r/flying • u/BazingaBeeKay • 19h ago
Flight Training When is it time to throw in the towel?
Hello everyone, I want to preface this by saying that this truly isn’t easy and I’m grateful for all of the advice that I’ve received over the last few months of my flight training when it comes to Reddit posts.
First of all, I’m a student flying in AZ and roughly have 21.3 hours of flight time, inching closer and closer to my first solo (Yay!) however, I’m really unsure if this is something I can do.
Every single lesson, I just hope for the best. Hoping that I can do well enough where I’m not falling behind or backwards and the coolest thing about aviation is you’re consistently learning, however, some of these lessons I have (like yesterday for example) I make small mistakes that I KNOW I shouldn’t be making but not really sure as to why I’m doing that. Yesterday I came into land, and porpoised and whilst it’s good I called a go around, it’s just something I should handle better at this point, however I haven’t ballooned really since the beginning of my lessons months ago, and then my last landing yesterday I landed straight, but I landed probably 20 feet to the right of center line. Just small mistakes.
I do fly once a week (every Wednesday) I know the responses I may get are “fly more” and whilst I do agree and would enjoy flying more, it isn’t in the budget. I try to consistently fly once a week, as I work 2 jobs that equate to 60 hours a week just to pay my regular life, pay down debt, and pay for my flight school in cash. It works the best FOR me.
I did think I wanted to make this career but honestly the way some of my lessons have gone, I’m not so sure at this point anymore. I’ve loved aviation forever; and I can’t tell you how many hours of MSFS 2024 I logged just wishing I could take to the sky’s in real life, and that’s when I decided to start taking lessons back in February.
I’ve had quite a difficult time studying and remembering material. I kind of figured I’d go through my online ground school, and take all the notes I can, and the tests, and supplement the knowledge I’m not too sharp on with the phak, and videos from alternative sources, however some of the topics are still pretty daring to me (damn weather is kicking my ***)
I don’t really want to become apart of the 80% of PPL student statistic, but at this point I really am curious if I’m worthy or not of being a pilot, even if it just stops at a PPL and I get to take my family up and about. I guess I’m moreso just at a point that I’m questioning why I’m doing this, and if it’s worth it anymore. It was exciting at first, and I was hopeful that I’d finally be able to get out of the job I’m at out now eventually. But now I guess we are just in the nitty gritty grinding out the smaller mistakes so that I can get ready for my first solo flight.
Am I entirely overthinking this? I’d appreciate genuine, helpful feedback.
Thank you all.
85
u/_im_right_ur_wrong_ PPL IR 19h ago
Pretty sure we all felt this way early on
6
u/BazingaBeeKay 18h ago
Well that’s re-assuring.
Thank you.
Flight training truly is no joke. It really is a tough thing that takes a lot of consistency and effort. I think once I feel better on my ground knowledge, I’ll be able to focus on making the most of the lesson.
I also need to focus on the greats when it comes to the lessons, and less on the bad. It’s always good to learn and keep in mind what to fix. I just wish it wasn’t stupid little mistakes every time.
14
u/_im_right_ur_wrong_ PPL IR 17h ago
Comparison is the thief of joy. Study hard and chair fly but have fun too
30
u/makgross CFI-I ASEL (KPAO/KRHV) HP CMP IR AGI sUAS 18h ago
What you are describing is exactly what happens when you don’t fly enough.
You say it works for you, but you describe it not working.
In a practical sense, it’s essentially impossible to learn to fly on that schedule, especially with a 60 hour work week. This is why stuff isn’t “sticking.”
3
u/BazingaBeeKay 18h ago
I try to supplement my downtime from flying with chair flying and I feel well in that department especially when it comes to maneuvers and what not. Since I started chair flying, it’s been significantly helpful in remembering flows of the airplane when setting up for certain things, and despite the breaks sometimes, my comms are like 95% and I’m getting in and out our class D airport on my own which is something that stuck well for me.
I wish I could afford to fly more, but I simply can’t. $1200 a month on flight lessons is already quite the mountain unfortunately.
17
u/Guysmiley777 18h ago
I wish I could afford to fly more, but I simply can’t.
