Flying Proficiency

W

warthog1984

Cleared for Takeoff
Joined
Jul 22, 2013
Messages
1,447
Location
Chicagoan exiled to California
Display Name
LanCA'r
Home Airfield
KSMO
How often do you have to fly to feel proficient?

As a 100hr PP, I've flown 85-some hours this last year. This seems like more than enough to meet the supposed 50 hour/year benchmark for proficiency, especially since most were training/airwork flights; but I've found that if I don't fly 2-3x/week I don't feel nearly as on-the-ball. I'm still safe, but I have to rely on checklists more and there's always one or two little things I kick myself for.

What says the board?
 
Are you referring to currency? That's specified in FAR 61.57.

* Three takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days to act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers
* Three takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days, between the period beginning 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise, in order to act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers in this same time period.


Proficiency is more about personal skills assessment. AOPA article on that: http://www.aopa.org/Pilot-Resources...ciency-Proficiency-and-the-Private-Pilot.aspx
 
warthog1984 said:
How often do you have to fly to feel proficient?
Click to expand...
Me? I can go weeks without actually flying a plane and still feel proficient, but I've been doing this regularly for 45 years and 10,000 hours. If I think back to my Student Pilot days, it certainly wasn't like that at all.

As a 100hr PP, I've flown 85-some hours this last year. This seems like more than enough to meet the supposed 50 hour/year benchmark for proficiency, especially since most were training/airwork flights; but I've found that if I don't fly 2-3x/week I don't feel nearly as on-the-ball. I'm still safe, but I have to rely on checklists more and there's always one or two little things I kick myself for.
Click to expand...
That sounds pretty typical for someone of your experience level.
 
I am a big believer in the three Cs. Currency, Competency and Confidence. Just because I am current doesn't mean I am competent or confident to do something.

I think what you are feeling is normal. I would be more worried if you are oblivious to the feeling.
 
I fly down for work and don't fly for 2 weeks. I will usually do a fuel run the day before my flight home 270nm. I'm just as crisp as before.

I did take a 9 month break and flew with a cfi to get current again. I hardly missed a beat in that 9 month layoff.
 
It is difficult for me to answer that because usually I don't go more than a couple of weeks between flights. But, back in 2009 I had a medical issue that knocked me out of flying for 10 or 12 weeks, and I felt pretty rusty the first time up.
 
Can't help you on that I usually fly twice a week.
 
I find day VFR a lot more comfortable to get "back in the groove" than night VFR. I'm current at night but I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable taking passengers up. I don't do a lot of night flights and I really have to work on that. I also have to get IFR current again and do some flights
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top