With kids sports consuming 3-4 evenings per week, MBA classes, the regular daily grind of work, then projects around the house and garage, I'm seriously concerned about having the time. I'm pretty convinced that in order to be a good pilot, be it student or no, you have to frequently practice. The once a month pilots tend to find their way into accident reports.

dmcummins · 05-16-2012, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I am, and will continue to be, jealous. I have close to $10k sitting aside as my flying fund, but I haven't pulled the trigger on starting yet. With kids sports consuming 3-4 evenings per week, MBA classes, the regular daily grind of work, then projects around the house and garage, I'm seriously concerned about having the time. I'm pretty convinced that in order to be a good pilot, be it student or no, you have to frequently practice. The once a month pilots tend to find their way into accident reports.

I'll be 55 next week and I retired a few years ago. There was no way I had the time when the kids were home and I was working. But I wish I had started earlier, I think it would have been easier as my vision, hearing , and motor skills ain't what they use to be.

I set aside 3 days a week, and it seams like I've been lucky to get in two days with the weather. And when I took a few weeks off for vacation it set me back a little. As I said, its taken me 6 months with 3 days a week set aside, 1 day a month would be tough.

I would consider getting the written out of the way and go to one of the schools that have the accelerated program. Get it in two or three weeks.

dmcummins · 05-16-2012, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gshase

I have never had a student fail a check ride. If you screw up and you should know if you do, Say I can do better and ask if you can give it another try. I think the worst thing is to bust the parameter he gives you and you do not realize or think your poor attempt was worthy enough to get your ticket. Most check airmen will try to show you something just to let you know he is a check airman.

From what I hear the ones who fail here usually do something unsafe. Fail to clear the area, pre flight safety issues or forget the gear in a complex. I know most pass, but I'll be glad when its over.

dmcummins · 05-16-2012, 04:46 AM

And its frustrating to not be able to fly when I want. My instructor cancelled my time today for some reason. Still on for Thursday, going to start early to make up for today. But of coarse the weather is great today. I can't count the number of times that I couldn't fly due to weather on my day's, M-W-F, that the other days were great.

I live less than 10 minutes from the airport. I own a plane and have gas money, and time. But I still have to work with instructors and their schedules. I'll be so glad when I don't have to depend on others.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

I'm comin' over for a ride...

dmcummins · 05-16-2012, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhoward

I'm comin' over for a ride...

Hopefully I'll be able to give you one soon.

Deschodt · 05-16-2012, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcummins

I could have bought a very nice condo in Florida with what I spent so far including the plane.

Yeah but then all you'd have would be a condo in FL... it'd smell musty, cost a fortune to insure for hurricane damage, cost $$$ in property tax, and may not even go up in value...

Instead you got a very good looking airplane and are working to expand your skills and learn to fly... You win. Period ;-)

(also semi-jealous, in that I wanna do it, could do it, but I can't find the time right now to do it assiduously and like you I don't wanna be a "once a month pilot" that ends up being a statistic - it's even worse, a friend of mine whose dream is to buy a DC3 keeps pushing me so I can be his copilot ;-)

cashflyer · 06:30 AM

My tips for DMC:

Relax.

Fly with the confidence that you know what you are doing because your instructor taught you well.

Talk to controllers with confidence. It's also okay to tell the controller that you are on a training flight or a checkride flight - this lets them know to be a little more patient with you and to give you a little more separation if necessary. If asked, tell the examiner you are telling them as a safety measure, which is true.

Talk on the intercom a LOT during the exam when performing any maneuver - explain what you are doing as you are doing it. This helps you get the procedure right, and lets the examiner know that you understand the procedure.

Remember to make clearing turns.

And as my instructor told me, "Don't f*k up."