How to Get Your Instrument Rating in Just 10 DAYS // #79

Sean & Mike talk with Daniel Smucker on how he was able to achieve his Instrument rating in just 10 days.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
03:10 Daniel's story
11:02 How Daniel financed his training
14:50 How he achieved Instrument rating in 10 days
18:20 Accelerated commercial pilot license
21:38 Hacks for sharing time via Face Book groups
24:40 Owning a plane for training
29:40 Borrowing an airplane for training
33:04 Accelerated Multi-engine rating
38:28 Flight training with brother as CFI
42:20 Working on CFI and Networking
46:11 Daniel idea for starting a flight school
47:40 Is ATP flight school accelerated training?
49:00 How did it all cost?
52:00 Right seat in a jet
54:30 Daniel's advice to aspiring pilots
56:20 Networking at the airport
🌟 🎬 Video Editing By The Tweaky Tales
(www.thetweakytales.com)🎬🌟

[@believeachieve2847]

9:58: "If you think the cost of success is too much, wait til they hand you the bill for regret" SUCH AN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE!!!

[@brandonsg0490]

So cool. Im 34yo and have been a self employed general contractor in Phoenix for 7 years. I’m married with 3 sons. In January 2024 I dropped everything, sold my house for a rental, and dedicated myself 100% to be becoming a pilot. Currently 40hrs into my PPL and having the time of my life. Channels like pro-pilot podcast have been a huge encouragement, thank you!

[@pagosaaviation]

Nice! I’m Daniel. Let me know if you need some accelerated flight instruction.

[@brandonsg0490]

@@pagosaaviation I added you on FB and will Pm you. Very interested in speaking with you, I’m in Pagosa Springs often. I haven’t been able to find any obvious flight training there in past internet searches.

[@brandonsg0490]

@@pagosaaviation Very interested! I’m actually shocked what a coincidence all of this is. My parents live in Pagosa and I’ve tried to search flight training there many times online without much luck. I added you on FB and will Pm, thanks!

[@brandonsg0490]

@@pagosaaviationpm’d

[@brandonsg0490]

@@pagosaaviation Thank you, what is the best way to reach out?

[@patricksawyer05]

Can’t stress this enough on how helpful y’all’s podcast is. As a student pilot, these videos are great info and you guys have a certain attitude and professionalism to y’all, which makes these videos entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Much appreciated!

[@giuseppeabbate8407]

Hello Guys my name is Giuseppe, from Italy Recently moved to the USA in 2018 and found the love of my life who made my dream come true of starting flight training I’m currently 25 and at the age of 18 I started working as a Flight Attendant in Dublin, Ireland Was flying commercially 3/4 times a day all over Europe and being a pilot was my end goal Moved to the USA in 2018 and forgot about Aviation for a awhile and started working in my family’s restaurant since I got here. Currently 25 and a student pilot with around 20 hours Never stop chasing dreams, they’re nothing without goals they say! Thanks for reading this

[@RusscanFLY]

It’s cool to hear another aviator from the Pennsylvania area. I fly into Lancaster quite often, out of Doylestown KDYL, as one of my hundred dollar hamburger runs. It was also inspired to hear how quickly he got his ratings. Not gonna lie, I think youth does have his advantages. But nevertheless, I’m working on my instrument rating, and hope to be like this guy when I grow up! Nicely done fellas.

[@32NinerBravo]

Awesome interview. I remember him commenting on one of Sean and Mike's videos and could not wait to hear from him. So glad he did this interview. Great job guys!!!

[@colorado-sam7638]

Saw his comments last night on your video! So glad to hear this interview! You guys are fast on it! Looking at career "2.0" and going to schedule medical soon!

[@pagosaaviation]

Awesome! Go for it!

[@dannyginsburg25]

Awesome podcast guys. I’m one week out from my ppl check ride and likely starting ATP in the fall. You guys have been a huge help. Learning more every week!!

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Best of luck!

[@user-in3le1mg9l]

Just started an accelerated PPL and plan to finance my hours thereafter. This is by far the most resourceful hour I’ve spent since starting research.

[@brandonboe5981]

Love the podcast guys! Keep up the good work!

[@KevinW8BRY]

Thanks guys for this video. You just helped me immensely. There are so many great ideas from this video alone!!

