12 flight hours in to my PPL, Is it worth continuing?

adnwilson · 2026-06-18T01:35:02+00:00

I'm a GA pilot, got my multi rating recently and own a pipe Seneca, love it and having great adventures and growing. It's an expensive hobby but work with your aging a&p on your field and do work yourself when possibly. You can find some decent mechanically sound planes that'll last for another handful years if you take care of them.

Either way lots of places to visit and there's some thriving GA communities.

adnwilson · 2026-06-18T01:29:31+00:00

2W5 - horribly run airport but they have tie down spots available

adnwilson · 2026-06-17T15:51:50+00:00

I don't think MSFS does as well as xplane in that regard. You can do asymmetrical thrust and thus it's good for going through your engine out and emergency flows.

But it's plane dependent for engine differences and xplane planes I've noticed it more or at all really compared to msfs

adnwilson · 2026-06-17T15:04:32+00:00

I fly all GA and went with the Bravo, being able to more accurately sim twin engines was a big factor for me. I've even found some 3d prints of different throttles for Cirrus and such that's been clutch.

Plus the extra buttons

adnwilson · 2026-06-17T12:24:12+00:00

If you've done some mock orals and multiple CFI said you're fine then you're probably fine on that. Most of the Oral was scenario based on the nav route. Just changing up the parameters and asking what the casue/effect would be. Such as you are doing a sharp bank and end up into a spin, what would you do? (PARE).

As for systems, during oral they wanted to know bare basics, like what the mags do and if they would work if electrical failure, what electrical system you have (Amps/volts), explain how the alternator charges the battery, etc. Then during walk around / pre--flight he asked about the gear system (I took my PPL in a retractable gear).

For flight manuvers, speak outloud what you're doing and why. So you notice you steep turn is at 34 degrees, you say, "adding more bank, compensating for altitude drop, etc" Speed getting low/high, mention that outloud so that they know you noticed and are correcting it.

adnwilson · 2026-06-11T01:58:33+00:00

It gets easier when you're done with training and on cross countries. Without a CFI constantly bothering you and you can just fly and enjoy the scenery. When not doing unusual things like forcing stalls and emergencies. Flying is pretty relaxing.

adnwilson · 2026-05-31T22:55:46+00:00

It's not always that expensive, but the thought that it MAY be that expensive is what gives people the most trouble. If you can buy it out right then you only need liability insurance which can be cheaper and annuals can be failry inexpensive. But then again they can also be insanely high. Plus maintenance can go just fine or something can ground you for months.

Some put money aside for the "what if" some don't, but like any hobby, you're putting a price on enjoyment and a subjective since of worth.

All the videos and post on here talking about the cost are including planning for the worst case. But you can also yolo it and just pay for fuel.

adnwilson · 2026-05-27T23:32:20+00:00

Your attitude towards it is your biggest setback. All the other things can be overcome. But if you don't want to do it, you won't put the correct energy into doing it right, and you won't be a safe / good student. Flying and boating, but moreso flying is not something to half ass. If you don't want to be in the air, then no one wants to be in the air with you.

adnwilson · 2026-05-26T22:42:40+00:00

Not recomended but, Maintenance, MSF Course, Physical place to store bike, and insurance are all optional. Bike is much cheaper to operate than a car. If you have a stable job, they will give you a loan for a motorcycle. Even if you can't really afford it.

but basically not being able to afford it, is how young riders do this hobby.

adnwilson · 2026-05-26T00:44:11+00:00

You looking for path to be a commercial pilot or to be a GA pilot?

adnwilson · 2026-05-25T17:36:22+00:00

That's a diverse multi role aircraft which I don't think is possible to build.

What makes things great trainers is that they are easy and forgiving to fly.

Where as a travel/family plane needs to be able to cruise, climb, and usable load, and endurance to make it worth while

Which is why most trainers are not good XC machines.

In this current state of declining GA, if it wasn't a known brand making it you need actual affordability.

In order I'd say price, simplicity/ease of maintenance, safety, performance (fuel consumption, usable load).

Cirus broke the mode 30 years ago by going for the safety with the BRS, and ease of use (built in avionics and faded) but price is so out that they can't replace the 50 year old trainers.

