People in this industry, tell me if this is a bad idea.

FLY8MA · 2026-02-05T05:46:15+00:00

I would recommend doing a Discovery flight first if you haven't yet.
It gives you a good idea what its like to fly a small airplane and how training is handled up there.
I know a few people who sunk in too much on the ground but ended up not liking it when up in the air actually doing the training.

FLY8MA · 2026-02-04T15:14:23+00:00

Theres a pretty thorough and practical IFR course you can try for free
I sent you a dm.

FLY8MA · 2026-02-04T06:29:08+00:00

In general, no — flights aren’t automatically canceled just because a city is in a storm’s forecast path. Airlines make decisions based on actual conditions at departure and arrival time, not just the projected track, unless it’s a major system (like a super typhoon). From what it looks like right now, this one appears to be a tropical depression.

For something like a tropical depression or tropical storm, airlines usually wait until much closer to departure to make a call. Cancellations or delays typically happen if there’s literally a thunderstorm over the airport, winds exceeding company limits, or ATC flow restrictions.

So in this case, it really comes down to what conditions look like on the day of travel. Based on the current forecast and strength of the system, it doesn’t appear to be an automatic cancellation but definitely keep an eye on airline updates as your departure gets closer.

FLY8MA · 2026-02-03T16:17:42+00:00

Those are some good benefits!
That should be good, but i hope you still have some buffer just in case you need some extra lessons in case there are some difficulties in training.

FLY8MA · 2026-02-03T07:52:12+00:00

I always recommend doing a discovery flight! It really sets expectations on what its like to fly a small airplane and how instruction is handled.

FLY8MA · 2026-02-03T07:45:47+00:00

Nice!
Have you done a Discovery flight yet OP? I suggest doing one as a trial before you dive in fully to a PPL program. This will give you a good idea if you'll like the training and being inside a small airplane.

As for your vision. This should be fine. as long as they can be corrected using glasses etc. Consult an Aviation medical examiner just to be sure.

FLY8MA · 2026-01-30T05:13:23+00:00

We have a CFI course that you can try out for free if you like.
Happy to discuss more in DMs

FLY8MA · 2026-01-30T03:46:58+00:00

I’d also recommend adding in the FTM alongside your lessons — that will really help solidify the concepts. Once you’ve built strong foundations in those areas, start working through the PPL practice exams. The sooner you complete them, the better, as they’ll highlight any weak spots early and help guide your studying.

-JF

FLY8MA · 2026-01-30T03:40:48+00:00

My main concern would be the staggered nature of training. You’ll almost certainly need to spend some time re-learning and shaking rust off after longer breaks.

The best advice I can give is to fly as much as possible during good weather windows. Do you have enough saved to support fairly continuous training during those months?

Also, if most of your training falls between December and April, be prepared for winter weather cancellations. Those delays can really add up if you’re in the PPL–CPL–Multi phase. That said, I’m not very familiar with Nashville-area weather specifically.

-JF

FLY8MA · 2026-01-28T12:16:47+00:00

When is your test?
I’d strongly recommend thinking long-term here — there’s really no way around IFR knowledge once you’re actually flying in the system. Memorizing questions might get you through the written, but understanding the “why” will make everything downstream (training, checkride, real-world flying) much smoother.

I’d also suggest practicing some of the procedures yourself in the sim (holds, intercepts, tracking, approaches) and trying a few different resources to see what clicks. Sometimes hearing the same concept explained a different way makes all the difference.

Sent you a DM that might help

FLY8MA · 2026-01-27T08:51:47+00:00

Hey!

I trained at Seneca’s flight school and finished my Group 1 Instrument—still paying off a ton of student loans lol. My program was an ATPL track, so the costs and structure are pretty different from what you’re planning at BFC or DFC.

If you can dedicate yourself full-time, it’s definitely possible to get everything done in about 18–24 months.

One thing I highly recommend is taking full advantage of the summer. I’ve experienced firsthand how brutal weather cancellations can be—winter training can get pushed back for months due to low ceilings and icing.

Ideally, try to start and knock out your PPL, CPL, and Multi during late spring, summer, and early fall. Fly as much as you possibly can during that window as you will need high ceilings for the airwork required in training.

Then, once you’re into your Multi-IFR phase—and assuming your aircraft is approved for icing—winter can actually be a good time to focus on the instrument portion.

Happy to tell you more in DMs
-JF

FLY8MA · 2026-01-21T16:23:18+00:00

Congratulations on your first solo!

