Has anyone else quit right before their CPL Test?

[lostav8r]

For the second time in a row due to weather and work I’m going to have my CPL written lapse, I’ve had a lot of challenges in flying (equipment emergencies, bad schools, scammers running off with my money) and for the last 2 years I’ve hated every second of training.

Everyone I know is pushing me to finish but I don’t think I have the energy to study again for a written and re start my flight test prep, 1 hour of dual is over $400 an hour these days.

If I hate training this much I don’t think I could stomach what it takes to actually work in these sort of conditions. Has anyone been in this boat before?

[cdnavater]

For the second time in a row due to weather and work I’m going to have my CPL written lapse, I’ve had a lot of challenges in flying (equipment emergencies, bad schools, scammers running off with my money) and for the last 2 years I’ve hated every second of training.

Everyone I know is pushing me to finish but I don’t think I have the energy to study again for a written and re start my flight test prep, 1 hour of dual is over $400 an hour these days.

If I hate training this much I don’t think I could stomach what it takes to actually work in these sort of conditions. Has anyone been in this boat before?

Hey, that sounds terrible but it’s a bit of a waste of time and money to not finish.
Personally, I would finish but if these are your concerns, maybe commercial flying is not your thing.

[lostav8r]

For the second time in a row due to weather and work I’m going to have my CPL written lapse, I’ve had a lot of challenges in flying (equipment emergencies, bad schools, scammers running off with my money) and for the last 2 years I’ve hated every second of training.

Everyone I know is pushing me to finish but I don’t think I have the energy to study again for a written and re start my flight test prep, 1 hour of dual is over $400 an hour these days.

If I hate training this much I don’t think I could stomach what it takes to actually work in these sort of conditions. Has anyone been in this boat before?

Hey, that sounds terrible but it’s a bit of a waste of time and money to not finish.
Personally, I would finish but if these are your concerns, maybe commercial flying is not your thing.

Sorry I phrased that poorly, I’m eligible for my flight test but it expires before the weather improves, hence why I’d be “quitting” I don’t have the time or energy to start studying for a 3rd time

[TurkeyFarmYQX]

Wawa, you'll regret giving up right at the finish line.

[cdnavater]

For the second time in a row due to weather and work I’m going to have my CPL written lapse, I’ve had a lot of challenges in flying (equipment emergencies, bad schools, scammers running off with my money) and for the last 2 years I’ve hated every second of training.

Everyone I know is pushing me to finish but I don’t think I have the energy to study again for a written and re start my flight test prep, 1 hour of dual is over $400 an hour these days.

If I hate training this much I don’t think I could stomach what it takes to actually work in these sort of conditions. Has anyone been in this boat before?

Hey, that sounds terrible but it’s a bit of a waste of time and money to not finish.
Personally, I would finish but if these are your concerns, maybe commercial flying is not your thing.

Sorry I phrased that poorly, I’m eligible for my flight test but it expires before the weather improves, hence why I’d be “quitting” I don’t have the time or energy to start studying for a 3rd time

Is there anyway to get an extension from T.C but other than that the written test is not that big of a deal if you’ve done it before, just reviewing what you already knew and should know if you were about to attempt the flight test.
I believe there are weekend prep courses that guarantee a pass, you attend and write the test on the Monday, done!
However, maybe there is no point, if you don’t plan on working as a pilot and frankly if the above has discouraged you, I’m going to say that you will be very disappointed with the early days of a pilot career, it takes a long time to get somewhere you’ll be happy with.
Things are also starting to look a little grim, so a new pilot and there are many, will be having a hard time breaking through.
So, two thoughts here, you’re very close and could finish, then it’s an option down the road or don’t finish and find something that you can support a flying hobby with, obviously you have a private.

[330heavy]

Finish it, then re-evaluate your career choices, you've come this far. Take a day of work to get the test done. If you have to do it a 3rd time, well it should come easier. And as cdnavater said, the start of your career maybe met with disappointment. Resolve and passion will carry you in this career.

