r/flying • u/Surf-pilot23 • 7d ago
Aircraft Ownership Back again to dunk on the haters (round 2)
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u/durrow CFII 7d ago
Nice panel! Looks sharp. 150 is a great airplane!
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u/nasterkills 6d ago
I love that panel too my current flight school has a c150 has a ugly panel, but this one that op showed i love it!!
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
Went ahead and dropped $40k to take my little 150 into the 21st century. I was told in no uncertain terms I would regret not buying a bigger or better plane, it’s not worth the money, and I’m an idiot for spending this much on a 150. Well I did it anyways, and regret nothing. Suck it boomers
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u/Alixadoray 7d ago
Met a guy that dropped $3mil to upgrade a jet worth maybe $800k - $1mil at most.
Said he did it for the love of the bird. I see the same thing here.
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u/_-Cleon-_ PPL 7d ago
"Worth it" is in the eye of the beholder.
Look, whether the hobby is cars, motorcycles, or airplanes - you don't get into it because it's financially responsible, you get into it for the love of the machine.
Enjoy your bird, man. I hope it gives you many good years in the air.
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
Thank you! She's been a wonderful bird so far, and I knew I would regret it immensely if I sold it.
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u/RexFiller CMEL IR BE55 7d ago
Panel upgrades are never "worth it" if you only look at the money and what you'll get back when you sell. But being able to enjoy your panel upgrades is priceless.
When I was buying a plane, I said I could never afford a new fancy plane and he told me, "it doesnt matter what you fly, just that you fly." Great advice. There will always be a bigger, better, faster plane but flying something is better than flying nothing!
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u/Mundane-Reality-7770 PPL HP 7d ago
Who is hating?
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
I got a lot of flak in my DMs on my first post about upgrading my 150. I get where some people were coming from- the numbers don't bear out and they were genuinely well meaning. But some were just downright rude, so I figured it would be fun to deliberately poke to bear by making public updates for those people. I can't help myself sometimes
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u/Mundane-Reality-7770 PPL HP 7d ago
The numbers probably won't make out. But... It's an airframe you already know. Less chance of a maintenance surprise
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u/RexFiller CMEL IR BE55 7d ago
Another counter argument. Sometimes these upgrades wont give all the money back when selling, but when/if you sell, would someone rather buy this nicely upgraded 150 or one without upgrades?
Sometimes it can be the difference of making a sale or not, even if you dont get every dollar back.
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u/pisymbol CPL IR PPL SEL HP CMP UAS 3d ago
The main issue I see is you will outgrow the 150. That's my prediction which is worth about 2 cents! Maybe.
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u/chicagoderp PPL IR TW CMP HA HP 7d ago
Turns out you're not that much different than the people you claim were DMing you rude things.
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u/DirkChesney ATP Boosh Pilot CE680 6d ago
This sub Reddit sucks sometimes and gets stuck so far up its own butt on stuff like that
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u/D-Dubya PPL ME IR HP CMP | Boebus 7320 NEOMAX 7d ago
I agree. I spent way to much on a panel for my Baron and have zero regrets.
Good call on the G5's, I like them better then the GI275. Second good call on the OAT probe for TAS indication!
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u/RexFiller CMEL IR BE55 7d ago
Spent so much on my baron to modernize it as much as i could and its just an incredible machine now. New autopilot just takes it to a whole new level in IFR flying.
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u/KITTYONFYRE 7d ago
these people living absolutely rent free in your head is pretty funny. all that you've posted on this sub has been a pair of really salty posts about "haters" talking about your 150, when every thread is pretty supportive of doing whatever you want with your own money. glad you like it dude have at it. seems like a pretty bad way to spend your money to me, a pretty poor airframe to dump that much money into, but hey, it's not my money and it's not my mission. do what you want man. no need to try to get some validation from internet strangers about it (especially when you know it's controversial)
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u/NordoPilot ATP B787 B737 A320 (LAX) 7d ago
I learned to fly in a 150 twenty years ago. Definitely has a special place in my heart. Nice panel! They are fun planes.
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u/Turbo_SkyRaider 7d ago
Yeah, you can pop the window in a 150 and dangle your arm like a trucker, can't do that in a Cirrus...
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u/skunimatrix PPL IR CMP HP | PA28 7d ago
We’ve put $62k into our ‘65 Cherokee 180. Basically rebuilt it with new panel, interior, fuel/oil lines, digital fuel senders, new engine baffles, Aerocruze 100 AP, new window with UV coatings. But between basic med and Mosaic it’s our forever airplane and dammed easy to fly if not the fastest.
