Should I take a part 91 sr22t gig flying a family. Or do I need more experience. I have the option to go through the sr22 training too. Or do I need more hours and experience?

Flying boxes is great (until you climb high to clear the weather and that pallet of chip bags starts to sound like popcorn), but sometimes we have other life on board our aircraft to care for. Whether it's humans or horses or another living thing - a rapid cabin descent rate can cause pain and possibly injury to both healthy or sick individuals. It doesn't matter if it is cold and flu season or not, this is something to consider around the year.

What are your considerations for cabin descent on your aircraft that you are flying professionally or for fun, pressurized or non pressurized? Have you had any malfunctions, emergency descents, or other quick descents such as one directed by ATC that required a steeper cabin altitude descent rate? Has the pressure change ever caused trouble for yourself as the pilot?

Flying nonpressurized caravans, I have a goal to maintain 500fpm descent rate or less to prevent possible pain and barotrauma in passengers. Any slower than that and a descent will take forever (such as 10k to sea level after clearing a coastal mountain range). When I have no pax on board or one that I know sitting nearby that I can check in with, I might monitor and do a rapid descent, but with pax on board I do not want to risk causing them severe pain or barotrauma. I often make an earlier departure from cruise with a shallower descent than 500fpm when flying over land without mountains in the way or other problems like an icing/turbulence layer. Occasionally a kid has a hurting ear. The adults usually don't say anything but I always wonder if someone who is sick or had other blocked sinuses silently endured a lot of pain during and/or after the flight.

What are your experiences with managing your cabin altitude descent rates for comfort and safety of the living things on board? The occasional chip bag may be a casualty of the climb and the water bottle might get squished on the descent, but no one wants to hurt a passenger.

I’m currently doing the associates degree program at KIWA with CGCC and UND areospace for my instrument rating, primarily for the United aviate cadet program.
However getting my commerical with UND will take a year longer and significantly more money considering I already close to 400 hours and basicly meet the 61 hour requirements for commerical.

So, given today’s current hiring market, would it be better to wait and stick with the UND 141 program for the cadet program or just get my commerical and CFI quicker to build duel given time earlier?

Both seem like good options to me, so its been verify difficult for me to decide

I’m wondering about people who took out a giant loan for flight school. How much did you borrow, what was your interest %, how long did it take you to pay it off / how much progress have you made? Also what kind of job are you working to help you pay it off?

Been seeing a lot of stuff about people taking out 6 figure student loans (not just in aviation) and that they’ve been chipping away at it for a decade but haven’t paid it off. Others are saying they’ve accrued enough interest that the loan is now higher than what they started with and they’ve been putting payments towards it for 5+ years.

Are pilots experiencing this once they move past the typical CFI stage and start their big boy jobs?

Anybody fly a king air or smaller jet and have any luggage tips? Not looking for big bags that work on an airliner.

Hello All,

During my CPL I was flying the Rv-12 due to the large cost savings I was getting from it (130 an hour versus nearly 180 an hour pls fuel surcharges). As a result I learned everything left seat in a different airplane.

Due lack of CFIs at my school who can teach new CFIs, and the Wisco weather coming up, I'm going to the sunbelt and the school I am going to has an all 172 Fleet. I did all training prior to my CPL in a 172. It was about a year since I've flown one.

I went up today to learn a bit, it's a dual G5 172P. I was going through the CPL maneuvers and was having kind of a hard time figuring out slip/skid in maneuvers because of the right seat position. In addition there was limited seat adjustment so outside references were hard.

That in mind if anyone has any advice for teaching in the right seat in the 172s that would be good. For that matter just general transition training to a right seat in any airplane.

Thanks all for help!

Anyone applied for Jazz approach this year or last ? I wonder what is their process for selecting candidates ? I know there’s an exam and an interview.

If you applied and got selected please let me know.
Cheers

I recently got hired at a 135 flying a light business twin jet
Eventual goal is to work at Delta/American
Should I stay and upgrade at the 135 and build the TPIC time or apply to regionals in the next year?

I’ll be flying around 50 hours a month as SIC and the average upgrade time is about 1.5-2years

I’ve got to write a letter describing i no longer have symptoms from my childhood adhd, anxiety, and extremely mild autism. i’m not medicated, but i haven’t been off it 4 years so i’m not on fast track. i’m worried that my letter will be too long, but there’s a great deal of content to cover for the 3 issues and i was wondering how long others’ statements were? all advice is welcome, i just want a successful start! thank you!

