Amsirahc
Filing Flight Plan
I passed my private pilot checkride this past Sunday! Huzzah!
<My short story for those who like to read>
If anyone has read any of my previous posts, you'll know that it took me quite a long time to solo (medical delay and a 6-month no-fly COVID break). It took me 2 months to be able to take the checkride (scheduling, weather, etc.). I'm proud to say that this past Sunday was the absolute best day to do it as well. High-altitude overcast sky, cool and smooth air, super nice DPE, and a decent amount of air traffic to demonstrate communication, safety procedures, and right-of-way (I know it wasn't, but it almost felt staged).
The oral and practical was a piece of cake compared to what I thought it was going to be. The DPE was the absolute nicest person I've ever met, extremely knowledgeable, and made the overall experience feel like I knew him my entire life and was just having an everyday aviation chat (even though I just met him 10 minutes before the exam). We hit the sky, went through the first couple checkpoints in the plan, set forth with the maneuvers, and continued our earlier discussions.
I'm planning on moving onto instrument rating, then hopefully multi-engine and commercial within the next couple of years. Might grab a seaplane rating down the road, but that can wait for now. I have a long list of family, friends, and co-workers that want to go for rides, so banking hours is going to be cake. I'll probably start looking into buying a plane, because the rentals around here aren't the most luxurious things. I have semi-handicapped family members, so will probably be looking at a Cessna 177 (even though I'm more of a low-wing guy). I might start up another thread for recommendations.
Finally, thank you all for the support and advice over the past couple years. This really is the best community.
<My short story for those who like to read>
If anyone has read any of my previous posts, you'll know that it took me quite a long time to solo (medical delay and a 6-month no-fly COVID break). It took me 2 months to be able to take the checkride (scheduling, weather, etc.). I'm proud to say that this past Sunday was the absolute best day to do it as well. High-altitude overcast sky, cool and smooth air, super nice DPE, and a decent amount of air traffic to demonstrate communication, safety procedures, and right-of-way (I know it wasn't, but it almost felt staged).
The oral and practical was a piece of cake compared to what I thought it was going to be. The DPE was the absolute nicest person I've ever met, extremely knowledgeable, and made the overall experience feel like I knew him my entire life and was just having an everyday aviation chat (even though I just met him 10 minutes before the exam). We hit the sky, went through the first couple checkpoints in the plan, set forth with the maneuvers, and continued our earlier discussions.
I'm planning on moving onto instrument rating, then hopefully multi-engine and commercial within the next couple of years. Might grab a seaplane rating down the road, but that can wait for now. I have a long list of family, friends, and co-workers that want to go for rides, so banking hours is going to be cake. I'll probably start looking into buying a plane, because the rentals around here aren't the most luxurious things. I have semi-handicapped family members, so will probably be looking at a Cessna 177 (even though I'm more of a low-wing guy). I might start up another thread for recommendations.
Finally, thank you all for the support and advice over the past couple years. This really is the best community.
