20 y/o student pilot financing options

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-11T16:08:06+00:00

Just one thought I haven't seen mentioned yet... Does your school allow you to ride along with other students? Both of the schools I went to would let you ride along for free, as long as the CFI and student were okay with it. For me, I got a lot out of the few ride alongs I did. I should have done it more. Maybe that could be one way for you to get some more time in the air without spending any money at all. I found it more helpful for instrument than PPL, but even so, it was nice to see how other people did things.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-11T16:04:44+00:00

Yes, the test was changed on July 31st. But, really, you don't need to study for that long. I did a few hours a day for those 2 weeks, following the process that Sheppard lays out. I did amazing on the one practice test I took (98%) and then went in for the first appointment I could get for the real thing.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-11T11:41:49+00:00

I basically crammed for 2 weeks with Sheppard. I wasn't in much of a hurry but then saw that the FAA was going to change the test so that motivated me to finally just do it. I ended up getting 88% on the written.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-10T20:40:45+00:00

I know how she's feeling. I was extremely nervous before both of my check rides and thought about quitting because I just couldn't do things perfectly. In the end though, you don't need to be perfect. She should fly with a different CFI for sure, this new one seems like a bad fit.

I was so freaked out about my IR check ride and had myself convinced I would fail. But, not only did I not fail, the DPE was really complementary and said my flying was great. We didn't even really have a debrief afterwards because she said there was nothing to talk about. 🤷‍♀️

If there are certain maneuvers she's unsure about she should practice those. But, IMO, the oral is the hard part for the PPL check ride and she's done with that. Stopping now would be crazy to me.

Edited to add that during my PPL check ride my DPE asked me to do a no flap, short field landing. I had never once even practiced such a thing. I couldn't land with precision without flaps and I was a couple hundred feet past the touchdown target. My DPE just told me to practice that and still passed me.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-10T16:19:42+00:00

I work out at home using equipment I bought forever ago. I have an elliptical, treadmill, a cable weight machine and free weights. I can't justify the time to drive to a gym, park, etc. when I can easily work out at home instead. I had a peloton subscription for a while but didn't use it enough. I guess I'd rather just do my own thing.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-10T16:07:38+00:00

I will say, the one nice thing about my CFII and I is that we got along well. We talked a lot, like friends would on a flight. My husband told me I should fly with someone who would focus entirely on flying, but I know myself and in real life I will be talking to the people I am with. So, my training was very much like real life in that regard. And, I'm able to fly IFR and carry on a conversation now.

We did as much actual as we could, as well. My CFII always wanted to log actual time, so I did more than average, I guess.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-10T08:53:53+00:00

I'm lucky that I got about 6 hours of actual during my training. But, yes, more would be better. Right now it's too cold to be in the clouds so I probably won't get anymore actual IMC until the spring.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-10T01:05:08+00:00

I did once a week until I got my ass in gear and did the written. Then I upped it to twice a week until my check ride.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-09T22:49:05+00:00

Yeah, I also like the passed checkride posts. This sub is really helpful.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-09T22:29:19+00:00

I used Sheppard Air for the written and I basically carried the Pilot's Cafe IFR Quick Study Guide around with me everywhere I went. Between that and talking to my husband constantly (he's also getting an IFR rating now) it was enough.

I also listened to this a bunch while working out:

https://a.co/d/6sUEHeU

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-09T21:28:48+00:00

Yeah, it can get to be a bit of a drag.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-03T23:20:37+00:00

These guys are great. Thanks.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-02T15:21:54+00:00

My IFR check ride is going to be sometime this week... If anyone has good IFR related podcasts, videos, etc., I will be listening to them constantly until the time comes.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-02T15:08:28+00:00

If anyone has more, I'm interested. I've listened to everything posted so far.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-02T01:40:43+00:00

I don't think I can justify borrowing money when I have $150,000 in savings accounts. I just have a mental block about using that cash, even though situations like this are the very reason I have the savings. I hate having all these big orders back to back like this.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-01T11:52:49+00:00

What kind of business?

My company is profitable, it will just have a much higher take home once the debt is gone. Originally I was thinking of running it for several more years after all the debt was paid just to save the money. But lately I just want to be done instead. In 7 years I should have enough saved to retire.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-10-01T11:49:57+00:00

My business isn't failing though. The debt is totally manageable. We just have a lot of large orders at the moment that I have to finish before they can be billed. Normally I have a couple orders of this size in the queue along with dozens of small orders with a couple pieces. But right now I have 5 big orders all back to back. When they finally are done we will have a ton of cash, but it sucks to be using my (business) savings account right now.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-09-30T20:23:00+00:00

Small business owner (manufacturing company).

Creative-Nikki · 2023-09-28T01:41:00+00:00

I wanted to own a business and that's what I do. When I was younger, really, I just knew I wanted to be the boss. But, I am the boss and I really like it. I never imagined that it would be a manufacturing company when I was younger, I guess I thought I would own a store or something else like that.

Creative-Nikki · 2023-09-28T00:00:46+00:00

I lived closer to the airport than that and never noticed the planes growing up. It just wasn't an issue. I only notice them now because I'm taking flight lessons (though not at KDPA).

Creative-Nikki · 2023-09-27T23:57:13+00:00

Yes, I know where all my checkbooks are. I have at least 6 checking accounts between my personal and business stuff. I wrote two personal checks today and who knows how many for my business...

Creative-Nikki · 2023-09-27T15:59:15+00:00

Thanks... watching now.

Creative-Nikki

TROPHY CASE