On Sun, 12 Dec 2004 07:40:53 -0500, Matt Whiting
wrote:

MJC wrote:

Hi all,
I got my private VFR ticket back in the early 80's but haven't flown
since the late 80's. Well, I'm ready to jump back in with both feet and an
RV QB kit.
I'm wondering what other's of you in the same position (returning to
flying after laying off for many years) have pursued as far as resources on
how to not only get flying again, but to catch up on all the changes in the
last 15+ years.
I intend to take a dozen or so hours of instruction before my required
bi-annual to get legal again, but I don't want to waste the instructors time
by making him go over lots of stuff I should already know.
Suggestions?

MJC



Get a current copy of an FAR/AIM manual and dive in. That is mostly
what I did. I also decided to upgrade my license to commercial and
studying for that has covered most of what I had learned years ago for
the private and even touched on my IFR stuff a little.

However, the best thing is to find a good instructor and get back in the
air. You will pick up a lot just by experiencing things again with an
instructor to keep you out of trouble.


Matt

no you'll waste a lot of time that way.
I returned after an 18 1/2 year break and did it in just under 5
hours. I'm sure anyone could use the methods I did.
(btw make sure you have a current medical)

first is to study all the aviation theory again as though you will
have to sit an exam for it. that'll get the theory back alive in the
memory again. (and maybe better that you knew it before)

book a flight every second day.

the first flight will show you how far out of it all you have become.
dont be discouraged. the main differences will be airspace, radio and
all the small things that you once did without thinking. things like
attitude for slow and fast flight that sort of thing. (I even forgot
how to turn off an aircraft engine.)
After the flight go and sit somewhere quiet and go back through the
flight in your mind. lots of questions will come as well. go and
research the answers to these in the regs and the theory texts.

repeat the exercise after every flight and try to get on top of your
deficiencies. by working in the intervening days with a quite focussed
mind you will find that the lost knowledge will gradually be
reinstated.
talk to your instructor and take advantage of all the assistance on
offer.
the thing is to devote your full attention to the task.

at 4 3/4 hours I was walking back from my first bienniel.

I've done 300 hours since.

Stealth (you can do it)Pilot