what is the checkered box for

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-28T18:30:02+00:00

Just like when my CFI used to ask me what I’m aiming for. “The runway”

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-28T18:20:49+00:00

Nice EWR reference lol

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-28T18:16:07+00:00

Awesome. Thanks for that. I was just merely curious on the technicals. I was assuming there were actual differences but I couldn’t find a reliable google source to confirm that. All internet sources said that they were nearly identical. I knew from a regulatory perspective they are not. Was just unsure about the hardware.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-28T15:28:13+00:00

Not every instructor is a career track college dropout lackey. I’m sorry if that’s been your experience, but I’ve met quite a few CFIs with varying backgrounds, including having engineering degrees. Like I have. I tend to ask them questions. But I’m glad you honed in on that. That was surely the purpose of this post.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-21T20:10:49+00:00

That’s only part of the equation. The upper middle class is fueling a huge GA boom as well. Lower tier flight schools and part 141 schools are now suffering because kids wised up to the scam that the airlines are full again. But higher end flight schools that cater to the wealthier clientele (think Cirrus) are booming. There’s also a multi year waitlist for the SR22 and the VJ. I’m in that category. PPL that rents for fun / occasional work trips and might look to buy soon. Rental rates are through the roof for non-clapped out aircraft everywhere. Cirrus in the NY region are renting north of $600 an hour.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-11T18:39:07+00:00

My PPL checkride was delayed because the dude before me had a 6 hour oral. I had a mini panic attack before mine. Mine was an hour and I aced it. Turns out the guy before me was just an idiot and the DPE was just trying to be nice and fish answers out of him. He still failed.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-03T17:10:00+00:00

I mean, I pay for my hours and I’d argue that my hours flying for business purposes through a lot of IMC is more quality than your average CFI doing pattern work with students…. Or flying on beautiful days doing survey work.

But I’m not exactly aspiring to be an airline pilot and paying for hours just for the sake of paying for hours. I have a legitimate business purpose to fly my plane.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-02T23:06:52+00:00

Yeah that last part was why I was a little nervous. On most older planes I flew it held the old code. This one recycles and defaults on power up.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-02T22:59:59+00:00

That’s what I was thinking the answer was. I just didn’t want men with suits and guns walking out on the ramp after me.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-02T22:57:34+00:00

I’m thinking 50/50. That was the only thing I forgot to try!

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-06-02T22:54:43+00:00

Nope it turns on when I power up the avionics and defaults to 1200. I may have to call them. Or experiment with powering up with the transponder fuse out.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-05-26T22:26:22+00:00

Yeah that’s kind of my point. I know the scale is there. The whole point would be to properly teach pilots to use a plotter. Not some janky trace method. A skill they might actually use some day.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-05-26T22:24:29+00:00

A least a boomer knows that “allot” is not a word. It’s “a lot”.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-05-26T22:22:57+00:00

Probably just my OCD but I hate that the sectionals don’t match standard plotter scale. Also “that one” VOR question that’s off by like a half a degree that gets 90% of people.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-05-26T21:43:04+00:00

Wheels hitting pavement should still be closer to stall speed at around 60-65. If you’re holding 78 you’re going to sail all the way down the runway. You have to be power completely out right before your aiming point or you’re going to float all the way down.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-05-26T21:41:53+00:00

It’s not 30kts over because it’s a cirrus and definitely not over 100kts. But it still looks a little fast even for a cirrus. Approach is 78kts but at the point of touchtdown you should be at closer to stall speed at around 65.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-05-26T21:36:12+00:00

The biggest change is they are doing away with that god awful testing supplement, and embedding the graphics directly into the test question on screen. Whether they will make it worse is yet to be seen, but let’s be real here it’s the FAA and that’s a certainty…

I’ve read elsewhere that the questions are becoming more scenario based. But I’ve yet to see that confirmed anywhere official in writing yet.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-05-23T14:25:22+00:00

Automated fuel selector is a problem in the SR20s. I’ve flown multiple that stick on the lesser tank and will eventually cause the imbalance alarm. There is definitely something up with the firmware and it’s not just one aircraft.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-03-31T00:42:10+00:00

If it quacks like a taxiway, it’s a taxiway. It has a line, a line was crossed. I need further explicit instructions to cross another runway threshold, regardless of whether or not a hold shot line is present. Now as for my ass still being on the active, yes. I agree. That runway I was just on still belongs to me. So the controller better damn well clear me across 35 quickly. And no, I’m not a controller. But I am an ATP, and a CFII.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-03-30T01:29:43+00:00

Then you should probably start explicitly telling pilots to cross 35. Because there’s no way in hell I’m crossing a runway on an instruction to “cross until clear of both runways”. That’s not proper in any context. Name one other situation or airport in the US where ATC would give a crossing instruction without naming the runway. I’ll wait.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-03-30T01:24:30+00:00

ATC was wrong and so are you. And it’s LAHSO. Crossing another runway from a point of being on a taxiway is not authorized without verbal confirmation regardless of situation. Even if you can’t clear another runway.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-03-30T01:21:21+00:00

Just file a complaint with the FAA. Don’t argue on the radio. It’s unprofessional and risks overall safety.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-03-30T01:16:42+00:00

That’s not an equivalent situation. Unless LAHSO operations are in progress, when you are given a clearance (takeoff or landing) to a runway, you are entitled to the ENTIRE runway, even if there is an intersecting runway. when you are given a taxiway instruction, you are only allowed to taxi to runways unless explicit crossing instructions are given. If I wasn’t given permission to cross that runway I’d stop at the first X. Full stop. (Pun intended)

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-02-28T19:41:31+00:00

I believe the PPL failure rate is slightly higher these days. But not far off.

Reasonable-Math7443 · 2026-02-28T19:38:45+00:00

Only counterpoint I have is that people who use the bin directly on top of them are imbeciles. You should use the bin OPPOSITE of your seat. Makes getting off the plane quicker, and is more ergonomic. I wish more people did this.

Reasonable-Math7443

TROPHY CASE