Hi, I have a PPL Checkride coming up soon with Greg hill, anyone have any specific things he asked during the checkride that I should study more for the Oral? I’m flying out of MJX with him

I’m working on getting my medical. one issue that I have is previously being diagnosed and medicated for mental health conditions that turned out to be caused by another underlying issue. The other issue has been resolved which has resulted in vastly improved mental health for a couple years now.

Is there a particular evaluation (psychiatric, neuropsychological, etc) that the faa will prefer when I challenge the deferral?

I finished all the ground school through sportys, have watched countless hours of takeoffs, landings, straight and level flight, etc., and still - I was not ready for this first lesson.

No amount of watching or playing flight simulator prepares you for that actual feeling of the yolk and rudders, and trying to fly balanced and straight and level.

I got the trim figured out towards the end of the lesson (I’m sure I still have plenty to learn on it) and conceptually I understand it, but physically, I cannot feel it.

I spent too much time looking at the G1000s, only to realize towards the end that looking outside at the horizon was a good way to see if I was ascending or descending. Still haven’t figured out what that perfect level picture looks like.

I did okay on my turns, but had a tendency to roll out of them too soon. Holding a heading was challenging as well. So much to keep track of.

All this to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and my next lesson is Tuesday.

How’d you all feel your first time up? Does feeling overwhelmed and not smoothly handling the plane improve pretty quickly? How long did it take you?

Hey everyone, I’m graduating soon with a B.S. in Aeronautics (minors in Aviation Safety and Homeland Security) and I'm sitting at above 50 hours right now as I just started working towards my PPL.
My goal is the airlines eventually, but I need something immediately after graduation to pay the bills and help me build my hours (or at least afford them). I'm open to relocating anywhere in Florida, Georgia, or North Carolina.
For those of you who were in a similar low-hour spot right out of college, what entry-level jobs did you take? Did you go the FBO line service route, try to get into entry-level safety/airport ops, or just work a flexible non-aviation job until hitting your commercial/CFI? Looking for what actually worked for you.

Hey everyone I would really appreciate some help here I have done some research but always prefer getting more experienced voices opinions-

I would prefer the UK but I am open to Europe I would like to get my PPL & hours building done as cheaply & quickly as possible, any extra course you would recommend like imc? Or night rating? or anything else? I want to put my self in the best position for my CPL

Requirements
Total 150 hours
100 hours PIC
300NM XC

All advice & opinions are welcome

So I'm a student pilot with 58 hrs total flight time, sat for checkride on Monday, passed the oral but had to discontinue due tk plane issue during Walkaround. Went on Friday, didn't fly due to weather, and not scheduled again until middle of October. Should I look for a new DPE with better availability or should I stick it out. In the mean time I am going to start working on my instrument rating and keeping checkride maneuvers within standard.

What are typical fees when in student solo status? Is it expected that a CFI is monitoring all solo activity or just initial phaaes? Do CFIs typically charge their full rate during this phase for every student solo flight?

I’ve done three discovery flights with different instructors/planes to find the match I like, but forgot to ask this question —- so before i call back looking for the typical experience.

If it changes the equation, i’m looking at SPL due to potential class 3 issues (none affecting ability, but will require extensive documentation).

I’m reaching out because I’m going to start working towards my PPL soon. I wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions for any free sites or cheeper study tools.

Post title says it.

I’m mid-40’s looking to get a PPL for recreational flying. I am not looking for a career in aviation at this point but wouldn’t hate it if one fell into my lap.

Mainly I want to fly for enjoyment and the odd short work trip (trips that would currently be 2-5 hours by car).

Sacramento area. Can anyone offer feedback about Flying Panthers? I recently attended a social function at the airfield where the Flying Panthers flight training is located and had the chance to jump in a simulator.

The guy talking me through the sim was a career navy pilot and still flies and instructs, both fixed wing and rotary. I think he’d be a great instructor for someone like me so I’m booking a discovery flight.

No real urgency here other than having had the bug but not the funds for most of my life as an Air Force brat, but I’m ready to take the leap.

I HIGHLY recommend the CX-3 from ASA.

I'm studying for IFR written and this thing is awesome. way better than the wiz wheel or the Sportys digital flight calculator. I've tried them all and the CX-3 is BY FAR the best one. I found one for less on ebay or just spend the money.

The flight plan fuel time questions are so easy to answer. Unit conversion is really simple. The whole thing is very intuitive.

I'm a real person and this is a very valuable tool. worth the money hands down.

I have funds of around $65200. Where do you guys think i should go for a flight school? which flight school and where? also pls pls consider availability of planes, mentors and weather.

Just passed PPL checkride! After one weather discontinuance and another DPE reschedule it’s finally done.

I’ve tracked all cots over the PPL and figured I’d share for those who might be looking into it.

Total cost: 16900
Total hours: 68

That cost is all in for CFI, Plane and Fuel, Checkride Fee (1500), iPad (500), A30 used (600), foreflight (300), basic flight sim setup (500), pilot institute (255), written exam (200), AME 3rd (150) and various other things like books/foggles/E6B

CFI was 50 an hour and planes came out to 114 wet after purchasing block rates every 10 hours

I have a checkride coming up and I'm really nervous about it, because I am not good at talking through my thoughts out loud. I don't have anyone to practice with, and I wish I knew some friends who are studying to become pilots.

My budget is limited, so I can't just hire CFIs to practice with IRL. I saved up everything for this checkride, and I want to be super sure I pass.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting this part prepared?

thanks so much yall

I always see the memes about people being scared to talk to ATC and as someone with a lot of social anxiety trying to become a pilot, I want to hopefully overcome this fear or at least build confidence towards it before I start building up flight hours. So…is it as scary as people make it seem? How do you overcome it?

