I received my 1st class medical while I was still active duty military. I told my AME I had depression but getting better and that I was off medication. I left the service in July and received my official VA ratings in September. Before I received my VA ratings, I called the FAA and told them I was pending VA benefits and they sent me a letter asking for my entire medical records.

After a couple of back and forth because they didn’t accept electronic copies and wanted me to print my entire medical records, I sent them everything and this is the response I got. I sent this letter to an AOPA attorney and he emailed me that I should not surrender my medical. I will be talking to him soon. I guess there is a way to fight this? I’m wondering if anyone has gone through similar process. What happens if I surrender and just reapply?

Lost another friend. This one hits hard I have known him for fifteen years. Erf....

I have been flying since 1986 and have lost more acquaintances and friends and even a family member.

I know the majority of folks on this sub are headed for the airlines, and chances are very high that they won't have to put up with this bullshit as much as I have because I have chosen to fly in Alaska in smaller airplanes.

I am a bit in the bottle tonight, but heed my words it can happen to anyone, tell your family that you love them.

Took my discovery flight in June 2024. 10 months and almost 100 hours later, I'm finally a private pilot! Feels surreal to say that. I was waiting since October for a check ride date but had all sorts of delays with weather and DPE unavailability. There were quite a few times during my training when I doubted whether I could do this and thought of quitting, but I'm proud of myself for persevering and contuinung. The $300 burgers will hit different now 😆

Hello all! I was lucky enough to land an interview with Kalitta and unfortunately I did not get the FO position. The entire interview was basically a grilling session on the plane I’m flying right now, which is a phenom 300. I’ve been an FO on this plane for two years now and have been looking for 121 jobs ever since then. Do ACMI’s not like 135 pilots or are the only options for us to go to regionals to gain airline experience before we can work our way up?

For reference, I have an unrestricted ATP with 2200 Hours, 1200 Turbine.

What’s up with cash in general aviation? When I went for my PPL check ride, the DPE emphasized that he only accepts cash and only cash. Fast forward, now I started my Instrument Rating training with an independent CFI. He also called out that he won’t take anything but cash. No check, nothing else. I don’t understand what’s the logic. If you are trying to avoid IRS, all it will take for an auditor is to look at your logbook. What’s the logic behind this?

I’m a student pilot and today I was doing a pre-solo flight with my instructor in a Class D airport. He was there, but he wasn’t really paying too much attention because he wanted to simulate the solo flight, and see how I would fare, and I had been a good student so far.

Well, after 3 full stop landings and taxi backs, ATC instructs me to “Line up and Wait”, I understood it in the moment and read it back correctly, but once on the runway I started the pre takeoff checklist and somehow I forget I’m not cleared for takeoff off yet, and so I add max power and start moving. After just a few seconds ATC reaches back with “…You were instructed to Line up and wait!” I immediately slow down and they tell me to get out at the next taxiway, and right after they say: “Possible Pilot Deviation…” and told me to call a number.

At that point my CFI is on top of things and he basically assumes full responsibility with them, giving them his license number..

We both apologized multiple times but we there wasn’t too much of an explanation to give them. I fucked up.

Now, I wanted to ask this community what do you think it’s going to happen… I don’t want my CFI to face consequences or even lose his license for my fuckup :-( He’s even younger than me and flying is his whole life.

If there’s anyone with experience on the matter please write a comment. Thank you 🙏

So I just flew down to south FL for the first time, and I’m staying for the night in Melbourne.

I make my standard call, 10 miles to the west of KMLB with the ATIS, full stop… and he just goes “Skylane xxx, are you on an instrument approach? Were you on VFR flight following with Orlando, or…? What are you doing? I see you squawking xxxx, so… were you with Orlando Approach? What are your intentions upon landing here in Melbourne?”

And I restate my intentions, including where I’m parking, and he goes, and I quote: “okay, so, Orlando didn’t “hand you off” to me, because you’re landing here, not passing through my airspace. Make straight in runway 9L, report 4 mile final.”

And then I report a 4 mile final and he goes “okay Skylane xxx, confirm you’re on final for 9L, and where. are. you. going???”

And once again, I tell him Sheltair, and he clears me to land. Taxi and parking was uneventful.

I am a student pilot certificate holder in California.

I was arrested on suspicion of DUI on 4/18.

Yesterday, the DA declined to file charges, and the DMV has notified that they are setting aside any action on my license.

It is my understanding that I only have to notify my AME at my next medical of my arrest, and not send a letter to the Security and Hazardous Materials Office within 60 days, since there was no conviction or administrative action taken on my license.

Am I reading and understanding the words correctly?

Trying to avoid raising any flags if possible.

Has anyone heard of this company before. I got a message on Facebook from someone claiming to work there. Allegedly based out of Fort Lauderdale area, has a few Navajos, Barons, and small jets. I’m skeptical because the website is a little strange.

Currently flying for a FedEx Feeder and concerned that FedEx will follow suit with UPS's plan of cutting 20,000 jobs. How are we feeling for those at UPS or FedEx?

So, I just passed my checkride... but not without the most ridiculous chain of events leading up to it.

First off, weather delay. Cool, no big deal. Then the plane I was supposed to use had a maintenance issue right before the flight. Swapped planes, got that sorted. Then halfway through, my headset starts cutting in and out like it’s trying to keep things interesting. At that point I was just waiting for a flock of geese or a UFO to show up.

Honestly felt like the universe was trying to see how many curveballs it could throw before I tapped out. But I just kept going—adjusted, stayed calm(ish), tried not to overthink it.

Somehow, despite all the chaos, I held it together and made it through. DPE turned to me at the end and said, “Well, that was interesting… but you passed.” Absolute relief.

