Familiarization Flight - Didn't Enjoy It
Posted by MainStreetBetz@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 125 comments
After being on a 2 year waitlist with my local Aviation School, I was finally accepted (2 months) which kicked off the process of working towards my PPL. I have some second seat experience in a Phenom and a 172, but was generally just 'looking out the window' the entire time.
Once I was accepted, I began studying two hours daily so that I could understand the basics of flying. I went and got my Cat III medical (with TC now). Yesterday, was my familiarization flight with my instructor. I slept well the night before. He is excellent but I want to be honest, I didn't enjoy it. I mostly felt nothing. I was given the yoke, did some straight and level flight, turns, learned the pattern, started trimming the airplane, etc etc. I found taxiing to be the most difficult. I was in sensory and checklist mode the entire flight, with occasional flashing bouts of fear during the flight. I was calm and was able to complete the requested tasks.
When we returned to the FBO, the other students were excited and mentioning how thrilled they were. I didn't feel this. I didn't really feel anything other than the realization of how little I knew and how much work was ahead. I asked my instructor for feedback and readings.
To any pilots out there, did you have this same experience? I am still studying and prepared to doggedly pursue this every single day - but I have not had a lifelong dream of flying. I am a business owner and am interested in the freedom of travel that a PPL will provide. I also find the procedural nature of aviation attractive. But honestly, I did not feel any sense of thrill, joy or excitement after my first dual.
Crusoebear@reddit
What country is this?
123456789simerk@reddit
i didnt start really enjoying it until about 10-15 hours in, I was just too stressed to really enjoy myself lol. Am now a CFII for what its worth
Santos_Dumont@reddit
Learning to fly is like learning to drive a car but in 3D. Is it exciting? Yeah when you’re 16 and this means actual freedom to go anywhere you want for the first time in your life.
Adult you would gladly pay someone else to drive.
I’m at the point in my life where adult me would rather pay someone else to fly most of the time.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I travel a lot for business. I am hoping that the PPL will eventually lead to an IFR rating.
Santos_Dumont@reddit
I get it. I have the same use case, bought a plane and did IR and everything… and then ultimately just moved into the city because its way easier to ride the airlines to business meetings than keep up with the training, maintenance, and hope to not get my wings ripped off by a thunderstorm.
Did I prove to myself I could do it? Yes. Was it worth all the effort and blood/sweat/tears? Yes.
Persevering in flight training also gave me the grit and courage to improve other areas of my personal life.
soupondaroof@reddit
Honestly there will be so many setbacks and difficulties along the way, that unless you have that fire in your belly it’s unlikely you’re gonna get all the way to whatever your goal is.
You may well be one of the outliers who achieves it anyway, and only you can decide that, but most people I’ve known throughout this process who didn’t have their own versions of “why” they wanted to get there, ended up not getting there or quitting when times got tough. Are you really gonna be happy your building to potentially 1500+ hours if you’re not enjoying the time you’re in the plane? Granted no one finds that particularly fun, and everything just becomes a job, but I think for me personally, without that underlying passion this career would take too much from me and not give me enough back.
flythearc@reddit
I think they’re just looking to get their PPL for their own travel (which would probably lead to commercial) but it doesn’t sound like OP is pursuing the airlines.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
This exactly.
FridayMcNight@reddit
It's obscenely expensive and moderately dangerous. If you don't even like it, you could save that time and money and spend it on something else you hate.
Physical-Program-509@reddit
Because OP is either too rich, stupid, or proud to admit this isn’t a great idea
Gabriel_Owners@reddit
Owning an airplane with a PPL to travel is about the least efficient and least economical way to travel. You'll be extremely limited in what you can plan on doing because of weather, maintenance, ground transportation, etc.
I sold my airplane because it was the literal most expensive possible way to get anywhere.
You don't fly around as a PPL to travel efficiently or economically. You do it because you LOVE it.
soupondaroof@reddit
Yes, my mistake
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
You are hitting upon something that is swimming in my head. If I don't truly enjoy it, is it the right move? Everything that is happening in that cockpit is unnatural to me, so really my focus was on all the things that needed to be done. My goal is to achieve my PPL and purchase a small plane that will give me the freedom to travel. The setbacks won't deter me, I have had many in my life.
unable_compliance@reddit
To me it sounds like you’ve spent so long preparing for and anticipating the moment that it fell short of your pre conceived ideas and expectations. 2 years on a waitlist to get started is a wild concept to me.
Maybe you felt all of that work you put in meant you were going to be perfect and you weren’t, that’s completely normal.
And you’re right, the cockpit is an unnatural environment. Period. We only have these flying contraptions because man decided to push the limits of what was possible.
It’ll feel strange, and there’s a lot going on, but guess what? You’re a student, not a master. Your instructor expects you to be at least 15 steps behind the aircraft at the moment.
If moneys not a hurdle, give it a few more flights. Let the fear of the unknown pass, get a little more comfortable, and re assess.
T-1A_pilot@reddit
Well,on one side - yeah, it's going to feel unnatural. By and large, we're creatures designed for low-speed, one gravity within about 10 feet of the ground... even driving takes some getting used to, flying takes about 100 times more getting used to.