For rectangular course AFH figure, the turns begin at the end of the rectangular field boundary. Whereas the traffic pattern you dont turn until you are looking back at a 45 degree angle.

I know the rectangular course is replicating traffic pattern, and i want to maintain a constant distance, but should i just start the turn once at the edge of the field boundary, or should it be closer to a standard traffic pattern looking back at a 45?

Recently got a legacy CJO and forgot to include a couple non aviation related jobs from 7-8yrs ago on my application. They were short term temp jobs I worked to pay for ratings. Was reviewing my W2’s when I realized I had totally forgotten I even had them. How much of a stink will the background check company make of it? Should I disclose it to anyone?

Looking to get my ppl. Thank you

Anybody here got their PMEL? I’ve been trying to look for posts related to MEL stuff but only see posts about CMEL training. Once I’m done with IR, I’m gonna hop into PMEL because getting a CMEL would be worthless since I can’t get a second class medical. Just wondering if anybody had any thoughts or experiences they’d like to share about their pmel training

To the airline pilots, what kind of dress shoes/boots do you wear day to day? Any specific brands that you like best?

I’m trying to find my solo XC from 2024, but the only flight track I could find was behind a $300 paywall on flight aware, is there anywhere cheaper?

I’ll be switching schools after my ppl and am unsure of where to go, I feel like I’ve heard conflicting things about every flight school around here.
I have enough money and I won’t need a loan so I’d honestly prefer a part 141 for more structure but I’m not opposed to a part 61 either.

Finished flight school this September with all my certs after roughly 12 months and no checkride failures. Im lucky enough to land my dream instructing job down in Florida, starting December 1st.
Wanted to hear from some of the more experienced CFIs on how you guys made the most of your time instructing instead of just counting down the hours to 1,500.
Outside of flying, my plan is to get back into a consistent gym routine, maybe pick up Muay Thai if time allows, and make sure I’m still putting effort into my relationship and enjoying life outside of aviation.
I know instructing will have its ups and downs but I’d rather enjoy the process than spend the next couple of years wishing the time away. For those who’ve been through it what helped you find a good balance and avoid burning out? Anything you wish you’d done differently starting out?
Thanks in advance

Hello everybody. I have an interview with a large regional airline coming up. I’m doing everything I can to be as prepared as possible, including paying for interview prep. I am a bit nervous however, as I have a dismissed misdemeanor from 12 years ago that has since been dismissed on my record. It does not show up an FBI fingerprint check, but I plan on disclosing it anyway as honesty is the best policy (nowhere to disclose it on the application). The charge was non violent/non drug or alcohol related and stemmed from an incident in college at the age of 18 that resulted in very minor property damage. It was guilty by association, but I still plan on taking ownership.

All that being said, I understand how competitive the hiring environment is. I was curious if anybody recently had been in the same boat and how it affected their hireability. Other than a singular checkride failure, I’ve kept a clean record since then, am an active volunteer in my community and have a college degree. Appreciate any feedback.

Hi, so this is a bit of a weird question but I’m in my early-mid 20s, I’m an engineering graduate working as a banker. I graduated last year summer and I have been having a difficult time finding something I’m passionate about doing for the rest of my life.

I have always been into aviation and planes including rockets and space since I was a kid. I’ve been trying to apply to engineering positions within these fields but unfortunately no luck yet, it’s also worthy to note that I live in Canada, so the aerospace industry isn’t as big compared to America.

One of my best friends, basically my brother, has been on the mission to become a pilot. He’s been in the game for about 2.5 years and he’s very close to getting his PPL. I’m very proud of him and every time he flies he sends me the pictures of his flight and I am so happy to see the amount of progress he’s done and work hes put in. He deserves everything good in this world.

Like I said I’ve been very lost, confused about my life. The last couple of weeks, I’ve been thinking about taking a discovery flight and see if piloting is a field that maybe I would love to do. Honestly, my best friend inspired me a lot and he shown me a lot about it and it seems something that I at least want to explore. But I don’t want to steal my best friends gig, because piloting is his thing, we all call him captain and he’s known as the pilot within all of our friend groups. I haven’t told him about my thoughts of going into flying.