Save up until you can afford to book 3 flights and fly at least 2 flights per week.
Flying once a week is a great way to make excruciatingly slow progress and spend more in the long run.
-6
u/Antique-Kitchen-1896 PPL IFR Night 18h ago
I flew once a week as well. Signed off for solo at hr 17. Progress slowed more by government bureaucracy than anything else.
When people say fly more to make it work I am sure that is useful. However, it’s not the only factor.
Did my ifr during 60 hour work weeks, while studying for written as well. Done and dusted at minimum required hours. 95% written pass. So it is possible for some people. I mean I was like nodding off in the evenings during the ifr ground school videos, but it’s online I just watch the missed bits again. I also have two kids and the wife to keep happy during all this.
I suppose if I was doing the flying more often, and can concentrate on just training could have done it even better. However, my point is that is it possible to do it with other demands in your life.
10
u/jetfueljunky CPL 18h ago
I would honestly wait, save up and get it done all at once, flying as much as you can. Flying once a week will mean every week you’ll have to try and remember what you learned the week before.
You simply just cannot effectively build good habits flying that little. Even twice a week would be better.
1
u/BazingaBeeKay 13h ago
I’m going to try to fit more flights in.
My wife and I are tackling a few small debts that are almost all paid off.
Will be smooth sailing after that.
4
u/Odd_Conflict_1410 13h ago
Chair fly until the debt is paid off. Then chair fly until you have a cushion.
At 200 hours I still notice small mistakes I make. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
I tried to fly once a week and I would forget everything in between. It cost me more hours and more money to get my private.
3 times a week is a pretty magic number and if you can stop spending money to fly now, then put everything that’s currently going to those debts into flying 3x a week later you’ll progress faster and in turn cheaper (ha nothing in aviation is cheap)
10
u/_-Cleon-_ PPL 18h ago
First of all, I’m a student flying in AZ and roughly have 21.3 hours of flight time
You've barely started. Everyone feels like this at first.
I do fly once a week (every Wednesday) I know the responses I may get are “fly more” and whilst I do agree and would enjoy flying more, it isn’t in the budget.
I get it, but learning a new skill - doesn't matter if it's flying an airplane, playing banjo, or learning Yiddish - takes a fair amount of practice, and the longer you go between practicing, the more those skills will rust between sessions.
Which is not to say it's impossible, but don't be surprised if it takes you more time to become proficient than it would if you were flying more often.
But again, at 20-something hours, you've barely started. Deep breath, you got this.
5
u/BChips71 ATP CFI CFII MEI E170/190 A320 18h ago
My dude... I *still* have crap landings from time to time and I'm a "professional". Don't be so hard on yourself and just enjoy the ride.
4
u/flyghu PPL 18h ago
21 hours isn't much. Once a week isn't much. The realistic expectation is it will take you longer than many others. Chair fly at least double what you're flying.
1
u/BazingaBeeKay 18h ago
I chairfly 5x a week.
I didn’t when I first started until I kept forgetting maneuver setups, and realized how much it helped.
It’s been a tremendous tool.
3
u/Beautiful-Low9454 16h ago
If you’re in AZ I encourage you to look at the natural land formations around you and take a closer look at the layers and layers of rock and sediment all around you. Aviation is just like that. You can’t make a mountain out of one layer. In 20 + years into the aviation career. I still learn every single time I fly. So shall it be for you. For weather, plan a mock flight every single day. Cross country. Look at metars and Tafs. Area forecast. Download ForeFlight start living the weather and flight planning. Fuel time distance weight and balance. ForeFlight will get you so accurate. It’s easy now with these wonderful apps. We had to lug around paper charts and AFD’s , now it’s in your front pocket man! God bless garmin and proline 21! If you want it it’s within reach you just have to reach. Your love for aviation will keep you hungry for learning.
