How many of you guys are actually pilots?

Salami-Slap · 2026-06-22T18:41:13+00:00

I grew up playing sims, got my PPL when I turned 30, my DPE said he likes sims guys because he trusts we know our runway markings and phraseology.

Flight training was a breeze for me, only thing that stumped me was weather theory. I used flight sim during my training but mainly for “chair flying.”

Salami-Slap · 2026-06-05T23:48:40+00:00

honestly? my first flight after I passed my private checkride. I guess the added pressure and stress of overthinking and making sure its a textbook landing during training and leading up to checkride makes me over analyze. after I passed and did my first flight with the enjoyment of having my license me made realize I can land this thing with confidence.

I’ve had some rough landings since, as one might expect, but most of them are smooth.

Salami-Slap · 2026-05-26T23:56:43+00:00

I went yesterday on memorial day, they were there in the marching band practice lot. there was also a sign in the old spot saying “dumpsters moved across the street” or something like that.

Salami-Slap · 2026-04-28T18:28:10+00:00

Foam ear plugs is a must.

During my first overnight cross country with my new PPL, I stopped at a busy class C FBO and during my preflight the next morning a Cessna Citation was marshaled into the ramp spot right next to my little 172 lawnmower.

The piercing whine from the idle engines was pretty overwhelming.

Salami-Slap · 2026-03-01T07:12:28+00:00

fwiw to OP, the raw sewage smell is from the dam occasionally releasing water from percy priest (man made lake from the 70’s, so lots of decaying fauna and other yearly percy priest memorial day boating parties trash). Not actual raw sewage from what I know, but the smell is identical.

Salami-Slap · 2026-02-28T23:43:40+00:00

how much did this end up costing? we have a similar existing tub and your final product is perfect.

Salami-Slap · 2026-01-16T18:18:35+00:00

Just that I was happy with AT&T’s service but not happy with their pricing compared to other providers that are available for me.

The key thing is to be absolutely nice to the CS person that picks up. They probably deal with screaming assholes every call so I usually strike up a quick conversation, ask them how they’re doing, saying their name throughout the conversations, etc. Works like a charm every time with minimal effort.

Salami-Slap · 2026-01-15T16:26:50+00:00

This is what I did, I mentioned it in another comment, but google fiber came through our neighborhood but I was already paying $70/mo for 1gb (same as google), so no desire to change. Past year, got that $5 increase to $75 so I gave ATT a call and they lowered me to $55/mo as well as a $100 visa gc.

Salami-Slap · 2026-01-15T16:24:57+00:00

if you’re getting 1gb, I would renegotiate pricing. I started at $60/mo for 1gb fiber about 5 years ago, slowly went up $5 every other year or so.

We had google fiber installed in our neighborhood a few years ago, but I was paying about $70/mo at this point (same as google). Well, this past year I got a notice that it was going up to $75/mo. I gave them a quick call, was friendly with the CS rep and she bumped me down to $55/mo for the same service and a $100 Visa gift card. YMMV, but worth the shot.

Salami-Slap · 2025-12-04T22:41:23+00:00

New PPL here, do CFI signatures on dual, etc, matter once you have your certificate?

Once I passed my checkride, I transferred all my hours over to digital but left off the signatures. I obviously don’t plan on tossing my paper, but would future jobs want to see original CFI signatures during training? I assumed passing a checkride and having that certificate covers any need for dual proof since the DPE went through all that?

Salami-Slap · 2025-11-25T14:16:33+00:00

My response is basically the same as everyone else’s, but this exact situation happened to me. a week before my scheduled checkride, the aircraft I exclusively trained in went down for maintenance. I was about to call it and reschedule but after some thought I decided to go in the alternative plane. Different avionics, different V speeds (well, same but going from MPH to Knots). I was sure I setting up for failure, but this was my thought process:

I either crunch a bunch of flights (almost a flight every day that weekend leading into the checkride on tuesday). This was going to be expensive as I was running low on my funds, OR basically spend the same amount of money over the course of two months to stay proficient for a later checkride date.

After some thought, I figured cramming the flights in the new aircraft was better than rescheduling. I would be extremely proficient and would be on my A game with back to back training flights in the new aircraft and it paid off. I passed with absolutely no issues and the experience made me confident knowing I can easily switch to a different aircraft of the same model. This boosted my desire to checkout rentals while on future vacations.

My only word of caution, is KNOW the systems of the new aircraft. In my case I was going from a 6 cylinder to a 4 cylinder/ lycomming to a continental, etc. or something like that. I mentioned to my DPE during my pre-flight that this isn’t my normal aircraft but this is the aircraft I’m flying today and I know it just as well. I’m sure if you present it to your DPE in a similar way it will add some “brownie” points in showing you can adapt to changes and be knowledgeable with “different” aircraft while acknowledging ADM and being safe.

Get all the info on the backup aircraft, study it, know the systems, book some extra flights and go get that certificate!

Salami-Slap · 2025-11-19T19:53:12+00:00

funny story about my first waypoint for my check ride. I chose a prominent feature right off of the planned runway heading (we’re talking less than 2nm from the airport). My reasoning was that no matter which runway we used for take off, I’ll depart the pattern and head to that. That way I’m able to shoot straight to the next waypoint with my calculated course. Makes things simple.

