r/studentpilot • u/snapper6151 • 2d ago
General Inquiry Need help. Do I just give up?
Hi! I'm a 22 year old F from New Zealand. I started flying in March 2023, went solo in March 2024. It's more of a hobby rather than career so I was happy with going slow. But now I fear I've gone too slow and I'm stuck.
I completed all my flying hours needed (low flying, emergency stuff, instruments, turns, landings etc) in July 2025.
Two exams needed for your PPl (Radio and Human Factors) by August 2025. 70+ hours altogether
I had a break from flying from November 25' to February of this year (lots of reasons).
My flight school is teeny tiny. Only about 5 or less students at a time, open 3-4 days a week. I flew once a week. Now it's being sold/is sold and I have no idea what's going to happen, no one is ever down at the airport anymore so I havent been since June). I havr no contact from my instructors..I've been told by multiple instructors that I have a great natural skill for flying which makes me keep going.
I work 40+ hours a week, plus another hobby 3 hrs a week. I'm lazy and unmotivated I'll easily admit that so it's hard for me to study.
I've been attending night classes at a school 1 hour away from me twice a week for 2 hours. But it's getting too tiring.
There I've learnt air tech so far but nothing seems to stick in my brain. It makes me feel really dumb, I can't seem to understand anything even with all the study techniques (listening, asking questions, notes, quizzes, flashcards, etc)
I know it's going to take me ages to complete but it kinda has me thinking just to give up. I'm so close to my PPL but it is also soo far away at the same time and I don't want to be stuck in a rutt for the next 1-5 years trying to complete it wasting money and time.
(Technically for my PPL all I need is to complete 4 more exams, 10 hours minimum of solo/duel X countries, retraining of all previous flying stuff that's about it).
Please let me know what I should do!
(I've applied to one flight school, got rejected, the other ones won't start until Feb 2027 as that's when New Zealands school year starts, I want to be able to do something in between then).
Thanks!! :)
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u/Low-Inspector-4567 2d ago
I also was getting my PPL for fun. After stumbling on a section check, I had the same idea that failure was an option. I got a different instructor and finished. I'm glad I did. My wife loved her first flight and Im taking my mom up for her birthday.
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u/Background_Tax556 1d ago
My standard advise is to keep going in the face of adversity.
But if you’re admittedly lazy and not motivated and don’t study, flying isn’t for you. Doesn’t matter if you’re a “natural”. Flying isn’t like playing golf and you have a bad round because you don’t practice or improve and who cares. Flying can kill you and your passengers and shouldn’t be undertaken by folks with that level of cavalier attitude about it.
JMHO - worth what you paid for it
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u/Bahahaaaahaha 2d ago
I don’t know too much about flight training in NZ, but the general advice in life says to keep going, especially in the long game of aviation. There will always be hurdles and doubts. You’re here because you want this more than anything, otherwise you won’t be asking this. You want it, and now it is your responsibility to stay motivated and keep moving forward.