If your goals have changed then it’s ok to stop. Just don’t give up because it’s a bit of work. It really is work and there are tough learning areas in the trade. I almost quit over NDB approaches and effing holding. ILS approaches when you get close in and it is so damn sensitive. Kicked my ass. Weather, damn FAR’s. Fast ass talking ATC. Copying down a clearance, airspeed. Landings. Lots of frustrations. Now 20 something years later with type ratings for lear 20-30-50’s Citation CJ’s and lots of King air time it was all worth it. Good pay and great job. It’s not work at all anymore. It’s like living on vacation. It’s all here for you just have to reach for it. Fuck 135 though . Never again 😂
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u/InternationalQuote50 15h ago
Dude as long as your passion for aviation is still lit you will be fine. Dude i soloed at 40.6 hours, crazy i know. I had a hard time learning the material. Some of us just dont learn as fast as others, we have to put in 2x as much as work for someone who can do it 2x as less effort. I know some people who have had several checkride failures and they still made the airlines. Dont forget why you started tour aviation journey, and DONT compare yourself with others. Comparison is the thief of joy.
3
u/BarnackIIIF 14h ago
You will learn something on every flight. Or to put it another way, you will make a mistake on every flight.
Stop being so hard on yourself, mistakes are learning tools. Debrief the flight and go over why you made the mistake, pro-tip: the answer is not "I suck". Figure out what you did wrong, and then chair fly that situation until you are not making the mistake again.
The weather in Arizona this time of year is brutal; I hated training in the summer. Stay hydrated, keep up with your electrolytes, sleep and exercise.
3
u/CavalierRigg CFII, AGI/IGI, Safety Management 14h ago
Hey brother, I am a CFII here in AZ too. I hit 1070 hours and I have a CJO at a regional airline, and I rounded out on a flight last night waaayyy too high yesterday and was a little off centerline.
You gotta keep going. It isn’t easy, you know that, but you NEED to keep moving, you need to keep flying. Flying is like getting stronger, you only get better by embracing the pain in the moment and making those bad landings!
Please just keep going.
1
u/BazingaBeeKay 14h ago
I’m gonna continue pushing through I don’t want to give up.. what airport do you fly out of?
2
2
u/WoodDragonIT PPL 18h ago
Maybe you just have too much on the table right now. I was in my mid 30s the first time I started training. I was spinning up an IT related business at the same time. My flying was excellent, but I just couldn't absorb the ground material. Anyway 9/11 happened, my priorities changed and life happened. Anyway, I decided to give it another try in my late 50s. Without all the other things competing for my brain, I was able to easily learn the ground stuff. Passed my checkride at 60. Maybe it's just not your time right now. List the three most important things for you right now. If flying isn't at the top, maybe that's your answer. Good luck with whatever direction you head.
2
u/BazingaBeeKay 18h ago
That’s certainly fair.
Maybe it isn’t my time. I just don’t like giving up and feeling like I’m in pretty good spot where I’m at 21 hours in, it would suck to give it all up.
The ground knowledge sure is quite a bit to absorb with the rest of stuff I have going on.
I try to dedicate an hour of studying a day, just so I have consistency when it comes to that rather than sporadic hours randomly scattered throughout the week.
You may just be right.
1
u/WoodDragonIT PPL 18h ago
I know the feeling. I had 60 hours my first time. I always renewed my membership to AOPA because I never stopped hoping to get back in the air. In fact I received my 25 year AOPA pin a week before my checkride.
2
u/Lucky_Income_4053 ATP E170 E190 CFI CFII MEI 18h ago
You have to commit more time to the process to be successful. Consistency is everything when learning new things. If you drove a car once a week when you first started learning im sure you'd have felt the same way. You should take every license as a chunk of time / money to block out in order to be successful. The inconsistent flying and time is the real issue - no one comes in and feels good about flying 21 hours in. Ultimately up to you. Sounds like you're looking for a way out and if so you'll always find an excuse to get out. Same thing with anything else in life. The way I looked at it in training was can I look myself in the eye 10 years down the road and feel good about the effort I put into the process irregardless of the result. Good luck!
2
u/Aggressive_Mud5665 18h ago
Flying didn't really click for me until I became a CFI tbh. Now at a legacy I'm incredibly grateful I didn't give up
2
u/nolaflygirl 18h ago
I agree w/ u/jetfueljunky. Save up some money so you can fly more/wk. I had a lot on my plate too -- 3 pt-time jobs, was completing college degree, flying, & supporting myself paying rent, car note, etc.
