[dmcummins]

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.