On the other side... well, to be honest, I don't know anyone as a pilot who wasn't there because they very much wanted to fly. It's expensive, can be uncomfortable- and frankly if you're doing it to make travel easier i think you're in for a rude awakening: if you're talking affordable single engine planes, they don't go all that much faster than a car at highway speeds. Once you factor in planning, preflight, and travel to/from airports, my experience is driving isn't too much slower and has the advantage of being able to stop and pee a lot easier.
It seems like if you really aren't excited by this, you're spending a lit of time, money, and effort on something you may not appreciate or enjoy.
Then again, something brought you towards airplanes... was it really just easy travel, or was there anything else there?
soupondaroof@reddit
I think the freedom to travel is somewhat overblown with PPL, depending on where you live and the airspace around you, of course. But for most, it is prohibitively expensive, and that expense can never really be rationally justified. It’s a bit like fast cars, if you love them, and you’re passionate about it, you’ll spend the cash. If that love goes, you end up hating the things.
Flying is the same, if it doesn’t give you the fizz every time you walk out to your plane to go flying, you’ll hate yourself every time you have to spend a fortune on a mechanical failure, overhaul, or insurance.
You sound pretty well sorted financially, so at worst you do 5-10 hours and realise it’s not for you. Or, you suddenly catch the bug once you’re getting towards your first solo or something. I must say, I only really realised how much I love GA flying on my first cross country solo as I was flying in smooth air on a beautiful evening. I’d never felt so lucky in my life
NumbersRLife@reddit
Maybe its just one of those things you thought you'd enjoy, but ended up not enjoying. You would be putting a lot of time and energy into this. What else is life for, other than to spend your time and money doing things you enjoy.
Unless of course you just look at it as a means to an end. Is the job of flying worth the time saved? Is the expense worth the time saved? Is the work of renting/buying/storing/insuring worth the time saved?
Aggravating-Treat190@reddit
I had the same didnt love it but also didn’t hate it just went into it for the money but over time i learned to really enjoy it I just had my 300nm flight I went up to white horse in the yukon and spent the night now all i can think about is becoming a bush pilot
AntJo4@reddit
If you were bored wanting to land, stop. If you were interested but not excited, give it a few lessons, but give yourself a check in point. Don’t love it in say 5 lessons, stop. You don’t owe your past self anything, you have to be honest with your today.
JSTootell@reddit
I did a two hour flight recently. After the flight I mapped it out and the flight saved me 10 minutes. I did a 4 hour flight and it saved me... nothing, after I stopped for fuel. Both flights still required going to the airport and doing a preflight.
My plane is very slow. But, it's arguably less freedom compared to driving.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
What are you flying?
JSTootell@reddit
Greatest shitbox in the sky, Cessna 150!
flythearc@reddit
I took a more practical approach about learning to fly rather than emotional. I wanted to become a pilot, so I set out to become a pilot. I’ve had moments where it’s been a little frightening or made me nervous. I think it sounds very based that you are more focused on what you don’t know, and if anything, that seems like a good marker that you’d be a good student. It may change for you and feel more fun once you see the components you’re learning coming together, and you’re executing the concepts that you learned on paper. A bit of a financial risk given that this may or may not prove to be true and it’s expensive to train.
As far as not feeling what others feel, I was like that for most of my training. People in this sub say not to become a pilot if you’re focused on money, but that’s exactly why I became a pilot and I love my job and my lifestyle because of it. People have told me if I don’t have a passion for it, then I shouldn’t be in it. But it turns out I’m a great procedural pilot and most people at my airline also don’t care about flying in their free time. Personally, I think you should keep going and see how you feel once you’re able to gain some technical skill and proficiency.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
This is great and I appreciate you taking the time to post this. This is essentially how I feel and I am approaching this very procedurally. A few realizations that hit me last month: 1) The volume of information required is enormous, 2) This is a lifelong commitment, not a 'not a nice to have', 3) The only way to learn is through repitition of tasks.
You know the feeling when you are driving your car in heavy fog and you are completely locked in and focused. This is how I felt.
More-ponies@reddit
Except you said you were doing it for fun. Big difference than what she described?
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I am doing it for freedom of travel. Would eventually like to get my own SR22 or SF50 if things work out.
More-ponies@reddit
I’m with some of the other commenters, obviously it’s your journey, but I think the reality vs the dream is going to be tough to reconcile.
flythearc@reddit
Haha yeah, that’s very normal to feel when you’re learning anything new in aviation. We speak often about how your awareness expands as you start to get comfortable.
My first take off in a jet was out of New York and my friend asked me if it was beautiful flying over the city. My response “I have no idea, I saw NOTHING but the screen in front of me!”
The amount of information is enormous, but you’ll get things down and spend the rest of your life fine tuning it. It is a big commitment, but you can put it down and pick it up as you’d like, you just need to make sure you’re proficient again before going up my yourself. Getting a proficiency check with an instructor when you’re rusty is a good way to go. It can be both a lifelong commitment and a “nice to have” :)
TechnicalSection4936@reddit
This was my experience after my first flight lesson. I felt indifferent about flying. My parents will still tell everyone about how I thought flying was so boring after my first flight. Time went on and I gave it another try about five years later because there was no skydiving dropzone near me and I figured I’d give flying another try. My first flight five years later was way better and I actually loved it. Now flying is my whole life.
