My ever changing plan

[LoadMasterC141]

A few other things I have been able to do that was not in the budget, but worth the expense to “enjoy the ride”, so to speak:
7 Trips to the Hard 8 in Stephenville
2 Trips to Coopers BBQ in Llano
8 Trips to Southern Flyer Diner at Brenham
1 Trip to Hangar Diner in Fredericksburg
1 Trip to pick up Cousin in San Antonio and bring to Temple for weekend.
1 Trip to SAT to party
1 Memorial Day weekend trip to Port Aransas
1 Trip to Galveston

To finish out my 250 hrs, I am planning a long trip to Asheville, NC via Florida stopoff.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

As of today I have 179.2 TT
102.0 PIC
98.9 DUAL
85.8 XC
41.0 HOOD
5.9 ACTUAL IMC
37.3 NIGHT
32.2 COMPLEX

I have paid $13400 (And some change) towards 141.7 of the above hours, plus have 22.5 blocked complex remaining, for a total of 164.2. That comes out to $81.60 per flight hour. I still think it is very good, but I had originally planned on an average of $73/hr. No biggie though. I am going to end up with 50 hours of Complex time instead of 10, which is worth it to me because I love the plane. I also did not count on fuel going up so much.

My private instruction cost $444. My IFR has so far cost $1995. The difference being that my IFR instructor tacks on all ground time where my PPL Instructor did not. Understandable though. Total cost is $2433 so far. Higher than I expected, and I still expect to spend another $300-$400 to finish the IFR and Commercial.

Timewise, I am way off my original estimate of 6 months. However, this is purposeful. I decided to wait until March so I can be sure I receive my bonus check at my current job. It is a very large sum. However, I am a bit upset with myself over my IFR progress. I have really dragged my feet on the studying but have all the flying and then some done.

Total cost so far, including books($785), Flight Time($13400 for 164.2hrs), Instruction($2433), and examiners fees($300) is $16918.

I expect to finish my IFR and Commercial by March. I am guessing my final cost for this portion of training to be around $23k. By washing planes, taking some safety pilot time, and getting some expenses paid for, I think I’ll probably finish somewhere between 275-300 hours.

I will owe no money to anyone for this portion of my training. Will probably need to go in the hole $8-10k for the Comm ME and CFI-I/MEI stuff.

Hey man - good for you. Sounds like you're getting the most training for your buck. More people should learn from this instead of getting an insane loan for a lot of money.

And about you guys and your Instrument Tickets - you do know that is probably the most important rating, right? (Yeah, leave it to me to kick ya in the ding ding after you already admitted you need to get in gear! ) Anywho, the knowledge you learn from that rating will probably be the most widely used in a professional flying career. So learn it well!

PS - I'm loving that you're getting IMC and night time - keep it up.

[LoadMasterC141]

I view the IFR rating as the most important as well. I think it is for that reason I have felt like I am dragging my feet. My grade on the PPL written was 98 and killed the oral as well. Even though I am passing practice writtens with flying colors right now, I don't feel like I know it inside and out like I did with the PPL. There is just alot more to it and it is more complex IMO. I'll get there though.

[LoadMasterC141]

2 Months Later I am up to 225.3 hours and have my IFR rating. I'll do another write-up of money spent after my Commercial license.

I have yet another wrench thrown into my plan: I have had a severe falling out with the manager of my local flight school. He felt it neccesary to berate me via email and in person for something he did not know the whole story to in the first place. Had he known this, he would never have dreamed of chewing me apart. However, in a very rude manner, he attacked his biggest customer. I responded with a curt reminder of being a customer and he got in my face and a screaming match ensued. I have never lost my cool in a situation like this, and it is indeed embarassing. I'll be paying the price because I will no longer be able to get the great deals they were providing me. Needless to say, under mutual agreement, I am done with this place.

However, now I have to decide where to do my commercial license. My plan is still to leave my current job at the end of March. I really want to have as much remaining training done by then as possible. From that point, I can afford 4-8 weeks of no job to finish up any remaining training, most likely CFI licenses. Then I hope to instruct somewhere that I can get a decent amount of multi time. Falcon in Georgia looks good but is a ways from home. ATP up in Dallas may be a good option. Not sure on all of this yet......Stay tuned!

[troopernflight]

That kinda stinks to hit a bump in your progress like that. Hey, if you are still planning on making it to Asheville, you might as well come over the mountains and come see us in Greenville, SC (GMU). I'll fly with ya if you are coming this way. Good luck man.

[Captain_Bob]

Give me a call when you get a chance...

Bob

[LoadMasterC141]

BIG CHANGES!

Well today I gave a notice to my current company. They asked me to commit to one project that ends on March 7th. Tha is my last day.

I just left my comfort zone!

On March 10th I am flying to Siler City NC to run a 4 day course that will result in obtaining my Commercial Multi and Single engine licenses. The school is www.osaviation.com and comes highly reccomended from several JC members.

All that remains are to solidify my plans to get my CFI licenses. I have several quotes from schools. Now I just need to hamper down and pick one.

I plan on financing this portion of the training to keep my cash funds high until such time I feel a bit safer. Then I'll pay it off.

As far as instructing, I still feel ATP would be the best fit for me because it will afford me an opportunity, at some point, to get multi time. There are a few others, so i'll keep my options open.

[Customx]

Congratulations. I've been following your progress for a while and it's nice to see everything coming together for you.

[Wolfy]

Good for you. You can't get something without giving something else up. I think with how committed you are things will start falling in to place.

[GalaxyIFE]

Awesome Jeremy...glad you were able to finally give notice. The end of cubicle days are near .

Thanks too for all the updates, it's good to see how the changes have been happening and how you have adjusted to them!

[Minuteman]

Cool man, I'm interested in hearing what you think of the place.

[Captain_Bob]

Wow... Big step for a big guy!

Now's where everything changes... keep on top of those changes and manage your future deliberately from here on out.

There's a lot of us on here who remember the day we gave our "notice". Scary as he**... but, that's what kept me motivated.

Keep us updated!

Bob

[LoadMasterC141]

Well, I asked for advice from friends on the CFI deal. Several thought I should just spend the money building multi engine time. Indeed, it is tempting, and could lead to an airline job "Slightly" faster, but I like the idea of always being able to fall back on a CFI ticket.
After a weekend of angst......

I will be attending JC's very own Career Pilot School on March 24th. Should take me around 30 days to achieve CFI, II, and MEI.

Then the next hurdle...where to instruct! I'll come back to that later. My mind is tuckered out on tough decisions right now!

[PacMan4x4]

LOADY....

I've been watching your recent decision making processes--let me say this, better you than me :-) I'll be going through that in the next 1.5 yrs or so at retirement time. Wish you the best of luck bud. I just talked to Michael at CPS today and I'm looking at going up there at the end of Mar or early Apr to finish up my CSEL....should see ya there if all goes well. I need to crack the books and get ready for the written.

Pac Man

[PatrickCPS]

Looking forward to seeing both of you gentlemen here at Career Pilot School shortly!

[LoadMasterC141]

As of Yesterday,
I have 257TT, 24ME, Commercial Multi and Single License with IFR.

Since my last report of $16918, I spent money on completion of my IFR, and then my CMEL/SE.

Total cost now is $25218. That includes all flight time, checkride fees, instructor pay, and travel/Lodging expenses for the CMEL/SE part. I also have an $850 credit at a local FBO.

I anticipate spending another $12-13k for completion of my training. This brings me about $5k above my original estimates, but I am honestly OK with that.

Next step is to leave for Career Pilot School on or about the end of this month for the 30 day CFI, II, MEI course.