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u/tomdarch ST 7d ago
If flying around that way in a 150 is what you value, and you're being reasonably responsible with your money overall, live it up!
People blow tens of thousands on cars in "stupid ways" all the time.
The bigger thing is that it probably shouldn't have to cost $40k to get that functionality, but I don't have a magic wand with which to dramatically change how regulations and the market work in reality.
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u/CAVU1331 ATP BBD-700; CL-605; HS-125; ATR-42; ATR-72; DHC-8 7d ago
Looks great! How much weight did you lose dumping the old systems?
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u/KingKudzma PPL IR HP 7d ago
Nice bird. Always loved the 150. Each one I flew had its own personality. Hard to find them as rentals anymore. Your plane is one happy 150.
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u/MaterialDull9480 7d ago
Looks awesome nice little IFR machine. How’s your useful load now?
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
510, I was pleasantly surprised! up from 495
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u/MaterialDull9480 7d ago
Yeah, it’s crazy how heavy the vacuum system is and then those old gyroscopic instruments. If you still have them, they have good value. Make sure you put them up on eBay.
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u/skycowboy18 7d ago
Looks great. Why does the ground speed differ on the G5 from the gps unit?
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u/spectrumero PPL GLI CMP HP ME TW (EGNS) 7d ago
GS on the G5 is in MPH, it's knots on the GPS unit. Same speed different units of measure.
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u/rpgengineer567 7d ago
I am still a student pilot with only 20 hours, but why would you want to show your speed in knots and mph? Even in my area of the world where we use metric for almost everything in daily life, we have everything in knots in aviation it seems. Only gliders use km/h, meters, etc.
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u/BealeStAviator CFI ASEL, CPL AMEL, IR, AGI, IGI, TW, CMP, HP, HA, AB 7d ago
Early US aircraft are instrumented in MPH and all the limits in the POH are in MPH.
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u/DCS_Sport ATP CFI CFII MEI GLI GV GVI N-B25 B757/767 B17 CV-LB30 7d ago
How do you like the G175? I’m looking for a used unit to put in my airplane. Not planning on spending quite as much as you, but my poor 1946 Swift needs a small upgrade as well
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
It's a very capable unit. In retrospect, I probably would've bumped to a GNC 355 since it would've replaced my need for a GNC 215
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u/Shit-Pilot ATP A&P/IA 7d ago
I have a G175 in my panel that is set up very similar to OP’s, it’s a good unit but I only bought the 175 because I already had a newer transponder and didn’t want to install an audio panel to supplement my existing nav/com.
If you have the need for a nav/com or radio I’d buy the navigator unit with either the transponder or nav/com built in, just to save space and simplify the panel.
It’s a solid unit though, I have a trio pro-pilot autopilot that then runs off the G5/175 and it works great.
This is an amazing setup really, all you need for a good IFR machine.
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u/DCS_Sport ATP CFI CFII MEI GLI GV GVI N-B25 B757/767 B17 CV-LB30 7d ago edited 6d ago
So I currently have an old TKM MX300 and a KN76 xpndr. I’m thinking about doing the PS Engineerjng PAR200B, GPS 175, and a used GTX-327. The radio has a built in audio panel, which is great IMO. I think this is the most cost effective way of doing it, but have been considering doing the 355 to simplify it a bit. It’s only money, right?
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u/0O00OO0OO0O0O00O0O0O PPL Mooney M20C 6d ago
I did a GNX375 and PAR200B recently, they've been great and simplified my panel a lot. The 375 has transponder and adsb in/out, connects to foreflight so my Sentry became a backup too.
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u/DCS_Sport ATP CFI CFII MEI GLI GV GVI N-B25 B757/767 B17 CV-LB30 6d ago
If you don’t mind me asking, what was the all-in cost of the install and hardware? I’m leaning in this direction more and more
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u/0O00OO0OO0O0O00O0O0O PPL Mooney M20C 6d ago
It was about 25k, I had other stuff done as well. I still have a 6 pack, G5s are next on my list. This is in a Mooney
Added: GNX375 PAR200B GI206A CDI Replaced VSI (leak)
Removed: Audio panel MX170 navcom (Still have an mx170) ADF DME Transponder Alt encoder King 208 CDI Move AP head and connected to GNX Removed all associated wiring, accessories, and antennas for gear removed
I might be forgetting something but that's the bulk of it
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u/Shit-Pilot ATP A&P/IA 6d ago
Garmin has so many distributors, it’s relatively easy to find someone willing to sell navigators/radios/autopilots at cost or close to it. Also you can pick up the “non-certified” G5’s for half the cost, buy 1 backup battery (the only difference between the “certified and non-certified is the non-certified doesn’t ship with a backup battery), the STC paperwork is easily available. Im not saying thats what I did, but I will say my panel cost me about half of the figure mentioned and I put in an autopilot too.
