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#1
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![]() I got my pilot license in 1978 when I was 20, continued flying into 1979 accumulating a total of 70 hours, and then stopped when I became a university student and had neither money nor time. But I've been longing to get back into it all this time, and yesterday, my wife totally surprised me for my birthday by taking me to the airport and saying, "you're going flying". Sure enough, she had scheduled time with an instructor and a C-172, and she said she was giving her blessing on my doing whatever it takes to get current again. So I went through the preflight with the instructor, took off and climbed out with relatively minimal prompting, successfully executed two 360-degree steep turns (the instructor actually told me I did them more accurately with respect to altitude and attitude than he could have done!), a touch and go landing, and then a final landing. Okay, so I flared a little high on my first landing but managed to recover and land without a bounce - I had a bit of that tendency even when I was flying regularly. The net result is that I convinced myself that I can handle (or will soon handle) the physical part of flying about as well and safely as I ever could. Also, I'm a professional meteorologist, so I probably still know the weather stuff about as well as anyone who flies. It's everything else that's got me nervous: tower communications, controlled airspace, etc. Among other things, I realize that the entire airspace classification system has changed since I last flew. I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. It always WAS hard for me to make out what was being said, even when I knew roughly what to expect, but it seems worse today. Maybe it's my middle-aged ears. So I'm wondering whether anyone has suggestions on how to smooth the transition back to regular flying most cost-effectively. Are there books or computer software packages that would do an especially good job of refreshing me on the parts I feel weak on, so that I can save dual-time for the things that can't be covered well via self-study? Side note: When I last flew, a C-152 was $19/hour wet, a C-172 was $24/hour. There was no GPS. There were effectively no electronic navigation calculators. There was only one fuel sump checkpoint in each wing, and (to my recollection at least) no strobes on wingtips. Also fewer switches to mess with on the panel. The C-172 engine was carbureted, not fuel-injection. And yet, overall, I'm amazed at how little the 172 has changed in three decades. |
#2
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On Apr 28, 4:39*pm, Qzectb wrote:
It's everything else that's got me nervous: *tower communications, controlled airspace, etc. *Among other things, I realize that the entire airspace classification system has changed since I last flew. You are in good company. Most of the pilots I work with that haven't flown in years feel the same way. Not a big deal. I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. *It always WAS hard for me to make out what was being said, even when I knew roughly what to expect, but it seems worse today. *Maybe it's my middle-aged ears. No. There have been some small changes (airspace, etc). However, most of it is just that you haven't done it in awhile. There are lots of great training aids out there that I recommend to my students. Depending on where you are in general I would recommend one of the following products.... 1) King Private Pilot Exam course (covers all ground work, great in you really feel rusty) http://www.kingschools.com/searchRes...Exam%20Courses 2) King VFR Flight Review (better for those that just need refresher, includes the stuff below) http://www.kingschools.com/productDe...0KSJV033CSEDVD The follow are more spot tools if you have specific areas you want to addres... 3) King Communications (if you just want to brush up on radios) http://www.kingschools.com/productDe...D%20KSJV017DVD 4)King Airspace review http://www.kingschools.com/productDe...D%20KSJV009DVD 5) King regs review http://www.kingschools.com/productDe...D%20KSJV033DVD I recommend King only because I know their products, but there are others. In general I feel that its a better use of your time and money to try these inexpensive DVD courses first and then review with the CFI. While I can teach you all this as a CFI the DVDs contain a lot of good graphics and can be watched at any time. Then when we get together you have a great starting point from which to discuss questions. Although you noticed communications was something you were rusty on, I find that regulations and airspace need a lot of review for those that have been out of flying for awhile. -Robert, CFII |
#3
