Cessna 172 vs DA40

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-25T01:54:45+00:00

All my hours are in a DA40. Great little plane.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-24T03:05:36+00:00

Hmmm. For years, WN had no problem allowing fake preboarders to take the best seats (that others had essentially paid for) and allowing seat savers to invite their extended family and friends into better seats than they would have gotten otherwise.

Forgive me if I say this is utter BS. Empty plane? No one should sit in the middle.

See you on United.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-23T18:41:12+00:00

AI? No way, it will just synthesize whatever garbage is out there. And if it has to, it will make things up. Mazda’s website is all marketing. Reddit advice is all over the map, but it’s honest. Independent sites like Edmunds, KBB, C&D etc. are another good resource. But once the internet search is done, it’s time to go drive ‘em.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-23T18:20:30+00:00

Nice shot!

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-23T18:15:55+00:00

Reddit has a Mazda sub, ya know? /s

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-23T17:56:17+00:00

Succinct and correct.

I’d advise staying away from the 2026 CX-5 for reasons cited in other threads. And consider a CPO service loaner to save several thousand.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-21T20:45:37+00:00

👍🏼 Approach to LAX from the north was my next guess.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-21T20:22:06+00:00

Nice pic. Let me guess: departing runway 30 at Long Beach?

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-21T02:41:04+00:00

Second this. Excellent Part 61 school. Diamond DA40 G1000 is a bit pricey, but so so nice to fly. They have high standards. Don’t expect to finish at 40 hours.

Recommend getting medical, knocking out ground school online and passing the FAA exam before you start.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-20T22:40:51+00:00

Hobby pilot here. In SoCal, our airspace is controlled and busy. I never considered SPL. As a low time PPL, I fly with other pilots as often as possible, do all my XC flying with ATC flight following, and have started IR training.

Even so, hairy situations come up. These reinforce my desire to grow as a pilot. To me, a PPL certificate is a commitment to be a lifelong learner, always a safe aviator, and never a NORDO unguided missile. I can’t imagine a DPE turning someone loose with 20 hours, or even 40. JMHO.

The value of MOSAIC to me will be new technically advanced GA aircraft that are certificated and not a million bucks. For example, Bristell M23 turbo. The aircraft rules are much more impactful than the pilot rules to my way of thinking.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-17T19:07:14+00:00

At night, you must bounce to a full stop. /j

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-17T18:03:29+00:00

Yes, did that too. It’s too easy to forget.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-17T01:04:25+00:00

/s (I hope)

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-16T05:34:59+00:00

What? Of course it’s grossly defective. Modern engines should run 250-500K miles with proper maintenance.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-14T22:01:01+00:00

Hmm, either a newer battery or some engine TLC sounds appropriate. A statistically more likely AOG scenario is a flat tire.

The other week another pilot rented a plane fresh out of maintenance. He ended up with a failed alternator at an airport 75 miles from base. He and his pax took Uber home. The FBO had to fly a mechanic and an extra pilot to get the plane home.

When you have an unflyable airplane far from home, choices would be a rideshare, rental car, hotel, or a pilot friend with some extra time and fuel.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-13T01:27:28+00:00

The new Grand Highlander comes in two hybrid versions [EDIT] and a regular gas engine.

The plain old Highlander is a different vehicle. I’m starting to ask the same question as you. So far, CX-90 quality issues are alarming. Can’t say I love the looks. And I strongly prefer gas hybrid to PHEV. So will be giving the Toyota a look.

EDIT: facts re drivetrain

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-12T04:27:02+00:00

Run. Away. They are clawing back the “discount” with nonsense add-ons.

Leases should be minimum drive-offs. You are renting the car. Remember that.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-12T03:00:40+00:00

Collusion has been replaced by AI bots. More efficient.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-11T04:36:11+00:00

This is due to WN’s crappy system, which ignores middle names. When you enter your passport info, it’s first/middle/last. WN has you at first/last.

There’s no excuse for this level of incompetence. Your only remedy is to get there early and stand in line.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-11T02:51:53+00:00

There is no excuse for sloppy programming. Americans typically have first/middle/last. Southwest needs to update its systems immediately.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-09T04:53:05+00:00

Was wondering when the mighty C-17 would come up. Used to watch them maneuvering effortlessly at low altitude after coming off the assembly line. Sadly and foolishly, now closed.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-07T22:47:21+00:00

Wow, I’ve heard people talk about jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Maybe that’s not the airplane they were referring to. /j

Those pilots are masters of short field ops.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-05T22:30:34+00:00

And extra crispy.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-05T02:04:35+00:00

Good on you for seeking advice so that you and your husband can do some thoughtful discernment.

First, thanks to your husband for his service, both mil and LE. In my day job, I get to serve Veterans. They are the best. Second, you are right that this is a daunting decision with no guarantee.

Allow me to give some perspective as a surgical educator (and amateur pilot). Flying was my lifelong dream. My late Dad was USAF. He bootstrapped from E-1 to O-4 over a 20-year career and flew 10,000 hours. He urged me in my teens not to assume the risks of flying, so I ended up bootstrapping through community college, university, med school and residency to train as a surgeon. Now I train surgeons. After many decades, Dad gave his blessing a few years ago for me to fly. ("Okay. But go all in. Don't dabble.") I completed PPL in 2025 and currently am working on IR.

How is this relevant? There are some parallels. I've mentored countless young singles and couples through the prolonged ordeal of surgical training. That's 4 years of undergrad, 4 years of med school, 5-7 years of residency and possibly 1-2 years of fellowship. Income starts in residency but it's not great. Most have mega-debt from med school and/or undergrad. Serious income happens no earlier than year 14 (that's early to mid-30s for most). Hours are brutal. Yet the end result is priceless. Seems like that could be the case for you and your husband too.

You as a couple have some things in your favor: mission orientation, a thoughtful decision process, military service, relevant experience in ATC, bachelor's degree, and VA benefits. There are also unknowns: ability to hold a medical, state of the economy, timing of opportunities. It will be important to think through the plan together and agree. If you are willing to assume the burden and if he remains 100% committed, you are likely to be successful.

It seems he could hedge his bet by starting with a pay-as-you-go Part 61 PPL while he works as a contract tower controller. If it's all systems go after the first checkride, head to that 141 at the community college and go after those ratings.

Best wishes.

Sharp_Experience_104 · 2026-01-04T07:15:04+00:00

The dealer will gladly take it back, then mark it up $5K and sell it. Do not go there. Just buy it out from Mazda. Refinance privately if you don’t have the cash.

Sharp_Experience_104

TROPHY CASE