Significant-Pen-2274@reddit
It's time to ask yourself if this is the best way to go. If you don't enjoy flying, you're going to hate writing the big checks and doing all the work that flight training entails. If you have a good business case for an aircraft, you might be better off leasing something turbine-powered and hiring a pilot. As a VFR pilot with a single-engine airplane, there's going to be a lot of times when business trips aren't going to happen because of weather. Not that flying is always going to be "thrilling"; I joke that I'd rather not have an adrenaline rush in an airplane, because that usually means things have gone to hell in a handbasket.
Not trying to gatekeep here, it's just something to think about. Sometimes the love and enjoyment of flight is the only thing that keeps us shelling out the money to do it.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I'd like to get my IFR eventually if things go well. You are correct though, it was never my childhood dream to fly. I have assigned almost no emotion to the experience other than it is a means to an end.
jpscreener@reddit
You should read this guy's blog post, he used to teach out of YTZ (lots of DT executives as clients I'd gather) and be realistic about what GA flying is about. The singer of the Bare Naked Ladies has an SR22T now; social media isn't everything, but he seems to broadcast the image that he likes flying first and getting around is a nice bonus (and of course money is no factor to him) -- his Wikipedia would corroborate a keen interest in flying
https://alecmyersflighttraining.com/info/what-are-you-going-to-do-after-you-get-a-ppl/
https://www.instagram.com/barenakedpilot/?hl=en
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
One of his friends flies out my FBO and does YT videos, I think his name is Flight Chops. They have done a few collabs together.
Significant-Pen-2274@reddit
Understandable. It wasn't a childhood dream for everyone. You might do a few hours of training and see if it grows on you.
Affectionate-Let-979@reddit
A bit like you, I didn’t feel excited at the beginning either. More fear than anything else, and a strong realization that I know nothing and that maybe this just isn’t for me.
I can only fly once a week, and the first 5–6 flights were honestly just unpleasant. Even while studying, I don’t understand everything. I struggle to memorize things. It feels like too much information. I’m terrible at this and not made for it. What am I even doing here?
My 7th hour was much better, though. Everything is starting to feel less overwhelming, and I can almost enjoy the experience now.
You’re potentially starting a 60-hour training journey, so give it a little time before forming an opinion. Not everyone falls in love with it instantly.
MikeOfAllPeople@reddit
Honestly flying as a hobby really is kind of a chore. I find I can only do it in spurts then have to take long breaks. If I hadn't started in the military I don't know that I would have stuck with it. When it's your everyday job, it's a lot easier to devote the mental bandwidth to it.
That being said, you can certainly find satisfaction in your hobbies without finding joy. I used to run marathons and I never experienced this mythical "runner's high" I always hear about. But I found the work rewarding if not enjoyable. You may eventually find that you find instructions, or flying around friends to be rewarding.
But it's also super expensive and time-consuming, or it might just not be the right time for you. So don't be afraid to change your plans.
bailaowai@reddit
This must be ex-US. I don’t understand how you get all the way through application and a 2 year wait before you have your first discovery flight. Seems extremely backwards. I can’t help here; I’ve loved every second of being in an airplane for nearly 30 years now.
AlexJamesFitz@reddit
I don't think everyone loves it immediately, but if it really did nothing at all for you...eh.
I'd also be realistic about the ease of travel with a PPL, especially without an instrument rating. It's possible that it makes some trips easier/quicker, but it's sometimes unreliable. Weather and mechanical issues will be hurdles outside your control.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I would like to get my IFR down the line, once I put in the flight hours. I don't want to be one and done, but I am not interested in becoming a commercial airline pilot. I am in my late 40's and not looking to start a new career.
Technojerk36@reddit
No comments about your lack of love at first sight, maybe you'll like it more after a few lessons, maybe you'll drop out after burning a couple thousand dollars (not a big deal in the grand scheme of things).
However, you must really do your research into what the reality is of traveling using GA. A group 3 is going to be basically mandatory if you want to fly anywhere but our winters also mean you lose like half the year unless you have a very capable plane.
Now this depends entirely on your budget, but for most people something that is winter+IFR capable is out of reach. GA in our country does not make for quicker or faster travel. (Again unless you have a very capable plane).
SpatulaWholesale@reddit
I always wanted to fly. I've played flight simulators since the 80s, and always look up when I hear a plane.
In my early 20s I took a glider experience flight and loved it, but alas.. no money.
In 2006, at 38, I moved 10 minutes from a local GA airport and I had enough money. I took an introductory flight, fully expecting to sign up and learn to fly.
The instructor was great. We did a pre-flight, walking around the little Cessna, sumping tanks, checking tires, pitot tube, etc. Making sure the parts that are supposed to move do, and the parts that aren't, don't.
Then I started it up, taxied, took off, flew, and landed (almost). Taxiing was tricky... Especially as the taxiway undulates, you have to anticipate needing brakes on the downhill. Take-off was thrilling. I took my hand off the throttle when I was told to keep it in. My bad. I did shallow and steep turns. Trimmed... In fact I got confused with trimming and ended up with quite a bit of control force as I tried to trim it out the wrong way. I told the instructor and he took care of it. It certainly woke me up.
He demonstrated a stall. The feeling of literally falling was quite a shock, but it was great.
For landing, I flew it down to about 10 or 20ft before he took over for touchdown. Epic. Then I taxied back to parking.
The only thing I really didn't like about the flight was the 1970s Cessna. I didn't like how old it looked, outside and in. It didn't fill me with confidence, even though as I understand it that was Cessna's peak production decade so they're everywhere. And strict maintenance schedules mean they continue to be safe.
