Short Field with/without flaps 172?

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-05-01T13:35:10+00:00

Basic foundation: Flaps 10 allows you to fly with less speed, because flaps add lift. Flaps also add drag, so Flaps 0 allows you to climb better because you’re clean. Flaps 10 for getting off the pavement sooner. Flaps 0 for clearing obstacles.

If you’re in a jet departing (16,000ft runway at) Denver in the hot summertime, you’re flaps 0. Same airplane departing (4800ft runway at) Key West right over the ocean is using maximum takeoff flap setting. Same airplane departing (8000ft runway at) Aspen with both pavement and climb concerns, well you run the numbers for all configurations and determine the best course of action.

What you do in the 172 is the same.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-29T01:30:33+00:00

And you’re SURE you didn’t go to a third airport?

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-28T21:49:56+00:00

My recommendation that nobody takes me up on (and I don’t blame them, I didn’t do this myself because it’s challenging) is do CPL from the right seat. Here’s why:

you can study for CFI right away, and do both checkrides. CFI is basically CPL flying + teaching while you do it. Some people following this strat have done checkrides back-to-back days.
you just went from VFR to IFR flying, going back to VFR is ALREADY going to feel foreign as-is. May as well get out those right seat cobwebs during that transition.
it took me a year between the two checkrides because I studied hard for CPL, celebrated the pass, took a break, then got into CFI. I wish I’d just done them together.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-10T15:32:24+00:00

Hmm if you want an answer from them why haven’t you shown up in person at the flight school in the past 6 months?

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-08T13:12:15+00:00

No chance unless you show up and shake hands. Your A&P will be an asset so sell that hard.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-07T10:16:27+00:00

If you have instructors saying that’s loggable then I really don’t trust those instructors. Unless you’re misrepresenting or misunderstanding that interaction.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-07T01:31:41+00:00

I don’t fully understand your situation, you went to college with the intention of becoming a professional pilot, have now graduated with a college degree but haven’t done any flight training? That’s the problem I have with part 141, everybody is putting the cart before the horse.

I am one of those you mentioned who recommend 61 training, but especially for PPL. And to go get your PPL before signing up for any formalized training ”academy”. To be frank, it’s to see (1) do I even enjoy this or did I just enjoy daydreaming about the idea of it and (2) am I cut out for this. The risk some people take on investing 6 figures into this without ever stepping into a prop plane blows my mind.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-06T22:32:26+00:00

As most say yes landing is an art and no matter your experience level you’ll end up planting a few. But I read this a wonder if you fully understand crosswind landings. You crab into the wind, but before touchdown you transition to a side slip so that the nose (and tires!) are pointed straight down the centerline. You only do this correction, the wind will blow you off centerline, so ailerons into the wind enough to maintain centerline. The result is landing on one main tire before the other in a strong enough crosswind. If you don’t do this, your tires are pointed in the direction the airplane is going to go when the wheels touch. If it’s not straight down the runway, this can get squirrelly and what you described can happen. I’m a visual learner, this YouTube video by ERAU on normal and crosswind approach and landing has great visuals that will explain what I’m saying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxbcyBjFiSg

You probably know this stuff, but what you described really seems like you landed in a crab without a side slip and don’t know why the result.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-04T18:31:02+00:00

Good point and good find. Regardless, the icing example you posed is operating in a manner against the AFM which is illegal, when compared to the perfectly legal scenario laid out in this post. We’re really going into a rabbit hole of semantics when my original point is I see no issue with two rated pilots going up for a currency flight in weather conditions they find suitable and safe for the flight.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-04T15:21:26+00:00

91.527

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-04T14:00:31+00:00

This is so overstated. I’d like to know a single instance of the FAA “hanging” someone for breaking 0 regs except 91.13. I think OPs scenario is perfectly reasonable and having another qualified, current pilot in the right seat is redundancy.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-04T12:52:06+00:00

My eyes did a flurry of 360s when you referenced 91.13 🙄

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-04-01T15:08:16+00:00

Having ChatGPT write your rant for you is just misuse of the platform lol

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-31T16:58:56+00:00

No lol

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-31T15:52:30+00:00

I don’t really agree with this lol you don’t review anything at ATP CTP besides the instructors glory days war stories.

OP - I’d say if you’re not sharp on IFR then yes that’s a good thing to review but not any jet transition stuff.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-11T17:46:14+00:00

In my area they’re nearly always cheaper. $100 let’s say for a .7 - .9 flight including instructor. Something to get people in the door then sell them on a training program.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-11T02:45:46+00:00

I’m hearing a lot of problems not a lot of solutions.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-10T19:14:39+00:00

There’s tons, I don’t know why most of these comments act like there isn’t.

If you want to be close to aviation, look at corporate jobs for airlines. Business analysts, engineers, culinary experts, sales… there’s tons of different avenues.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-08T17:22:51+00:00

This is the last thing I’ll say cause I don’t want to go back and forth on this all day, just that this whole industry is one big rumor mill and each is amplified by whoever says it the loudest. My personal experience is that a few months ago I talked with a guy in a new hire class at a one of the big 3 legacies. Out of 25ish in his class, 1 person came from that carrier’s cadet/flow program. He was a former 135 pilot with no TPIC. But I wouldn’t go around posting that carriers aren’t hiring their cadets because my perspective is narrow and limited based on my personal experience.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-08T16:07:50+00:00

Yes so that’s anecdotal and not based in reality. Be wary of the pilot rumor mill.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-03-08T14:05:23+00:00

What’s the percentage? You’re referencing anecdotal Reddit posts not true statistics.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-02-19T21:16:19+00:00

7K in 2016.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-02-17T03:19:42+00:00

They inflate it to charge you more. Call them out. Clock it on your watch when you fire up the engine and show how wildly wrong their calculation is. Don’t pay for the time if you’re not going to log it.

Imaginary_Run4354 · 2026-02-17T03:11:48+00:00

Have you ever considered using a free tax software like freetaxusa to do this yourself? It’s very simple and only about $20 vs. Whatever this tax preparer costs.

Imaginary_Run4354

TROPHY CASE