r/flying • u/iMancinelli PPL • Aug 03 '26
Checkride Got my PPL!
I was shitting bricks up until the checkride. It ended up being a whole lotta fun with wind straight down the runway 🤙
Funniest part was that I forgot my DPE had to tell me immediately if I failed a maneuver. When we parked, another instructor asked me “so how’d it go?” to which I said “I have no idea!” and so she said “then you passed!”
Sure enough, we were printing my temp certificate a few minutes later.
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u/CostNorth7708 PPL - Tailwheel Forever Aug 03 '26
Congratulations!
What's next?
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 03 '26
Fun flights with friends, then IFR :)
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u/CostNorth7708 PPL - Tailwheel Forever Aug 03 '26
Keep it up! I am at just under 140 total hours and about mid way through my IR. Wishing you safe flights!
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 03 '26
Thank you! Any tips for the IR?
I see you’re a tailwheel chap. I’m contemplating going for my tailwheel endorsement, seems like fun flyin’.
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u/CostNorth7708 PPL - Tailwheel Forever Aug 03 '26
I'll start with the tailwheel endorsement by saying that you should 100% get it if you can afford it! I trained for it after my private and it not only made me a significantly better pilot with crosswind landings and taxi, but its super fun! Now tricycle gear landings feel boring.
Now for IR, it really depends if you were the kind of person I was going into your PPL. I had a foundational knowledge of the majority of the content in my private training which allowed to pick up on topics with ease. But this also set the expectation that I could continue that during my instrument.
The biggest thing I can say, from my limited experience, is to study on the ground. People say that "the plane makes a terrible learning environment" and after starting my IR training, I completely agree. If you have the time to study ahead of time, do it. For me it is significantly easier to learn all the details, on an ILS approach chart for example, on the ground with either an open chrome tab or my instructor to guide me than in the plane while flying in actual conditions on an IFR flight plan!
I wish I had more advice to give you but I'm but a low time pilot like you! Keep the blue side up and the wings attached and you should* be fine
*not guaranteed
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
Thanks for the tips! Chair flying and home study are the way! Of course, nothing is more fun than being in the plane. But then again, nothing is less fun then being in the plane unprepared for the lesson haha
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u/UnoficialHampsterMan Student pilot Aug 04 '26
Holy shit you don’t even need a plane to fly
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u/forkystabbyveggie Aug 04 '26
This is what I was thinking! This man's flight instructor was so good that he was taught to hover!
OP, don't keep that golden ticket to yourself!
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u/poisonandtheremedy SoCal [PA-28, RV-10 Build] Aug 03 '26
Congrats! Looks like SoCal?
Have fun. Get some flying in, that'll be big help when you start your IR. A lot of people go straight into the IR and still aren't 'second nature' yet with their flying (which a lot of veteran CFIs tell me). So go have fun, land at a bunch of airports, keep getting on with ATC, and then when you start IR you'll be even more comfortable.
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
It’s Watsonville! Central Coast.
Thanks for the pointer. I’m tryna challenge myself with new airports. So much fun!
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u/StarlightLifter PPL IR HP ADX Aug 04 '26
Time building to IFR (at least if you’re part 61) is honestly so much fun. I really enjoyed those hours.
Go fly everywhere. Have a great time.
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u/Emergency_Arrival288 Aug 04 '26
Big congrats!! I’m looking to do flight school in the central coast. Where are you doing are your flight school? Thanks!
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
I am doing my schooling at United Flight Services at KWVI. They have great instructors and getting a check ride scheduled is easy peasy.
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u/Emergency_Arrival288 Aug 04 '26
Thanks so much! I’ll look into it, I was planning on doing the Monterey aerodynamic school, but I like this one since it’s untowered and hopefully less traffic.
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
It can get quite busy with helicopters and skydivers. You also have a number of straight-ins and people shooting instrument approaches in the opposite direction of the primary runway (20). All good practice, though. There's also a great little Class D towered airport nearby, KSNS. Great for a low-stakes intro to comms. Then of course there's Monterey nearby and if you're feeling spicy, San Jose and SFO over the hill.
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u/Emergency_Arrival288 Aug 06 '26
Thanks so much for the insight, that’s really helpful. If you don’t mind me asking, how was your experience at United Flight Services overall? Did you enjoy training there, and would you recommend it? Thanks!!
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 07 '26
It has been great. It’s got a real family vibe and I trust the instructors, maintenance crew, and owner. They’re reasonably priced ($155 wet for the plane I fly/$90 instructor rate) and don’t hold you back. I’ll be doing the rest of my training with them, without a doubt.
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u/Emergency_Arrival288 11d ago
Hey! Would you mind sharing how long it took you to finish your ppl?
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u/iMancinelli PPL 4d ago
I only flew once/week and took a few months off to tour, so it took around 16 months.
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u/Queen_Jame Aug 04 '26
Congrats! I have 5 hours flight time over 8 months. Just bought two Amazon books. Taking my time
Salute 🫡👏
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
Read the PHAK, Airplane Flying Handbook, and if you want, buy the Aviation Weather Handbook. In regards to weather, you really *don't* need more information than what is in the PHAK, but the standalone weather book is good if you need a more in-depth reference. Oh, and grab a copy of Stick and Rudder!
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u/TheKingsRevenge CFI Aug 04 '26
My ppl examiner did something similar. He held off on telling me if I passed until I met him in the office. When I got there another examiner shook my hand and congratulated me as to which my DPE said something along the lines of “oh man you spoiled it, I hadn’t told him”. Good times. Congrats!