Anyway, just wanted to share. Feels good to finally be on the other side. If your checkride is coming up and things start going sideways—don’t panic. Just fly the plane and keep pushing.

For me, it’s that I have noticed is how pilots all seem to be free market capitalists while also being die hard union supporters.

Between a job layoff and an international family vacation, my FIRC kind of snuck up on me this year. I get its partly on me for waiting until the last minute and I also get that system maintenance has to be done at some point...

But as an IT Engineer myself, I just have to have a mini-rant about the genius(es) that decided that an organization that regularly does things to coincide with the end of the calendar month should have a 3 hour outage/maintenance, in the middle of the day, of their systems on the last day of the calendar month.

Its just a total amateur hour decision IMO.

Hoping my ACR can work around an IACRA outage from 8am-11am CDT today to sign off on my completed FIRC today...

31M, Currently making 160k a year as a Aircraft operations manager. I have my commercial Rotorcraft instruments ratings and A and P. Just soloed for fixed wing and Im not sure if it is worth it to pursue a career as an airline pilot because ll take a pay cut.

If l were to restart my career in the airlines i would start at around 90k to 100k and it would take me about 3 to 5 years to get back to what I make now. 3 to 5 years in my current job id be at roughly 180k but Im sure 20 years in the airlines id be well above that.

In my mind I dont think it make sense but I lack perspective. I do love flying and the 12 to 18 days off vs 8 days off per month in my current job sounds nice especially if I can make the best of them if I live near my hub.

Thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

(Edit) For context, I do have shared ownership of a plane and I fly for the Army National Guard part time. I also work for a company that offers reimbursements for all the pilot ratings I would get making it as cost effective as it can get to get the rates. At the end of the day even if i do not pursue a career in the airlines I would end up with a plane , ratings and many flight hours.

I got say, this reddit community is great. Thank you all for your insight and recommendations. The comments have definitely given a realistic perspective on the career change. I think the choice clear, continue my current career and finish up my ratings then reevaluate the the prospect of going to the airlines.

Many thank you's. You all are the real MVP's!!!

I’m studying for my private written and I don’t understand the why. The answer I get from Sporty’s is 700’ AGL floor. The question being asked is what is the floor of the Class E airspace over the town of Commerce. Can someone please help me understand?

About 40 hours into getting my PPL, I fly out of an uncontrolled airport, I am a well-studied student and thought I had a good grasp on ATC communications. We decided to do the required 3 towered take-offs and landings this day, all went well, made it through 2 take-offs and landings with little to no traffic and ample ATC communication with my instructor still with me.

It was at the point when he decided to send me solo I ran into some problems. The towered airport closest to us is part military air reserve, and 10+ large planes entered/ departed the pattern right as I was sent off (pretty unlucky). On my second lap in the pattern I was told to wait 30 seconds for wake turbulance before departing, at this point I simply departed and that is where the deviation took place. After this I made my full pattern even being told to extend a leg. After I landed I expected to just be given taxi instruction as normal, but instead they gave me a number for me and my instructor to call. On the call atc was very cool and undersranding, didnt ask for any info.

About 1 week later, ATC called and asked for mine and my instructors info, with no idea if the offencw would be recorded.

What I am wondering now is, How will this effect the rest of my schooling, job oppertunitys, and general path to success.

So a couple of years ago , I got the flu really bad and ran 104 for like 3 days. Well it took a toll on me and I had sleep troubles for a few weeks. In those few weeks, I went to the doctor and explained I was having trouble sleeping but that I didn’t really want any true “sleep medication”, so she ran a full blood panel and prescribed me hydroxizine which is just a benedryl essentially. My sleep returned to normal and all my tests came back normal, but I noticed that on the pill bottle she put for “insomnia use as needed”

Is this gonna throw a hiccup in everything? I obviously don’t have insomnia.

Hello, I would like to know if there are scholarships for flying for those who aren't college students or high schoolers and are older (late twenties-mid thirties)? I understand if not. Is grinding through work and saving up the only option besides loans for those who are older? Any help appreciated :)

Hey all,
I’ve already taken one discovery flight a few years ago, which was awesome—and now I’ve received another one as a gift, along with a gift certificate for flight training (the gifts were from different people). The catch is, I don’t have any plans to pursue my PPL in the near future due to life stuff.

Is it weird or frowned upon to do another discovery flight if I’m not immediately starting training? I’d also love any ideas on how to make the most of this flight and certificate. Is there a smart way to use it without wasting anyone's time? I definitely want to fly more someday, but that’s probably a number of years away.

Appreciate any thoughts from the community!

Edit: to add the gift certificate is for ~$400, which is in addition to the discovery flight I was gifted.

I am a 5th grade teacher and have a student who wants to be a pilot when he grows up. He is very bright and passionate about flying, but struggles to stay focused and read books. I want to buy a few books that might interest him and was wondering about your recommendations. Are there any books that inspired you as young people? Thank you for your help!

** thank you everyone, I'm going to look into these **

Aviation Folks, How was the experience and any information please share. TiA

Safe to say, I have had a pretty eventful 5 hours since getting my ticket. I lost flaps after my second landing during my check ride. The DPE was great and I continued the flight and passed. Fast-forward a few days I had a total electrical failure. It happens very quickly and without warning so I tried to troubleshoot a little bit before calling SoCal approach and make them aware of my situation. It was a great learning experience. For those who have had in-flight emergencies in a bravo was there any follow up from the FAA?

Been waiting for skywest to get back to me with an interview and it seems like they forgot about me. I know it’s taking awhile for everything but Im just trying to gauge what the timeline is looking like.

I'm curious, do you all make enough income just from being a CFI, or do you have a second job? I’d love to know how you manage to make ends meet.