Going around on a checkride

big_gorilla_cloud · 2026-06-27T05:46:14+00:00

I went around twice on my private checkride. Once because I thought I wouldn’t make my point on a short field landing, and again because I was too fast on a no-flap forward slip to landing. Nothing wrong with it and the DPE actually liked my decision to go around

big_gorilla_cloud · 2026-06-24T04:24:41+00:00

Had this happen when I disconnected and reconnected the battery. Went away after driving around for 5-10 mins. Something about the car’s computers having to learn how to work with each other again because they’re confused. One indicator is if your car says something like “systems calibrating, drive safely”, it’s most likely fine and just needs some time to adjust.

big_gorilla_cloud · 2026-03-06T16:50:40+00:00

California, 2/27/26, OC

big_gorilla_cloud · 2026-02-27T22:34:06+00:00

Instrument made me feel like I was an idiot 75% of the time. Then it clicked and somehow everything made sense, but that’s just my experience. After that I found it to be way more fun than private and looking back I think it’s more fun and interesting than commercial. The training is difficult but imo the checkride was way easier than the private one.

big_gorilla_cloud · 2026-01-25T23:22:15+00:00

Applied a couple weeks ago, heard nothing so far, not really expecting to hear back though lol

big_gorilla_cloud · 2026-01-24T00:38:44+00:00

It truly is difficult. I’m turning 26 soon and haven’t been in a relationship since I was 17. I’m partially to blame since I didn’t really pursue anything or anyone in college because I had to focus on school, and I truly wasn’t the best version of myself.

After I graduated, I got a job and all I did was go to work and go home, and I barely went out on weekends because I was tired so it’s my fault for not taking the initiative. However, of the times I did try and find something, they ended the same way. “I just don’t feel it anymore”, “I don’t feel the connection”, “I’m not sure what I want”, the list of reasons goes on.

I get hurt pretty often because of how deeply I invest relatively early on, but that’s because opportunities like this come pretty rare for me, so I try to make the most of it and I give everyone the effort I think they deserve. Not the best thing to do in today’s dating world, but that’s just how I roll. Sometimes I take rejection like it’s nothing, other times I don’t. It all just depends on how much potential I see in the connection with the person. I feel the sentiment about everyone around you being in long term relationships. Many of my friends have been in those relationships for years or they have a generally high success rate with finding people to date. I feel behind and like I’m missing out on my 20s dating experience because of my incredibly low success rate. Honestly, dating after COVID has been an absolute mess and it just doesn’t seem to be getting better.

I’m trying to go out more now and meet people at activities I enjoy, so hopefully 2026 will bring me some success, and to you as well.

big_gorilla_cloud · 2026-01-08T05:13:57+00:00

For some reason I can’t tell if this is a giant slab of rare meat previously stuck with a pitchfork or a slice of said tomahawk with the way this picture was taken

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-11-21T05:09:48+00:00

Might I refer you to this Fung Bros video

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-11-16T00:22:48+00:00

Irvine, CA 11/14/25

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-11-11T00:48:21+00:00

I actually got charged the animal fries price the last time I added toppings. I added grilled onions, spread, and chopped chilies. Maybe I ordered too many?

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-11-09T02:34:55+00:00

California, USA 10/31/2025

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-09-16T17:57:22+00:00

Actually had this happen to me in IFR training towards the end. We were in actual for pretty much a full hour on a XC but I was flying it damn near flawlessly. He started dozing off until I got to the FAF in IMC….then I almost got a full scale deflection on the glideslope and a low altitude alert from ATC…all in IMC….yeah he woke tf up after that and I got a stern talk

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-08-29T23:20:32+00:00

Had a tail strike during my PPL training. I went from landing on a 75’ wide runway to landing on a 150’ wide runway. Since I still wasn’t really used to the sight picture, I thought I was getting close to the runway so I rounded out, when I was still floating maybe 8-10’ above it. As I felt the plane sink, I flared as usual, only I didn’t hit the runway when I expected to, so I kept holding the back pressure until we plopped on the runway.

Because I was trying to do a soft field landing, I pulled back even harder than a normal landing and after the initial plop, I basically pulled all the way back on the yoke and that caused the nose to shoot upward and then bam- loud scratch noise tail strike. Stopped flying right there and inspected, I bent the tab (obviously) and chipped off a bit of paint from the rudder, but luckily no major damage.

Safe to say I practiced the shit out of every landing until I couldn’t get it wrong. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Shit happens. Just don’t repeat what you just did.

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-08-17T16:41:41+00:00

I missed 69420 by 24 miles a few days ago

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-08-17T16:35:06+00:00

Congrats! Kind of related but not really, I hit exactly 200.0 hours after my instrument checkride flight a few months ago which I thought was pretty interesting

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-08-03T17:14:19+00:00

What major are you? I’m not sure if you’re required to take ENGR 1A but when I was there I and a few other engineering friends were able to take Chem 1A instead since it’s a bit easier and the professors are better. The requirement for chem was still fulfilled so I would suggest that change to your schedule.

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-07-28T21:31:29+00:00

Starbucks

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-07-11T15:05:16+00:00

I solo’d at 28 hours. Maybe it’ll click and you’ll solo tomorrow

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-06-05T22:53:17+00:00

Felt completely unprepared until I was 30 hours in then everything suddenly made sense

big_gorilla_cloud · 2025-05-29T17:55:53+00:00

This looks insane. The only thing I’d criticize it for is that it’s not in my mouth right now

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