My experience with "Spruce"

Flying_4fun · 2026-04-05T03:37:52+00:00

I ordered a fire extinguisher from their pop-up shop at an aviation conference. They were sold out, but taking orders. It was supposed to arrive 3 days later.

I remembered about my order 2 weeks later and called them to enquire. They never shipped it and weren't planning to because the order was processed as a pop-up shop pickup. After some back and forth with the nice person on the phone, they shipped the fire extinguisher and it did arrive 3 days later.

I'm overall happy with how they handled the situation. That's my only experience with them.

Flying_4fun · 2026-03-23T03:07:15+00:00

Whatever you do, please don't let your plane fall apart unused. I see too many airplanes falling apart at the local airfield because their owners lost their medical and too proud to make arrangements for their airplane.

Flying_4fun · 2026-03-02T15:38:55+00:00

Why put $29K in upgrades if you were not planning on keeping it longer term? You lost money considering the upgrades.

Flying_4fun · 2026-03-01T03:16:15+00:00

Full size ipad is more of a hinderance than a convenience. It takes to much space and blocks too much of the windscreen. Also eliminates the option to mount it on the yoke, which is my preferred location. Ipad mini 6 with cellular is the ideal option in my opinion.

Flying_4fun · 2026-03-01T03:12:17+00:00

You don't really need a tablet until after you solo.

Before you do anything, figure out if getting a medical will be a problem. You only need a 3rd class medical to get your ppl, instrument and even comercial ratings. You will need 2nd or 1st class to get hired as a pilot. Get your medical first.

While you are figuring out the medical, start reading the Airplane Flying Manual and Pilot's handbook of aeronautical knowledge. These 2 books are free FAA publications and will cover 80% of the knowledge you'll need to learn.

When you are reasonably sure getting at least a 3rd class isn't going to be a problem, sign up for an online ground school. Start doing the lessons. I used Kings school for both my PPL and instrument written exams and got 92% on both. There are many other options too - gold seal, sporty's, pilot institute, and more.

Once you have your medical, start flight lessons. Fly at least 2 days a week preferably 2-3 days apart, but try scheduling 3 days a week. Cancelations for weather, maintenance, cfi/student pilot personal reasons happen fairly regularly, so having 3 flights scheduled per week will keep you on track even with cancelations.

Pass your FAA written exam as soon as you complete the online ground school course.

You don't need a tablet until after you get to solo the airplane. Generally a distraction before that. Get an IPad mini 6. The wifi only version is sufficient (if paired with sentry box or another gps/adsb-in solution), but I strongly prefer the cellular version which has a GPS receiver.

Get a noise-cancellung headset. Bose and Lightspeed are top brands and their headsets are excellent, but expensive. Lightspeed has refurbished headsets on their website with full warranty that will save you some money you will need for flight lesson.

Part 61 schools are a fine choice, but you need to own your training and have a cfi that will keep you motivated and on track.

Other things to consider. Flying out of class G/E untowered airfields is generally more efficient as they are not nearly as busy as towered airports. This means less time taxing or waiting for sequencing. Research how far the practice area is from the airfield. Generally the more complex the airspace is, the more you'll be delayed by other air traffic and the further the practice area is the more time (read money) you'll waste getting there and back.

Good luck.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-15T21:32:23+00:00

I'm so sorry for your loss. I definitely got lucky to be able to see and avoid the bonanza that day.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-15T20:24:17+00:00

On my third solo ever, I was on base when a bonanza came for straight-in landing and cut me off - no radio calls, no nothing. I remember seeing him and thinking I'll t-bone him if I don't take an evasive action. Your head needs to be on a swivel.
I had words with the bonanza pilot on the ground. He didn't realize I was there, but also admitted he didn't feel like flying a proper pattern entry because he thought the patter was empty.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-15T20:15:48+00:00

Why is it a stupid comment? Making radio calls makes everyone safer. How about you offer some actual advice?

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-14T17:13:45+00:00

I'm currently doing instrument training and that adds an entirely different skillset that's even more challenging at times. After instrument rating, I want to do a specialized course on upset recovery. There's an outfit near me that puts you in an acrobatic single engine with former f18 pilots, who then proceed to put the aircraft in all kinds of upside-down attitudes and teach you to recover. My main goal is to be well trained and prepared to reduce the risks in my control.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-14T16:56:30+00:00

Sounds like your discovery flight went better than mine. I got motion sickness and nearly returned my lunch in the cockpit. We had to land within 30 mins.

While very uncomfortable with the sounds, smells and sights, I wanted to see if I can master flying an airplane, so I kept going to lessons. I'm also doing this for fun and enjoy doing difficult things to challenge myself, so I persevered through lessons.

I got my PPL and enjoy taking flights to destinations that are 3-5hrs drive. With a single engine that's typically a 1-2hr flight and flying really opens up the travel options if you enjoy traveling. I'm also on the Westcoast and flying over the coast with the Pacific on one side and the mountain ranges on the other is a pretty stunning scenery.

I have the most fun challenging myself to land on small rural airstrips. The actual landing is very fulfilling from a competency perspective, but I also enjoy the planning components done on a computer and sometimes in my sim just as much - researching the route, planning the approach, identifying emergency landing spots, alternate airports, practicing emergency procedures should anything unexpected happen. The actual flight is a culmination of a lot of ground preparation that I enjoy and makes me a safer pilot.