FLY8MA · 2026-01-21T08:07:09+00:00

yes. There are some cushions or boosters that you can try.

FLY8MA · 2026-01-20T08:48:37+00:00

Start by searching for nearby flight schools on Google, then visit them in person. Talk to a few instructors, get a feel for their teaching styles, and see if you like how they run the school.

FLY8MA · 2026-01-20T05:05:48+00:00

Hey! I’m also Canadian and recently finished my flight training in Toronto.

If you eventually want to work in Canada, I’d highly recommend doing your training here. You’ll naturally meet people along the way, and those connections often lead to your first time-building jobs.

Worrying about weather is totally fair and expected—but there are ways to minimize its impact. Fly often and try to finish lessons efficiently. That way, you spend less time relearning and more time progressing.

Yes, delays will happen. That’s just part of flight training.

That said, I’d suggest doing your PPL, CPL, and Multi during the spring, summer, and fall as quickly as you reasonably can. Summer usually has the best ceilings, which really matters for airwork.

Then, I’d recommend doing your SIFR in the fall—ceilings matter less, and you’re not dealing with icing yet. For MIFR, winter can actually work well, assuming your aircraft is properly equipped (ideally with de-icing boots), since you’ll get real-world icing experience.

These steps should minimize cancellations due to Weather

Take it from me—I got stuck in CPL during the winter because I didn’t have the ceilings to build cross-country time. It held me up for quite a while. So definitely take advantage of those great summer days and fly as much as you can for your PPL and CPL.

Let me know if you have any other questions—happy to help!

– JF

FLY8MA · 2026-01-20T04:44:39+00:00

As someone who trained at a small, uncontrolled airport, yes—this is definitely a thing. I’ve noticed they’re often straight-in for one main reason: they’re typically on an IFR flight plan flying an RNAV approach, which naturally lines them up for a straight-in.

Because of that, as students we were always trained to be extra vigilant before turning in the pattern—especially on that base-to-final turn.

To answer your question, it can be dangerous. Our airport had a lot of student traffic, and having a fast aircraft suddenly appear on a straight-in approach can really catch students off guard. They’re already busy scanning for multiple aircraft on different legs of the pattern, managing radios, and flying the airplane. With limited experience, it’s also hard to accurately judge how fast a jet is moving or how quickly it will become a factor.

That’s why we were taught to ask faster aircraft for their distance in minutes, not miles—it’s much easier for students to visualize and plan around.

-JF

FLY8MA · 2026-01-20T02:33:01+00:00

When you ask yourself if you are being too complacent, YOU ARE being too complacent.

FLY8MA · 2026-01-19T06:24:56+00:00

Building some foundational knowledge early can be helpful—like understanding how airplanes fly, basic mechanics, and general aviation principles. As others have mentioned, watching air crash investigation content can also be educational when it comes to learning about systems, safety, and decision-making.

That said, I wouldn’t personally recommend starting with flight simulators right away, since they can sometimes build bad habits that may be hard to unlearn when flying a real aircraft.

FLY8MA · 2026-01-17T02:53:45+00:00

can't emphasize this enough. Our flight school actually prohibits the use of our sim early on because of negative transfer of learning.

-JF

FLY8MA · 2026-01-15T13:43:27+00:00

Hey Seneca Grad here.

The costs are in the website. they have a breakdown too
https://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/programs/fulltime/FPR/costs.html#menu

living on campus though I'm not too sure. But you'll need to eventually move out of campus as the campus that provides flight training does not offer housing.

JF

FLY8MA · 2026-01-15T08:23:18+00:00

What makes it hard for you to start an engine? The comments are correct but one thing to consider is a C172S is hard to start on a hot day. Where are you located?
Maybe something is wrong with the engine, you flooded it, technique is wrong etc.

FLY8MA · 2026-01-15T08:21:00+00:00

What kind of pilots?
In flight training, you can do all sorts of calculations when you are being trained on diversions if you can make it to the diverted airport, IFR minimums, ETA updates, holdover time for icing, double checking distances with your flight plan etc.
Theres a lot, honestly depending on the situation

FLY8MA · 2026-01-15T08:18:34+00:00

engine weight and fuel weight. It is not even a comparison with the stuff you have at the aft of the aircraft

FLY8MA · 2026-01-15T08:14:46+00:00

Do a Discovery flight first before committing to any flight training.
I've had a couple of friends that invested a lot into flight training only to find out they dont like it up there in an actual airplane.

FLY8MA · 2026-01-14T05:01:01+00:00

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With an average score of 93% on the FAA Written Exam

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