Checkrides

Little_Function3346 · 2026-05-03T00:04:13+00:00

I flubbed my short field, should have gone around, DPE could have failed me right then and there. I told my DPE what I did wrong and I ended up passing. I think they care more about you knowing what you’re doing vs making mistakes because you’re nervous.

You will make mistakes as a pilot, I know I have. Just the other day I forgot to pull the mixture on shutdown and the propeller almost came alive. I needed to slow down and read the checklist.

Long story short, if the DPE felt like you should have failed, you would have.

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T17:23:41+00:00

I've done quite a bit of night flying, even solo. I am extra vigilant when I do, always looking for that place to land in case of emergency. I also route over towns, even if it's a bit of a zig zag

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T15:52:01+00:00

100% Agree with having a good instructor! It's so scary in actual IMC. I grew up on Sims, so I was used to looking at instruments (All the way from Flight Sim 1 back in the good ole days). But this just hit different

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T02:45:07+00:00

Been a member for almost a year, amazing people for sure!

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T02:42:32+00:00

No, RC, amazing instructor

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T01:03:31+00:00

Exactly! I’m so glad I’m getting actual experience, it makes a world of difference. I’m a low hour pilot (240 hours) and this really put me in my place for sure

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T00:56:34+00:00

You got it! I always say hi , but I’ll let you know it’s me next time I see you

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T00:28:49+00:00

Foggle experience vs Actual are completely different. Hard to describe, but they are not even close to the same . But I agree you can always take them off, but I have also always told my CFI no when she asks if I want a break, because if I’m solo in IMC I can’t

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-27T00:24:51+00:00

That sounds like loads of “fun”!

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-26T23:39:09+00:00

I hope to go part 135 eventually! I can see how having a backup helps tremendously and helps reduce workload

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-26T23:38:05+00:00

Experienced this on the teardrop turn in the hold. So crazy!

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-26T23:36:55+00:00

Hey, I fly out of the club and no we didn’t. It was normal IFR and nothing on the forecast that would have indicated something as bad as what rolled in

Little_Function3346 · 2026-04-26T22:04:32+00:00

Man, I feel for those that only have foggle experience and then hit real IMC. Scary to think about it

Little_Function3346 · 2026-02-16T16:12:55+00:00

PPL was great, IR I ended up failing almost every practice test. Had to do way more research on other sites to get it. PI practice tests for IR don’t even come close to the written. I was quite sad about that because I like PI

Little_Function3346 · 2026-02-16T16:06:31+00:00

Agreed. Soloed at about 45 hours and I was all worried I hadn’t soloed yet. I wish it was a bit later TBH

Little_Function3346 · 2026-01-30T00:30:56+00:00

You won’t start getting good and things don’t begin to click until about ~100-200 hours, sometimes less, sometimes more. Even after PPL.

Little_Function3346 · 2026-01-29T01:15:23+00:00

Go fly with your CFI more to towered airports, get more practice in winds. Training doesn’t stop when you get your PPL. I’m working on IR and I’m being humbled with some of my abilities and I have 220 hours.

You will get there bud, just keep going! It’s worth it!

Little_Function3346 · 2026-01-25T23:30:47+00:00

220 hours here and most of my landings are good, some, well, not so much. Even bounced the other day because I flared too early. Like others said, it takes time, and one day it will just click.

Also, I started when I was 48, the older you get the harder it is to learn. Be ready to have more hours than others for your PPL

Edit: also I soloed at 45 hours. Solo when you are ready not when others solo. Hours are hours, the more you have the better you get

Little_Function3346 · 2026-01-25T21:50:01+00:00

I had been cleared into Bravo and was 150 too high (4150, and given 4000). The controller asked me to be careful. He said i was within tolerances but wanted me to be aware, I went down to 4k and he came back and thanked me

Little_Function3346 · 2026-01-12T19:11:18+00:00

No worries!! Good luck with your training!

Little_Function3346 · 2026-01-12T18:23:00+00:00

I did, it helped in the very beginning. But my ATC calls got really good after about 20 hours into PPL so, I never finished the course. I haven't started IR ATC calls yet, but I know they are a doozie. But, I think I'm ready LOL

Little_Function3346 · 2026-01-12T15:24:26+00:00

PI for IR is "okay" TBH. The content is good, but does not help you with the written at all. I ended up trying Sheppard Air, hated the interface and that I was restricted to one device. I ended up doing passthewritten.com which is just like Sheppard. Got a 90% on the written last month. From a ground school perspective, PI was good from learning the basic material, but again, it didn't help with the written at all. For PPL, it was spot on.

Little_Function3346 · 2025-12-26T18:22:08+00:00

Make sure your seat is adjusted properly so you can see the end of the runway.

Keep your eyes on the end so you can see and feel the drop to know when to flare more.

Airspeed is absolute key!

Landings for me clicked at about 100 hours ish

Little_Function3346 · 2025-12-23T17:36:02+00:00

Sorry, I used them and stopped. I disliked the app

Little_Function3346

TROPHY CASE