So, student pilots.. Who are we and where do we stand?

Started August 8th working towards my PPL. 8 hours logged and feeling good about where I am now. Lots to learn still but hopefully all this will be coming together soon.
 
SCAirborne said:
Started August 8th working towards my PPL. 8 hours logged and feeling good about where I am now. Lots to learn still but hopefully all this will be coming together soon.
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Great! I loved that portion of lessons. Heck, I guess I loved it all :)
 
Next Tues I have my end of course stage check with the Chief pilot. When I get a "go" from him I schedule my checkride! I don't feel ready but my instructor seems to think I will be fine. Just when I feel comfortable with one task I seem to get worse on another.

RLTW
 
@Shilo - Lucky you that your instructor is encouraging. I wish I had instructor like yours.
 
Completed my IR March 2014
Need 5 TO/L at towered airport at night and will schedule Comm ride before the end of October (crosses fingers)
Starting CFI ground on 9/22/14

I need to just fly for fun one of these days....
 
Finished my long cross country today. From Robbinsville (N87) to Atlantic City (KACY) to Cape May (KWWI). 151 nautical mile direct, more like 180 as flown down the Jersey Shore to avoid several restricted areas. 46 total hours flown. I now have 1 more solo flight because I am an hour short on solo XC and need a few more solo controlled airports landings, night XC, and one more hour under the hood. Then it is assessment and getting everything to test standards. Really getting close now, figuring about 10 more hours.
 
My story is a long one, certainly not the longest, but here you have it.

Started my journey in Alaska in 1996 (I come from a family of pilots, like most folks from AK). Got my solo and had roughly 25 hours total at the time. Went to college, ran out of money, moved out of state (CO), went to college again, got a job, got married, had kids, moved again (FL), got another job...etc. etc...(that ole' chestnut). Found a "cheap flight school"... hated the instructor. Found a different school...liked the instructor (he got an ATP job)...moved again...found another instructor through a reference...

Here we are 18 years later from my first solo. I'm currently at 35 hours with a few requirements to meet (lost my initial logbook in my "less discretionary days") and really looking forward to my checkride in November. My lifelong dream of being a Private Pilot is just over the horizon..!!
 
mjfrisby said:
My story is a long one, certainly not the longest, but here you have it.

Started my journey in Alaska in 1996 (I come from a family of pilots, like most folks from AK). Got my solo and had roughly 25 hours total at the time. Went to college, ran out of money, moved out of state (CO), went to college again, got a job, got married, had kids, moved again (FL), got another job...etc. etc...(that ole' chestnut). Found a "cheap flight school"... hated the instructor. Found a different school...liked the instructor (he got an ATP job)...moved again...found another instructor through a reference...

Here we are 18 years later from my first solo. I'm currently at 35 hours with a few requirements to meet (lost my initial logbook in my "less discretionary days") and really looking forward to my checkride in November. My lifelong dream of being a Private Pilot is just over the horizon..!!
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nice job, way to keep at it! sounds like the journey you've had will make it that much more rewarding when you get that little temporary cert!
 
Still pre solo... stopped counting hours. After 30+ Fell behind in ground due to family and graduate school. But I'm still pushing through. I'll eventually be..."a pilot" :) once I get my solo work in I can clean up for the pts. So there is an end in sight.
 
Just finished my second cross country solo yesterday. I'm at 46hrs now I think. Time to practice maneuvers and such.
 
Going to try TOA-CRQ-F70 again tomorrow. If tomorrow's WX is close to today's - should work :yes:
 
Old Fart said:
Going to try TOA-CRQ-F70 again tomorrow. If tomorrow's WX is close to today's - should work :yes:
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I thought about you this past Sunday because I also had to cancel my own early morning flight to San Diego, flying south past Palomar (CRQ), due to the coastal clouds. Hope it works out!
 
register@teamandras.com said:
I thought about you this past Sunday because I also had to cancel my own early morning flight to San Diego, flying south past Palomar (CRQ), due to the coastal clouds. Hope it works out!
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I could get out of TOA and into CRQ/F70 ok - but my 5500'/6500' leg in between was a bit hard to do :no:

Couldn't go to the backup plan either (TOA-SLI-PDZ-F70), as the cloud deck was about 2700'
 
Well, it worked! Left TOA about 1200, weather cooperated (had to dodge a cloud or two). I'll post pictures tomorrow - including the L39 that I graciously let go ahead of me departing CRQ :)
 
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When some folks want to get ahead of you in the line to take off - you just have to say YES :yesnod:
 

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I'm at about 13 hours or so now... some foggle time and a couple cross country. Went up to Tangier Island with my instructor for a "working lunch" on Friday. Landed with a good crosswind, had some good crab, then went back to Chesapeake. I'm apparently picking it all up pretty quick. We've done all the procedures, Sturns, steep turns, ground ref, lots of other stuff. I'm loving it.
 
