r/AskFlying

I'm at around 20 hours working on my PPL and haven't soloed yet. I've spent 5+ recent lessons doing a lot of pattern work, and I'm getting pretty frustrated with my lack of consistency.

The weird part is that I feel like I understand the theory perfectly well on the ground. I know aileron controls drift and rudder keeps the airplane aligned. I know the climb speeds I'm supposed to hold. I know the flows/checklists. My approaches are generally decent, and my instructor has actually told me I have good approach instincts.

But once I'm actually flying, I sometimes can't correlate what I'm seeing outside with the necessary control input quickly enough.

For example, today I was letting the airplane drift around instead of properly correcting for the wind. My rudder coordination was poor. At one point I realized I was climbing around 100 mph when I should have been around 85–90. I missed some checklist items and my comms weren't great either.

It feels like one small thing gets away from me, I focus too much attention on correcting it, and then everything else starts cascading. Suddenly I'm behind the airplane and screwing up things that I absolutely know how to do.

Landings have been another frustration. They're generally safe, but often firm/hard, and I'm still working on consistent crosswind correction and centerline control. I've had some genuinely good landings, including a recent straight-in where another instructor told me afterward that he basically didn't touch anything and I hand-flew the approach and landing myself. So I know I'm capable of doing it. I just can't reproduce that level of flying consistently.

Today's lesson was particularly rough and honestly got to me. My primary instructor suggested that we move on from repeatedly drilling the pattern, which I initially interpreted as failure after spending so many lessons working on landings.

I sent him a message afterward explaining that I don't think understanding the theory is my problem anymore. I need help developing the connection between what I see happening to the airplane and what my hands/feet need to do quickly enough that the corrections become automatic.

For CFIs or pilots who remember this stage of training: is this disconnect between knowing what to do and actually applying it consistently a normal stage?

And if you've had a student like this, what exercises or changes in training helped turn things like wind correction, rudder coordination, airspeed control, etc. from conscious thought into automatic responses?

I'm not really looking for "just study more" because that's exactly the problem—on the ground, it all makes sense. I'm struggling with reliably flying what I already understand.

Hey, ya’ll! I just turned 20 years old a few days ago, and I’m thinking about becoming a pilot. I’m not sure whether it’d be smarter to enroll ASAP at my current age, or enlist in the military for four years, so I can save money, mature some more, and learn a trade I can use as a fallback. Then, I could enroll in flight school with a GI bill and pay off most of my training with cash, since I’ve met 2-3 pilots who did that. If anybody has some first or secondhand experience they could share, it would be kindly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read my question.

What is something you guys would have done differently early on to help set up future job opportunities? I am mid 20’s attending a 141 school and I am on track to get my PPL in about 2 months from now. My plan is to continue on through CFII and become an airline pilot one day. With that being said, I want to admit that I have no idea at all on what I should do now to help set up my future. Specifically when it comes to joining certain programs, attending certain events, and overall networking to make my opportunities much better as I progress.

As the title states. I am part 61 PPL student and I just don’t know if this is right it seems a bit too expensive… just wondering if this is how most of it is and if I just have to suck it up.

Edit: I won’t lie, I’m not really paying for this, my parents are in a position where they are able and willing to but I feel incredibly bad after seeing how much it’s costing and I really just want to make sure I’m not getting scammed or paying too much.

I need some opinions from people who understands planes and helicopters cause i am totally lost. I am planning to gift my husband an experience for his 30th, currently in between an introduction helicopter flight, a Cabri G2 approx 40-50mins with an instructor, or a vintage Bücker Jungmann biplane for 30 mins. They both look very cool but I am not sure what guys are into.

Is getting a degree before flight training really worth it, and what difference does it make?
And do airlines prioritise applicants with a degree?

I got a letter from the FAA about my 1 class medical I applied for recently. The letter says I need to take a 10 panel urine drug screening within 48 hours of receiving the letter. I have a couple questions: It’s the weekend do I need to find somewhere that’s open tomorrow or Sunday and take the test or can I wait till Monday AND can I just go to any drug screening facility like an urgent care center or do I need to go to somewhere more official? In the letter they provided a return address envelope for the facility I take the drug test at to mail it directly to them. Thanks in advance for any information you can give me about this.

I'm 17 and currently in the Washington state Running start program, dual-credit program. I will have my AA by the end of the year.

I’m trying to figure out the best path toward becoming an airline pilot and would really appreciate advice from people who have actually gone through the process.

I’m currently looking at three options:

1. Attend a university aviation program where I would earn a bachelor’s degree while completing my flight training.
2. Attend a regular independent Part 61/141 flight school and get a separate degree in something else.
3. Go through an accelerated academy and finish my ratings as quickly as possible.

