Getting back into flying......... what to do?

[MQAAord]

So I've been promised that I can start flying again once CA pay kicks in. It's probably going to be next fall (when the kids are in school). By then it'll have been almost 8 years since I'll have flown a plane.

For you CFIs:

-What would you, as an instructor, like someone to study who hasn't flown in so long?
-How would you suggest best preparing for getting back into it?

[LoadMasterC141]

Amber how many hours do you have and any licenses/ratings?

I would say read the FARs first and foremost because the rules have changed. Get into some GPS stuff because it has come a long way in 8 years. If you are not yet a PPL, well page one, Jepp textbook

I am not a CFI, yet, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

[SteveC]

Learn which donut shop between your house and the airport has the best overall quality product. Bring plenty of examples.

[jrh]

Honestly, it'll probably come back pretty quickly for you if you have the right mindset about it. There have been changes in the past 8 years, but nothing drastically different.

Try to get your head back in the game by reading whatever is interesting to you. AOPA Flight Training magazine is a favorite of mine, but most aviation magazines in general are good.

You might also consider getting one of the typical groundschool video courses, like Sporty's or King Schools, and watch the DVDs as a refresher. They cover a lot of information quickly and it'll probably surprise you how much you still know.

Then, go fly around with a CFI. I'd plan on 5-10 hours. Practice some crosswind landings, emergency procedures, take a couple short cross countries, and you should be back in the swing of things.

[mojo6911]

Go over the sectional chart, applicable regs (61/91, Airspace), learn the systems of the airplane a little bit.

[pilatus028]

I'd highly recommend sitting in the backseat of any instructional flights. Sit in on some ground sessions if you can. Try to listen to others to kick in that memory. Hang out at the airport to get that airport bum status back in the blood as well.

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

So I've been promised that I can start flying again once CA pay kicks in. It's probably going to be next fall (when the kids are in school). By then it'll have been almost 8 years since I'll have flown a plane.

For you CFIs:

-What would you, as an instructor, like someone to study who hasn't flown in so long?
-How would you suggest best preparing for getting back into it?

Where are you looking to get going again? What airport here in INDy?

[milski]

From the couple of guys with 10+ years of not flying which showed up for a BFR:
- I would not worry too much about the mechanical part of flying - they were ok with all the maneuvers from the private PTS or were up to par in a couple of flights. So don't worry about that.
- Airspace. When I started flying, the current designation of airspace (A,B,...,G) was already in effect but two of them were not aware of it and had some memories about TCAs, TSRAs and so on. I don't know what's the case with 8 years ago, but you may want to re-read about all them and requirements to be there/weather restrictions for VFR.
- Cross country planning. That seems to go away rather quickly, so if you can try planning a few on your own before showing up for a lesson you'll surprise someone nicely.
- Weight & Balance. Again, teaching that was pretty much like teaching a primary student - everything a new.
- You may be rusty on the radio too, but that goes away quickly.

I would suggest getting a sectional, reading the legend, studying what's on it, planning a cross country or two, thinking about route & airspace, required communications and so on. You can find some sample W&B data and try a few configurations with it too. That will cover most of the problematic areas and the CFI should fill in the gaps after that.

[SkyCougar]

You go girl! Go fly those planes! No doubt in my mind that you can dust off those skills and get right back into it!

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

So I've been promised that I can start flying again once CA pay kicks in. It's probably going to be next fall (when the kids are in school). By then it'll have been almost 8 years since I'll have flown a plane.

For you CFIs:

-What would you, as an instructor, like someone to study who hasn't flown in so long?
-How would you suggest best preparing for getting back into it?

Find out if there is a bridge program near you!

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

Amber how many hours do you have and any licenses/ratings?

I have about 90-100 hours (I think?). Really, I'm not sure of the exact #, it's been so long I'd have to dig my logbook out of the lockbox and look! I did complete the PPL, issued on 11/16/01, so technically all I need is a BFR. But I'm also realistic enough to know that my skills & knowledge have deteriorated in a big way in 7-8 years! I did a bit of instrument training after my PPL, maybe 10-ish hours or so.

[LoadMasterC141]

I think you will be amazed at how fast your skills come back. I only had 30 hours and went 13 years without flying. Took me 2 hours to solo again. The knowledge is the escaping portion.

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

The knowledge is the escaping portion.

Yeah, I'm trying to remember things like airspace rules n' stuff, and while I did learn after TRSAs & ARSAs (I learned airspace as Class B, C, D etc) I can totally tell my "book" knowledge has suffered. The kids have completely sucked my brains out. All that's left is a pile of gooey gray matter.

I'm wanting to start re-learning this stuff now, so I don't make too big a fool of myself when I do finally get to get back into it!

[MQAAord]

Originally Posted by meyers9163

Where are you looking to get going again? What airport here in INDy?