What was the aftermath?
I didn't proceed. I had a realization that day, and it wasn't about flying. It was about pre-flight. It was about weather briefings. It was about safety. It was realizing that I loved the idea of flying, but I had no interest in the discipline needed in the not-flying parts. Not skipping the pre-flight. Not getting a weather report. Not choosing to stand-down upon marginal weather. Not diverting when you should.
I realized that I'd probably get myself killed, and I have no business anywhere near the controls of an airplane.
It was quite a sad realization. Now I fly in VR and I love it. I'm happy I did that flight... as it took it off the wish-list.
LonelyExpression4973@reddit
Fair play to you.
acfoltzer@reddit
Hats off for the self-awareness. Ironically, it would make you a better pilot! I'm glad you're still enjoying aviation through other means.
SpatulaWholesale@reddit
Ha, thanks.
emmie-claire@reddit
Consider the time you spend flight planning, driving to the airport, preflighting the plane, flying the plane, driving from the destination airport to where ever you're actually going...the window where it makes more sense than just driving there, and also makes more sense than the airlines, is actually pretty narrow. And that's before you get into weather, reliability, other wrenches that can get thrown into the mix. If you aren't enjoying yourself I don't see the point. Not saying OP should give up, just that they should ask themselves what they want and expect to get out of it.
Heavy-Lake-7376@reddit
lol. Who the hell waits 2 yrs for a fam flight
Harry73127@reddit
excuse my ignorance but how in the world can a flight school have a waitlist at all, nevermind a 2 year one? My local Part 61 is a revolving door of people passing checkrides and immediately being replaced by new meat.
Ok_Relationship_335@reddit
I had almost this exact experience.
I was never really an aviation nerd, but was in a highschool program (CAP) when I started flying. They give cadets 5 “orientation flights” where students fly right seat, and on each flight students get progressively more control. It wasn’t until my 5th o-flight that I kinda liked it. My first solo was the first time I confidently decided that I wanted to get my PPL.
I’m at 225hrs now, and flying gets more fun with every flight. The more the checklists become second nature, the more I can really appreciate the experience. There’s also something very different about flying solo for me.
YMMV, but I’d say give it until your first solo.
HateJobLoveManU@reddit
wtf is “sensory” mode?
melintheskies@reddit
I remember when I first started, I was fucking terrified. It took me about 10 hours to get used to everything, but after that, I really loved being in the cockpit. I think when you've been looking forward to something as long as you have, you think you'll feel different once you actually do it. Flying to me now feels akin to driving a car, but it's still really cool, and you kinda just have to keep reminding yourself how cool it is. Eventually you may come to love it.
Imo you need a "why" besides freedom of travel, because flying a small plane doesn't really give you that much more freedom vs flying commercial
urban_tribesman@reddit
You’ll feel a lot more in a helicopter, just saying. I had the same underwhelming experience in a 172, never did it again.
Jzerious@reddit
2 year waitlist is crazy to me
ExpensiveCategory854@reddit
I didn’t like it at first either. In fact, I quit at about 6 hours in.
I spent 29 years looking up, seeing, hearing planes overhead and wondering what if.
Went flying again this time with my son on a young eagles flight while he was a scout. Aside from the thermals I loved it.
I wasted almost 30 years wondering and it hit me like a ton of bricks. 2 years later I’m an instrument rated pilot, working on a commercial rating because I like to learn and wasting money. But damn is this hobby addicting.
I’ll never live life with regret. Never.
jaylw314@reddit
I don't think your experience is unusual. This is not the start of your professional life, it's you deciding whether a hobby or activity is worth investing the time, effort and money into.
I'd certainly suggest sticking it out for now, but if you find it's not your things, don't let it push you to get your ticket if you don't end up enjoying it. Just don't forget to look out the window and enjoy the view that you're making
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I am going to breathe it in a little more on tomorrow’s dual. Thank you for this.
evanston267@reddit
Honestly, it was refreshing to read your post @mainstreetbetz.
I was somewhat in the same position as you. Time on the sim plus extensive (10+ hours in light aircraft with family and friends). Knew I wanted to be a professional pilot - but questioned it with my first instructor dual. Was underwhelmed.
It took a few lessons to get the challenge there and then after a few less than perfect lessons, I was hooked. I wanted to succeed. Once the first solo, I couldn’t dream of anything else.
For me, the inability to hold a 1st class medical (at the time in the 90’s) killed my chances but I stayed in aviation, got my PPL and then ultimately VP of ops at a major carrier. I now fly purely for fun (and a bit of work) and live a great life and successfully manage home plus a flying addiction. Don’t let your previous experience jade you. You know flying can be a challenge and it will come. And with the challenge comes more enjoyment.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I will forge on and commit to the process. Thank you for the words of encouragement!
legitSTINKYPINKY@reddit
It can just be a job🤷♂️
-Cheebus-@reddit
People on Reddit love to romanticize flying as this life changing experience that you can NEVER succeed at unless you LOVE flying with every fiber of your being.
That’s bs, plenty of people don’t love every second of it, see it as a career path and still succeed. Plenty of people make it as truckers and don’t need to live and breathe trucks and be obsessed since birth.
PS. How can taxiing be the hardest part? What’s hard about that?
