An expensive, hard lesson.

BravoHotel

BravoHotel

Well-Known Member
So it ended today. Three months of "training." I moved California to start a job, but the training dragged on and on. I got to the instrument phase of the training. Well, after not flying in the instrument environment for 18 months, I forgot all the nitty gritty, I even dropped 1300 bucks I did not have (had to borrow it) on re-gaining proficiency, but I guess it was not good enough. Had an IPC today, I thought it went ok, but I was wrong, and presto, stick a fork in me, I am done.

After working in the skydiving industry making peanuts as jump pilot staying instrument savy was not at the top of my list. Paying rent and eating were. So I finally accumulate enough hours for a shot at something else, but, I was doomed before I even started. Why am I doing this again? (Excuse me, I am extremely bitter at the moment) I need to find a job, pounding nails, delivering pizza, pumping gas, anything really. I am living on my girl friend's floor at the moment. It is going to be awhile before I regroup my self and attempt flying again. Maybe paper airplanes with rubber band driven propellers.
 
I'm sorry to hear that. I too am not sure how to balance the desire to fly with the reality of life. I find myself stuck on the other extreme - no flying, stuck in an office job, disappointing myself as the dream fades.

Expensive on the soul.
 
That sucks. I'm sorry to hear it.

For what it's worth, I made a similar screw up a few years ago and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. I blew an AirNet Systems interview because I couldn't handle the sim evaluation/IFR part of the interview.

I came back home, accepted my current job because I didn't know what else to do, and it developed into the perfect fit for me. I couldn't be happier now. I truly am livin' the dream as an instructor/ferry pilot. When I think about where I'd be right now if I'd gone to AirNet, I shake my head and thank God I screwed up.

Anyway, my point is that life has a funny way of working out eventually. I don't know what it'll be for you, or when it'll happen. But when it does, you'll probably look back and be glad you washed out of your current spot.
 
Hawks said:
Had an IPC today, I thought it went ok, but I was wrong, and presto, stick a fork in me, I am done..
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What did not meet standard? And why?

Do the 'bitter' thing and then regroup. Was it lack of currency or lack of proficiency or both? And after that, what is your flying goal.

REFOCUS.
 
$1300 on instrument proficiency and you were not ready? What did you fly??? I would have spent the time/money flying a PCATD first, then get a cheap IFR airplane and fly in the soup.
On the up side, as others have already pointed out, sometimes bad luck is actually good luck. I busted my first interview with my dream company... which was one of the best things to happen to me as they went under while my wife was in the middle of medical school.
 
$1300 would have bought you around 10 hours of dual in one of our planes. The IPC would have been built into that time and I find it pretty hard to believe you were that bad. What was it that went so awry?

As others have said this is only a setback not the end of the world (even though it seems like it).
As with all dreams, aviation is full of bitter disappointments, that's all there is to it.

Don't let something like this get you down, keep up the fight.

Bp244
 
These a tough economic times and the law of supply and demand is in full swing. In a different day the results would have been different.

I hope things turn around for you. Often when you look back on life you see that events that seemed bad at the time were actually lucky turns in the road. I hope you find that to be the case.

Sincerely, ....... good luck.
 
Do you have a computer? You need to spend 200 bucks on a fake yoke and a flight sim. Spend 10-20 hours on that doing nothing but full procedure approaches and I would imagine you would be very sharp. Then spend 1-3 hours in th airplane for an ipc. I feel you though, sometimes it feels that life sucks. Hang in there.
 
I spent 1300 on a dual in a 172 to regain instrument proficiency. I busted the company IPC. As a result, "We are sorry, but we can't hire you based on your skill level."

It is a money issue, so I need to find work, until I can regroup and re-focus. I do like the computer sim idea, that will allow me to practice and keep sharp until the next opportunity comes along.
 
Hootie said:
Do you have a computer? You need to spend 200 bucks on a fake yoke and a flight sim. Spend 10-20 hours on that doing nothing but full procedure approaches and I would imagine you would be very sharp. Then spend 1-3 hours in th airplane for an ipc. I feel you though, sometimes it feels that life sucks. Hang in there.
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I don't think enough people take advantage of this - it's how I learned to fly approaches before I got in the plane, and how I stay current when not flying now.
 
Murdoughnut said:
I don't think enough people take advantage of this - it's how I learned to fly approaches before I got in the plane, and how I stay current when not flying now.
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+1 The PC based sims are an excellent way of polishing up procedures, mainly because you develop a sense of what comes next and how to stay ahead of the airplane.
You can also alter the settings on them as you get more proficient which will tighten up your control skills.

Question to the OP - did you take the company check in a 172?
If you went from that to say a Baron I can see why you would suddenly be out of your depth.

Bp244
 
Hawks said:
So it ended today. Three months of "training." I moved California to start a job, but the training dragged on and on. I got to the instrument phase of the training. Well, after not flying in the instrument environment for 18 months, I forgot all the nitty gritty, I even dropped 1300 bucks I did not have (had to borrow it) on re-gaining proficiency, but I guess it was not good enough. Had an IPC today, I thought it went ok, but I was wrong, and presto, stick a fork in me, I am done.

After working in the skydiving industry making peanuts as jump pilot staying instrument savy was not at the top of my list. Paying rent and eating were. So I finally accumulate enough hours for a shot at something else, but, I was doomed before I even started. Why am I doing this again? (Excuse me, I am extremely bitter at the moment) I need to find a job, pounding nails, delivering pizza, pumping gas, anything really. I am living on my girl friend's floor at the moment. It is going to be awhile before I regroup my self and attempt flying again. Maybe paper airplanes with rubber band driven propellers.
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you got a pm
 
Take a few months, find a job, make some money, regroup...then hit the books, practice on a computer sim and get back at it. If I can fly instruments, anybody can. Just wrong time, wrong place. Within 6 months we expect a thread on how you have passed your IPC and are doing much better. :beer:
 
Well, I talked to a Air Guard recruiter today. I already have four years in service so no boot camp, an enlistment bonus and maybe become aircraft mech and get paid to do so. Wow paid to learn something aviation? Imagine that?
 
Boris Badenov said:
You should ask her to let you move in to the bed.[/QUOT

She is an uber awesome girlfriend, she has been supportive throughout this entire process. I was laying on the floor last night as I wrote it. Then I rejoined her bed after my delay vector to JC to vent.
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Hawks said:
Boris Badenov said:
You should ask her to let you move in to the bed.[/QUOT

She is an uber awesome girlfriend, she has been supportive throughout this entire process. I was laying on the floor last night as I wrote it. Then I rejoined her bed after my delay vector to JC to vent.
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poster1.jpg
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Sorry to hear it. Staying IFR proficient on a budget is tough. I'll probably be in a similar situation soon.

After earning my IR in Dec 2008, I started working on my commercial and CFI. As a result the only IFR experience I have logged since getting my IR has been 2 hours in the simulator back in Nov doing 6 approaches and hold to prevent an IPC, and about 1.5 of basic attitude instrument flying preparing for my CFI ride.

Good luck finding some work and getting some money together
 
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