[@xaviergates3694]

Love the work guys! I go for my medical tomorrow! No looking back after this

[@sampiazza302]

Love the info. It is inspiring to listen to the possibilities. I would love to get back to learning. Tried the sport pilot route at that time i was happy to get to solo. Sounds like i need to do more research and prep work. Gave it up after burning through 10000. Your videos has me thinking i need to find someone like Daniel or Trent to help keep me on track and make the best use of my time and money. Thanks for the videos

[@Alex-vm2ne]

Beautiful product as always!

[@chad6916]

From Lebanon County trained in Lancaster at KLNS. Love the story Daniel. Sky’s the limit. Keep sharing your story please.

[@jayjasonhackard]

Thank you guys such gems being articulated.

[@chadulik4483]

Great interview guys!!! Love it! I’m 51, a career 2.0 guy. It’s great hearing this stuff.! Keeps me motivated.

[@alr5373]

These are some really cool stories. Keep it going and never stop.

[@BeacomOfLight]

I'm looking to do the same thing. Getting out of my career in tech and I.T. and start flying professionally at 35 years old! Great podcast.

[@reyesben]

This guy get inventive. Bravo! Necessity breeds it

[@swolenation8550]

Another super great video, his story will inspire so many. Thank you guys for the shoutout

[@CONCORD1]

Favorite episode 🔥

[@elbola-yl9ds]

Great video guys! I will keep working hard to get all my ratings and be the podcast one of these days!

[@blainepetsupplies5354]

Not everybody can just go get a home equity line of credit guys. Bring somebody on that actually started from nothing and had nothing and was still able to pursue a career as an airline pilot and their story. Alot of people that don’t have those opportunities get on here looking for assurance that it can still be done and want to hear from those in similar situations.

[@sirgalalot88]

Even still too taking out a loan on your home equity is yikes. Especially for a dream. He better make right seat on a 737 some time soon. Good luck to him but I agree with your comment.

[@blainepetsupplies5354]

@@sirgalalot88 yea I mean I guess it all depends on how badly you want something. I’d probably be stupid enough to do it too lol. But like I said, it’s not that easy for most of us.z

[@adamsimar7788]

What’s it worth to you? Some sell all their stuff (house2rent/downsize car/stop your hobbies/no go out to eat/quit smoking and drinking) if it’s not to live then it’s not needed to spend. Then it’s just a matter of how long can you stay the course..?

[@reyesben]

If you’re making this a career, how different is it than financing college? If you have no cash, go the ATP route and in 2 years you will have the money to start paying it off. Hopefully it works out. Risk reward

[@skipwood2059]

@@blainepetsupplies5354 Take the word easy out of your vocabulary, if you desire success, especially starting a flying career. After 68 years of flying with military, airline, GA, it was never easy. Fun, yes. Commuting, training, strikes, crappy hotels, crazy hours were never easy, but better than sitting in an office. Fantastic brotherhood.

[@irubenguler]

Been watching you guys for awhile! I just started my journey a month ago and started making videos about my journey as-well! Would love to be on your guys’ show to share my experience so far. I’m a second career pilot and first gen!

[@lukeschaefer4473]

Hey, I love this. I’m currently in college at Ohio university and doing part 61 part time. I’m at the end of my private pilot license and I’m planning on going full time after I finish school ( I have one more year left). I found this video hoping to find an answer whether or not I should I go to an accelerated school like atp. After seeing this video, the timeline seems shorter to get to CFI. How can I find this syllabus you talked about??? I’m hoping to finish up commercial by the time I graduate.

[@Alex-vm2ne]

Awesome video as always Mr pilots, so I’ve got a question about logging flight hours for aspiring pilots. If someone is not a Certified Flight Instructor but acts as a safety pilot alongside another pilot, both holding at least a Private Pilot License (PPL), can they log those hours towards the 1,500 hours required by airlines? If so, how many hours do airlines typically accept, and is it a confusing process to navigate? I’ve heard differing opinions on this and would love to hear your insights or experiences on the matter. Thanks in advance for your input!

[@SumiASMR]

Any advice for those preparing to take the written exams for instrument and beyond? I’m attending my local part 61 program and have started with Sheppard air and Sporties ground school but am pretty overwhelmed with the amount of info. How should I pace myself to maximize my studying and ace the written? What were the successful methods to using Sheppard air? (Like how many days to get through the course, how many hours studying per day, etc.) ESPECIALLY for those balancing a job and flight school… I can only take so much PTO haha I am putting a pause on my IFR flying lessons to save money until I get this darn exam done 😅 any advice is appreciated! As per usual, AMAZING podcast Sean and Mike thank you!

