I want to get back into flying.

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gmacd1177

Filing Flight Plan
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gmacd1177
So I got my private pilot license about 1.5 years ago and unfortunately had to stop flying right after the check ride due to life circumstances. My total hours are barely over 50 and I only flew once with passengers. Now that things have settled down I can get back into it and want to have an idea of how long or how many lessons seems reasonable before being able to re-solo/fly passengers. I am hopefully going to be able to afford 4-5 hours initially and 2-3 hours per month going forward. I guess what I am really interested in are any stories of people getting back into flying after a hiatus and what their experience was with it.
 
You probably need a Biannaul Flight Review. You should go up with a CFI and brush up a little, shouldn't take more than a few hours at the most, then book a BFR so you're current again. Study up a little on the regs if you've forgotten most of it, as there's an oral part as well. You can be back and flying in no time.
 
stratobee said:
You probably need a Biannaul Flight Review. You should go up with a CFI and brush up a little, shouldn't take more than a few hours at the most, then book a BFR so you're current again. Study up a little on the regs if you've forgotten most of it, as there's an oral part as well. You can be back and flying in no time.
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*Bienniel. I agree with this post. Also read up on the Airplane Flying Handbook and Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. But if you got your license only 1.5 years ago you probably remember most of the stuff.
 
I do feel like my retention is fairly good but I definitely want and need to fly with the instructor. Luckily I do have both of those books from my flight training. I guess my concern was the possibility that it would take 20+ hours before being deemed safe to fly and if that were the case I would probably wait a few more months.
 
gmacd1177 said:
I do feel like my retention is fairly good but I definitely want and need to fly with the instructor. Luckily I do have both of those books from my flight training. I guess my concern was the possibility that it would take 20+ hours before being deemed safe to fly and if that were the case I would probably wait a few more months.
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I'm sure it won't take more than a few hours do get you comfortable soloing again.
 
gmacd1177 said:
I do feel like my retention is fairly good but I definitely want and need to fly with the instructor. Luckily I do have both of those books from my flight training. I guess my concern was the possibility that it would take 20+ hours before being deemed safe to fly and if that were the case I would probably wait a few more months.
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20+ hours? Probably not, but the way to find out is go to a CFI (you trust) and ask for a BFR explaining what you've laid out here. A BFR REQUIRES an hour of ground training and an hour of air instruction, but it also is incumbent on the CFI to make sure you're ready to handle all the requirements of your rating. So after an hour or so of flying with you, they should be able to give you a pretty good idea of what you still need.

John
 
gmacd1177 said:
So I got my private pilot license about 1.5 years ago and unfortunately had to stop flying right after the check ride due to life circumstances. My total hours are barely over 50 and I only flew once with passengers. Now that things have settled down I can get back into it and want to have an idea of how long or how many lessons seems reasonable before being able to re-solo/fly passengers. I am hopefully going to be able to afford 4-5 hours initially and 2-3 hours per month going forward. I guess what I am really interested in are any stories of people getting back into flying after a hiatus and what their experience was with it.
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Took a guy that hadn't flown in 40 years back to currency in about 3 hours of ground and 5 in the air. We actually did more in the air than he needed just because he wanted some fresh x-c experience. He's been flying every couple of weeks ever since, often taking his wife on $100 hamburger runs and sightseeing excursions. Now she wants to take some lessons. If you're only 1.5 years out, it will be that much quicker.
 
Technically, you just need a rental checkout because you are within 24 months of a new rating. Plus 3 takeoffs and landings before carrying pax.

As a practical matter, book a cfi for an hour or two, practice by yourself until comfortable, then re up the bfr when the 24 month clock runs out.
 
I've read several places to expect about an hour in the air for every year since your last flight. You'll be back at it soon. Take passengers again when you feel comfortable.


Welcome back!
 
I was out of flying for about 10 years (which spanned 9/11/2001). I got back in and the flying part was no big deal. Brushing up on reg changes was an issue but AOPA had a document that summarized it nicely.

Anyway, your situation won't be a big deal at only 1.5 years off. I suspect you'll need a BFR but that's not clear from the OP. If you got your PPL in <50 hrs then you're not going to need 20 to get back in the swing of things. More like 2 to 5 hours depending on how much rust there is. All those skills and knowledge are lurking in your brain and you may be surprised how easily they come back with a little practice. I know in my case I was shocked at how well I flew after 10 years off.

Good luck!
 
For me it was a 27 year lay off, I did a flight review and my CFI said I was good to go after 2 hours. I said okay but we're going to go for at least a couple of more flights. After 2 more hours I felt comfortable and that was 6 years and 1400 hours ago. Of course I have reinstated my CFI and added my CFII and commercial multi engine since then.
 
This made me think of something. If someone gets their ticket, after a year and a half or so of $100 hamburgers, they decide they need their IR. Can that instruction go towards your BFR? Or is a BFR a very specific thing altogether?
 
Frogs97 said:
This made me think of something. If someone gets their ticket, after a year and a half or so of $100 hamburgers, they decide they need their IR. Can that instruction go towards your BFR? Or is a BFR a very specific thing altogether?
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I can't see anything that would prevent an instructor to put in some ground instruction that would satisfy the BFR requirement... But better idea is to use the 2 year anniversary as the "hard" dare to have the IR check ride by...problem solved.
 
LDJones said:
Took a guy that hadn't flown in 40 years back to currency in about 3 hours of ground and 5 in the air. We actually did more in the air than he needed just because he wanted some fresh x-c experience. He's been flying every couple of weeks ever since, often taking his wife on $100 hamburger runs and sightseeing excursions. Now she wants to take some lessons. If you're only 1.5 years out, it will be that much quicker.
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Man. I knew I got strung along when I got back into it. How's the airline gig?
 
petrolero said:
I was out of flying for about 10 years (which spanned 9/11/2001). I got back in and the flying part was no big deal. Brushing up on reg changes was an issue but AOPA had a document that summarized it nicely.

Anyway, your situation won't be a big deal at only 1.5 years off. I suspect you'll need a BFR but that's not clear from the OP. If you got your PPL in <50 hrs then you're not going to need 20 to get back in the swing of things. More like 2 to 5 hours depending on how much rust there is. All those skills and knowledge are lurking in your brain and you may be surprised how easily they come back with a little practice. I know in my case I was shocked at how well I flew after 10 years off.

Good luck!
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Much like petrolero I got my PPL, then after less than 100 hours, stopped flying for over 20 years! :mad2: Then after spending a lot of time reading (e.g., what in the heck does Class B mean), listening to LiveATC, and watching some YouTube videos, I went out to my local class D airport and found an instructor. After a little over 2 hours of flight and an hour of ground, he gave his blessing and signed my BFR.

Muscle memory stays with you!
 
It's good to hear that strapping on the wings again won't be to painful, even if the straps end up chafing just a bit. I'm going to start up again soon. I'm about 7 years out of the seat, but I've got 257 hrs total so shouldn't be too long to get back in the swing of things. I've gotta finish that commercial rating or I'll end up going to the grave without getting back up in the air at all.

Here's to all of us not giving up on the dream!
 
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