Being_Vegetable@reddit
Taxiing was hard for me on my discovery flight. Steering with your feet is weird before you get used to it. Plus the instructor I was doing the flight with controlled the throttle and had me ripping down the taxiway like a bat out of hell.
elchet@reddit
I struggled with my first taxiing because feet but also I’m 6’3” and in a 152 even with the seat fully aft I couldn’t use the pedals comfortably or with any kind of fine control.
Tuhks@reddit
Tip for taxiing - look down the taxiway a good distance, not at the pavement right in front of you. For some reason it helps with the tendency to overcorrect back and forth. You will hear the same advice for landing (eyes to the end of the runway)
rckid13@reddit
This is a good tip for driving as well. It always amazes me how many drivers drive right up to an obstacle or lane closure and then act flustered when they see it at the last second. I saw it a mile ago. People need to look further out in front of them.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I was either too gentle or too aggressive on the rudder pedals which had me snaking around the yellow line.
Soft_Priority4153@reddit
I learned everything in an RV-12. It has a caster wheel for the nose with no steering capability but with the brakes!
You guys with a steer-able nose wheel got it easy.
FridayMcNight@reddit
Everyone has that experience. We're not used to steering with our feet. It takes getting used to. But also, ground steering on a 172 is complete ass.
imme267@reddit
Exactly my thoughts. I’m finishing up commercial now, got into aviation to switch career paths from a career I hated. Flying is a ton of fun, but I’m not in love with general aviation the way some folks on here are. I can point out a piper, Cessna, or cirrus on the ramp but have 0 knowledge of all these types of GA aircraft. No interest in getting all these endorsements or other side quests that GA folks love.
You don’t see lawyers out on their days off doing cases for free for the love of the game, it’s just their career that they are doing to get paid for. I see aviation the same way.
Coaralis@reddit
Agreed 100%
During my training, I would sometimes take a break, got burnt out and sick of aviation in general. I always came back to it and enjoy it more often than not, so I know it’s right for me.
End of the day it’s a job for most of us, if not your constantly learning/training, maybe a few leisure flights here and there, and it’s OK to be tired of it sometimes, doesn’t mean it’s not for you. Same can be said for any profession or hobby.
Soft_Priority4153@reddit
Simulator flying and IRL flying is very different (obvious, I know!)
I got into GA flying because of MSFS. I bought a yolk and rudder pedals and an eye tracker. Thought it was so much fun that I spent 15k to get my license.
Now, I dont have enough money to realistically buy and maintain a plane, and I dont like reserving a rental months in advance just to get grounded by weather. And flying on the simulator doesn't have the appeal it used to.
I'm like a greyhound that caught the electronic rabbit.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I am fully expecting it to cost me $30K. I am doing a 30 minute brief and 30 minute debrief with each lesson at my request. I am expecting that it will take longer than average for me to get the hang of things.
Soft_Priority4153@reddit
Based on that, I actually doubt that it will. Flying is the easy part.
The most frustrating part of learning to fly was when I couldn't do it as fast as I was expecting. I had temper tantrums (sometimes in the air with CFI flying) because what was so easy for them with 700+ hours under their belt I couldn't seem to get my body to do what my mind wanted. (48M)
Your realistic approach to this will get you far. It won't be what you expect. It is hard. But a clear, calm wind day at 7500ft in a small plane is something most people never experience.
And a nickle's worth of free advice: when you start to get tired of the pattern work, steep turns, slow flight and stalls. Spend the money and tell your CFI that the two of you are taking a trip. Fly somewhere you haven't before. But. Just. Fly. There's nothing like it.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I would actually love to do this. He mentioned to me that there is a flight school a few hours North of us that he instructs at. He said that the views are breathtaking. Maybe I will ask to fly it with him this Summer. I would be happy to foot the expense for the experience of this.
Soft_Priority4153@reddit
Don't worry... you will pay. 🤣🤣🤣
dark_troy_10@reddit
I would drop the hobby if you really don't love it or have a very specific reason why having your own plane is required.
I own a plane. It's like a second hobby to flying. You have to maintain it, keep up with required FAA mandated changes, deal with insurance, hangars, upgrading the plane... It's more like owning a house than a car.
I own a plane because I like flying, I have two big dogs that make flying commercially non viable, there are places i have plans to go that you can only reach by plane, my wife's family is 7 hours away by car but 2 by plane... i have lots of reasons that owning a plane makes sense.
Let's not forget it's dangerous if not taken serious. It's a skill that must be maintained.
If you have disposable income, fly charter or just upgrade to first class. You'll be happier.
mustang__1@reddit
I think that if you want to fly "for fun", and not become an ATP.... you have to enjoy it.
I only fly "for fun". If I get to fly for a "mission" (vacation, work travel, etc) to "justify it", that's a bonus. And even then, it's a pain in the ass.
It's fucking expensive. It's a colossal pain in the ass. It's expensive.
You're not likely to have any "Freedom to travel" unless you own an airplane. That's expensive. It's also a pain in the ass. You can make it less of a pain in the ass if you pay people to do things. Time for annual? Likely need to go somewhere else, now you need transportation back - and again to pick it up. Unless there's mx on the field - but maybe they're expensive, or you don't trust them (have had both, and both at the same time).
You need to fly enough to be safe. So that means sometimes you go up for the sake of flying. Do some laps, do some approaches, etc.