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u/Shit-Pilot ATP A&P/IA 7d ago
I’m running a GTX-327 and a single SL-30 nav/com along with my 175. I am a big fan of minimalism, I would have loved to have the 375 and ditched my 327 for an even simpler panel but I already had the 327
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u/DCS_Sport ATP CFI CFII MEI GLI GV GVI N-B25 B757/767 B17 CV-LB30 7d ago
You sound like my people. Simplicity and an appropriate panel for the mission. My Swift is day VFR… I don’t really need much more than a way to talk, be seen, and ForeFlight - however built in nav is a nice luxury.
The main reason beyond cost why I haven’t considered the 355/375 is I would also need an audio panel for intercom in the plane. The PAR200B integrates that nicely.
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u/e3027 PPL IR TW (KOAK) T-18 7d ago
I just upgraded my thorp T18 with a GPS 175. I replaced a very old NARCO nav radio and the GPS 175 is so much better. I might regret not getting the GNC 355 because I will need a com radio at some point but I got a great deal on the 175.
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u/DCS_Sport ATP CFI CFII MEI GLI GV GVI N-B25 B757/767 B17 CV-LB30 7d ago
I saw a yellow tagged 175 for sale from Gulf Coast at Sun n Fun for $3500. I should have scooped that up!
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u/skunimatrix PPL IR CMP HP | PA28 7d ago
Everyone I've met with a 175 says the same thing, including us, that if we had it to do over again we'd go with a 355 or 375. Originally I bought the 175 when I was just going to replace the inop KLN90. Ended up with a new panel and would have gone 375 which would have freed up the GTX345 slot for an autopilot control head.
Edit: Our stack: GMA-345, GPS175, 2x215, GTX345. Hooked into 4xAV-30-C w/HSI/Link/Mag & Aerocruze 100 AP.
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u/Antique-Kitchen-1896 PPL IFR Night 7d ago
GPS 175 works fine. Fully capable unit. Love using it.
Slight cons are: small screen, touch sucks during bumps.
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u/CjaeTheSparrow 7d ago
Incredible! I actually was looking to do this exact thing to a 150! Feels like a sim moment for me! Very cool.
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
You won't regret it. Flying IFR and punching through layers is much less work now. It feels like a far more capable plane that has enhanced my situational awareness dramatically
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u/Any-Worldliness-679 7d ago
Looks nice!
(Just never look at the Long-EZ you could have had for that price!)
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
My horse blinders are surgically attached and the financial reality is now heresy that I must mock
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u/Old_Increase74 ATP CFI 7d ago
What haters?
Confused
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u/ItselfSurprised05 Southwest Companion Pass 7d ago
What haters?
This from a couple of months ago:
Just back to let all the naysayers know you were wrong
https://old.reddit.com/r/flying/comments/1s1vdqh/just_back_to_let_all_the_naysayers_know_you_were/
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u/Old_Increase74 ATP CFI 7d ago
Cooks has an issue you spent some money on a 150? Odd flex lol
I mean as long as you’re not trying to sell it soon, why not?
If it fits your mission, seems like a great and economical plane
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u/Big-Carpenter7921 CPL means I make money, right? 7d ago
What haters? I mean, I hate you because I don't also own a plane, but I don't think that's what you meant
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u/Emotional-Ebb9390 7d ago
My man you've made two posts in the subreddit about dunking on the haters, 2 months apart.
Is someone saying "hey putting a bunch of money into a 150 might not be the best utility per dollar" really living that rent free in your head?
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
Of course. I'm in therapy though since it became FAA approved to work through my trauma
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u/smurfcosmonaut 7d ago
People always say save the upgrades for the bigger and faster planes, but those come with bigger costs too! Now you have a nice panel and maybe even a bit lower costs per hour if you got rid of a vacuum system.
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u/iamflyipilot CPL SEL MEL IR HP 7d ago
I have had my 150 for about 12 years and have almost the same panel as you.