53 hours in my student pilot training. Just completed my final hours of xc solos. Working on night landings, ATC landings, and I'll be able to experience the wonderful nerve wracking check ride. I'm nearing 6 months from start to finish and I am so hooked. IFR is next!
 
Flyer86 said:
I'm at about 13 hours or so now... some foggle time and a couple cross country. Went up to Tangier Island with my instructor for a "working lunch" on Friday. Landed with a good crosswind, had some good crab, then went back to Chesapeake. I'm apparently picking it all up pretty quick. We've done all the procedures, Sturns, steep turns, ground ref, lots of other stuff. I'm loving it.
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:thumbsup: Sounds great. Keep having fun and keep practicing those all throughout your training!
 
Done with all requirements for PPL and working towards check-ride with my instructor. I have roughly around 65 hours logged over the past 3 years with long breaks in between due to family,baby etc :) but here I am now at the end of the road. Hope to get done with it soon.
 
alfadog said:
Perpetual student. Right now, looking to scare up some money to finish my IR.
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Same here, except for me it's time, not money. Different sides of the same coin, really.
 
Ohio Flygirl said:
53 hours in my student pilot training. Just completed my final hours of xc solos. Working on night landings, ATC landings, and I'll be able to experience the wonderful nerve wracking check ride. I'm nearing 6 months from start to finish and I am so hooked. IFR is next!
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Nice. That's a good time to ensure you can get up as often as possible to hone those skills. Good luck!
 
Doing some landing practice for my CFI training tomorrow if weather works out
 
Did an hour of hood work yesterday, some VOR work (under the hood, my CFI likes to make it challenging), then landed at KAVX (Catalina Island) for the first time. Back into TOA right as it got dark, using the localizer and glide slope. Had a blast :)
 
I just did a mock checkride with the chief pilot. Most everything looks good for the check ride. I just need to get that nagging written exam out of the way... :-|
 
Hey Jeff who is your instructor at toa? I'm getting my training done there too!
 
Cary Jones, South Coast Aeronautics. The blue and white TB10 Tobago.
 
Oh nice! I got a free discovery flight in that Tobago!
I fly with pacific skies aviation.
 
I have about 37 hours I'm working on my 10 hour solo requirement and oral exam.
I got my written out of the way two weeks ago. Hoping to get my ppl by the end of the month. How about you?
 
Have 2 hours of hood time left, then written and checkride.
 
Just started my training. Working on trying to overcome ingrained habit of trying to steer plane like a car instead of with my feet, on takeoff. Also need to discuss issues with my instructor and set him straight on some things. Keeping my chin up and trying not to scratch the paint. :)
 
Think I'm at 44 hours now. Just doing checkride prep and the only thing I'm struggling a bit with now is soft field takeoff and landings. Getting them down, it's just going to take another hour or so. Was supposed to go fly this morning but it's nasty weather out with low clouds.
 
Timmer said:
Woot. I expect fireworks and and parades that day :goofy:
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Considering it was YOUR crappy weather that kept me from finishing my XC's sooner, I think you should buy me a sandwich when I fly down as a REAL PILOT :yes:
 
Old Fart said:
Considering it was YOUR crappy weather that kept me from finishing my XC's sooner, I think you should buy me a sandwich when I fly down as a REAL PILOT :yes:
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What about all that visible air you guys keep sending down here? :D

And you fly down here as a certified pilot, enchilada on me :)
 
CAVU here buddy, except for that big red TFR circle in the sky until I get VC-1 off my ramp :)

I'll take you up on that enchilada sir!
 
Following up on my earlier post. Got all my req met including the last 3 hours of prep. Check ride scheduled for 25th of Oct. looking forward!
 
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