Not sure if I'll go to Indianapolis Aviation at UMP or Indy Aero at MQJ. I've been to each place (when my dad's brought his planes down) so I've seen each FBO, but never really got a chance to actually talk to anyone at either place. Dad preferred MQJ, multiple runways and a little less busy than UMP. Though UMP has one heckuva flat runway! The people at MQJ actually came out and parked dad, as opposed to UMP where he was pretty much on his own to pull in and park and hope that was where he was supposed to be. Maybe the people at MQJ were more impressed with his 310 than the people at UMP were with his archer Okay, probably not.....

Anywho, it's going to be a few months before I'll be ready to start anyway, so I'll worry about that later.

I am open to suggestions from anyone who's had a good experience with an FBO in the greater IND area.

[wrxpilot]

Well since you apparently last flew in 2000 the airspace rules and FARs haven't really changed that much, which is obviously good. I'd start working on the instrument ground. Personally I think this would be more motivating as it would be somewhat new material while reviewing older stuff. Get yourself the Jepp Instr/Comm book and a Gleim Inst study guide. May as well knock out a new rating while getting current again...

[tonyw]

Good for you, Amber! Looking forward to hearing a cheesehead accent in the air around Indy!

[MQAAord]

Whoops. Math error.....

I last flew in Jan of 2002. By the time next fall rolls around, it'll be just shy of 7 years. Not 8... D'oh. Did I mention math was never my strong point?

Maybe I'd better brush up on addition & subtraction first!

[Screaming_Emu]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

Get yourself the Jepp Instr/Comm book and a Gleim Inst study guide. May as well knock out a new rating while getting current again...

I dont know about the instrument/comm stuff, but a Jepp and Gleim PPL book would be a great place to start. Look at it as doing a BFR, but it will take more than the hour of ground and hour of flight. First flight do some air work, then landings, cross countries, etc. And when both you and your instructor feel comfortable have them sign you off. It will come back pretty quickly.

[meyers9163]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

Not sure if I'll go to Indianapolis Aviation at UMP or Indy Aero at MQJ. I've been to each place (when my dad's brought his planes down) so I've seen each FBO, but never really got a chance to actually talk to anyone at either place. Dad preferred MQJ, multiple runways and a little less busy than UMP. Though UMP has one heckuva flat runway! The people at MQJ actually came out and parked dad, as opposed to UMP where he was pretty much on his own to pull in and park and hope that was where he was supposed to be. Maybe the people at MQJ were more impressed with his 310 than the people at UMP were with his archer Okay, probably not.....

Anywho, it's going to be a few months before I'll be ready to start anyway, so I'll worry about that later.

I am open to suggestions from anyone who's had a good experience with an FBO in the greater IND area.

INDYAERO! haha top notch and absolutely the best... honestly amber you cant do better... its the best out there... great equipment and its just awesome over there.... Dave Cornwell will set ya up and hook ya up! Its a great FBO... Metro eh... one runway and I dunno, i could care less for it...

[Qgar]

Congrats, Amber. I'm sure you'll be fine and will remember more than you thought you would!

[mooneyguy]

I would agree that you should just start taking some instrument lessons. Find a study course for it somewhere and that will bring you back up to speed pretty quick. I too spent some time away from flying (from 2002-2006) since coming back I have picked up my IR, and I have my comm ride set for Feb 26. It will come back to you pretty quick. There are not a lot of changes. Some little stuff like the BFR you mentioned is no longer a BRF, its now just a FR...dont ask me, i guess the government official in charge that day, needed to feel like he/she had accomplished something!!!!
Most importantly, just have fun!

[Firebird2XC]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

Whoops. Math error.....
I last flew in Jan of 2002. By the time next fall rolls around, it'll be just shy of 7 years. Not 8... D'oh. Did I mention math was never my strong point?

Maybe I'd better brush up on addition & subtraction first!

Speaking of which... don't forget your numbers.

V speeds, etc, and the like. Taking out the POH and making sure you know your performance numbers and Limitations would be first priority in my mind.

[HOTDOG]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

So I've been promised that I can start flying again once CA pay kicks in. It's probably going to be next fall (when the kids are in school). By then it'll have been almost 8 years since I'll have flown a plane.

For you CFIs:

-What would you, as an instructor, like someone to study who hasn't flown in so long?
-How would you suggest best preparing for getting back into it?

Gleim has a really good pilot refresher course that you can purchase and do online. It takes a few days to do and it helped me get my BFR after 5 years of not flying.

[falconvalley]

Expanded BFR or BFR followed by dual received for inst training. In the mean time, pick up your favorite flying educational material that is current. Oral Exam Guides are great. Everybody else has great suggestions. Basically anything that will get you some exposure. When I wasn't flying myself, I would take every opportunity I could to sit in the jumpseat of the tanker. It helped trememdously!

[moxiepilot]

as a good rule of thumb I find that for every year not flying about 2 hours flying brings you to speed, so for 8 years not flying I'd plan on about 15 hours with an instructor. Sound like a lot? Maybe, but it's not goig to hurt you.

I'd brush up on how things happen, I hesitate to say procedures, buecause thats not what I'm referring to. The more general concepts of flight is what I am:

How do you stall a plane, what is the recovery.
What should the flight path look like o nthe way to the runway, what should you do to hold airspeed and change your rate of descent.

those types of procedural questions.