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![]() I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. It always WAS hard for me to make out what was being said, even when I knew roughly what to expect, but it seems worse today. Maybe it's my middle-aged ears. No. There have been some small changes (airspace, etc). However, most of it is just that you haven't done it in awhile. There are lots of I hope you're right. Just to be clear, it's not interpretation of instructions that I find difficult. It's just that every second word usually sounds like raw static to my ears. "cessna two echo static turn static static contact static at one three three static five." It's like trying to understand a conversation in a very noisy bar. But maybe practice is the key. 2) King VFR Flight Review (better for those that just need refresher, includes the stuff below)http://www.kingschools.com/productDe...0KSJV033CSEDVD Just ordered this.... thanks for the helpful suggestion and the encouragement. |
#4
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![]() "Qzectb" wrote in message ... I got my pilot license in 1978 when I was 20, continued flying into 1979 accumulating a total of 70 hours, and then stopped when I became a university student and had neither money nor time. But I've been longing to get back into it all this time, and yesterday, my wife totally surprised me for my birthday by taking me to the airport and saying, "you're going flying". Sure enough, she had scheduled time with an instructor and a C-172, and she said she was giving her blessing on my doing whatever it takes to get current again. So I went through the preflight with the instructor, took off and climbed out with relatively minimal prompting, successfully executed two 360-degree steep turns (the instructor actually told me I did them more accurately with respect to altitude and attitude than he could have done!), a touch and go landing, and then a final landing. Okay, so I flared a little high on my first landing but managed to recover and land without a bounce - I had a bit of that tendency even when I was flying regularly. The net result is that I convinced myself that I can handle (or will soon handle) the physical part of flying about as well and safely as I ever could. Also, I'm a professional meteorologist, so I probably still know the weather stuff about as well as anyone who flies. It's everything else that's got me nervous: tower communications, controlled airspace, etc. Among other things, I realize that the entire airspace classification system has changed since I last flew. I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. It always WAS hard for me to make out what was being said, even when I knew roughly what to expect, but it seems worse today. Maybe it's my middle-aged ears. So I'm wondering whether anyone has suggestions on how to smooth the transition back to regular flying most cost-effectively. Are there books or computer software packages that would do an especially good job of refreshing me on the parts I feel weak on, so that I can save dual-time for the things that can't be covered well via self-study? Side note: When I last flew, a C-152 was $19/hour wet, a C-172 was $24/hour. There was no GPS. There were effectively no electronic navigation calculators. There was only one fuel sump checkpoint in each wing, and (to my recollection at least) no strobes on wingtips. Also fewer switches to mess with on the panel. The C-172 engine was carbureted, not fuel-injection. And yet, overall, I'm amazed at how little the 172 has changed in three decades. I was off for about years. I soloed on my 16th birthday in 1963, back with "coffee grinder" radios where you had to ask the controller for a "channel check count" to tune in the frequency. The I quit flying in 1980 until two years ago. Like you, I found somewhat surprisingly, that I could sitll fly pretty well. My instructor said it was kind of like water skiing. Once you learn, it kind of stays with you. The biggest differences I've found between then and now some 28 years later are airspace classifications and navigation technology. It was sort of intimidating at first, and not the easiest thing to pick up at age 62, but I'm glad I got back into it. And I know you will be too. Good luck! |
#5
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Qzectb wrote:
It's everything else that's got me nervous: tower communications, controlled airspace, etc. Among other things, I realize that the entire airspace classification system has changed since I last flew. It makes a lot more sense now, though, so you'll pick that up much quicker than a new student. I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. I recommend Bob Gardner's book "Say Again, Please" because it's concise and clear. Side note: When I last flew, a C-152 was $19/hour wet, a C-172 was $24/hour. There was no GPS. There were effectively no electronic navigation calculators. The E6B hasn't changed, but, I have to admit that the ASA CX-2 flight computer rocks. The C-172 engine was carbureted, not fuel-injection. And yet, overall, I'm amazed at how little the 172 has changed in three decades. Well, if it's like the ones I rent, it's literally the same plane. : |
#6
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Qzectb wrote:
