Got my IR ticket

D

delta42

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Feb 26, 2017
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Display name:
James
I got my private in 1998 and only had flown 75 hours total between 1998 and 2017 (this includes private training). Since June of 2017 and June 2019 I have over 200 hours. It’s amazing how the more you fly, the more idictive it is as many of your fears will disapate (whatever those fears may be).
Anyway, passed my instrument checkride a few weeks ago and what a feeling!
 
So encouraged by this. I got my ticket back in 1992 and as of 2019 had only about 120 hours. I flew in a few small spurts over the years but time and money never worked out. So far since April I’ve been flying about 5 hours a month, joined a club, earned a high performance endorsement, and I’m working with a CFII to earn my IR by Fall!

Good to see another 40 something year old like me who has done the same!


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Congrats, and don't get so rusty this time around. (Easier said than done when trying to pay attention to your day job, which is NOT flying.) Use that IR ticket and stay current and confident. The IR is your ticket to stay away from VMC into IMC trouble, although IFR-rated pilots still manage that feat despite the tools to avoid it. If you file IFR, you are already ahead of avoidable changes weather can throw at you.
 
Congratulations! It’s a big accomplishment.
 
This is NOT meant to sound snarky in the least... but it is very encouraging to read that I'm not alone in having been a pilot for a very long time, but with very minimal hours. My hours are about to climb exponentially, and I can't be more excited. Congrats to the OP.. I hope to be able to make a similar post in the next couple months!
 
Welcome to the club. My story is somewhat the same as yours - I got my PPL in the early 90s, (I think) and flew a little. Rented airplanes. Struggled to fly enough to maintain competency.

In Mar 2017, got my IR, and then in Sep 18, we got our airplane!

We're using the privilege so much more, and the IR makes life more predictable for us.

I hope your experience is similar.

Now get your butt into the clouds, find someone that can be a safety pilot for days that the clouds don't show, and hang out on here. Talking/hangar-flying helps spur you on to the next adventure!
 
JeremyW said:
So encouraged by this. I got my ticket back in 1992 and as of 2019 had only about 120 hours. I flew in a few small spurts over the years but time and money never worked out. So far since April I’ve been flying about 5 hours a month, joined a club, earned a high performance endorsement, and I’m working with a CFII to earn my IR by Fall!

Good to see another 40 something year old like me who has done the same!


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Sounds exactly like me. Got my PPl in 1991. Started my IFR last year with about 200 hours and my check ride is coming up. We're all in this together.
 
Like reading these kinds of posts ... my story maybe be worse ... been flying 13 years and over 800 hours, finished the hood time right after PPL and STOPPED as the rental equipment was in REAL bad shape ... concentrated on purchasing my first AC (was real careful and spent a year as some of the first aircraft reviewed in person the owners were hiding damage history that was specifically asked about prior to travel).

After finding the Tiger, flew a LOT of cross-country to a ton of places and was having a blast ... only had a 4 hour delay due to fog or coastal weather on two occasions. My buddy is preparing to complete his this fall, so I'll probably try to finish it off soon (need the written and the long XC).
 
Congrats!!

I never really wanted my IR because I figured it was more trouble with maintaining currency than it was worth. Was out of flying for nine years, then got back into it. Wife and I took a couple trips and had one or two cancelled due to weather. Living by the SoCal coast the marine layer can really put a hamper on VFR-only flying. Said "Eff it" and saved the cash so I could just dive in. Started at end of Jan with my written and passed the checkride in early June. Marine layer, schmarine layer.
 
Pet peeve.... don't call it a "ticket". That's bush. Call it a rating.
 
Congrats!
Working on mine now doing ground and reading all I can get my hands on. Got my private certificate in August and have been flying some really fun XCs to get that requirement done and having a blast at the same time. I have to file anyway since I'm inside the DC SFRA and I get FF right after, so I'm always on with ATC. Even have gotten some 'routings' along the way - "fly to XYZ VOR, then direct HEF" etc. And I have been practicing tracking GPS/VORs precisely and holding precise altitudes (while looking outside, yes). I have 20 hours XC as PIC and I think I'm ready for some CFII work...
 
A lot of us in the same boat (or cockpit as it were). Got my PPL in 1989, flew a couple of years, then stopped due to college and work and eventually family. Now 28 years later, I’m deciding to change careers and fly for a living. Just started my IFR a couple of weeks ago. It’s fun and exciting, but wow it’s like drinking water from a fire hose while learning the G1000 at the same time. Good luck everyone!
 
Just got my instrument rating Friday. Looking to first flight by myself in the system! Started at about 450 hours and just finished at 600 hours. Not all that was training, I fly to local destinations and flew with a buddy to Oshkosh.

Working on the IR was a great journey, almost sad it finished. Of course, still lots to get better at and great trips to look forward to!
 
mcdewey said:
Working on the IR was a great journey, almost sad it finished. Of course, still lots to get better at and great trips to look forward to!
Click to expand...

Even if you never use it for much more than slipping through a layer up or down or in and out of puffies at altitude you're going to enjoy it. Very freeing to not have to wait for really nice weather. I was, and remain, a weather wuss especially when going VFR so I enjoy the flying in the system when going anywhere other than local. IFR removes a lot of weather anxiety.
 
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