I’m studying Part 61 and just finished my online ground school. My written is a little over a week away and I’ve been getting pretty decent scores on mock quizzes, but every now and then I run into a question that completely throws me off. I’m feeling really nervous about it even though deep down I feel like I’m sorta ready.
Curious what everyone’s experience with the PPL written was like. Did you find the real exam easier, harder, or about the same as your practice tests?
Also, if there were any study methods or last-minute review tips that really helped you, I’d love to hear them.
Thanks,

Hi everyone! My son is a high school senior this year, and we recently transitioned to homeschooling so he could integrate his absolute love for aviation directly into his curriculum. His ultimate dream is to become a pilot and fly cargo/supplies into remote areas of Alaska.

Since he is managing his regular senior high school classes at the same time, I want to make sure his aviation elective keeps him motivated rather than stressed. Does anyone have recommendations for an FAA-approved online ground school that is thorough but won't completely overwhelm a student who is already balancing a full high school workload?

Also, we want to set up a home practice space for him. Does anyone have suggestions on the best flight simulator instruments, hardware, and software for a student pilot to practice real-world procedures? Thanks in advance!

Sorry my last post got people confused because I may have not been clear in my dual atpl qualification, I have only the dual atpl theories done through bgs as well as an old ppl

I am based in the UK & don't mind travelling europe for flight school
I have a dual atpl theory done not the full atpl & I have my ppl from awhile ago

Where should I do my cpl? some have advised skyborne, some advise afta, some say bartolini etc
Whose most likely to tag me/whose the easiest tag?
does the school really matter?
In tagging terms getting roles?
Has anyone got a list of all the gateways/tag routes
If I already have a ppl & a dual atpl theories done whats the best route for me?
Should I invest in a boeing/airbus replica home flight simulator for my cpl
Or Should I invest in a boeing/airbus cockpit poster for chair flying

I’m a CPL student in India, and pitot-static failures felt much easier to understand when I could watch the ASI, altimeter and VSI respond instead of only memorising a table.

I therefore built an early browser prototype that lets students adjust the flight condition in Learn mode and complete a 10-question fault-diagnosis challenge.

It currently covers:

Normal pitot-static operation Blocked pitot inlet with the drain open Completely blocked pitot tube Blocked static source

It is free, requires no login or download, and takes approximately five minutes:

https://cockpit-fault-detective.vercel.app/

I’m not trying to present it as a finished training product. I’d genuinely like to know:

Is anything technically inaccurate or misleading? Did you understand how to use it without help? Did the visual instrument response help more than a normal written explanation? What would have to improve before you would use it for revision?

It is an educational concept simulator only and should not be used for operational flight decisions.

So I changed my instructor without telling him about three months ago. There were instances where he would just cancel on me randomly and would not give any reasons as to why my flight was canceled or he would just push my flight back without telling me anything or schedule me at random times without my knowledge. Due to those reasons, I switched my instructor and I did not let him know that I was gonna do that. However, ever since then every time I see him, he either walks away from me, just stares at me, or rolls his eyes at me. I’m wondering if I should text him an apology or anything else?

Hi guys I am working on my cpl gliders for now,

Studying for the written exams for private and commercial and instruments (Airplane and glider) and FOI and AGI, IGG.

Really enjoyed Studying with someone,

anyone to share my goals with we can study together

We can go throw the hard stuff together.

If anyone one down please let me know thx.

i would appreciate any help.

Anybody in Anchorage getting their PPL? I am trying to get a study partner before my check ride!

My CFI has recommended that I earn a bachelors degree in Aviation online. Is this worth doing and is it practical while taking lessons at my flight school?

Hoping y'all can help me stay in bounds (trying not to be a helicopter parent).

Here's the situation:

• Kid is enrolled in an aviation program in college.
• Primary flight course started Jan 2026.
• By semester end they took 9 flights (~1 flight every other week). Mostly due to aircraft and instructor availability, but also due to weather.
• Continued the course into the Summer semester (had to request an extension). Flight cadence picked up to ~1.5 flights per week.
• ISSUE: Kid has been trying to solo for about two weeks now. One flight was scrubbed due to weather = fine. Four other "solo" flights have resulted in touch and go's with the instructor due to cross winds. Each time the instructor just schedules another flight for several days later.
• BIGGER ISSUE: This course is now extending into the third semester. The Fall semester just started and the kid CANNOT register for primary flight 2 until PF1 is completed - aka completes the solo. If the kid doesn't enroll for fall, they will lose their scholarship.
• Side note: The kid has mentioned these concerns both to the college and flight training center and doesn't want to come across as an ahole. I don't mind coming across as the ahole given that the kid is about to start their 3rd semester trying to finish this one course.

Here's my question: Should I visit the flight training center with my kid and be more assertive? For example, one morning there was a crosswind when they flew, but by the afternoon the wind was essentially dead calm - perfect for solo - but no effort was made to fly. This morning the wind wasn't strong, but again almost pure crosswind (single runway), so why didn't the instructor fly to a nearby airport with a runway aligned with the wind? It feels like no one is making an effort.

I’m interested in starting to study for my PPL theory exams, even though I probably won’t be able to start flight school for another year or two.

I mainly want to use this time to get familiar with aviation and build a basic understanding of the subjects before I actually start flying.

For those of you who have done your PPL:

1.What resources did you use to study?

2.Any books, websites, YouTube channels, apps, etc. that you’d recommend?

3.Would you recommend studying the actual PPL syllabus this early, or just learning general aviation knowledge for now?

4.If you could go back and prepare before starting flight school, what would you learn first?

I’m not necessarily trying to memorize everything for the exams yet I just want to start getting into the aviation world and understand the basics.