Learning to Fly

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nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2016 - 10:21am PT

Both Chris and Elliot are really nice guys. I'm still very unpleased I damaged the aircraft. At the end of the day I could have declined. But on a long day in a hot cockpit and trying to get this done it was just overloaded and the thought didn't cross my mind. Plus I had done that transition before so I made the decision. Only thing is I didn't do it before with 230 lbs of potatoes in the back seat.

After the very few things left for this morning Elliot stated "that's what we wanted to see yesterday". After I left the airport I had some beers and rode my bike around. Don't remember my head hitting the pillow and Aya brought me a cup of coffee when my eyes opened 15 minutes before I was to meet them.

It was a nice calm morning and a good ride. I'll write some more about the whole experience later.

This has been one of the hardest "pitches" I've ever lead. I'm not even sure what to do with myself. Might just go camping at Woo this weekend because I can.

So... how does the rope get up there anyway? I fergot.

bentelbow

climber

spud state

Jul 20, 2016 - 12:36pm PT

Good job nature! Sounds like a tough check ride, I don't think mine lasted more than an hour and was over before I knew it.

BLUEBLOCR

Social climber

joshua tree

Jul 20, 2016 - 01:38pm PT

RIGHT ON! GOOD JOB CAPTAIN DOUG

This has been one of the hardest "pitches" I've ever lead.

prolly one of the most expensive too, eh? way to go stickin through it! how much does it cost to get a PPL these days? do you got plans on working toward your instrument rating?

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2016 - 01:50pm PT

I'm scared to add it all up but I expect it rang in around $12K or more. The nice thing is it's a tax deduction as the reason I got the PPL was to fly drones commercially (required under our FAA 333 Exemption to act as PIC for commercial operations).

No plans to do anything right now. Instrument seems like a good logical next step but for now I look forward to going out and flying just to fly.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 20, 2016 - 02:02pm PT

Only $12K? Really? Lite! BTW, gud job.

Fuggetabout instruments, just do Pokemon Go - lots cheaper.

ps
Go soaring and really learn how to fly! You live in sailplane heaven!
Oh, and just remember, there are no go-arounds. ;-)

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 20, 2016 - 02:19pm PT

After Chris was done doing the evaluation on Elliot they both walked to the other side of the airport where Elliot did a check ride for Chris in the gliders.

Both of them said I should hop in a glider. That might be next.

"Only". phffffffpt.

And Thank you all for the support on this journey. If I didn't have a photo shoot first thing in the AM I'd be working on a good one while chasing PokeyMon's around town. And do you know how many pokey stops you can hit even in a slow little Cessna?

O.D.

Trad climber

LA LA Land

Jul 20, 2016 - 05:15pm PT

Woo hoo! Congrats!

BLUEBLOCR

Social climber

joshua tree

Jul 20, 2016 - 05:33pm PT

yep, woot woot again!

thinkin it's kinda cool you crash landed on ur checkout ride, hahahaha

should always be a 10 if everyone walks away, right;)

Cheers

think i'm having sushi tonight. prolly only a 5 on your scale tho! but it's all you can eat, $11.99 @ The Asian Buffet in yucca valley! it's cheaper than a new Crossroads breakfast. and better!

edit; did anyone else notice that dude above has boobs?>

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Jul 23, 2016 - 10:03am PT

As my first CFI told me, even if you wreck the airplane the DE expects the wreckage to be ON THE CENTERLINE!

Doug-

I missed the "I'm a pilot," post. My sincerest congratulations!!

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Jul 27, 2016 - 05:54pm PT

Next steps?

After I received my Private certificate, I went for my Complex endorsement (Cessna 172 RG), and finally my High Performance endorsement (Piper PA28-236). If you can find a rental Cessna 182 RG, you could kill 2 birds with one bird.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Jul 27, 2016 - 06:45pm PT

Don't phuk around, find a Cessna 210.

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2017 - 03:37pm PT

Well that was exciting...

I hadn't been up in over 3 months so I needed an instructor to clear me. two two delta had some issues with oil pressure and max RPM so it was grounded. Second option is zero eight juliet but that thing always feels like it's about to fall out of the air. They brought four seven lima online right around when I finished my PPL so I never had a chance to fly it. It's a 1991 Cessna 172 sport - fuel injected so it has 20 more HP. It feels all fancy compared to the '79 Cessna. Winds were suppose to be light @3KN but the rotors sitting on the mountains suggested that wouldn't be the case.

After getting introduced to a new plane and new cockpit the take off from eight was fine and we headed to the practice area. We contacted KDEN approach and got flight tracking -busy day out there today. Did the standards stuff - steep turns, power off stalls etc. and then headed back to KBDU. Winds were a bit different - 24012KNG22 and variable. Little bit of a cross-wind for two-six. First landing wasn't bad - the shiny side stayed up and did a touch and go for closed traffic to bump the wheels again so I can get current for passengers. Last landing was exciting - had a nice glide slope and I had the stripes all lined up as we crossed the threshold only to get blasted off the line. Pulled her back to the stripes, got the wheels on the ground and called it a day. A little bit of snow started as we shut her down. My instructor commented about how hard I was working.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 25, 2017 - 03:43pm PT

Not only did you keep the shiny side up you walked away from that last landing! Good job! :-)
AND you landed on the runway. Take THAT, Harrison!

ms55401

Trad climber

minneapolis, mn

Feb 25, 2017 - 03:47pm PT

about how long does it take to get the basic (non-commercial) pilot license that would allow one to legally bop around solo in run-of-the-mill single-prop?

how long in calendar time, assuming "day job"

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 25, 2017 - 03:51pm PT

3-4 months, if yer check book holds out, or 6 months if yer slow or uncoordinated.
9 months for most climbers.
1 month if you quit yer job. YMMV

nature

climber

Boulder, CO

Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2017 - 04:05pm PT

Took me a year and $13K. But I also had a winter to deal with and a job.

And I never really had any doubts on those landings. Even it was the windiest day I've ever had flying. Plus there were no 737's to aim at sitting on the taxi way.

I think I'm going for IRF rating next. Didn't realize it's *only* 40 hours. four seven lima with the autopilot and all the fancy GPS stuffs is perfect for that.

Reilly

Mountain climber

The Other Monrovia- CA

Feb 25, 2017 - 04:27pm PT

Hope yer instructor doesn't let you use the auto while you learn. Seriously.
You'll love flying by numbers - the ultimate video game!

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Feb 25, 2017 - 05:09pm PT

Just remember this axiom: getting the Private Cert is just a license to begin learning how to fly... You are still a beginner until you get yourself into a situation that scares you shitless, but manage to survive.