[DanWEC]

My opinion only, but having garnered a bit of life experience in my increasing decades, I say suck it up and do it, then quit if you want to. Reason being you'll always have the CPL. You can even put it on your resume for unrelated or adjescent fields. It will likely help you at some point, or you can go the rest of your life explaining the quitting timing, and carrying around the regret for not just doing it. It'll also be much easier and fresher to do it now than attempt to revisit down the road. Maybe if you resign to knowing you don't want to continue, the ride will be stress free and be your "exit portal"

[455tt]

One of the best experiences a pilot can have is when you start actually getting PAID to fly. Believe me, once you reach that milestone it will all seem worth it and you will laugh at all the BS you had to go through to get qualified.

[TalkingPie]

I don't think this is a unique experience; most student pilots face a hiccup or two.

For me, it's been over 6 years since I started my training, part time. I never thought it would take this long, this many flight hours, or this much money. It's frustrating, but quitting just before hitting the finish line seems unproductive to me. Personally, even if you told me 100% guaranteed that I'll never work as a pilot, at this point I'd still want to finish after coming this close to the end.

I can't tell you if flying for a living will be the right thing for you (or even for me, for that matter), but life has taught me that being in training and actually doing the job are often not the same thing.

[CL-Skadoo!]

The most common response I get in social situations when asked about what I do is “I could have been a pilot but…”. don’t be that person.

Finish what you started, you’ll never regret that much. If something better calls to you, no problem, but don’t give a reason to look back and wonder “what if”. You stuck it out this long. Quitting sounds like a long term solution to what may be a temporary feeling.

[digits_]

Finish it.

[Dry Guy]

I would never become commercial pilot unless I was accepted to a subsidized college program where you only pay regular college tuition.

[philaviate]

I would never become commercial pilot unless I was accepted to a subsidized college program where you only pay regular college tuition.

Why? I spent $42k getting cpl and multi IFR. I made that back within 5 months of my first flying job.
I now make about $1500 a day.
And I'm not talking 30 years ago, I mean in the last couple of years.

[lostav8r]

One of the best experiences a pilot can have is when you start actually getting PAID to fly. Believe me, once you reach that milestone it will all seem worth it and you will laugh at all the BS you had to go through to get qualified.

Thank you, this one stood out. I’m hoping the market one day goes back to 2022 levels

I would never become commercial pilot unless I was accepted to a subsidized college program where you only pay regular college tuition.

Why? I spent $42k getting cpl and multi IFR. I made that back within 5 months of my first flying job.
I now make about $1500 a day.
And I'm not talking 30 years ago, I mean in the last couple of years.

I’ve spent about $120,000 so far if you include gas, rental insurance, headsets etc.


are cases of people leaving and coming back common? I see a lot of stories of people happily slogging out tough times and making it through but not that many of people giving up and feeling happily ever after

[philaviate]

I’ve spent about $120,000 so far if you include gas, rental insurance, headsets etc.


are cases of people leaving and coming back common? I see a lot of stories of people happily slogging out tough times and making it through but not that many of people giving up and feeling happily ever after

I'd guess you need to fly more often.
That is the way to be most efficient.
I flew 5-6 days a week. Did ppl in 50hrs, passed my cpl test at 150 exactly, I was ready by about 110 so I just started IFR and time building until I reached the 150 to actually be allowed to take the test. Did IFR and multi and passed both by 203hrs total.
I did all my CPL timebuilding at night, so I had my ATPL night XC done too.
This way you don't repeat lessons needlessly.

$120k is a lot, what is the reason behind it?

Regardless, the pay off is worth it. and honestly flying as a career is such fun I'd do it for free. My only regret is not doing it 10 years earlier.

[digits_]

are cases of people leaving and coming back common? I see a lot of stories of people happily slogging out tough times and making it through but not that many of people giving up and feeling happily ever after

Plenty of people leave aviation and are happy. It depends on the reason why you're leaving. If it' by choice because you've seen it all, then you'll be happy. If you leave because you got laid off and can't find a job, you'll likely be sad.