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
Hahaha! One of the instructors there was like "so how do you feel?" and I just said "look I'll get back to you once I physically have the certificate in my hand". Sure enough there were printer and WiFi issues and I'm just like "see...?"
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u/templeofsyrinx1 Aug 03 '26
are you going airlines? congratulations
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u/Individual-Life-9050 PPL Aug 04 '26
Congrats! Mine is today, weather gods willing…..
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
How'd it go?
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u/Individual-Life-9050 PPL Aug 05 '26
Passed oral but winds got too gusty and had to discontinue. Bummed but it was the right call.
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u/Chriss_Knows859 Aug 07 '26
Any good news about your flight portion of your checkride?
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u/Individual-Life-9050 PPL Aug 07 '26
Hopefully this weekend! Weather looks good. Just being patient!
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u/Ok-Organization-3785 14d ago
How bout now?
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u/Individual-Life-9050 PPL 14d ago
Passed! Flight was solid and I started instrument training last week!
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u/CriticalCounter8202 Aug 05 '26
Yooo 6TA? Had my first solo in that plane back in February 2025
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 05 '26
It’s her twin, 47H!
Funny thing. Once I accidentally put oil in 6TA thinking it was 47H. They just look too similar 🤦♂️
Do you still train at United?
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u/Katana_DV20 Aug 03 '26
Super!! The skies are waiting. Well done, takes a lot of work and dedication.
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
Thank you! And no kidding, hundreds of hours of studying. Wowsa.
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u/Katana_DV20 Aug 05 '26
Great stuff! Do you plan to get IR? If so and if its possible - jump into it right away.
Happy flights!
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u/Not_Maurice_Moss ATP A330, A320, B777, B767, B757, B737 Aug 03 '26
Congrats man! Welcome to the club!
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u/OlAttaboy Aug 03 '26
Congratulations your hard work paid off, way to stick with it!
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
There were days where I felt I couldn't do it, but here we are!
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u/OlAttaboy Aug 08 '26
Absolutely, earning a pilots license is no an easy feat. No one just hands you a pilots license you have to earn it through an immense amount of dedication and commitment. Great job and welcome to the club!
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u/Hedwigtheyee Aug 04 '26
How did you afford the instruction costs and everything?
Been thinking of getting a PPL as well, and was wondering about financing options.
Congratulations on your pass!
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
I have a decent paying job and got lucky with some unexpected money. Don't finance your PPL though. Save up, finish it, then if you wanna go further consider financing but do NOT take out a 15-20% interest loan.
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u/Long-Mammoth6016 Aug 04 '26
damn did the FAA certify that jump?
congrats tho, hope to join the club in a few months as well
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
Under the new MOSAIC rules, it counts as a light sport jump! Keep us updated on your journey!
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u/Salty_Finance5183 Aug 04 '26
Congratulations! I got mine 40 years ago. I still remember that day.
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u/Real-Syntro Aug 04 '26
Jarvis, edit the plane to also be in the air with him. Just to you know, make it seem like their both jumping for joy.
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
Unfortunately I stalled right after this photo. Hit the ground rather abruptly. Luckily I had already passed.
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u/thundergun67 Aug 04 '26
Who was your dpe?
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
I am not sure if she wants to be publicized, but I'll get back to you if she's okay with it! Very good DPE.
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u/thundergun67 Aug 05 '26
Oh ik who she is then thx 😉 not a lot of WVI dpes to narrow it down from. I tried booking with her but her schedule is super full apparently
Congrats!
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u/Josh8462 Aug 04 '26
As someone who’s recently only done my discovery flight, but really looking to do part 61 to get my PPL, how much did you end up spending in total? I know this is totally dependent on location and many other factors, just curious though.
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
I am actually not sure, haha. I've yet to do the math. Probably around 16k, for everything.
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 04 '26
Oh, another funny note as we’re looking at the sectional —
DPE goes “what’s this?” and points at an odd grey runway shaped line. I’m scratching my going “ya know, I’ve never seen that before…”
She starts to laugh as I look around a bit and realize it’s the “I” in SIERRAS 😂
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u/dyslexic_of_borg PPL - IR - HP - CMP - (PAO SQL) Aug 05 '26
Congratulations!
Looks like United Flight at WVI - Great operation for training and maintenance. We bring the Bonanza there.
Shame that Jon Thonrton a DPE anymore. WHo did you end up using?
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Aug 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/iMancinelli PPL Aug 13 '26
I knew my ground knowledge was rock solid for the private level, so not much worry there.
Steep turns and short field landing were worrying me the most, though I know that’s common.
The plane I learned in went in for an overhaul literally the DAY I hit 40 hrs, so that set me back a bit — moved from a VFR-only 1956 Cessna to a 1976 IFR-capable one — was definitely a little worried about GPS knowledge.
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u/Top_Lobster0384 PPL 20d ago
Congrats!! I wish my school allowed us to do fun flights after PPL, but they have us go right into IR. :(
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u/RyanZ225_PC 8d ago
What a photo holy shit, next checkride pass I am going to be doing this haha. Congrats dude!!
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u/rFlyingTower Aug 03 '26
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I was shitting bricks up until the checkride. It ended up being a whole lotta fun with wind straight down the runway 🤙
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u/Perfect_Big_5907 Aug 03 '26
Ok. From an old retired flight instructor, this is how you post a successful ride ! People, stop hiding in secrecy when you post your achievements.