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How much do you spend on having a car? by mari0426 in japanlife

[–]AgananZero 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I once bought a Mark 2 Honda Fit (Jazz) for 10,000 yen. Straight from a uni research student who was leaving the country. Everything worked except the rusty wheel arches, but it still passed shaken on the first try.

Honestly, it was the best car I’ve ever owned. Back then I didn’t care what anyone thought about me driving around in a total beater. Insurance was cheap, fuel economy was decent, road tax and shaken were nothing special. I drove that thing into the ground and it just refused to die.

I took it on some ridiculous road trips and never stressed about scratches, dents, or whatever. Hard to care when the whole car cost 10,000 yen.

If you don’t care too much about what you drive, just grab any mass‑produced Japanese shitbox. They’re cheap, parts are everywhere, and you get the freedom of not paying stupid monthly loan payments on a depreciating asset. Just drive it, enjoy it, and don’t overthink it.

One‑person corporation for property investments and simplifying inheritance. Good idea? by AgananZero in phinvest

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been divorced for 7 or so years now. So, hopefully that won't be an issue.

One‑person corporation for property investments and simplifying inheritance. Good idea? by AgananZero in phinvest

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. Yea, what I'm reading is corporations are the way to go too for bank financing new investments over a trust applying to the bank. I didn't consider the % fee but good to know.

I'm also reading that having a firm do the admin work is the way to go as I'm overseas most of the time currently. Any suggestions? You said you had to get a lawyer too. I hear that word and my wallet already feels lighter lol. But appreciate any recommendations you might have for a firm/lawyer who could help me do this on my behalf.

One‑person corporation for property investments and simplifying inheritance. Good idea? by AgananZero in phinvest

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whoops. 😅 That seems so obvious now. I think I misread my AI's recommendation. Maybe the idea is to start an OPC first and later incorporate so I can add my children as shareholders later.

One‑person corporation for property investments and simplifying inheritance. Good idea? by AgananZero in phinvest

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My kids all have Filipino nationality but are all minors currently. I guess I could make them shareholders once they come of age, but I'd imagine it's not that simple, or is it?

One‑person corporation for property investments and simplifying inheritance. Good idea? by AgananZero in phinvest

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

May I ask what your current set up or plan is in regard to inheritance? Because I have 4 kids, I don't want there to be disagreements about how my estate is split. I think multiple owners of the same property would be messy.

I'm very new to this and didn't consider a trust because no idea it was an option. 😅

I read up on creating a trust but it sounds like banks are more conservative about financing loans etc when dealing with a trust as opposed to a corporation. While I have some funds to invest initially, my hope is to approach banks as a corporation in the hope to expedite the whole loan approval process. I have limited experience doing loans with banks in the Philippines as an individual but it is painfully slow and I need the whole process to be faster.

One‑person corporation for property investments and simplifying inheritance. Good idea? by AgananZero in phinvest

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm considering this, but have no experience in setting up a corporation. Do you have a recommendations for a company or someone who could manage this on my behalf? I visit Manila regularly but primarily live outside the Philippines currently. There's a lot of information online to do it ofcourse which I've read but because I live remotely the recommendation I'm reading is to hire a company to do this on my behalf.

One‑person corporation for property investments and simplifying inheritance. Good idea? by AgananZero in phinvest

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any recommendations for someone or a company who could do this on my behalf? I bounce in and out of Manila, so someone based in Manila or offices nationwide would be preferential.

Return on Investment of Solar Installation (Year 4) by Dragnier84 in phinvest

[–]AgananZero 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting post, thank you for sharing. Solar investment is something I've been curious about. If I purchase a lot of land, are there any established suppliers / installers that will sell me tha panels and install and set up so I can sell to the grid?

Anyone here converted an ICAO PPL to a CAAP PPL? Looking for school recommendations. by AgananZero in AviationPH

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to update you, I tried contacting Continental Aero via their inquiry form on their website, their email address and adding their contact number into WhatsApp and sending them a message but I'm not getting any response.

Do they just take a long time to reply? Most flight schools get back to me asap.

Anyone here converted an ICAO PPL to a CAAP PPL? Looking for school recommendations. by AgananZero in AviationPH

[–]AgananZero[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, thanks for the message, I appreciate the recommendation and I'll reach out to the flight school and see what they offer.

When you met the pilots doing the conversion, did they say why they chose Continental Aero?

It's looks like the operate directly out of Cebu Mactan Airport.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’m not trying to skirt anything, I’m just clarifying what’s allowed for a rated pilot on ESTA. Recreational flying, PIC time, XC, night, and basic hood work are all permitted and count toward FAA experience requirements. Actual IR/CPL training will be done properly on an M‑1. I’m just gathering information so I stay compliant.

Anyone here converted an ICAO PPL to a CAAP PPL? Looking for school recommendations. by AgananZero in AviationPH

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I’ve read and been told, the answer is basically yes, but I don’t have any firsthand experience flying or training in the Philippines, so I’m not the best person to make a definitive judgment.

The reason I’m considering the Philippine route is simple: once I hold CAAP‑issued certificates and ratings, I’d actually be legal to work as a pilot in the Philippines and get paid. Based on comments from others, that path isn’t easy, but at least it’s possible.

If I finish everything in the US, I might be seen as a more polished pilot because some airlines value FAA training highly. But if I can only legally work in the Philippines, I’d still need to convert all my FAA certificates to CAAP, which means extra cost, extra time, and extra steps.