[@Alex-vm2ne]

Hey there! I’m looking to invest in a flight simulator that covers PPL instrument, commercial multi-engine, and has the capability for future needs like airliner training. Any recommendations for a versatile simulator that covers all bases? Thanks!

[@michaelw2108]

In Colorado there is Keylime airlines over there

[@CheckSixAviation]

I’m a student pilot who is building a kit plane. Going for the A&P after my RV-10 is finished. Also have airline aspirations.

[@rando7th]

Be sure to log your time and work with an IA to count your build towards the A&P.

[@CheckSixAviation]

Thanks,@@rando7th. I’m using an AMT Logbook for this exact reason and purpose.

[@christianhearn290]

Wow this story sounds like mine! Worked construction for 6+ years and then dropped everything on a dime and currently attending an accelerated program. Good luck kid!Working while flying is not easy!

[@pagosaaviation]

Yes! It's a lot of work! Thanks!

[@MegaMrwakawaka]

Lancaster, pa!!!! 🎉

[@NB-qy7ku]

18:39 2 weeks 18:58 Plenty of planes need to be flown Get on insurance 21:00 time 21:20 slit time $40 / hour 100 hours is $4000

[@user-qd8ui4il1x]

Cool story

[@StephenShreds]

Does the pro pilot playbook go over how to start contracting as a pilot?

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

It does teach contracting from the pint of view of a low time pilot getting into your first jet for time building as a copilot. This would technically be contracting. We present the information in a manner that is a step by step beginners intro to get into contracting as a pilot. When people say contracting they usually mean doing side work in whatever jet they are well experienced in which would come a little later in your career. But the concept of “talking your way into a jet” that we teach in later modules in the course is the same thing.

[@kopfjaeger308]

I'm trying to work something right now that could have me getting my instrument (I'm a 70hr PPL right now) for around $4-5k in a brand new glass 172 😁After that I want to use the same plane to time build toward my commercial, get my CFI, sweet talk my MEI friend with his own 310 into helping me out there and just instruct my way into Skywest. Maybe I never make it to an airline, but even instructing should pay back what I'm trying to do.

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Sounds like a plan. You’ll make it to the airlines, do not doubt yourself

[@Luisyoung4562]

Hey if I have a marijuanna possession of 5 grams on my record is it still possible to become an airline pilot if someone could answer my question it would be greatly appreciated.

[@alisher2o]

Shout out to sling academy in Torrance

[@alexalikhasi2859]

Hey , as a student pilot with over 100 hours logged, I’ve encountered some roadblocks in my training. Despite being soloed, I’m still struggling with maneuvers, particularly crosswind landings. My new instructor, who’s of ATP quality, has a different teaching approach, which has been challenging for me. He even suggested that maybe aviation isn’t for everyone. I’m feeling discouraged and considering quitting. Do you have any advice or encouragement for me? I’d greatly appreciate any ideas or insights you might have!

[@skipwood2059]

Change instructors and/or companies. Passionate, inspired instructors will make it more fun, which makes it seem easier.

[@JJ-bv2gp]

Where did he saw his base for flight instructing is going to be at? I missed that part.

[@pagosaaviation]

KPSO

[@allentroyer3220]

I grew up a lot like Daniel in Navarre OH private polit 300 hours always wanted to be a corporate polit in a career change an have the funds would it be worth the investment at 56 and if so where would be the best place to start in Ohio?

[@MegaZboo]

Switch up!

[@ProPilotPlaybook]

Ha ha yup

[@jaredwalton9903]

Wow, I got my instrument last fall in 10 weeks and I thought that was fast.

[@inquisitivesoul3618]

$33,000!?! How the hell is that even possible. Everywhere I look it’s near $100k

[@Heyemeyohsts]

This is very irresponsible video. You may cause people to quit their jobs and sell their houses to do something that only 0.00001% of people could pull off

[@blainehughes7152]

Hey Daniel, great interview do you have a email address we can reach out to you on?

[@PilotJourneyPNW]

Or a website?

[@pagosaaviation]

Still working on the website!