One university I’m considering is CWU’s Professional Pilot program. It includes Private, Instrument, Commercial, and the option for CFI/multi-engine training, and graduates can potentially qualify for the 1,000-hour R-ATP instead of needing 1,500 hours. The downside is that the flight training alone looks very expensive on top of normal university tuition and living expenses.

My main goal is eventually getting to the airlines, but I also want to make a smart financial decision and have a useful degree/backup plan in case aviation doesn’t work out.

For those who have taken one of these routes, would you do it again?

Is the 1,000-hour R-ATP advantage of a university program actually worth the additional cost?

Would it be smarter to get a degree in something like business while doing flight training at an independent school?

And are accelerated academies actually worth it, or is a good local flight school usually the better option?

I’d especially like to hear from CFIs, regional/major airline pilots, or people who recently went through training.

I’m originally Egyptian and I want to become a pilot however I constantly see that countries abroad other than Egypt wont hire except their citizens. This is starting to discourage me and encouraging me to find another career. Any advice?

Hi everyone,

I’m currently doing my PPL theory through Bristol Groundschool (BGS). Once I’ve completed the theory, my plan is to do my practical flying with Fly EPT Palma in Spain.

The issue I’m having is with the theory exams. Fly EPT Palma conducts their exams through Austro Control, but I understand that I would need to sit all 9 PPL subjects in one sitting with them.

I’d much rather split the exams into 3 at a time (3 → 3 → 3), as I’ve already studied some of the subjects and don’t want to have to revise all 9 simultaneously.

I’ve spoken to Transport Malta, and they’ve said they can accept my BGS ground school training provided BGS or another ATO provides the required certification and releases me to sit the exams.

The problem is that I’m struggling to find an ATO that is willing to sign me off/release me for the exams when I won’t be doing my practical flight training with them. My actual flying will be with Fly EPT Palma.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or know of an EASA ATO that would be willing to provide the necessary exam application/sign-off without requiring me to complete my practical training with them?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Hello!! Pilot here getting ready for a logbook audit for my next job, and I was wondering if anyone has used a service or checklist to go through their logbook beforehand to make sure everything is in order.

I already have my logbook digitalized, but I’m looking for something that can help me catch any potential issues, discrepancies, missing information, etc. before the audit. I’m definitely willing to pay for a professional review/service if there’s something reputable out there.

I’ve heard quite a few stories about people being sent home after logbook audits, so I’d really like to be as prepared as possible!

Any recommendations for services, checklists, or general advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!! :)

I'm looking into getting my private pilot's license and trying to figure out which flight schools around Columbus are actually good.

I've looked at websites and reviews, but I'd much rather hear from people who have actually trained locally.

Where did you go? Would you recommend them? How were the instructors, planes, scheduling, and costs?

Also definitely interested in hearing if there are any places you'd avoid.

I'm willing to drive a bit outside Columbus for a really good instructor/school.

Thank you in advance for your advice

I’m a Middle Eastern student planning to start flight training in about a year, and I’m currently comparing different flight academies and training routes.
I recently found a US academy offering an FAA/EASA dual-license program. The program includes the usual commercial pilot training and also allows graduates to pursue CFI/CFII/MEI ratings and potentially instruct to build flight hours afterward.
My long-term goal is to return to the Middle East/Gulf region and apply to airlines there once I have enough experience. I’m mainly considering this route because, as a non-EU citizen, I’m concerned about finding employment in Europe, and I’m also not sure how realistic it is to remain and work in the US after training.

What would recommend for me?

Hi! If I self-study the EASA B2 modules and pass the exams at an approved centre, how likely am I to find a trainee position to gain the required experience?
I have no previous technical/aviation qualifications and can’t afford Part-147 school. I’m an EU citizen and willing to relocate anywhere in the EU.
Is this route worth starting, and how much could I earn during the practical experience? Has anyone here done B2 this way or been in a similar situation?
I’m also considering working as cabin crew for 1–2 years while studying the modules, then moving into B2/aircraft maintenance. How realistic would that plan be?

I flew today from Korea to China. Chinese airline. Airport in Korea is dual military/civilian so photos aren't allowed. Flight attendants were making sure every window in the cabin was closed, and the window could not be open until we reached cruising altitude.

This seemed very odd to me. I understand why they did it, because they stated they wanted to prevent pictures of the military airfield. But isn't it unsafe to take off with the windows shut? Usually when I fly in the US or Europe (even in other Asian countries), the FAs make sure the windows are open so in the case of emergency, your eyes are acclimated to the outside lighting. This is especially important at night, I would imagine.

Am I overreacting for thinking this is very odd and unsafe when it comes to safety standards? Just seems to counterintuitive to airplane safety.

Edit: I've flown domestically in Korea from a dual use airport and wasn't required to do this, so is it a thing just for international carriers?

does anyone know any good apps to help distract yourself while flying? good games, shows, or anything else you’d recommend?