If you quit your training because the alternative path is a high paying dream job in another field, you'll be happy.
If you quit your training because there's no alternative, it's too hard, you feel bad, you might regret it.

You know yourself best. Do you *want* to fly, or did circumstances or other people convince you that you want to fly? It's sometimes hard to distinguish between the both of them.

Since you're so close to finishing, I would just finish it. The extra cost now is relatively small, and will make you happier in the end, even if you decide to quit aviation later on, on your terms.

[Dry Guy]

Under $10k for me. Plus a job at Air Canada thanks to my diploma.

[Old fella]

If I may chime in….. it would appear to me your heart isn’t into it at this point in time mainly due to issues you outlined and perhaps other issues that you prefer to keep to yourself . Certainly understandable to say the least however if this close why not bite the bullet and finished it up. You will have a CPL in your pocket for future endeavours if at some time you would like pursue aviation. I got my CPL MFC class of 1973/74, CPLs those days were a dime a dozen , combined with lack of job availability many became disillusioned with it all and moved to other careers. Most went back to school and got teaching degrees, business degrees, one I know became a Pharmacist, another is an Automobile mechanic. Those days aviation wasn’t great and it was the era of working for free or for very little. My first flying instructor job 1976 was base pay of $75.00 per week and $4.00 per instructional hr given. Aviation appears to have better stability these days and probably so for the foreseeable future so look at it through that lens. If it doesn’t work out for whatever reason there will certainly be stability in other careers as well.

Again I would suggest you finish’er up
Good luck and all the best.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Under $10k for me. Plus a job at Air Canada thanks to my diploma.

Air Canada will hire without a diploma

[gilbertmartin]

I had my written test dragged out by bad weather and it totally wore me down. Maybe give yourself a short break, focus on something else for a bit, and come back when you actually feel up for it.

[altiplano]

$120K? Jesus... What a waste of money. Not everyone can hack it, but it sure took you a while to decide.

Why throw more good money after bad if it isn't what you want to do?

Save your money. Spend it on something else. Put it in your TFSA.

[lostav8r]

$120K? Jesus... What a waste of money. Not everyone can hack it, but it sure took you a while to decide.

Why throw more good money after bad if it isn't what you want to do?

Save your money. Spend it on something else. Put it in your TFSA.

This is spread across almost 8 years and the current rate for dual is pushing $400 an hour with tax. I've also had the pleasure of people running away with my money :/

I had my written test dragged out by bad weather and it totally wore me down. Maybe give yourself a short break, focus on something else for a bit, and come back when you actually feel up for it.

Do you remember how long it took you to study and pass the written after your papers expired?

[SierraLimaSierra]

Yes, I did. I had a few stressful flights, as well, and basically lost all confidence. That was in 1994. I work in aviation, but I'm not a pilot. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, and I'm good at it, but I wear that regret every damned day and always wonder what if.

I know it's tough, but since you asked, I think you should just finish it off, get 'er done. Living with regrets in your 50s kinda sucks.

[altiplano]

$120K? Jesus... What a waste of money. Not everyone can hack it, but it sure took you a while to decide.

Why throw more good money after bad if it isn't what you want to do?

Save your money. Spend it on something else. Put it in your TFSA.

This is spread across almost 8 years and the current rate for dual is pushing $400 an hour with tax. I've also had the pleasure of people running away with my money :/

Excuses don't change the fact that you dumped $120K into something you aren't going to do. Are you going to make it $130K now? $150K? More?

For what? A chance at a fleeting feeling of accomplishment that you may or may not reach?

Save your money.

[AV80R]

Like most businesses where you pay by the hour they have a financial interest in taking as long as possible. Ever notice how your instructor wants to get the engine started right away before you do 20 minutes of talking and preflight checks? These private flight schools are predatory. Never pay them money upfront either, then they can't run away with your money.
Get yourself into a recognized program where you pay a fixed sum and get your license and ratings for that amount. Go rent a plane from a private flying school if you want to take your friends flying.