Getting Current
After deciding to commit to flying again, I returned to my original flight school. After 18 years, that is an interesting experience. Images of the flight school, the equipment, and the aircraft were very different. I recall a beta video player those many years ago, where I spent hours viewing videos of the training program. Of course, as a certificated pilot, the process is much simpler. Sitting down with the instructor to determine what you remember and spending an hour in the aircraft quickly sets the pace for getting current. I was very surprised how much I remembered about operating the aircraft.
Of course, I did some study prior to tracking down an instructor and jumping in the Skyhawk. I pulled out my old ppsel books and purchased some new training programs on eBay. Studying up on the changes in regulations, reviewing the principals, and getting a refresher helped get me much more comfortable for that first visit and flight. I also spent a lot of hours envsioning the flights. I would sit and mentally walk through all the procedures, seeing every step of the flight as though I had never been away. When I finally went to the airfield, I was ready to go over everything with the instructor and take the aircraft for a flight.
The ground time and the air time all went very well. I felt prepared for the questions and for the flight. I was still nervous since I hadn't flown for 18 years. But it was amazing how easily it all came back. A little rusty, but the skills were all still there. Unexpectedly, the instructor signed me off after the first hour (or so). He advised I get a lot of practice and would make himself available for more time if I desired, but felt I had the skills and was making safe decisions. I was confident in what I was doing and knew I had a lot of practice to come. I made my next reservations and checked my logbook a second time for all the right entries. I was flying again!
Labels: aircraft, flying, Pilot Certificate
Flying Post 9/11
It was 18 years between PIC flights for me. I learned to love flying very early on. Perhaps even from the time I began taking lessons in December of 1980. From the time my training began, I considered how to fly for a living. In short, the circumstances, requirements, and finances wouldn't allow for it. Young flyers today should consider themselves lucky for all the opportunities that are available to train for commercial pilot careers.
In the early '90s, I found an aviation club in Connecticut that met and conducted events around flying. Although not a flying club, some members had their own aircraft and some rented. Meetings always had interesting aviation topics and speakers. On occasion I joined a PIC for a flight. Finances still precluded getting my currency and flight time. It was enjoyable, though, to join the other pilots and participate in the aviation events. There would be more pressing life obligations for about another ten years.
By Y2K I had found my way back to another passion from my college days. My first motorcycle since 1983, I bought a friend's BMW K75s. It was my first BMW and first bike in a very long time. By the end of the next year I had sold the K75 and had two more BMWs in the stable. I was daring to pursue those old passions again.
Throughout this time, I had been traveling regularly on the airlines. On 9/11 a group of us were at a southwestern airport when the towers were struck. We were lucky enough to acquire rental cars and the eastern group drove 42 hours, nonstop, home. As everyone knows, the experience of flying the airlines has never been the same. I avoided it for a few months before I was back on regular flights. Let's just say I didn't enjoy the new experience and being a regular "random" inspection subject. This, led to an "enough!" and the determination to get current and buy my own aircraft...
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Do you have a story about your first lesson or aircraft? Feel free to leave a comment and share your aviation experience.
Labels: aircraft, flying, Pilot Certificate
Return to Flying (PPSEL cont)
The continuation of the PPSEL posts...
Around the time of 9/11 I was doing a lot of travelling via the airlines for business. Every week, in fact, I would grab a flight to my latest client. By the time spring of 2002 came around I was really annoyed with the hassles of flying commercially. I was typically "randomly selected" at least once on each trip for searching, and sometimes twice. Sorry, there was nothing random about that. I travelled in a suit with my briefcase (computer) and roll-on. What a safe bet! But, that's a whole different blog.
So, in the spring of 2002 I was fed up with the commercial routine and decided I was going to get checked out by a flight instructor again and buy an airplane. Most of my flights were within several hundred miles of home, so a single engine aircraft could certainly do the job. Of course, I didn't count on my company sending me to a client across the country once I'd bought my airplane! Ah well! So, I got myself a flight review and began renting and flying whenever I could. Including during the week when I was away at a client. The journey had begun again.