Let me say this up front, if you don't have your IR and you want to go farther down range than you can reasonably get a rental and drive home with, you are guaranteed to have weather that will make it difficult. Especially on the way home. Even after you get your IR, it can be a pain in the ass (lightning, 40kt winds, ice, fog).
That said, I fucking love it. I do lots of sailboat racing, and for years I would use the plane to get from Philly to Rhode Island, Maine, Maryland, etc. To fly over all that goddamn traffic in CT, drop in to an airport a quick uber or bus ride from where I need to be... Love it. Hell, there's no way I'd probably get to Maine without it (and that nearly caused some issues with thunderstorms). Absolutely amazing to leave work, get to the plane, and fly out.
Aside from the time I had a leaking gascolator dumping fuel on the ground, or the attitude indicator never got hard after tickling the mags. That said, I actually had a pretty good dispatch rate over the last ten or more years. I did get stuck in Newport once because of thunderstorms overnight. And one flight I definitely shouldn't have done due to wind. And another because I was too damn tired. Life lessons... Sometimes you need to trade luck for knowledge.
I've gone to see family, gone to random places I wouldn't drive to but also can't take an airliner to (nor would I pay for). I've seen amazing sunsets, attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion, I'll never get tired of watching a runway appear out of the clouds at minimums, etc.
But, every flight takes time. Sometimes a week before a major trip I'll start seeing signs it might not happen or might be problematic. Last year we wanted to go to Ohio to see friends. Planned the date a few weeks out. A week before, it's looking cloudy and windy. Lots of mental energy spent on "will I be able to go?". Ultimately... no. It was 200ft ceilings and 20-30kts. fuck that. 0/0 along the way, too.
My dad flew for his business for decades in a 201. Crisscrossed the country several times. It certainly can have its' utility value. But, it can also be a pain.
so, all that said... I think you need to enjoy it to justify it. Unless you're buying a cabin class airplane and hiring a pilot, it takes too much effort otherwise.
You might enjoy it more as you fly more. But if you don't... I dunno.
FuckRedzMods3000@reddit
aka i went for a joyride and sat there lol
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Pretty much. Had a chance to get a feel for some of the radio calls and avionics on the Phenom. But yeah, wasn't really paying too much attention - was just trying not to talk over any radio calls with our tail number.
FuckRedzMods3000@reddit
hell yah man thats awesome and super cool just dont be the dude that puts that in the log book lol
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
lol ... that never even crossed my mind but I bet people have done it before.
LilJimmster@reddit
Go do some aerobatics and then see if you feel something! Haha
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Haha not for me :)
NYPuppers@reddit
a PPL does not provide freedom of travel except in niche circumstances. and even then you will want a IFR rating and a plane that you own or share or have very easy rental access to (rare). just be realistic that if you dont enjoy flying to fly, its a very inconvenient and expensive thing to do.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Definitely would like to pursue an IFR rating if everything works out
Dizzy-Ad-9061@reddit
Man it’s good to be enthusiastic but it sounds like you need to ease up a bit and not be hard on yourself. Also it’s hard to give feedback on an intro flight, there really isn’t much to debrief tbh it’s just something for you to get a taste of what it’s like before the work starts.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Let's see what tomorrow brings!
dilemmaprisoner@reddit
I did it more for the challenge than for the thrill of flight. I still do it mostly for loving the challenge, loving the travel, and I love seeing the earth from the sky. But no real thrill of flying itself.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Do you regret it? Are you planning on getting more ratings?
Mehere_64@reddit
Give it a few more flights and if you still don't like it I would say bag it and spend your money on something else that interests you since you stated you are in your late 40s.
Flying an airplane is about procedures. At first you are going to be wondering how you can keep up with everything going on. Don't believe for a second that you are the only one that feels overwhelmed. My daughter has started taking lessons and she feels overwhelmed with things too. What we have done is gone out and I will have her sit in the front seat and I will sit in the back seat. We will go through the procedures of what she needs to do from startup to shutdown.
I am trying to get her to develop a flow of the steps to be done and then backup those steps by reading back through the checklist.
Best of luck.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
The procedures are the part I take to the most.
Denim-Luckies-n-Wry@reddit
If you are looking for freedom of travel, you are better off buying airline tickets, or cruising around in a really nice, high end RV.
A Private Pilot license with low hours and no Instrument rating will ground your plans far too often -- or worse yet will compell get-there-itis, which has been many a tragic story.
Even when you have your Instrument and some comfortable hours, you still need an airplane with weather radar, a full avionics complement, autopilot, and de-icing capability to have a serious travel airplane. I would suggest something like a C-310, but then I have long loved that airplane.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I would like to get an SR22 in 3 years time. Just want to put in the hours until then. I will give it 25-40 hours to see if it is for me or not. I enjoy the procedures and systems thinking.
nightlanding@reddit
Not everyone likes every hobby or profession. If you love something it is hard to imagine other people don't feel like you do. I absolutely LOVED my first flight, I thought it was one of the coolest things I ever did up to then.
If you are just kind meh, it will seem like a demanding expensive slog. I would find something else to do IMHO.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Going to see what the next 25 hours brings.
LonelyExpression4973@reddit
Unfortunately a PPL will have very little practical value, I learnt this the hard way so don't do this if you're looking for a faster or more convenient way of traveling cross country.