I guess basically I’m afraid that I will end up wanting to pursue becoming a pilot which will cause my friend to not feel good or think I’m trying to compete with him or something like that. If you’re a pilot or in the process of becoming one, how would you feel if your best friend decided to also pursue flying one day?

Finally booked an appointment with Charlie the president. How was everyone’s experience with this app service?
I’m approaching 1000 hrs of 121 SIC. 2700TT. AA WO Prior Military Enlisted with Bachelors, 1 Oral fail 3 years ago. Goal is mainly United although I wouldn’t mind Delta if they call me back first.

Hey!
I recently got my PPL, flying purely for fun with no career plans :)
How do you keep improving after getting licensed? How do you approach unfamiliar airports? Do you regularly practice maneuvers and emergencies, or fly with an instructor occasionally?
I’m planning to build some PIC experience before eventually getting my IR, mainly to become a safer, better pilot.
Would love to hear your advice!

Howdy, looking to rent a 172 or PA28 in the Vegas metro area, anyone have recommendations?

I found an old thread from 3-4 years ago but wanted to see if anyone had a good up-to-date recommendation (preferably from Henderson) but any airport in the area will do.

If anyone is bored tomorrow or Monday and wants to fly if you own privately in the area also shoot me a note!

I’m this close 🤏 to just enlisting myself into the Air Force because GOOD LORD, I am fighting for my life trying to pursue this dream of becoming a pilot 😭
Everywhere I turn, I feel like I’m hitting another dead end, and I’m constantly having to figure out a different way to navigate around it.
I tried the pathway programs, loan denied (ngl, maybe a blessing in disguise because that’s generational debt right there). I looked into mom-and-pop flight schools, but financially and time-wise, it just doesn’t work for me. I even explored aviation brokerage because I figured if I couldn’t be in the cockpit just yet, at least I could still be around aviation.
Then there’s scholarships. Either I’m not a member of the organization and have to pay dues for months before I’m even eligible, or the requirements are for people who already have their CPL. Meanwhile, I’m over here trying to get my foot in the door. I don’t even have my medical certificate yet (although I’m working on getting that soon).
I swear, I’m not asking for the skies to part and hand me a set of wings, but could something PLEASE work out for once? 😭
I’m just tired. I know this is something I want, and I don’t want to give up on it. I keep researching, applying, reaching out, and finding alternative routes, but sometimes it feels like I’m spending more time trying to figure out HOW to become a pilot than actually getting to fly.
At this point, the Air Force is starting to look like another route worth seriously considering.
I just really, really yearn for the skies and the clouds. I want to fly. That’s it. 🥲

EDIT: Since a few people have asked for more context, I’ll elaborate a bit:
I’m 29F, based in Arizona. I have some college education but no degree, as I had to step away from school due to family circumstances.
I’ve been studying aviation independently. I’ve worked through the PHAK and FAR/AIM. Even though I haven’t been able to get into the cockpit yet(besides the discovery flight), I’m still trying to educate myself and stay familiar with the material.
I currently work odd jobs to make ends meet and help support my parent, who I’m also a caregiver for, along with helping take care of my younger siblings. I’m actively looking for more stable employment, so I’m not just sitting around waiting for something to happen.
Regarding my medical certificate, I haven’t forgotten about it or been avoiding it. It’s primarily been a matter of time management and juggling work and family responsibilities. I’m hoping to get that taken care of soon.
As for why I don’t just go to a mom-and-pop flight school, I HAVE looked into them. The problem is that the quotes I’ve received are still well beyond what I can realistically afford. I don’t have thousands sitting around to put toward flight training, and I can’t financially commit to something without knowing I can sustain it.
I’m not expecting someone to drop a giant money bag in my lap or fund my entire career. I’m trying to find a sustainable way to finance this myself while balancing responsibilities outside of aviation.
I’ve explored pathway programs, private flight schools, scholarships, aviation brokerage, and now even military options. I’m genuinely trying to find a way forward.
Trust me, if money and time weren’t such significant obstacles, I’d probably be spending less time on Reddit explaining myself and more time at the airport 😭
I appreciate genuine advice, suggestions, and hearing from people who’ve had to take unconventional routes into aviation. I’m here because I want to make this happen, not because I’m looking for someone to make it happen for me.

(A pic of one of the planes from UND when I went for a tour)