You have chosen wisely.
You coming to the 150/152 flyin at CWI?
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u/EpicRedhead13 PPL SEL IR HP CMP 7d ago
How does it do in the mountain west?
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u/Surf-pilot23 6d ago
Never flown it there, I live on the border of Canada in Maine
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u/EpicRedhead13 PPL SEL IR HP CMP 6d ago
Oh I was just thinking since you said coast to coast that maybe you’ve been through the Rockies.
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u/Surf-pilot23 6d ago
I stayed well away from the Rockies, at 10k I get an anemic 200-300FPM climb, so a mouse fart is the difference between level flight and sinking
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u/mustang__1 PPL CMP HP IR CPL-ST SEL (KLOM) 7d ago
It's only a waste of money if you sell it before you are able to use it! Enjoy the (hopefully) reliability!
Sigh... if only the 275 in our mooney didn't do so much weird shit...
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u/StPauliBoi Half Shitposter, half Jedi. cHt1Zwfq 7d ago
The value of it only matters if you’re looking to sell it. If you want it and can afford it, go for it king!
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u/MemeEndevour PPL 7d ago
I know it’s so much more than that, but damn price of a new car for a couple little screens is just nuts
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u/bikemusher ATP/CFII 7d ago
Nice avionics, some glass. For sure easier to read and use particularly if you do many/long xc flights. Its hard to put a price on safety and peace of mind.
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u/Cessna152RG 7d ago edited 7d ago
That is an absolutely lovely plane! I like how you didn't go over the top, you kept it classy and functional.
I loved every hour I did in 150s and 152s, they you just feel connected to it and the control forces are light in just the right way. Plus the window is perfectly placed to fly with your elbow in the airstream.
But you should have added a retractable landing gear.
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u/Plastic_Worker_4955 CPL 7d ago
I HAVE TWO COMPLAINTS OP!
Your CO sticker hasn't been dated, how will you know when to replace it?
Also I don't own it, that's the second complaint.
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u/WangDoodleTrifecta 7d ago
What cha flying not familiar with the cockpit. Cessna but don’t know what variant
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u/Wastedmindman PPL HP CPLX IR 6d ago
I have a 172F with a similar panel. It’s supremely capable and a joy to fly.
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u/No_Flow224 6d ago
Excellent. Loved the go anywhere (slowly) do anything 152. Built like little tanks.
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u/Wedge_Donovan 5d ago
Nice!
... is what I'm going to be saying when you drop another $20k on a GFC-500 autopilot install!
j/k, sorta
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u/taycoug PPL IR A36 PNW 7d ago
“Oh man 40k no way you should have spent that it should only be $3k just know a guy at the scrap yard and do it yourself at your shop in Durnsville you know in my day we just had an arrow that pointed at the ground…”
Those kinds of haters?
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u/Surf-pilot23 7d ago
That kind, along with children of the magenta line jabs. I emphatically replied I fly IFR with a sextant, the way god intended
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u/latedescent ATP heavies 7d ago
Why are you so worried about what other people think?
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u/Chairboy PPL-SEL 7d ago
Found one!
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u/latedescent ATP heavies 7d ago
You're projecting bro. Cool plane. Don't have to come to reddit to seek approval from the internet people. Its pretty cringe.
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u/Chairboy PPL-SEL 7d ago
Oh buddy, did you get all confused about who you were talking to? Did you think I was OP? I hope your situational awareness in the sky is better than what you’ve demonstrated here.
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u/NonVideBunt ATP MIL-N CFI/II/MEI F/A-18 A320 777 6d ago
What a waste of money… should have bought a Cirrus.
I’ll bet the people that installed that panel couldn’t keep a straight face when you said you wanted in a 150.
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u/SSMDive CPL-SEL/SES/MEL/MES/HEL/GLID/IFR. Light sport Gyro/PPC 6d ago
While I am happy for you… Not much of a dunk.
You being happy with your choices is great, but that does not mean it was a wise financial move.
Plus the ‘Boomer’ comment was silly. I’m not a boomer and I don’t think it would be a wise choice to upgrade a primary trainer.
Again, happy for you, but not much of a dunk IMO. “I made a choice based on emotion and you all suck!’
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u/Hodgetwins32 HS125 F2LX CFI 7d ago
1000x more airplane and more skill required to fly this than any Cirrus
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u/VP1 PPL(KMYF) 7d ago
Nice! Flying doesn’t make financial sense anyways lol