Career-No

[wrxpilot]

No I should update that. I have around 140 hrs. It took me 3 years to build that much time. Somebody who is serious about it should not be taking that long.

One thing I'm worried about. I almost have to complete my commercials or what you guys would call the IRS would get back at me because I have been claiming my flights on my income taxes for deductibles because at the time, I thought I was going to work in the field but if you just get your commercials, that is proof enough right? I mean they may just ignore it but I could get audited again like last year of them saying that I was claiming the money on personal flying which was not acceptable but if I get a commercials, they should ignore it? What if somebody like me changed their minds? They can't possibly expect you to pay back all those thousands of dollars?

Ok, 140 hrs then. I have around 110 and still get edgy and have felt apprehensive before flights. It's natural and something you need to turn to your advantage (if you want to keep with it). The point is if you're trying to rationalize whether or not to continue flight training, don't use that as a reason. It happens to pretty much everybody that should be flying.

There were a lot of threads on here a few months ago about deducting flight training. Basically you cannot deduct the costs... I think if you were already a CFI and had to buy some related books or something you could, but deducting flying expenses is not allowed. Hopefully you don't get audited, that could be painful.

 

[adam_jorgensen]

Yea people kept telling me it was normal and I do agree. It depends what kind of flight I'm doing I don't get nervous for all of them. Its just a local flight, no problem. A cross country I have done before, piece of cake but to a new area I'm unfamiliar with like going to the USA (I live in Canada) I get nervous. These feelings are usually just a waste of time because in the end, I always do just fine but there always the what-ifs that really get to me. Maybe now that I'm going to do it for pleasure use, I won't get as nervous for some reason.

If I do get audited again, I could just keep saying that I will intend to work in the field even though it is taking a while. Sorta like yanking their chain to keep them happy. They have tons of other work to deal with their not going to waste time on one person but maybe it would be a good idea from now on not to deduct anymore taxes from my flying. I'll be going to university anyways and that will be enough deductibles.

 

[Snakum]

I have around 110 and still get edgy and have felt apprehensive before flights.

I do too, especially when the Captain - a 50 year old former Navy officer - keeps rubbing my leg and saying things like "So ... you want a backrub when we get to the hotel? You're soooo tense."

I hate when that happens almost as bad as when you have to toss the salad for a little bit of multi-engine time.



Minh

 

[NookyBooky]

Rofl!!

 

[NookyBooky]

Yea people kept telling me it was normal and I do agree. It depends what kind of flight I'm doing I don't get nervous for all of them. Its just a local flight, no problem. A cross country I have done before, piece of cake but to a new area I'm unfamiliar with like going to the USA (I live in Canada) I get nervous. These feelings are usually just a waste of time because in the end, I always do just fine but there always the what-ifs that really get to me. Maybe now that I'm going to do it for pleasure use, I won't get as nervous for some reason.

If I do get audited again, I could just keep saying that I will intend to work in the field even though it is taking a while. Sorta like yanking their chain to keep them happy. They have tons of other work to deal with their not going to waste time on one person but maybe it would be a good idea from now on not to deduct anymore taxes from my flying. I'll be going to university anyways and that will be enough deductibles.

Go get a few hours in a Pitts. If that doesn't give ya the hots for flyin' again, then nothing will. You owe yourself at least that much since you have already sunk over $10 grand and countless hours into flying.

 

[Goose Egg]

No I should update that. I have around 140 hrs. It took me 3 years to build that much time. Somebody who is serious about it should not be taking that long.

Just for the record, I started flying when I was 17 and got my private when I was 18. I am now 28 and will be 29 in about two weeks. I now have (just a sec... let me open up Logbook Pro...) 574.0 hours to my name. About half of that time was accumulated in the last 12 months, and 86 hours of the total is glider time.

What happened in the time between 18 and 28? It's a long story, but suffice to say, I have averaged about 43 hours per year, which close to what you have done. As 29 year old, I am considered a grandpa of the kid world, but as an adult, I'm just a puppy. Sure, I'm older than your typical CFI, but I'm still pretty confident that I can make a flying career work, be it regionals or something else (I'd really like a corporate job, to be honest.)

Just food for thought...

Edit: I get nervous sometimes too. I just take it as a sign that I haven't mentally prepared myself enough to fly. How do I overcome it? I prepare myself! I spend a little extra time to get a clear picture of what needs to happen. Once I get that taken care of, I'm all set.

Edit Part Deux: I really am happy as a CFI. I find it challenging and fulfilling. And I would remain an instructor, but I have this pesky desire to buy a house, have a family, and take on other types of challenges in flying. I think I'll always keep my CFIs current, and hopefully have at least one student for the rest of my life. Maybe by the end I'll actually have something good to pass on! My point? Flying is truly enjoyable if you do it right.

-Goose