PPL, OBTAINED!!!
Posted by Barbell_Baker@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 38 comments
80 hours of total time, 213 landings, and 9 months of work has finally paid off! The journey has been challenging and rewarding, and I can't wait to start IFR!
Any-Complaint7103@reddit
Congrats
wt1j@reddit
That's awesome. Unless you're on a strict school program on a tight schedule, for IFR prep I'd suggest spending the next 50 hours if you can just flying solo and the occasional passenger(s). Get used to the surprises that come along and learn from the mistakes you will make. Pick up flight following whenever possible. Fly in and out of charlie a bit. Pick up VFR flight following on the ground. Then if you're feeling ahead of the game start watching some basic IFR stuff on YouTube, take a peek at some approach charts and start to make sense of them with some help from YT. Keep it fun. Then when you're ready dive in and go for it!!
I'm suggesting this approach because IFR is a lot and so was your PPL, and you want to try to keep it fun, but also kinda get yourself on a general trajectory to head towards the IFR world and system. And btw it's totally frikkin worth it. The first time you solo file IFR because you actually have to, and take of straight into the clouds is a rush that words don't describe. You will be addicted.
Congrats!!!!
Cblizy2@reddit
I can’t wait for this
coma24@reddit
Congratulations! IFR involves a lot of procedural knowledge (not just the ability to control the airplane solely by reference to instruments). It lends itself to home sim practice, and it should be possible to obtain your instrument much closer to legal mins. If saving money if of interest to you, I'd encourage you to link into that direction. Used properly, not only will you be ready for the ride in \~40 hours, but you'll also be ready to fly in the system for real, not just pass the test with a DPE.
the_doctor_808@reddit
Instrument had a difficult learning curve but once i got it i actually really enjoyed flying IFR.
Mistah_Fahrenheit@reddit
That’s interesting, what would you recommend for the home sim practice? I’m going for my IFR now but I’m just logging XC time building with foggles with another pilot
wt1j@reddit
Kinda hijacking the top comment here, but I'd suggest XPlane with just a joystick and PilotEdge. Work through the VFR ratings and then the IFR ratings. IIRC the higher IFR ratings won't apply to your instrument rating - I think it's airline stuff. But it's awesome for copying clearances, flying departure procedures, transitioning from en route to approach, learning the G1000 (with some differences) etc. The IFR rating is where SIM training really shines. So. yeah, totally agree with u/coma24
coma24@reddit
The I-Ratings are entirely applicable to single engine piston ops. There used to be a jet-specific rating (the I-9) many years ago, but it was retired.
Otherwise, as someone who is associated with PilotEdge, I'm not about to squawk 7500 on this one, you're all good :)
Frothyleet@reddit
Step 1: fire up your favorite flight sim
Step 2: Turn your monitor off
FilAmStudentPilot@reddit
Are there any sim + equipment one may suggest for Mac users? thanks!
wt1j@reddit
X-Plane 12 on mac and it looks like PilotEdge is supported on mac now too. I used a Logitech joystick and ditched the pedals and yoke I bought because for IFR you don't need it and for stick and rudder stuff you can't really practice realistic crosswind landings with that sim setup. Others here disagree with me but what I've found is the input forces are so different when e.g. you're cross controlled that it makes the sim yoke/pedals useless. I also had the USB round dials and ended up just using those on the screen in the sim plane. Plus I was using G1000 which is totally different. So yeah, just X-Plane, joystick, headset/mic and PilotEdge.
ltcterry@reddit
Congratulations! Well done.
I can't wait to start IFR!
Please wait.
Go fly 3-4 short cross country flights with 2-3 legs each. Or put doglegs in the legs out and back. Go out and do a great job on some solo flights - or at least w/ no CFI or other pilot on board. Gain the competence and confidence that can only come from truly being in command - no wondering if the instructor is going second guess you.
Please do this before you go start spending 40 more hours dual. You will feel better and your CFII with thank you for showing up more skilled than it's just the next dual lesson since the last one. You're different. Act different. Be different.
You can make your instrument lesson into cross-country flights. This is a great time of year to make IFR training happen on night XC flights. You will get better training and your CFII will love logging the most elusive time there is for an instructor.
Imagine there's a nice Class C airport 70 miles away. With some airport in the middle. You can shoot an approach in the middle, then one followed by a landing at the destination airport. Now you're logging XC. Shoot an approach in the middle on the way home and then one back at home.
If you use flight following or actually file IFR then you'll get great experience w/ some real world spontaneity thrown in for free!
Even the first couple "fundamentals" IFR lessons can be XC. Your instructor teaches you scanning while having you climb, descent, and turn left and right 45 or 90 degrees over and over until you can smoothly climb, level off, and descend. Throw in a landing "greater than 50NM" away and it's XC too.
Do the fundamentals before you go shooting approaches/etc.
The idea to shoot an approach each way on the XC trip is not mine. Someone here suggested it to me a couple years ago. I've used it with three IFR candidates since; two have passed checkrides and the third has been reschedule due to Hurricane Helene.
Good luck and learn a lot. Use a good ground school before diving into Sheppard Air's rote memorization for the written. Your life actually depends on it in IFR flying.
Barbell_Baker@reddit (OP)
Sound advice, thank you!
Feckmumblerap@reddit
Congrats! Praying I’ll be in your position soon. stay safe up!
earleakin@reddit
Congrats! Learn Skew T Log P if you haven't already.
studentpilot4life@reddit
Congratulations!
Few-Dance-855@reddit
If you don’t mind me asking - how much did you pay?
Practical-Cat-388@reddit
Hell yah Congratulations!
Fun_Job_3633@reddit
HE'LL YEAH BORTHER! NOW YOU CAN JOIN US ON FACEBOOK IN A FLYING CLUB WHERE EVERYONE ACT'S LIKE BOOMERS AND FLY YOUR CESSNA TO OUR PANCAKE BREAKFASTS HOSS GOBBLESS
Barbell_Baker@reddit (OP)
HELL YEAH BRUTHER ALL IVE EVER WANTED IN LUFE IS TO BE A FACEBOOK AVIATION BOOMER GOLLY I LOVE PANCAKES AND AVGAS
Zacharydawsonn@reddit
Very nice. I passed my PPL check ride a couple days ago.
Avionic7779x@reddit
Congratulations!!!
PutOptions@reddit
Good job and welcome to our exclusive club. Doing my IR now and it is awesome. It is a different kind of hard than PPL. So easy to get behind the plane. A lot of work to do in those last 20 miles or so. Gets super busy.
rickmaz@reddit
Congrats
moonsafari01@reddit
Cheers mate!
PrettyNetEngineer@reddit
Congrats!!
g_man500a@reddit
Congratulations!!
IHGrewardsking@reddit
Hell yeah
AeroTempestOfficial@reddit
Congratulations!
I-LOVE-TURTLES666@reddit
Congrats pilot!
Red_Bengal_Cyclone@reddit
Congrats, similar numbers to what I had. Grind definitely worth it
KickingAround@reddit
Congratulations!
KickingAround@reddit
Congratulations. I'm just curious, are those landings all you or did your instructor do some of them?
Gainz13@reddit
Congratulations!
N703ND@reddit
Congrats!
Ouchies81@reddit
Congrats chief!
NormandysCapt@reddit
Congrats!
rFlyingTower@reddit
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80 hours of total time, 213 landings, and 9 months of work has finally paid off! The journey has been challenging and rewarding, and I can't wait to start IFR!
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