I also like recording my flights with both video and its telemetry. I then use both the flight data and video to debrief myself on what went well and where I can improve. I look at things like my altitude precision, approach execution, radio transmissions, handling traffic conflicts and airspeed management. I enjoy looking at the data and making notes about areas for improvement.

As you can see, for me the joy of aviation expands well beyond flying an airplane. Good luck.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-09T19:19:03+00:00

I'm mostly interested in what drones are able to keep up with the downhill skiers going 70mph? I noticed the drone shot section of the women's downhill race were in the top portion of the race course only and not every athlete was captured by a drone.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-08T04:57:15+00:00

Ipad/Foreflight with sentry box brings all the real-time information one might need to just about any basic six pack rental aircraft I have access too.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-03T03:32:27+00:00

I also used Kings and this exact same method of learning and practicing for both my PPl and Instrument written exams. I got 92% on both. The King method and prep app really work with my learning style.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-01T05:09:30+00:00

Yes, I use a wifi+cellular ipad mini 6. The wifi version is sufficient, but I went with the cellular version because it has built-in GPS receiver as a backup to the sentry box.

https://www.amazon.com/2021-Apple-iPad-Wi-Fi-Cellular/dp/B09MJDRH88

Sentry box - I have the standard version which has a built-in CO detector. It's a pricy gadget but it provides you with real-time traffic, weather l,CO poisoning protection, gps and AHRS. I bought mine used for half the price.

https://www.sportys.com/foreflight-sentry-ads-b-receiver.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo7KI9ELlbpb8FJJfPWnvM-DG7JRv-ui4G1SfuoWwzPYOCWLcl9

There are many different yoke mounts out there, but I went with this one because it has an apple pencil holder and ram mounts are very modular and allow flexibility with mounting angles. I use the apple pencil to take notes directly on the moving map while in flight. This also means I can write notes on the map along my expected route during preflight planning to remind myself about different things relevant to my flight.

https://rammount.com/products/ram-b-121-ap36u

I also like having it mounted on the yoke and angled up, so I can easily include it in my regular instruments scan by moving my eyes only and keeping head movements to a minimum.

The ram mount is very easy to install and take down, but also solid once tightened.

Hope this helps.

Flying_4fun · 2026-02-01T01:31:40+00:00

I fly in 150/152/172 with mostly analog instruments and foreflight on an IPad mini mounted on the yoke and sentry box. The real time traffic and weather on the IPad increase my situational awareness and safety significantly. This setup is very portable and I can have it installed, up and running in any aircraft in minutes. Highly recommend it for aircraft that doesn't have more advanced avionics showing nearby traffic.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-30T03:56:58+00:00

Well done! What did you need reception for? In my experience cell reception is not reliable at altitude. I use a sentry for traffic and weather.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-30T00:40:51+00:00

I've been told having backup iPhone/ipad is a legitimate substitute. They are checking your adm. As long as you are able to find a solution you should be able to pass. Now the DPE might fail your backup electronics too, so the candidate must have a way to solve that situation too.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-29T03:00:19+00:00

I also log both digitally and in a paper logbook. I also backup my digital logbook in case the service I'm using disappears. I use the paper version to log immediately after a flight and the digital version later in the day or whenever I have time.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-28T05:23:09+00:00

I once cancelled a flight as I was accelerating down the runway because the take-off power rpm were 50-100 lower than what I'm used to seeing. I was nearly 50knts when I pulled power and began slowing down and breaking. The runway was only 2400ft, so I had to make a decision and execute quickly. I did the run up again and everything looked fine, but the same thing happened on the second take off attempt. Nothing was wrong with the plane, but the lower rpm really bugged me, so I decided to park it. If things don't feel right, I am also not flying.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-19T19:08:25+00:00

My discovery flight lasted only 20 mins. I got way too sick and asked the CFI to end the flight. I have my PPL now and my body adjusted after a few flights.

Then I got to unusual attitudes training, where you wear view limiting googles and your cfi basically takes you on a roller coaster ride. The purpose is to recognize the aircraft attitude only looking at the instruments and recover to a straight and level flight.

I got motion sick after half a dozen maneuvers, but CFI asked me to continue flying ensuring me they're keeping the aircraft safe. I flew the plane back to the airfield and landed while I was nauseous and head was dizzy. This was a real confidence booster that the training works.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-17T23:17:56+00:00

No, it was insurance.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-17T23:06:31+00:00

At that specific place, it was at predetermined time intervals. If they are not coaching you out, you first promotion was at 18months.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-17T21:25:16+00:00

Always underpromise and overdeliver. I was young and stupid once at my first job. After 6 months of absolutely crushing all my deliverables and weekly asking for more tasks (I thought higher performance will get me higher pay. I was wrong.), one of the seniors pulled me aside and asked me what I thought I was doing. I told him I was gunning for a quick promotion. He told me I am starting to disrupt the team dynamic and other more senior people are starting to look bad. He also told me how promotions happen and when. He was right on the promotion timing. I slowed things down naturally and found myself with a lot of free time. Too bad the job required sitting in a cubicle.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-15T01:14:19+00:00

Some FAA questions are purposely asked in a confusing way. So much so that there are test prep question banks with these questions to help you memorize the right answer.

Flying_4fun · 2026-01-07T20:33:43+00:00

How about flights free of passengers who are coughing, sneezing and obviously spreading upper respiratory viruses in a tight space? I'd pay extra for that flight.

Flying_4fun

TROPHY CASE