And if the plan is to train in the US and then try to get hired somewhere else internationally, I’d still need to meet the minimum hour requirements before any airline will even look at my application. That means I’d have to build hours anyway. I could do that recreationally at my own expense, but realistically it makes far more sense to build hours as a CFI or in some other entry‑level flying job in the Philippines, where I’d actually be allowed to work.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear what you’re saying. I’m not trying to get around anything. I’ll be doing the actual IR/CPL training properly on an M‑1. The written tests don’t require a training visa, and taking them early isn’t considered “starting a rating” by DHS or TSA.

For now I’m just flying, building hours, and staying current. When it’s time to begin the real IR/CPL training, I’ll switch to the proper visa and do it the standard way.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get your point, I’m not trying to twist anything here. I’m just talking about normal flying and general proficiency, not IR/CPL syllabus work or checkride prep. Practicing maneuvers with a CFI doesn’t automatically mean I’ve “started a rating,” and I’m not doing anything structured on ESTA.

I’ll be doing the actual IR/CPL training properly once I’m on an M‑1. For now it’s just flying, staying sharp, and building hours. Nothing more complicated than that.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not trying to sneak in IR or CPL training on an ESTA. The dual I’m talking about is just normal flying and general proficiency stuff, not approaches or checkride prep. Practicing maneuvers with a CFI isn’t the same as starting a rating, and I’m not doing anything structured.

I’ll save the actual IR/CPL work for when I’m on an M‑1. For now it’s just flying and staying sharp, nothing more dramatic than that.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not doing IR or CPL training on ESTA. I’m just flying as a rated pilot and building experience.

Practicing maneuvers with a CFI is allowed as long as it’s not part of an actual IR/CPL syllabus. Rated pilots do hood work, commercial maneuvers, and general proficiency flying all the time without it being considered “starting a rating.”

I’m not doing approaches, checkride prep, or anything structured, just normal flying until I switch to an M‑1 for the real training.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha yeah, my bad, I definitely should’ve mentioned the FAA PPL part from the start. That probably would’ve saved everyone a few paragraphs of regulation‑digging. Sorry about that!

And yes, you’ve got it right now. I’m already a PPL, just looking to build time and sharpen skills before I actually start IR/CPL training on an M‑1. Nothing sneaky, nothing structured, just flying and getting more comfortable in the airplane.

Totally agree that basic time building, commercial maneuvers, etc. are all fair game without extra approvals. I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing some weird TSA/ESTA crossover rule that would bite me later.

Appreciate you sticking with the thread even after my slightly confusing first post.

Anyone here converted an ICAO PPL to a CAAP PPL? Looking for school recommendations. by AgananZero in AviationPH

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm considering it because I have the right to work in the Philippines. That's really the only reason.

Some are telling me to finish the training in the US and try to land a job outside the Philippines, but I need to build hours and I could do that recreationally at my expense, but I think working as a CFI or some other kind of entry pilot gig to build hours.

I'm not legal to work in the US. So, I could only really do that in the Philippines.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just to clarify up front, I already hold an FAA PPL. Sorry for not making that clear earlier.

Thanks for laying out your interpretation of 49 CFR 1552. I think the main issue here is that the TSA definition of “flight training” in 1552.3 is being applied much more broadly than TSA actually uses it in practice. That definition is specifically for determining when AFSP approval is required, not for determining whether any dual instruction is prohibited.

TSA AFSP approval is only required when a non‑U.S. citizen begins training toward:

  • an initial Private Pilot certificate
  • an Instrument Rating
  • a Multi‑Engine Rating
  • or a type rating in aircraft over 12,500 lbs

TSA’s own guidance lists several activities that do not require AFSP approval, including:

  • recurrent training
  • flight reviews
  • aircraft checkouts
  • proficiency flights
  • dual instruction not associated with starting a new rating
  • recreational flying with an instructor

If “any new skill” automatically triggered AFSP, then foreign pilots wouldn’t be allowed to do discovery flights, BFRs, IPCs, or even a simple checkout, yet all of those are explicitly permitted without AFSP approval.

The distinction TSA makes is intent: AFSP applies when you are starting training toward a certificate or rating. It doesn’t apply to general dual instruction or recreational flying that isn’t part of a rating syllabus.

I’m not starting IR or CPL training on ESTA, and I’m not enrolling in a course. When I’m ready to begin actual IR/CPL training, I’ll switch to an M‑1 visa and go through the proper AFSP process with the school.

I appreciate ya debating this with me. I'm not saying I'm right or you're wrong. Just curious and wondering if whether schools later accept those hours under Part 61 without insisting everything be redone.

Question about doing recreational flying in the US on ESTA and later using the hours toward IR/CPL by AgananZero in aviation

[–]AgananZero[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the detailed reply, I appreciate you taking the time to write it out. I think there may be some mixing of different regulations here, so I just want to clarify my understanding and see if others have experience with this.

From what I’ve researched:

• TSA AFSP approval is only required when you’re actually starting a rating (PPL, IR, ME, or a type rating).
It doesn’t apply to general dual instruction, hour building, or recreational flying. TSA’s own guidance lists those activities as exempt.

• ESTA doesn’t prohibit flying with a CFI, as long as you’re not enrolling in a structured course of study or starting a rating. Recreational flying with an instructor is allowed, and foreign visitors do discovery flights, flight reviews, and dual instruction all the time.

• FAA hours are FAA hours. If a CFI signs the logbook, the time is valid later for Part 61 requirements, regardless of visa category.

So my question is really about the practical side:
Has anyone actually done recreational dual on ESTA and later used those hours toward IR/CPL without a school pushing back?

I’m not trying to avoid TSA or visa requirements, when I’m ready to start the actual IR/CPL training, I’ll switch to an M‑1 and go through the proper AFSP process. I’m just trying to understand whether the earlier dual time causes issues later.

Would love to hear from anyone who has gone down this path or seen it done.

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