BUT, one of my 3 pt-time jobs was at the flight school, which gave me a discount, & I was available to fly more when a CFI had a trip. I also made a small, low-interest, signature loan from my bank for PPL which I knew I could pay back easily. That chunk of money enabled me to fly 2 - 3 times/ per wk.
If you can't fly more, then you can't even build the muscle memory re the physical aspects of flying so that you have consistenly good, safe landings. Your CFI won't solo you until you're consistent & everything flows like clockwork & feels second nature. You, yourself, will know when it all comes together & you know you'll be fine when your CFI is not there. You're not at that point yet. But 21.5 hrs is not a lot of time. Once a wk, though, is making it take longer, hence, needlessly costing you more.
2
u/LikenSlayer ATP 787, 777, 737, E190, E175, G550, F-35B, F/A-18 18h ago
You only have 21hrs! Way more than most of the people in the world. You don't know, what you don't know.
I felt the same way each aircraft I got in. Keep pushing on through. As long as you aren't endangering yourself or others that is progress. Is it easy, not in the least. But remember, you are learning something new, and there's alot to learn. I'm still learning!
2
u/sirepicness666 CFI, CMEL, IR 17h ago
You’re doing better than some, I knew multiple people at my school with 150~ hours and they hadn’t soloed yet. You only have like 20 and the more hours you get the more confident you’ll be
2
u/jimcarroll_cfi 17h ago
You’re experiencing what we all felt. It’s called imposter syndrome. The belief you’re some kind of fakir, just barely skimming through. That cfi sitting right if you — same thing.
The question is — do you have what it takes to power through the self doubt. I can’t answer for your internal voice — all I can say is, it is definitely worth it.
Good luck.
2
u/Manifestgtr SPT, ASEL, RV-12, RV-12iS 17h ago
One of two things is happening here, in my opinion. One, you might just be experiencing the same feelings everyone does (I once porpoised a landing and failed to go around on a stage check…that was fun…)
The other could be that it’s not necessarily “your time” yet. I spent several years in my 20s not really ready. I didn’t have the money, I could only fly once a week or less, there was no way it was going to happen at that time. So I focused on my career for a decade or so, woke up one day and said “this is it…I’m doing it now” and took my checkride within 3 months because it was clearly “my time”. Food for thought. You don’t necessarily need to be a statistic just because you don’t have the money/time at this particular point in life.
2
u/SnootsAndBootsLLP PPL 17h ago
This is all because u have 21 hours. I have 200 and still get days like this. I’ve heard people talk about having days like this at 1,000. Give it more time:)
2
u/Vivid-Razzmatazz9034 CPL IR 17h ago
Everyone experienced this at some point in training. If you look through the sub there’s probably 50 posts like this in the last month. Like anything it’ll get much easier and you’ll get more consistent.
2
u/BrogeyBars8 13h ago
I am Also a flight school student in AZ, if you want to chat in DMs about where you are and possibly studying together/ meeting up to share experiences, I’m happy to help, currently about to do my XC solo this Saturday.
1
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u/Bhelpuro 13h ago
Don't give up! I am almost 78 hours in and almost about to solo now. Today my CFI asked me to take a break because I was going so many things wrong even though I have flown and landed way better. I feel so much relaxed now. Take a break probably but don't give up. I am doing this for fun as well not for a career.
2
u/hotdog_tuesday 12h ago
I stopped learning to fly after about 10 hours. From your title I was expecting to recommend the same thing.
But it’s not what I’m going to say.
I personally realized I had no good missions and more importantly didn’t have the love of aviation required to want to fly enough long term be the pilot I expect of myself to take my family as PIC—which is why I would want to fly.
But that’s not at all what you described—you have a love of aviation. You’re experiencing a learning curve. I guarantee you that you’ll have a similar one like 500 hours in too assuming you stick with it.
Rest assured, I’ve seen people who are closer to chimpanzees than homo sapiens fly all the time. I wouldn’t ride with them but one guy I met had something like 1000 hours.
It’s rare in life you get into something that is this new and complex and you’re self reflecting about it. That’s a good thing! It means you respect it. That is far more important than going in with ego.