About a year later, I was ready and found my aircraft. I used an aircraft broker who found me a 1973 Skylane, in my price range, in Colorado. I stopped in on a return trip from California and took a test flight. It flew well, was in good condition, and the price worked. There was still the pre-buy inspection to do, so I flew home. Within two weeks, the pre-buy was completed satisfactorily, financing was arranged, and the aircraft was ready for delivery. I was short on time and didn't have an instrument rating at the time, so my broker flew it East for delivery.
Now, there's a whole story behind the "attempted" delivery of the aircraft. The time of year was early March and there were a number of weather systems across the country. I'll save this story for another entry.
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Do you have a story about your first lesson or aircraft? Feel free to leave a comment and share your aviation experience.
Labels: Pilot Certificate
PPSEL - continued
Today, I continue my post about my entry into flying...
It took me a couple years, and a discount working on the flight line before I finally was awarded with my 'private pilot, singe engine land' pilot's certificate. That was June of 1982. I spent two plus years trying to figure out how I could get paid flying for a living. For the military, I'd have to get a commission first. The airlines required a four year degree, so I'd have to finish college first. Going the slow route, I calculated, would cost another $20,000 to $30,000 in training, a number of years working up through the charter ranks, and very low pay. Well, it wasn't looking good. I believe our young people have a whole lot more options today.
So, I continued to fly as I could afford until my biennial ran out. And, I got engaged. Well, life stepped in. I'm sure there is many a certificated pilot that has run into this snag! For 18 years I tried not to think too much about what it felt like to be behind the yoke of an aircraft. Not that I didn't think about flying. For a period, I joined an aviation club and even flew with a few members... in the back seat. But, between marriage, building a career, relocating homes, jobs, then divorce and recovery from the major life change... flying was not a priority.
Over the years, I've done a lot of travel for business. Flying with most of the air carriers around the country and world. It always amazed me how many people I encountered who had started their flight training or were a pilot also. Mostly it was people who either wished they had learned how to fly, wanted to learn how to fly, or had taken a few lessons then life happened. On occasion I would actually run into an airline pilot or fellow pilot who was lucky enough to still be flying. Unfortunately, its not one of those pursuits that tend to be of high priority or lends itself easily to most people. At least not financially. So, if you're a pilot who flies on a regular basis or even owns an aircraft, count your blessings. . . . (to be continued)
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Do you have a story about your first lesson or aircraft? Feel free to leave a comment and share your aviation experience.
Labels: Pilot Certificate
Private Pilot Single Engine Land (PPSEL)
Before I start rolling on aircraft maintenance, I'm going to back up a bit. By about 20 something years. You see, I began this fascination many years ago. What fascination? Well, if you're a pilot or have ever taken flying lessons you'd know what I'm talking about. The fascination with operating a small (or not so small) aircraft around the skies. The fascination with being alone, or having a friend along as you climb out into the open wild blue yonder to just cruise around at thousands of feet in the air. Away from cars that threaten to collide with you or that block your path. Away from crowds that force their noise and movement upon you. Away...
I had a casual interest while in high school, but never really thought I'd end up flying. While living with a college roommate, I recall one of those odd conversations about nothing. The cost of getting a pilot's license. We debated until one of us suggested calling the local flying school to get the answer. $1,200. That was the answer. Wow, that's actually not bad! That was in 1979 sometime.
Well, about a year later I was calling around for liability insurance for my latest $600 car purchase. Everybody seemed to want $1200 to insure me. That number clicked for some reason. "For $1200 I could get my pilot's license!" Hmm, that's when the young adult logic began to set in. Why not! Insurance isn't required anyhow! (remember this was 1980) So, I took a ride out to the airport to learn more about it. I think that was in the fall of 1980.
The flight school was one of those Cessna Flight Training centers, Part 141, I believe. I introduced myself and bought a $25 introductory flight. The instructor took me out, showed me the Cessna 152, and got in the right seat. I recall wondering which seat the pilot actually flew in. It wasn't until we were climbing out on take-off that I realized I was in it! At about 200 ft off the ground I looked down and said "Damn, that ground looks hard!". That, by the way, was my first time flying in any sort of aircraft. That thought has rarely occurred again and I never looked back. . . . (to be continued)
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Do you have a story about your first lesson or aircraft? Feel free to leave a comment and share your aviation experience.
Labels: Pilot Certificate
