Earned my Private Pilot's License this past week

Hello Folks,

I try not to post too much personal information on here (something that comes natural to most on ATS)... but I am proud to say that I have earned my PPL this past week. This is something that I have been working on for the past 7 months quite religiously (studying most nights after work, studying during lunch at work and taking lessons on the weekend). I ended up passing my check ride after 54 hours in a Piper and managed to score a 97 on my FAA Knowledge Test. It might not seem like a big accomplishment to most, but I am excited to start this next chapter in my life.

Ever since my first lesson I have loved being in the air. There really is not a good way to explain it, and honestly it's the best stress reliever I've ever experienced (with the exception of coming into a very busy traffic pattern as a student pilot ) . It is going to be difficult not to spend all my money on plane rentals every weekend from now on

a reply to: charolais

As long as you learned how to take off and land you're all right with me.



Congratulations!

a reply to: greencmp

Thanks!

Congratulations!

a reply to: charolais

Bravo and congrats

Fantastic. Congratulations you are now almost as free as a bird. Very proud of you even tho I don't know you from a bar of soap I felt a rush of pride for you. Fly free and enjoy the clouds for me.

Congratulations! Be safe!

originally posted by: charolais
Hello Folks,

I try not to post too much personal information on here (something that comes natural to most on ATS)... but I am proud to say that I have earned my PPL this past week. This is something that I have been working on for the past 7 months quite religiously (studying most nights after work, studying during lunch at work and taking lessons on the weekend). I ended up passing my check ride after 54 hours in a Piper and managed to score a 97 on my FAA Knowledge Test. It might not seem like a big accomplishment to most, but I am excited to start this next chapter in my life.

Ever since my first lesson I have loved being in the air. There really is not a good way to explain it, and honestly it's the best stress reliever I've ever experienced (with the exception of coming into a very busy traffic pattern as a student pilot

) . It is going to be difficult not to spend all my money on plane rentals every weekend from now on

Congratulations.

Good times fLIE ahead.

That's a wonderful accomplishment. Very proud for you.

Congrats! Quite an accomplishment! You should be proud of yourself --- stay safe!

originally posted by: greencmp
a reply to: charolais

As long as you learned how to take off and land you're all right with me.

Congratulations!

I see what you did there! Clever

a reply to: charolais

A great accomplishment! I have been interested in getting my own private license as well for flying helicopters. I am still a bit hesitant to go as high as planes do. A couple of questions since this topic relates to my own goals.

*How frequently do you take classes? Is this a weekend thing, 3 days a week, so many hours a month on your own schedule type thing?
*Did you become qualified for planes only, or is this license applicable for helicopters as well??
*How affordable were these courses? Did you have to secure financing, or was this like under $10,000 to achieve? If its up to 10k I can pay it in cash, but anything above that I will have to finance. Does it need to paid up front, per class, or down the road?

I dont know how your training applies to helicopter training, but I figured since it is a related field you may have some insight.

Dont forget to start posting video when you do make your independent flights

a reply to: charolais

My husband has had his pilot's license for many years.Remember to keep
yourself healthy,the FAA can and will ground you if you ever fail a medical
exam.That happened to my husband,he lost his medical.

originally posted by: mamabeth
a reply to: charolais

My husband has had his pilot's license for many years.Remember to keep
yourself healthy,the FAA can and will ground you if you ever fail a medical
exam.That happened to my husband,he lost his medical.

Luckily I am only 25 so hopefully I can maintained my medical for many years to come.

Another good thing is that a bill is in the Senate right now to remove the class III medical requirements, which would allow folks who can't pass a medical to still be able to maintain their private pilot license. If it passes then I will never need to pass another medical again in my life (unless I move on to a higher rating).

originally posted by: AmericanRealist
a reply to: charolais

A great accomplishment! I have been interested in getting my own private license as well for flying helicopters. I am still a bit hesitant to go as high as planes do. A couple of questions since this topic relates to my own goals.

*How frequently do you take classes? Is this a weekend thing, 3 days a week, so many hours a month on your own schedule type thing?
*Did you become qualified for planes only, or is this license applicable for helicopters as well??
*How affordable were these courses? Did you have to secure financing, or was this like under $10,000 to achieve? If its up to 10k I can pay it in cash, but anything above that I will have to finance. Does it need to paid up front, per class, or down the road?

I dont know how your training applies to helicopter training, but I figured since it is a related field you may have some insight.

Dont forget to start posting video when you do make your independent flights

Your schedule is entirely up to you and your instructor. I used a rental plane from my local airport, and found an instructor at the flight school who had a similar schedule as me (full time job - only available nights and weekends).

The cost will be about $8k-$10k depending on how expensive your flight school is and how many hours it ends up taking you (hard to get it for much less than $8k, although it can definitely go above $10k).

The average lesson is 1-1.3 flight hours, with the exception of cross country trips which can be 3+ hours.

The average plane rental is anywhere from $100-$150 depending on the type of plane, plus the instructor is usually $50-$70/hr.

I started in the summer time so I would do 1 lesson after work during the week (530-730, right before dark) along with a couple lessons on the weekends. Once the fall came and it got dark too early I was limited to weekends only.

My rating is for single engine land plane only. From what I have heard a helicopter license is much much more expensive.

I'll definitely post some videos

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

a reply to: charolais



**CONGRATULATIONS** very well done!!


Will you now be using your licence for employment purposes?

Congrats. Don't slip it in on the cross-wind runway with full flaps or you'll #uck up your whole day. My Instructor used to tell me that. Flying was awesome, until it lead to skydiving

originally posted by: ReadLeader
Congrats. Don't slip it in on the cross-wind runway with full flaps or you'll #uck up your whole day. My Instructor used to tell me that. Flying was awesome, until it lead to skydiving

I don't usually come in with full flaps on a real gusty day, I learned my lesson one day when we were practicing in winds gusting to 25.

Nice to see some other pilots here.

originally posted by: eletheia

a reply to: charolais



**CONGRATULATIONS** very well done!!

Will you now be using your licence for employment purposes?

At this point no - I am a full time engineer. I consider it a 'constructive hobby' for the time being.