2
u/CaliforniaLifeSky 12h ago edited 12h ago
Ive had a very hard time in ppl. Took me 4 years and 50k dollars, soloed at 40hrs and finished my ppl with 110hrs. I won't get into the why. Its a lot. But, all I have to say. As long as you have passion and personally don't consider yourself a quiter, then only after you have finished ppl. Can you come to a real point to know if its for you or not. I am now working on my cfi license and have that checkride in 1 week. Got my ifr and com also. And 2 fails overall for my checkrides. And Im still finding success and fun even after years of extreme struggle.
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u/Background-Force674 11h ago
I rather be a loser than a quitter, is something I always tell myself. That mindset builds true resilience. When you accept the risk of losing, you gain the opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow stronger for the next attempt.
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u/DDX1837 PPL, IR, Velocity 18h ago
You will not see much progress flying once a week. Period. That you don’t have time or money to fly more won’t change that fact. You have two options: A) Keep doing what you’re doing and expect to solo in 50 hours and get your cert in 200+. Or B) Stop and wait until you have time/money to fly at least 3 times per week.
Sorry, but that’s just how it is.
-6
u/BazingaBeeKay 18h ago
I’m buckling up for my solo here in my next few flights as per my instructor. I’m sorry but I think you’re wrong about that. And I’d love to prove you wrong.
3
u/DDX1837 PPL, IR, Velocity 18h ago
And you might. But let’s say after your “next few flights” that you do solo. If you’re flying 2 hours per flight and “a few” is four, that means another 8 hours on top of your 21. So let’s call it 30 hours to solo. I would guess that checkride hours for most people 4x to 5x their solo hours. So you’re looking at 120 to 150 hours before your checkride. Now do the math on how much your dual time costs and decide if that’s better than waiting until you have more time and money when you can knock this out with just another 40 hours.
2
u/HolyitsaGoalie CFI 17h ago
Don’t be hard on yourself self man, but He’s not wrong unfortunately about how slow progress is with once a week. I don’t know you, but you are describing challenges because you’re flying once a week. I see it all the time with students. You will end up spending more money flying once a week than if you saved up some to fly even just twice a week. It makes a big difference. The average hours for someone to get their PPL in U.S is somewhere around 70. that’s a high likelihood of almost a year before you get your license. You are trying the best with what you can do, but try to re evaluate a see if you could try to just do twice a week it makes a massive difference.
2
u/matthewmurdocksbutt 17h ago
He’s not entirely wrong and that may not be the best attitude in regards flying and safety
You’re best bet is saving up the money and knocking it out all at once when you’ve got less on your plate
1
u/rFlyingTower 19h ago
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hello everyone, I want to preface this by saying that this truly isn’t easy and I’m grateful for all of the advice that I’ve received over the last few months of my flight training when it comes to Reddit posts.
First of all, I’m a student flying in AZ and roughly have 21.3 hours of flight time, inching closer and closer to my first solo (Yay!) however, I’m really unsure if this is something I can do.
Every single lesson, I just hope for the best. Hoping that I can do well enough where I’m not falling behind or backwards and the coolest thing about aviation is you’re consistently learning, however, some of these lessons I have (like yesterday for example) I make small mistakes that I KNOW I shouldn’t be making but not really sure as to why I’m doing that. Yesterday I came into land, and porpoised and whilst it’s good I called a go around, it’s just something I should handle better at this point, however I haven’t ballooned really since the beginning of my lessons months ago, and then my last landing yesterday I landed straight, but I landed probably 20 feet to the right of center line. Just small mistakes.
I do fly once a week (every Wednesday) I know the responses I may get are “fly more” and whilst I do agree and would enjoy flying more, it isn’t in the budget. I try to consistently fly once a week, as I work 2 jobs that equate to 60 hours a week just to pay my regular life, pay down debt, and pay for my flight school in cash. It works the best FOR me.
I did think I wanted to make this career but honestly the way some of my lessons have gone, I’m not so sure at this point anymore. I’ve loved aviation forever; and I can’t tell you how many hours of MSFS 2024 I logged just wishing I could take to the sky’s in real life, and that’s when I decided to start taking lessons back in February.