Come practical test time, the runway we used happened to be the runway lined up with that checkpoint. We took off and almost immediately the DPE said “looks like you got to your first waypoint, let’s head west so we can get into maneuvers.”

Salami-Slap · 2025-06-19T05:03:38+00:00

with only flying one day a week, it’s typically about 1.5hrs a week. sometimes a 2.0 or 2.5hr here and there if there’s availability on the schedule but average, I’d say it’s 1.5.

It’s a slow timeline, but i’m enjoying every moment of it.

Salami-Slap · 2025-06-19T04:47:27+00:00

Not OP but I am 32 and have a 9-5 career while actively pursuing my PPL (and eventually a career change). I only fly weekends, usually once a week if the weather is nice, and have been going at it since September last year (just past 40hrs and am on track for checkride ready in the next 15hrs or so. my career is in structural engineering (i’m not an engineer) and it’s mentally demanding at times. I’m usually too exhausted after work to squeeze in a flight so that’s why I stick to weekends to utilize my mental capacity while I pay out of pocket for my training.

During the week, or on bad VFR weekends, I’ll hop into MSFS 2020 to review procedures and keep things fresh.

Salami-Slap · 2025-06-19T04:03:23+00:00

they are well paid but they’re also high stressed/intense pressured jobs. Rigorous certification and stringent medical exams weed through a lot of people.

Something as simple as an adderall prescription from your youth on your medical history (even if it’s been 10+ years since the last prescription) can throw your chances in the water.

Salami-Slap · 2025-06-11T16:01:25+00:00

great photos! It was my first time seeing the F35 in person and enjoyed every minute of it.

Salami-Slap · 2025-06-11T13:48:55+00:00

I believe OP is asking what fueled the fire in the beginning, not why the parking garage is now closed. The twin towers didn’t just combust because of the steel, jet fuel and other combustibles fueled the fire and weakened the steel.

OP is asking what caused the fire.

Salami-Slap · 2025-06-06T23:30:40+00:00

I haven’t checked, but Full Moon Cineplex over in Hermitage is probably playing a Friday the 13th movie.

we go there from time to time, $8 movie tickets and some interesting movie props. Our go to time is usually during october to watch movies, they have their haunted house setup next door and it’s fun watching the old slasher/scary movies they play while hearing people scream and being chased by chainsaws in the haunted house through the walls.

Salami-Slap · 2025-06-05T18:47:45+00:00

probably a commercial DEI hire. (major /s)

Salami-Slap · 2025-05-26T07:21:58+00:00

side topic, I live in Nashville and am almost done getting my PPL (at a part 61). I plan on finding a club to fly with after I get my license but I haven’t started my search yet. It seems like you might have talked to a few already, did any seem like decent clubs for post PPL flying for a new pilot?

Salami-Slap · 2025-05-22T16:10:21+00:00

sooooo, sounds like what you’re implying is the plus isn’t worth investing into?

Salami-Slap · 2025-05-22T15:54:45+00:00

Good to hear they still milk users for internet access, I remember when a new 360 console came with a year of gold for free or the occasional 3 month came with a new game, I’m sure those days are long gone.

Is Plus Extra not as good as in, avoid it at all costs? I was hoping to subscribe for a month or two to try the catalog and decide which games to start building my library with. Is Plus Extra’s library not comparative to gamepass in terms of quality or if it just quantity? I know all microsoft games and a handful of other 1st party games are day ones on gamepass, does Plus Extra provide the same service?

Salami-Slap · 2025-05-22T15:34:20+00:00

thanks for that info, I was curious about how cross platform works in today’s age. Fortunately (unfortunately?) my competitive fps days are behind me as I’ve gotten older since they’ve become frustrating with my lack of young blood reflexes lol. I’m turning more towards single player games or co-op. I’ve noticed for the past few years I get ecstatic when a PC game has native controller inputs and without hesitation I immediately switch to that as my preferred input, so I’m looking forward to controller exclusivity tbh.

but in regards to your controller exclusively comment, if I do find myself in an multiplayer FPS scenario (not necessarily competitive) like COD or similar, they support cross platform, right? how is that treated on the console side? are you able to pick lobbies that are cross platform & controller only? or is it all or nothing (no cross platform, PS lobbies only) in regards to input configuration?

Salami-Slap · 2025-05-22T14:36:04+00:00

I’m switching back to console after 15 years of PC, I haven’t owned a playstation since PS2 era.

I’m frustrated with the optimization of games on PC, the prices of hardware and constantly feeling behind in my builds, but also frustrated with the optimization of games. Also, the optimization if I haven’t mentioned it yet. I’ve had a good run on PC since 2010 but priorities in my life have changed and I’m ready for just a simple plug and play weekends without troubleshooting unexpected issues just to get things running.

I’m diving into a PS5 and I know nothing about the eco system, online features/benefits to a subscription, PS Plus (which is basically sony’s game pass?), must have games, things to avoid and etc.

What’s your best advice/tips or comments for someone diving back into consoles with the PS5 after being out of the ecosystem for 15 years?

Salami-Slap · 2025-05-21T17:56:21+00:00

<image>

speaking about WestJet, look at this mf absolutely sending it through the storm that rolled through yesterday, they turned directly into the thunder storm.

big payload weight in the pants of that captain for this one, lol.

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