I got my pilot license in 1978 when I was 20, continued flying into 1979 accumulating a total of 70 hours, and then stopped when I became a university student and had neither money nor time. But I've been longing to get back into it all this time, and yesterday, my wife totally surprised me for my birthday by taking me to the airport and saying, "you're going flying". Sure enough, she had scheduled time with an instructor and a C-172, and she said she was giving her blessing on my doing whatever it takes to get current again. So I went through the preflight with the instructor, took off and climbed out with relatively minimal prompting, successfully executed two 360-degree steep turns (the instructor actually told me I did them more accurately with respect to altitude and attitude than he could have done!), a touch and go landing, and then a final landing. Okay, so I flared a little high on my first landing but managed to recover and land without a bounce - I had a bit of that tendency even when I was flying regularly. The net result is that I convinced myself that I can handle (or will soon handle) the physical part of flying about as well and safely as I ever could. Also, I'm a professional meteorologist, so I probably still know the weather stuff about as well as anyone who flies. It's everything else that's got me nervous: tower communications, controlled airspace, etc. Among other things, I realize that the entire airspace classification system has changed since I last flew. I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. It always WAS hard for me to make out what was being said, even when I knew roughly what to expect, but it seems worse today. Maybe it's my middle-aged ears. So I'm wondering whether anyone has suggestions on how to smooth the transition back to regular flying most cost-effectively. Are there books or computer software packages that would do an especially good job of refreshing me on the parts I feel weak on, so that I can save dual-time for the things that can't be covered well via self-study? Side note: When I last flew, a C-152 was $19/hour wet, a C-172 was $24/hour. There was no GPS. There were effectively no electronic navigation calculators. There was only one fuel sump checkpoint in each wing, and (to my recollection at least) no strobes on wingtips. Also fewer switches to mess with on the panel. The C-172 engine was carbureted, not fuel-injection. And yet, overall, I'm amazed at how little the 172 has changed in three decades. You shouldn't have any problem at all with this. Just pick a good CFI and practice a bit to get back up to speed. You will have to do a bit of catching up on current regs and procedures, and any good program designed for the purpose should do just fine. Just relax and enjoy the "upgrade". -- Dudley Henriques |
#7
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![]() "Qzectb" wrote in message ... I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. It always WAS hard for me to make out what was being said, even when I knew roughly what to expect, but it seems worse today. Maybe it's my middle-aged ears. No. There have been some small changes (airspace, etc). However, most of it is just that you haven't done it in awhile. There are lots of I hope you're right. Just to be clear, it's not interpretation of instructions that I find difficult. It's just that every second word usually sounds like raw static to my ears. "cessna two echo static turn static static contact static at one three three static five." It's like trying to understand a conversation in a very noisy bar. But maybe practice is the 2) King VFR Flight Review (better for those that just need refresher, includes the stuff below)http://wkey. Buy a nice headset with noise canceling you will hear much better. |
#8
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"Qzectb" wrote in message
... ... I find that about 50% of what I hear on the radio is just plain unintelligible. It always WAS hard for me to make out what was being said, even when I knew roughly what to expect, but it seems worse today. Maybe it's my middle-aged ears. Practice, Practice, Practice. http://www.liveatc.net/ Pick an airport... -- Geoff The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate. |
#9
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![]() "John Smith" wrote As far as getting used to communications, try listening to liveatc.net. You can select ground and clearance facilities, tower facilities, approach/departure facilities, enroute facilities. Listening to a tower/ground/clearance delivery near you will acquaint you with reporting points and how traffic is routed into and out of the airport. Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has a webpage on getting back into flying after a layoff, Also, get a good pair of electronic noise reduction headsets. They should really help your middle aged ears, too. That is what I have found, anyway. I hear the in the ear headsets are really good, too. -- Jim in NC |
#10
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Welcome home.
Jim -- "If you think you can, or think you can't, you're right." --Henry Ford On Apr 28, 4:39 pm, Qzectb wrote: It's everything else that's got me nervous: tower communications, controlled airspace, etc. Among other things, I realize that the entire airspace classification system has changed since I last flew. |
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