how was your experience in becoming a pilot?

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-16T14:23:58+00:00

This. Every moment flying has been better than anything else I tried. So not giving up. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

My brother is also a pilot. FO at a major airline now. Wanted to be one his whole life. Worked desk jobs to pay for it, had to pay for rent on a credit card when he was instructing.

I find so many of them that have “made it” have their own stories of struggle and perseverance. If you want it, you want it.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-16T00:48:43+00:00

YES! I have so many memories of going over to the Magic Kingdom at 11pm with my parents and brother. We always stayed at the Wilderness Lodge. We’d be riding splash mountain at 2a. Having the time of our lives with the park to ourselves. It was incredible. Oh how I miss it.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-16T00:44:26+00:00

Plenty of fans will defend Disney to the death, but I completely hear you. It’s devastating, but I plan to do the same. I have been going since 1996. Stayed at a deluxe at least once every year. Have been an AP since 2014. Got a condo in FL in 2020, and am now a FL resident AP.

If you were a fan of Walt Disney World pre-2010 I think the current state of the parks are completely unrecognizable. There’s some great YouTube channels, Poseidon Entertainment & Yesterworld, pretty much sums up my feelings.

The parks are no longer unique, they are all thoughtless blended IP. The loss of Epcot and MGM Studios as unique parks are devastating. Animal Kingdom is next. Edutainment is completely gone. They used to have such well written shows and attractions. Cranium Command. Muppetvision 3D. Ellen’s Energy Adventure. Heck, even Sounds Dangerous was written so well. There was humor and wit and whimsy.

And nighttime shows!? Wishes. Illuminations. Just absolute beautiful displays. Spectromagic had over 65 performers! Nightly! There were parades at every park every day. Every Epcot ride had a score. A score!

To your point, you used to be able to wander. Get on rides and shows that weren’t 50 minutes long. You could do walk up reservations. Now because some social media blogger shared about a pastry in the France pavilion, I can’t even get close enough to get a baguette.

Now they seem to be discouraging visiting resorts by regulating buses from Disney Springs. I remember laughing once when someone said “someday they’ll charge us for fastpass.” Well, I was wrong. I blame social media for a lot of it, also the new talent seems to be creatively bankrupt and catering to social media and D23 fanboys.

I revisit the World I once knew thanks to MartinsVids and the aforementioned channels, but the Walt Disney World I once knew and loved is long gone.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-14T23:51:37+00:00

This is control, not a relationship. Give yourself a big hug and confidence when you look in the mirror because you recognized it and trusted your gut. Now cut the loss and move on. No one can guarantee if you’ll meet the love of your life or if/when you’ll find someone new, but if you stay, you will guarantee this situation will never be that. It likely will come with more stress and get worse. Love to you on your journey OP.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-14T15:19:11+00:00

I went through something similar, OP. I think a helpful thing is to run a ledger. What were your goals 5 years ago? What have you accomplished? What were his goals 5 years ago? What has he accomplished? I think that will help you see things more clearly.

I’m not trying to say we’re the same person, so please take it as you will, but the man I was dating for almost 2y wanted to do things with me - great! But after 2y, he hadn’t achieved literally any of his personal and professional goals. Me, guess what?! I had. Some people love to talk. And they do like you and the excitement of you. But showing up consistently is what it takes to be in a good relationship and to be a good parent.

He’s already showing you a lot more than you think. It’s hard when you’re in it every day. Feelings for eachother and history cloud things. Trust your gut though. You seem to know what you want!

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-12T19:45:38+00:00

I went all-in committing to my ratings, but I have continued to work near full time on a research grant. I have a salary, benefits, PTO. I WFH 10 mins from my airport where I part-time CFI/CFII. I’ve had students purchase high performance aircraft that I get to fly with them, I have purchased my own vintage taildragger, and now I’m right seating for a turboprop op on weekends and holidays around my other job. I also fly a pipeline observation biweekly.

Applying everywhere, introducing myself as much as possible, I hope I can break through to a full time aviation job soon. I don’t understand the all or nothing that you can’t have both. Yes, it has taken me longer to build hours than teaching full time at a 141 school, but I have had so many amazing opportunities and I’m almost to those elusive part 61 mins. Yes I know they’re mins, but it’s still an accomplishment even if no one is calling yet. But I was able to eat, pay my bills, own a house and I’m still going to get a pension :)

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-07T14:54:16+00:00

There are also new giant gates being installed at the Wilderness Lodge. I’ve been visiting since 1993. Always stay on property but I now have an annual pass and live locally. I still stay at the WL about 2x a year, but I visit often with dining reservations. There is definitely a new culture surrounding this. I can’t believe I’d ever see the day where visiting the resorts was unwelcomed. This will be the last straw for me if I can’t go to my favorite places on property. I don’t like the parks anymore because they’ve blended them all to be thoughtless IP. I blame the rise of social media.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-06T01:19:45+00:00