I'd take another couple of flights to see how you enjoy it with no emphasis on checklist items or procedure. It could also be that you built this up in your head to be something it isn't. I only felt a real thrill when I tried and aerobatics Extra 300, a Cessna is basically the Toyota Yaris of the flying world.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Our 175 was pretty beat up, but the aircraft was very forgiving once it was trimmed properly.
KITTYONFYRE@reddit
Yeah. Pretty much exactly how I felt. Almost nothing. I was super duper excited to do my discovery flight, then I was just like... Ah. I dunno. Didn't make me feel like I thought it would make me feel.
It took me a few lessons before I started loving it and getting that feeling I thought I'd have at the start. Now, as soon as my wheels leave the ground, I get a shit eating grin (especially if it's been a while!). Just a wonderful feeling, and seeing things from the sky is so awesome! Definitely give it a couple more lessons, but if you get a half dozen in and aren't feeling it, eh. Could also try gliders
Are you USA based? "2 year school waitlist" struck me as a little weird (not sure if anyone else has commented on that yet)
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Thank you for this thoughtful comment! I’ve booked another 25 hours of dual over the next 30 days (max we are allotted). As things get more natural, perhaps I will be able to take it all in a bit more.
I am located in Southern Ontario. Many of the flight schools here have stopped accepting students.
KITTYONFYRE@reddit
... Wow lol well that's aggressive for someone who came off as pretty unsure about it hahaha. I think you'll fall into the same category as me then - the first few lessons, every ten seconds is "don't forget to do this. do that a little differently. don't do this." over and over - "trying to sip from a fire hose". As it gets more natural it gives you more brain power to enjoy it.
Also, at first, taxiing felt absolutely impossible and I felt like i needed dozens of hours of practice, then by lesson 3-4 it was pretty natural, so don't stress too much about the fact that you'll be all over the place at first!
Once you start traveling to other airports, you'll get that same "sipping from a fire hose" feeling again haha but that's when I started feeling like a real pilot. Super fun stuff!
Ah, makes sense!
Good luck!
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Thank you! "don't forget to do this. do that a little differently. don't do this." over and over - "trying to sip from a fire hose" ... yep, that was pretty much my experience. I accidentally flew 100ft into Class C airspace and he immediately corrected me. I hadn't even thought of that, despite him telling me prior to the lesson that we had to maintain 3,500. Feels like spinning dozens of plates in a chair in the sky with very real consequences when you make a mistake.
Twarrior913@reddit
Try to get some landing practice in at some point, I found that challenge usually sparked something in students who found the flying part a bit “boring” or just unrewarding.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
lol You are definitely right about that. This will be a real challenge!
Katana_DV20@reddit
Perfectly normal. We are all different. Give it a few more tries. Maybe 4 more flights , see how you feel. If it's the same then this is not for you.
But realise there still so many other fun ways to stay within aviaiton - ground instructor, mechanic, ATC, airplane design, avionics , flight simulation etc.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Going to keep going. I have 25 hours booked and I will see them all through. Thank you for this comment.
Skynet_lives@reddit
Take a couple more flights and see if it grows on you. If it doesn’t no big deal go spend your money some other way.
Also as others have said it sounds like a good way to save time traveling. But in reality it will be the most expensive and unreliable way to get somewhere.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I understand and am prepared for the costs. Perhaps once the tasks start feeling a little more familiar I can enjoy flying a bit more. Everything is forced and difficult right now. Thank you for this advice.
diamonddealer@reddit
Of course it is! It was your first flight! You're SUPPOSED to suck at it your first flight.
Remember, sucking at something is the first step towards being pretty good at something.
All_in_4ever@reddit
Damm saad
Spirit_of_No_Face@reddit
Not unusual.. I had a friend that got her PPL bought a plane.. flew it a few times, then realized she actually didn’t enjoy flying, but probably just liked the idea of being a pilot, she only flys now to keep current and that’s it.
mason_mormon@reddit
It baffles me how one gets this far and just now come to this realization.
Yes it's difficult but it's a skill you learn. I'm not sure if I would put do much of my own time and money towards flying if I didn't enjoy it. Are you trying to do this for a career?
Also am I the only one that thinks this has been written by AI?
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Plan to be more baffled because I am not done yet. It is not AI, I can assure you
flyingforfun3@reddit
Give it a couple more times. You went from being a passenger to feeling the complexities of what it is like to actually fly.
Why did you want to be a pilot?
I’ll admit not all of my training was enjoyable. My private checkride was spent being screamed at by a DPE who lost his wife.
I had a really hard ass instructor for instrument. It made me not enjoy flying in the moment, so I tried aerobatics on the side and it renewed my spark.
Commercial was with a half in/half out instructor.
I flight instructed until I was completely burned out.
Then I got my first job, and it was both the best and worst time.
In between the things I disliked that I listed above, I had many more enjoyable experiences. I’ll never forget my first solo, it was terrifying and exciting. First time taking a friend flying, first time flying a turbine aircraft. The feeling of accomplishment when when I got my temporary certificate.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I think this is a very reasonable and relatable take. I am thankful that my instructor is very good. I wanted to become a pilot for the freedom of movement.
Tuhks@reddit
You know the old saying about how to eat an elephant, one bite at a time? It sounds like maybe you mentally took too many bites at once and ended up overwhelmed. You showed up prepared, which is great, but there’s something to be said for pacing yourself and focusing on the lesson at hand. If you stick with it, you will catch up and probably be better for it, but I did this a few times during my training and felt like I was drowning until I caught up.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the encouragement. I will soldier on!
