I also agree with Rick on this one. If you are going to use the time building to do VFR x countries, challenge yourself and do it like Rick is mentioning.

Thank you very much for the great responses. I absolutely love flying and am looking forward to challenging myself by using the VOR more often than the nice GPS. I had a blast during my cross country flights and I am looking forward to more solo stuff and especially taking passengers and exploring different airports. I wish I had a girlfriend to share all the fun with...That will come someday!! I highly doubt I will ever be bored...Again thanks for the great responses.

Yeah, find a girl to share it with, way more fun that way. That's the only time they think aviation is cool. Once you get into the airlines they will just complain about you being gone all the time (except for the ten days each year when you take them to europe... in first class).

I know this message may be too late, but I recently had an IFR student who passed his rating very quickly, was prepared and on top of his game for EVERY lesson. His secret? After he got his PPL, he flew long XC's to various challenging airports, got flight following, followed extablished routes, etc, for a few months before beginning to train for the IR. Not only that, but he had the confidence to handle most things I threw at him while in the soup. He passed his practical with no complaints from the DPE.

I say, take some time to fly and gain experience after the PPL. Don't take the time to fly to one airport 100 times though.

As a brand spanking new CPL, I'm not very experienced at all, but I disagree that part 61 training is a waste of money. When I was building time, I'd go to different airports and do the approaches. Why? It introduced variety, I learned a lot, and I made PIC decisions.

That last bit is maybe the most important part- making command decisions. IMO, you mature a bit faster that way, as opposed to doing it 141 where you have the comfort of a CFI to double check your decision. Of course, I'm not saying a 61 pilot is better than a 141 pilot, but I had fun and learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses as a pilot.

On one of my flights, I shot an ILS down to minimums and wound up going to my alternate. Doing it with your instructor next to you under the hood is one thing, but I don't think I've ever been so focused as when I had to fight turbulence and a leaking roof in zero visibility.

On using GPS, you can still use it without cheapening the experience. Our planes had the Garmin 430. I'd program the route and then set the CDI to GPS mode and turn off the moving map. At that point, it's just like tracking a VOR radial. I'd also use my VOR's to cross check my position on the chart to maintain situational awareness.


Yes, maybe I spent a few extra dollars, but if I had to do it all over, I'd go 61 again.

61 vs 141 is a moot point IMO. You can have great and horrible instructors in both cases, regardless of how "Structured" they are. The greatest flying experience I had while training/building time was 91 flying to fun far-away places. Putting yourself in the real world, outside of training, and just doing what you are supposed to do as a pilot.

Some people have a hard time seperating this, and it will impede progress. I think someones confidence can raise significantly by successfully completing these VFR trips on their own, and when they are ready to move on to IFR training they can because they know they are ready to.

This opportunity, for some, could be the last chance they can make all these decisions on where to go, how to get there, etc.... Going towards your INST, COMM, then CFI, you'll most likely be doing the bidding of others, and even as a CFI you are there for the student, not yourself(if you are then you shouldn't teach). I'm not saying you don't have a say in decisions during these phases, but they will be highly influenced by your instructors and future customers, I'm just talking about sole decisions that you will make yourself without input from anyone else.

DON'T TAKE A BREAK!!!!!!!! If you have the means to continue, then do it right away. I got my PPL and thought "I'm going to take a little break and just enjoy flying". Well that break was almost 2 years. It was hard to get back into the swing and something always "came up". It is sort of like going back to school I guess. Now I am back into it full time and will not be taking anymore "breaks" till I have my 3 CFI ratings.

Haven't been here in a while, due to getting tied up in work and concentrating on flying. Just finished my second solo XC and planning on the long one weather and work permitting. I did a mock up checkride with my instructor today and things seem to be looking good so far. I have yet to study for the oral part. Thanks for continuing this thread and no I am not planning on taking a break. I am planning on going to a few different airports and building some XC time. That checkride is getting closer.