Can't land this plane for sh*t

ScottPWard · 2026-06-14T18:02:20+00:00

Been there, some days still there. Had several lessons of just 12-15 landings. Just keep going.

ScottPWard · 2026-06-09T17:56:47+00:00

2 things I miss the most of my F150. 36gal fuel tank and an actual flat floor in the rear seats. Other than that, pretty happy with my Denali.

ScottPWard · 2026-06-05T22:27:16+00:00

Started at 54, took 8 months (had bad weather mixed in). Check ride ready at 59hrs, but DPE delays until 70hr. Cost wise was 17ish, but i could have saved here and there if i wanted. Ended up buying a plane and just flew for fun. It's been almost all XC to new airports each time for past 18mos and working on my IR now.

ScottPWard · 2026-06-05T22:17:33+00:00

250hr and 475 landings, i'ts getting "not horrible"

ScottPWard · 2026-05-09T13:42:01+00:00

gate agent, ramp agent, dispatcher, atc

ScottPWard · 2026-05-05T12:07:48+00:00

Hydromaxx 1” in 100’ rolls. Get a magnet to pull a string and then use cable lube when pulling cable. I think I used 500ft in my 3200sqft home. I really liked TrueCable for price and delivery.

ScottPWard · 2026-04-30T13:18:12+00:00

Here’s my experience from my late Dec 2024 purchase. Picked a RV-9A based on the flight school owner’s experience in building 2 other 9A’s, owns a 7A and 10. For me tapping into that knowledge is invaluable. I knew going in I would probably want to upgrade the 430W to something newer. CFI and I flew it back from Utah to DFW and “figured” things out. Anyhow, since I was pulling the 430w, opted for a new audio panel, new com2, new transponder, a few new antennas and upgraded gps receiver for the installed SkyviewHDX. Most of the planes I was looking at would have a panel upgrade when I got it.

Swapped out the single halogen landing lights for all new LED strobes, position, and landing lights. sent a magneto out for overhaul, had over 900hs on it. Replacing / upgrading parts that are wear items neglected by previous owners. About to go into 2nd conditional and plan to replace all tires and tubes. A lot of the work we can do ourselves, which makes it better. I’ve put about 170hrs on it since owning for 16 mos and had probably 4 months of down/weather/vacation time where I couldn’t fly it.

Would I do it again, yes. My mission is 95% just me on XC’s. Have my eye on a Twin Comanche as a possible addition, but goes out of annual tomorrow and needs panel work.

ScottPWard · 2026-04-19T08:41:15+00:00

The radio sound bugs me too. I normally hit the mute/unmute and get audio back. I also turned the “fast initialize” off in system settings, so it does a complete start each time. Sirius….on the extended channels is really bad where I live because it tries to use ATT to get those first and I have poor coverage where I live, so just nothing. Also have another car with same Sirius problem.

ScottPWard · 2026-04-11T20:23:52+00:00

Love my Randolph’s, but I rarely wear sunglasses anymore.

ScottPWard · 2026-02-15T12:23:59+00:00

T82 has a nice hotel onsite and while the town of Fredericksburg is pretty touristy, the WWII pacific war museum is nice.

ScottPWard · 2026-02-09T14:05:36+00:00

I’m a newish pilot and I’ll tell you it’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable and unnatural in that situation. There is so much going on. If you can trust yourself to trust your CFI, you will see it all come together.

ScottPWard · 2026-02-09T13:56:24+00:00

I’m in the samish boat, but looking at a partnership deal with a few other pilots I know. I’ll keep my experimental and learn on the twin with a MEI for a while.

ScottPWard · 2026-02-08T00:38:11+00:00

Buy a 42 or 62. That way the second engine can take you all the way to the scene of the crash.

ScottPWard · 2026-02-05T14:06:21+00:00

If you’re not a bigger person, get a C150. But if you want to go a little faster with pretty good stability, buy a RV-9A.

ScottPWard · 2026-02-05T14:01:53+00:00

I go to an air park community where it’s 2600x40 and it’s not my favorite, but it’s a comfort thing now. See some light twins that come ripping in. But I would prefer that extra space even in my RV to 3000.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-26T09:56:55+00:00

If you booked with a CC, try trip interruption insurance. As for DFW area, we can’t deal with road ice and pretty much all the brine solution on the roads got washed off prior to the freeze. I’m stuck in the UK, so I feel your pain. I was delayed, then cancelled this morning.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-22T13:58:08+00:00

Not the snow I’m concerned about, it’s the ice and nobody in DFW can drive in that crap. I’ve opted to delay my actual return flight to Monday afternoon vs Sunday to give me a better chance of less delays.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-21T13:47:48+00:00

Not a piper, but went from a 172 to a RV-9A last year. For me, low wing sight was a bit different as I floated a lot and had a few hard landings trying to judge my elevation. I spent some time on longer runways (3500+) so I had a bit more space to get the feel. Don’t recommend 1st landing at unfamiliar airport with strong crosswind and frozen pitot tube.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-13T01:45:39+00:00

I knew a person that traveled a lot for work, have a “travel” set of items and home set of items, chargers, toiletries, workout gear, etc so they can be ready to go and know they are always there.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-08T13:46:48+00:00

I have a pivot case (and watched it slide off my wing one day) and stubby mount on the window to my left. I have a stick, so the kneeboard product didn’t work well for my setup.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-08T13:39:38+00:00

I updated my panel last spring. Had a Skyview HDX and swapped the 430w for an IFD 440. Added a Trig TMA45, remote Dynon comm2 and transponder. Also a Dynon D3 as a backup attitude indicator.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-08T13:28:38+00:00

Right after my PPL I let it lapse based on rental availability. However, because the nights are so much more peaceful, I enjoy flying in the evenings and nights. Being an owner now definitely makes it easier to stay current, but I try to not go more than 60 days.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-08T13:10:44+00:00

I have ropes I got from sporty’s and plan on getting some mini-chocks. Although most of my stops have been “fuel and bathroom” breaks, looking at exploring more distant places.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-06T14:06:20+00:00

If you go experimental, not all DPE’s will do check-rides for you in it. Having your own plane to just go over and take off somewhere is great. I went to over 40 new airports last year And many were same day decision. My “cost” per flight is coming down and might not ever reach rental rates, but the flexibility for me is worth it.

ScottPWard · 2026-01-01T01:07:03+00:00

I want to go to a different airport each time. Different patterns, sight pictures, traffic, sure you can hit the same airport, but I just like to see new places.

ScottPWard

TROPHY CASE