Smokey_Bird@reddit
Stop now before you go broke doing something you don’t love.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Let's give it a few more goes first.
alexinedh@reddit
I’d like to talk about some expectations with the flight training itself. It seems that you’re at least mildly disappointed that you didn’t do as well as you thought you would. Whether you’re chasing these certificates for passion or for profession, becoming a pilot is hard. Many people say that becoming a pilot is the hardest thing they’ve done in their life.
So you had a hard time maintaining centerline during your first taxi, so what? This is your first of many times sucking while training, and that’s expected and totally normal. Do you think United Captains flying wide bodies mastered steep turns their first flight in a Cessna?
I teach SLED to my students; Suck Less Every Day and one day you won’t suck at all. So don’t feel discouraged by sucking at something. I’d focus more on if you really care to fly. If you don’t have something to motivate you to finish, the challenge may lead to you quitting. That’s something you should decide before you even start.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Honestly, not disappointed at all. I wasn't even expecting to fly the aircraft. Sucking won't discourage me, if anything it will motivate me to improve. I can't say that it was exhilirating or enjoyable - maybe emotionally exhausting if anything.
Visible-Choice-5414@reddit
Are you older? Prefrontal cortex makes you aware of the risk and the effort in activities like this. I remember grappling with this when scuba diving. I originally certified when I was 13 and dove for years. Took a break as a parent and went back. And the entire thing was different. Nothing quite like realizing mortality and casually wondering about insurance coverage for your kids when they never find the body lol.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Haha yes, I am 47 years old with two kids. This definitely weighs into the equation. I am not a risk taker ... I prefer procedures and risk avoidance.
Dry-Horror-4188@reddit
As a kid I wanted to learn to fly as early as I could remember. I dreamt about airplanes, flying and being in the sky. I loved flying so much that as a kid, others would make fun of me. Heck, I knew every plane ever built, flown from personal, military, business and airliners. Loved the Convair 580 (still think that is one of the coolest planes around) and the DC-10.
Fast forward, at 15 I started my flying lessons. I felt I couldn't get the hang of it. Thought about quitting because it was difficult, the instructors were brash, etc. What was really going on is the instructors were just trying to make me safe, understand what I was doing, and trying to prevent myself from getting killed. At 16 I soloed. At 17 licensed. Ended up buying a plane many years later. Picked up an IR along the way. Now I fly myself to business meetings. I enjoy the freedom, and time savings compared to flying commercial (yes time savings).
Give yourself a few more lessons, get to the solo part. Relax, don't be stressed. Just listen, pay attention and absorb the information. There is a lot to flying.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
I am here for it. Thank you for this comment! I had never had a lifelong interest in flying or aircraft. I was naive to how difficult attaining a pilot's licence was, but now fully respect it.
mtconnol@reddit
A lot of people report feeling a lot of fear and overwhelm the first flight, while others report excitement. Honestly, those two are physiologically almost identical. You may not be susceptible to that constellation of feelings in general, and that doesn’t mean that you would make a bad pilot. Rather, usually those are things that have to be overcome to soberly control the airplane.
If you believe you would benefit from the practical aspects of flying as a way to access new and exciting places, it seems like it would make sense to carry on for the moment and continue getting exposure and experience. It is worth noting that travel via small planes is not nearly the sure thing it is in commercial flight in terms of always being able to get there.
The state ferry is pretty good at getting me from point A to point B, but getting there in a 10 foot sailboat is more dependent on weather and personal limitations of skill. It is much the same for small planes.
If you enjoy procedural mastery, then you are going to find some pieces easy what many find difficult. I’d say carry on for now.
MainStreetBetz@reddit (OP)
Thank you for this advice and perspective! I would like to pursue an IFR rating if things progress well. I felt very little fear - we did have a downdraft that rolled the airplane to the left 45 degrees and we lost about 200 ft of altitude. The instructor recovered very well and stated that he would cancel the rest of the lessons for the day because of this. This experience definitely caught me off guard.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
After being on a 2 year waitlist with my local Aviation School, I was finally accepted (2 months) which kicked off the process of working towards my PPL. I have some second seat experience in a Phenom and a 172, but was generally just 'looking out the window' the entire time.
Once I was accepted, I began studying two hours daily so that I could understand the basics of flying. I went and got my Cat III medical (with TC now). Yesterday, was my familiarization flight with my instructor. I slept well the night before. He is excellent but I want to be honest, I didn't enjoy it. I mostly felt nothing. I was given the yoke, did some straight and level flight, turns, learned the pattern, started trimming the airplane, etc etc. I found taxiing to be the most difficult. I was in sensory and checklist mode the entire flight, with occasional flashing bouts of fear during the flight. I was calm and was able to complete the requested tasks.
When we returned to the FBO, the other students were excited and mentioning how thrilled they were. I didn't feel this. I didn't really feel anything other than the realization of how little I knew and how much work was ahead. I asked my instructor for feedback and readings.
To any pilots out there, did you have this same experience? I am still studying and prepared to doggedly pursue this every single day - but I have not had a lifelong dream of flying. I am a business owner and am interested in the freedom of travel that a PPL will provide. I also find the procedural nature of aviation attractive. But honestly, I did not feel any sense of thrill, joy or excitement after my first dual.
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