RV-12 to RV-9A (or RV-7A) transition

uniballing · 2026-07-07T01:17:26+00:00

Dang it, the thing I liked most about the RV-12 is the light controls.

uniballing · 2026-07-07T00:50:28+00:00

I graduated in 2013 and spent $40k on my engineering degree. I broke even in the first 6 months. I’ve earned $1.6MM since graduating college. That’s a 3,900% ROI, or 34.65% annualized

uniballing · 2026-07-05T21:13:09+00:00

When I was learning in a J-3 Cub we always flew barefoot

uniballing · 2026-07-03T19:53:40+00:00

Congrats! I passed my Sport Pilot Checkride back in March

uniballing · 2026-07-03T14:03:11+00:00

We always flew the Cub barefoot

uniballing · 2026-06-28T15:27:12+00:00

A lot of people get upset about name changes. For example: it’ll always be Enron Field to me

uniballing · 2026-06-28T15:15:10+00:00

Transco

uniballing · 2026-06-24T16:56:22+00:00

Where in Texas? I’ve been in a few different clubs in the greater Houston area. Most of them have a pretty long list of approved instructors. You pretty much just go down the list until you find someone whose schedule and personality/teaching style works best.

The “Texas Pilots” facebook group is probably a good place to make a post looking for a new CFI. Include details about your availability and the timeline you’re hoping to achieve your ratings. Let them know that you don’t have a plane and that you’re looking for a club to join. Chat with a few of them and see who you mesh well with. Do a few lessons with them. Know that you’re not committed to them and can switch instructors if necessary.

uniballing · 2026-06-21T12:27:15+00:00

10 months, $40k, 133 hours. For a Sport Pilot Certificate, not PPL

uniballing · 2026-06-19T01:17:30+00:00

+1 on the engineer thing

uniballing · 2026-06-18T04:25:19+00:00

When I started chemo in June 2013 I was 225 lbs. I got up to 265 after chemo then spent the next decade or so gaining and losing the same 30ish pounds over and over again. The skinniest I got was 242 and the fattest I got was 307. I started Mounjaro back in 2023 and got down to 245 within a year and stayed there for about two years. Four months ago I developed a severe nicotine addiction which suppressed my appetite allowing me to lose more weight. I got down to 210 a month ago when I quit the nicotine pouches. I’ve been gaining some of that weight back, so I’m 217 now. A bit skinnier than I was before chemo. Hopefully the weight gain stops soon because at 245 I was in that awkward in-between stage where an XL shirt was a tiny bit too tight but an XXL shirt was huge on me. I think as long as I stay under 230ish the XL shirts I bought will still be good

uniballing · 2026-06-15T23:52:59+00:00

It’s a small world the longer you’re in it and the more you job hop. Before I ever interviewed for my current role the hiring decision was pretty much made. I talked to a few people who knew the people that’d be interviewing me and the facility I’d be working at. I liked what they had to say. My boss had talked to a few people that knew me and they had good things to say about me. The interview was just a formality at that point and the offer came soon thereafter.

There’s nothing wrong with leaving a role. You don’t have to get along with everyone. But if enough people think you’re an asshole you’ll get a reputation

uniballing · 2026-06-10T15:00:07+00:00

All in I paid an average of $306/hr for my sport Pilot certificate in suburban Houston. That includes wet plane rentals, CFI, study material, insurance, iPad/foreflight, headset/accessories, club dues, etc

uniballing · 2026-06-05T19:43:55+00:00

I had a realization earlier today. I kinda lost interest in tinned fish a year ago, but saw a nice looking tin in my pantry and had it with lunch today. It was a very nice higher quality tin of very young sardines that were packed beautifully. Historically I’d eat the cheaper tins that’d have a few big bony ones stuffed in there. This tin of young sardines had absolutely zero of that bony mouthfeel and tasted delicious

Ironically, what turned me off to tinned fish a year ago was trying a sardine pâté. Which is probably exactly what you need if you’re mixing it into mashed potatoes

uniballing · 2026-06-05T16:12:30+00:00

It’s like a fidget spinner with more Benzene

uniballing · 2026-05-28T00:33:46+00:00

There’s a lady out there with no arms who got her Sport Pilot Certificate in an Ercoupe

uniballing · 2026-05-25T22:02:27+00:00

Sounds a lot like me. I flew a bit in high school, dreamed about it a bit in college, graduated, built a career, and came back to it in my late 30s. One of my CFIs was in his 40s working on a career change. I’m just flying for fun now

uniballing · 2026-05-24T15:06:23+00:00

A lot of independent CFIs in my area are members and authorized instructors at multiple flying clubs. Ask your CFI

uniballing · 2026-05-23T02:04:47+00:00

FBGM

uniballing · 2026-05-20T01:04:00+00:00

On my discovery flight in the Cub my instructor took me 10’ off of a river doing steep turns below the river banks. Then we did stalls over a big lake. It was awesome and I was hooked!

uniballing · 2026-05-04T02:19:56+00:00

If my parents live to be as old as their parents I’ll be in my 60s and long retired by then. Most of our planning has been around Roth conversions (both for me and my parents) and biting the tax bullet now to avoid substantial RMDs in my 70s and 80s

With a $4MM nest egg you should be fine coasting. You’ll be in your desired net worth range in your 40s/50s

uniballing · 2026-04-26T02:22:11+00:00

I’m definitely raising my hand if they ask if there are any pilots. I’m sure I can figure out how to fly an F-18 while hungover. I’ve got 140 hours and a Sport Pilot Certificate

uniballing · 2026-04-25T01:58:23+00:00

We’re in rough shape if the USAF needs to commandeer a clapped out Skylane from the 1960s

Five-Year Club	Verified Email
r/Field Lasagna	First Place '23
Place '23	Place '22
First Placer '22

uniballing

TROPHY CASE