𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 “𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗣𝗟”!
Last month, we hosted the very first edition of Life After PPL in collaboration with E-Flight Academy at the Bluetail Flight Experience Center—and what an evening it was! The event was designed to inspire and guide freshly licensed private pilots toward the next exciting chapters of their aviation journey. With insightful presentations, great networking opportunities, and a delicious spread provided by Brood met Spelen | House of XO, the evening was a perfect blend of education and community.
Flying in a Cirrus
One of the evening’s highlights was the deep dive into flying the Cirrus aircraft—specifically the SR20 and SR22 models, which are game-changers for general aviation pilots. With their sleek design, powerful performance, and state-of-the-art avionics, Cirrus planes offer a level of comfort and safety that’s hard to match in the PPL world. The Cirrus Perspective+™ by Garmin® avionics suite, airframe parachute system (CAPS®), and luxurious interior make it the ideal upgrade for pilots who want to fly further, faster, and with more confidence.
Traveling with a Cirrus: Freedom and Adventure
The event also showcased the unmatched travel potential a Cirrus can unlock. Imagine flying from the Netherlands to the Alps for a ski weekend, hopping over to France for lunch, or even embarking on a Scandinavian adventure—all on your own schedule. We discussed real-world examples of cross-border flying in Europe and South Africa, what you need to plan for, and how owning or renting a Cirrus can transform the way you travel. For many attendees, this was a revelation: the PPL isnot just a license—it is a passport to freedom.
Flying with ForeFlight: Smart Piloting
Another key focus was the integration of ForeFlight into post-PPL flying. For both VFR and IFR pilots, ForeFlight has become an essential cockpit tool—turning flight planning, weather briefings, NOTAM tracking, and in-flight navigation into a seamless experience. During the session, we explored how to use ForeFlight to plan efficient cross-country routes, manage airspace complexity in Europe, and maximize situational awareness in the cockpit. The takeaway? Smart tools like ForeFlight not only boost safety but also make flying more fun and stress-free.
The Value of an Instrument Rating (IR)
To cap things off, we dove into the topic of instrument flying—arguably one of the most valuable steps after earning your PPL. An instrument rating allows you to fly in a much wider range of weather conditions and adds a whole new layer of skill, precision, and confidence to your flying. We covered the practical benefits (such as avoiding weather delays and accessing more airspace), as well as the mental shift that comes with learning to trust your instruments. Several IR-rated pilots shared their personal stories of how this qualification transformed their flying—especially when traveling longer distances or flying in less predictable European weather.
A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to making this event a success! We hope you found inspiration for your journey beyond the PPL and look forward to seeing you at the next edition.
Ready to fly with us? Get in touch to learn more about our Cirrus training programs!