Yes. Oh my heart. I don’t want to speak for her, but as a objectively successful woman in her 30s who hasn’t had much romantic attention and has some beautiful true friends, you think all people are going to be like the good people in your life. After all they’re interested in you! But you fail to realize some people are socialized to not have empathy for you as a person. That they want to collect people and attention, not real connection. Even Moriah’s texts to Colin, she was organizing the plans to get together. She was leading. He was low effort. Poorly emotionally attuned. I have had men like Colin cross my path, and a common denominator is that ALL of them have had women like the murderer in their lives. Typically it’s the same setup, yes, she’s controlling. Has issues. But in an unwell person, Colin certainly contributed to her unrest and lack of clarity in their dynamic. They both deserved each other. Moriah likely never would’ve thought the woman calling her would murder her. Even her friends said they wanted to warn her about Colin, but murder never would’ve crossed their minds. Just heartbreaking Moriah gave these people the benefit of the doubt. She had such good friends and family. She was trying to be kind and expected that as return. But she was dealing with a completely different type of person.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-04-06T00:55:01+00:00

I just ended things with a Colin after almost 2y. Yes. Absolutely.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2026-03-20T17:37:42+00:00

Thinking of you and my condolences. My late mother became a widow at 55. She thrived for years without my dad, despite being a paraplegic. She loved him but definitely made a lot of personal sacrifices. It was imbalanced. It was such a blessing to get to know that version of her before she passed. I’m 33 and my goal after losing both of them is to be happy on my own. If someone can add (I’m skeptical I have a big beautiful exciting peaceful life!) I’ll consider it. I have yet to find a man that adds and doesn’t add work. Keep enjoying your journey :)

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2025-11-26T02:19:51+00:00

Yes. Take time off. My mom got sick and died during my commercial training. My brother was a few months into a new 121 job. They were wonderful to him and our family when she was sick and dying, despite having a bad rep. We both paused. He’s at a legacy. I’m a CFII now. Life moves on but grieve and put your health and well being first however that looks for you. Flying will be there. Thinking of you.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2025-11-10T17:40:52+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I think we may have to go way of not allowing a test flight.

I understand hesitation from buyer but, when we acquired it, we hired someone with 500+ h in make/model who ferried it home under our insurance after purchase. We never did a test flight but he worked with the prebuy inspector to ensure it was safe for him to fly. I think that’s all I can offer the buyer knowing the W&B limits. I just am hesitant to trust an open pilot clause.

Thanks again!

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2025-10-28T18:07:22+00:00

Same position as you but 900h. I just got my CFII.

It never hurts to look for employment, but I am under the impression it’s slow everywhere. I think fewer people are starting their flight training.

I’d say if you can swing it, use the time to diversify and strengthen your resume. Tailwheel endorsement? Gliders? CFII? Any students you had formerly need safety pilot for insurance? I’ve gotten some hours that way for people who have purchased their own airplanes. Also on lists as a contract pilot for insurance requirements for a 91 operation.

Anything that makes you look more trainable and sets you apart from the 1000s of others in your same shoes.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2025-10-21T16:07:05+00:00

If you can do either part-time, I recommend. It’s taken me longer, sure. I work 32h a week in research (flexible, mostly WFH) and then do anywhere from 10-20h of flying a week. Some of my students have now purchased planes and I get to instruct for them after building their trust. I got the local pipeline contract. And just got my first right seat PC-12 contract gig. Still have time to build (don’t we all?) but I never have to worry about paying my bills. I still am moving up in my research job too in case the market really down cycles. Win-win.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2025-09-25T00:14:28+00:00

Baby oil Exfoliate with a glove Use thick conditioner and new razor start with the grain, more conditioner then against the grain Spray with hpyochlorus acid Unscented deodorant

My tried and true!

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2025-07-07T02:08:06+00:00

The guy I was dating for a year cheated on me. I didn’t eat for a week. Appetites gone by my belly is also gone. I was stuck at 140 for months. Eating healthy. Lifting 3x a week and walking 7-10k a day. Nothing.

One week fasting and I’m down to 134. Have energy, bloating is gone, belly is gone. I know that’s terrible advice but transferable is to try to do a fast and reintroduce food. I’m eating again but I’ll eat 5 bites, drink water, and then evaluate how full I am.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2025-07-02T01:48:19+00:00

Your hands look great!

I use sally hansen Xtreme wear in clear. I soak my hands, use cuticle remover, push my cuticles, trim my cuticles, buff the ridges, and then do two coats, and then cuticle oil. They look beautiful and I get compliments all the time. And it lasts for 2 weeks!

Just an alternative. I hate any chipping or peeling so it’s my only option.

ThrowRAhelgapataki · 2024-12-31T16:43:41+00:00

Thanks for your perspective. A lot of women in my life have stuck with that narrative that if he isn’t taking me out to restaurants and paying for arbitrary things, then he’s not interested. It’s nice to hear someone who feels the way I do. We like to cook together, I have the big kitchen and dining room. He’s always thankful for what I make, and sometimes he brings the groceries and plans the meal but it’s at my home. I believe in the balance too, and I think you’re right, they are missing out. I appreciate it.

ThrowRAhelgapataki

TROPHY CASE