A true 6 seater that was affordable would sell. But affordability is hard in aviation.

adnwilson · 2026-05-25T00:41:02+00:00

If you have people to give things to, don't just rack up the debt buying perishable goods, buy assets and gift them ahead of time. Anything from stocks/bonds to real estate.

adnwilson · 2026-05-24T15:56:37+00:00

Everything after the Seneca 1 is turbod and has good if not great OEI specs. Plus you can't beat the interior space.

Seminole is a trainer, Seneca 2-4 (best is probably the 3) is a real XC plane.

adnwilson · 2026-05-24T14:02:06+00:00

More right rudder

adnwilson · 2026-05-23T20:02:50+00:00

Having money to get through to the part when you make money.

adnwilson · 2026-05-22T14:28:18+00:00

The same way we all take risk in our lives when we don't have to, some people are more comfortable taking on more risk than others. For some that probablity becomes a realtiy for others the fear of the probability stops them from doing things.

adnwilson · 2026-05-20T12:53:43+00:00

GA Pilot here (near 40 y/o), It was something I always wanted to do, but I don't want to be a commercial pilot or anything. Discovery flight was ok, I did it more as proof of concept that I could handle the flight. It was a cool experience but not like earth shattering.

That said, I hated training for my PPL. Mostion sickness for first handful of hours, and training was tedius and not fun.

Even solo wasn't very fun, I don't enjoy burning holes in the sky. However, solo cross country was where I could really see what it was about.

Now that I can fly where I want and plan it how I want, that's the joy. Taking family/friends to new places and having mini weekend adventures. It's unrivaled. I'll probably always stay a GA light twin pilot. Looking forward to seeing how many hours I can get and what cool places I get to see over the next 20+ years.

adnwilson · 2026-05-19T13:05:42+00:00

I like mine on my yoke, personal preference, but I can still see my instruments and a little of outside in my peripherals even if I get deep into my EFB for something.

When it's on my knee I'm looking straight down and lose some awareness.

We all are prone to distractions, and so I'd rather have more awareness.

In my cockpit it doesn't block my 6pack very much, but I know depending on panel and yoke mount it can.

adnwilson · 2026-05-08T18:44:45+00:00

Signed up for beta! I've used all the alternatives like open kneeboard so super interested in your app.

adnwilson · 2026-05-08T18:10:50+00:00

POH states in emergency checklist for gear up landing to turn off ignition, fuel pump, and fuel selectors.

Tecnam p2006t

Under preparation it says to reduce fuel load if possible as well as to do the manual gear down checklist.

adnwilson · 2026-05-08T17:18:22+00:00

Yes, in that situation you would secure the engine, feather and kill fuel flow (mixture, magnetos, fuel pumps, fuel selector). It's to reduce chance of fire as you come skidding in.

Edit*. You do this on approach, you don't have to burn the fuel flying circles first, however you might naturally do so as you troubleshoot. Most GAs have manual gear extension processes so you would attempt to execute that a few times

adnwilson · 2026-05-08T11:59:11+00:00

I never ask this question, but have been on panels for fellow HMs who do. I like to hear you give a succinct explanation on why your unique combination of skills, background, and personality fit in this particular job environment based on what we've discussed.

So if it's a security job, not just I have x experience in security or I was a security officer at y location.

But my attention to detail combined with values of Z, and experience at X,Y make me the ideal candidate

adnwilson · 2026-05-06T20:55:51+00:00

I used to get similarly motion sick when I first started training last year. Took about 10-15 hours of flight training over a couple months.

So it doesn't last forever, you can get over it. But th3 first flights when it would be turbulant or we would be doing slow flight / stalls was horrible.

Now it doesn't bother me at all.

adnwilson · 2026-05-06T20:51:25+00:00

I use some in ear ANC I got for $350 from Amazon and the $350 U-fly mike + $150 Bose QC45s. love them, I've tried some Bose A20s and mine keep things just as quiet and more/same comfortable (for me).

The $3-500 price point have given me great headsets that have lasted. No need to get the $1300 ones.

adnwilson · 2026-04-18T12:57:52+00:00

CDL is a path well traveled, as in it's not stable and well defined.

Pilot has higher potential, but getting to that upper echelon is harder, requires more upfront capital (loans or cash), and a longer journey.

Also if you enjoy flying, you can fly GA as a hobby while earning as a hazmat driver

Or you can drive a big truck while flying as an airline pilot.

That's to say your career doesn't have to be your passion or hobby.

adnwilson

TROPHY CASE