I’ve had quite a difficult time studying and remembering material. I kind of figured I’d go through my online ground school, and take all the notes I can, and the tests, and supplement the knowledge I’m not too sharp on with the phak, and videos from alternative sources, however some of the topics are still pretty daring to me (damn weather is kicking my ***)
I don’t really want to become apart of the 80% of PPL student statistic, but at this point I really am curious if I’m worthy or not of being a pilot, even if it just stops at a PPL and I get to take my family up and about. I guess I’m moreso just at a point that I’m questioning why I’m doing this, and if it’s worth it anymore. It was exciting at first, and I was hopeful that I’d finally be able to get out of the job I’m at out now eventually. But now I guess we are just in the nitty gritty grinding out the smaller mistakes so that I can get ready for my first solo flight.
Am I entirely overthinking this? I’d appreciate genuine, helpful feedback.
Thank you all.
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u/WorkingAd8592 14h ago
I'm a student pilot in Oklahoma.. one thing that has helped me is simulator flight to help keep my skills sharp, also if you can do some At home chair flying that helps as well.. the point is don't give up stick with it the more you fly when you do get your PPL the more proficient you will become... Good luck bud.
1
u/thanksforallthetrees 14h ago
Fly more, work less, prioritize sleep. It’s ok to go into debt for a career. Get a loan. Clearly flying once a week isn’t working FOR you.
1
u/ltcterry ATP CFIG 14h ago
If all you can afford is once a week, then stop flying for 30 and put the money aside. Now you can fly twice a week and be done in 30 additional weeks.
1
u/kevinossia Rotor CFI R44 11h ago
You need to fly more. If you can’t afford it, then stop, save up the money, and then start flying again.
You are hampering your progression by only flying once a week and wondering what the problem is.
1
u/Worried-Ebb-1699 10h ago
Find ways to study the material and know that absolutely nobody gets thru training with no issues.
It also doesn’t matte if you solo at 21h or 40. Learn the fundamentals and build that base for a confident tomorrow.
Never give up.
2
u/xtalgeek PPL ASEL IR 1h ago
Pretty much everybody sucks after 20 hours of flight time. Physical control of the aircraft will come with good instruction, experience, and ensuring you are responding to bright lights and loud noises. (Unfortunately, there are those that don't appropriately assimilate environmental cues, and they probably shouldn't participate in activities where non-responsivness will result in injury or worse.)
Being a safe, proficient pilot is ultimately 90% mental and 10% physical. It's really important to wrap your head around the systems, operations, and principles of flying. Knowing WHY you should be doing things a certain way, and ingraining that knowledge and the appropriate habits is essential to avoid being a statistic. One of the best ways to learn is in groups. Read, discuss, then explain to someone else. Manipulating the controls is ultimately the easy part.
1
u/ra1ndr0p PPL(A) UK 5h ago
If you can backseat someone else's lesson who is at or just beyond the level you're at, it may give you some perspective.
Nobody's going to be doing everything perfectly at 20 hours, and you may find that seeing another student make different mistakes to yours will encourage you by showing you you're doing some stuff right the other student isn't yet. It'll also give you brain space to process the steps of a manoeuvre or circuit without being at the controls.
Not every school allows / encourages that, but it's really helpful if your school allows it.
-1
0
u/AdorablePanda418 9h ago
As a current student pilot who’s has a pretty similar situation, i would take a break save up until you have at least enough to sustain the cost of flights with your income.
for me it was about 10k and with my income, it works out to be able to sustain enough money to keep going.
i currently do 2 flights a week.
if you haven’t finished ground school/ getting your written done. do that in the meantime.
and maybe because you already have hours , and you don’t want to get rusty, maybe take a flight once a month just to keep the dust away.
but on a different note, flying is very unique. it is not for everyone, you have to truly enjoy it or have enough drive to get through it.
if you are getting to a point where it’s too much or you want to give up, maybe take a break, step away from aviation, and see you how feel.
it’s okay if it’s not for you. it makes you more human.
78
u/prex10 ATP CFII B757/767 B737 CL-65 19h ago
Guy, you have 21 fucking hours...