Flying again after 23 years earthbound.

[[email protected]]

My grandson just turned 15 and has a great interest in aviation, so I
decided to get legal and show him how much fun we could have in a
Piper Cherokee. After not flying for the past 23 years I got my
medical, found a local club with a good instructor and hope to start
flying on my own in the next few weeks.
I was a bit surprised at how rusty I had become after that length of
time even with 350 hours in my old log book. Getting back on the
ground can be VERY exciting.
Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity? Any
problems or interesting things you would like to share with me and the
group?
One thing I can say without reservation.........flying a small
aircraft is one of the greatest pleasures that anyone on this earth
can experience!

[Teacherjh]

>> Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity?

I started flying again (about two years ago) after a break of ten years. It
took surprisingly long to get back in shape. Ditto my instrument rating. But
it's great to be back.

Jose

(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

[Rod Madsen]

Yep. I was off for 23 years just like you. I found the actual flying
skills came back very quickly, just a few hours. The instrument proficiency
took longer, another 8 hours. The thing that threw me the most was the new
rules, new airspace designations, new requirements for talking to ATC (e.g.,
repeating all instructions instead of "Roger"). It's sorta like riding a
bike, you never really forget.

Good luck and have fun,
Rod
> wrote in message
om...
> My grandson just turned 15 and has a great interest in aviation, so I
> decided to get legal and show him how much fun we could have in a
> Piper Cherokee. After not flying for the past 23 years I got my
> medical, found a local club with a good instructor and hope to start
> flying on my own in the next few weeks.
> I was a bit surprised at how rusty I had become after that length of
> time even with 350 hours in my old log book. Getting back on the
> ground can be VERY exciting.
> Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity? Any
> problems or interesting things you would like to share with me and the
> group?
> One thing I can say without reservation.........flying a small
> aircraft is one of the greatest pleasures that anyone on this earth
> can experience!

[Paul]

I Had a 32 year break. My first BFR took longer than my first solo. 8:15 for
solo 10+ for BFR. Flying wasn't too terribly bad except for the totally
different way my CFI had me do things. I learned to pull the power abreast
of my desired landing spot and only add a squirt to clear the engine on
base. If I had to add power I had screwed up.

Now 1500 abreast the numbers etc etc.

No stalls out of steep turns, no spins, etc.

Now for the hard part Class B, flight following, no more LF radio ranges,
new fangled GPS.

Since I started flying again in the Seattle Class B veil from a towered
airport I had a pretty steep learning curve, especially since my last
airplane was an Aeronca Champ-VFR-no radio-no electrical system.

After I was turned loose, It took another 10-15 hours before I felt truly
comfortable in my local airspace.

Best of luck

Cheers:

Paul
NC2273H


> > Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity? Any
> problems or interesting things you would like to share with me and the
> group?
>

[Mark Evans]

Ok, so the 17 year break I took wasn't so long after all. Just got my flight
review and am happy to announce that none of the laws of aerodynamics had
changed, the aircraft haven't changed, (same c150s,152s,&172s) just airspace
and other FAA rules. My CFI signed me off after 4.5 hr. but I've got a LONG
way to go to be smooth like I was when I last quit.

Mark (no longer missing either) Evans


> wrote in message
om...
> My grandson just turned 15 and has a great interest in aviation, so I
> decided to get legal and show him how much fun we could have in a
> Piper Cherokee. After not flying for the past 23 years I got my
> medical, found a local club with a good instructor and hope to start
> flying on my own in the next few weeks.
> I was a bit surprised at how rusty I had become after that length of
> time even with 350 hours in my old log book. Getting back on the
> ground can be VERY exciting.
> Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity? Any
> problems or interesting things you would like to share with me and the
> group?
> One thing I can say without reservation.........flying a small
> aircraft is one of the greatest pleasures that anyone on this earth
> can experience!

[Carl Orton]

I re-upped this past winter. Got my PPL in February 1981 in a snowstorm.
Took 2 flights after that (hey - I was a poor college student), then never
went back.

Fast forward to summer 2002; neighbor joined a club, found out I used to
fly, took me up for a ride. Put me in the left seat. Did some airwork,
found I could still hold altitude, heading, etc.

So I got bit. Started reading up on material, got some current training
material. In the meantime, neighbor re-upped his long-expired CFI
certificate, and we started working towards a BFR. Finding an instructor who
works for an occasional dinner out has it's benefits ;-).

Took about 10 hrs. But this guy is a stickler. Did some x-c's, lots of
emergency work, airspace, ATC, etc.

So, after 22 years, I got current. Like all, still learning, though. Have
made the commitment to maintain currency / proficiency.

Now, contemplating a partnership so that I can fly with easier scheduling
(FBO pretty full-up; have to schedule 1-2 wks in advance for rental).

Welcome back. It's *still* a kick in the pants, IMHO....
Carl

> wrote in message
om...
> My grandson just turned 15 and has a great interest in aviation, so I
> decided to get legal and show him how much fun we could have in a
> Piper Cherokee. After not flying for the past 23 years I got my
> medical, found a local club with a good instructor and hope to start
> flying on my own in the next few weeks.
> I was a bit surprised at how rusty I had become after that length of
> time even with 350 hours in my old log book. Getting back on the
> ground can be VERY exciting.
> Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity? Any
> problems or interesting things you would like to share with me and the
> group?
> One thing I can say without reservation.........flying a small
> aircraft is one of the greatest pleasures that anyone on this earth
> can experience!

[john smith]

www.aopa.org has a document somewhere on the website that is
specifically for pilots who have had long layoffs and want to get back
into flying.

[Casey Wilson]

> Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity? Any
> problems or interesting things you would like to share with me and the
> group?

Lots of us, as you are soon to find out. I had a 26 year layoff.

Here is a handy guide:

http://www.aopa.org/members/files/guides/getback_overview.html

You may need to rejoin AOPA to get there. Hmmmm, maybe I can copy it and
send it to you via e-mail attachment.

Also, take a look at a related article in The Flying Life magazine. It
should be on your news stand soon. You can do a Google search for their
website and maybe still get a free three-issue subscription.

[Tom S.]

> Has anyone else started flying after many years of inactivity? Any
> problems or interesting things you would like to share with me and the
> group?

I just recently started flying again after a 20 year lay off.

I just requaled my Private ticket, now I'm going to re-do my instrument and
ME ratings.

The coordination and motor skills came back quick enough, but the big
changes were in Airspace rules and avionics. When I left in 1984, RNAV was
just coming into widespread use, and now there's GPS...