Is there a benefit in having a break in your flying?

moonshine

moonshine

Line Up and Wait
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Here's a thought.

I think that having a break in your flying is beneficial.

There, I said it. Now let me explain. After getting my private ticket, I flew about 4.5 hrs taking relatives and friends for the long awaited rides, and then a move to a different state and a career change forced about half a year of not flying. Meanwhile, I kept "in the loop" reading the message boards and NTSB horror stories.. Next time I got into an airplane, it was a self-checkout (no CFI's on field and buying the airplane from a student pilot who hasn't solo'd - fun) in a new make and model (PA-38) in the different part of the country and so forth - I was very humble getting into that airplane.
Building hours and experience, getting the instrument ticket and so forth got back the currency and proficiency, but that "modest" feeling stayed and frankly probably saved my bacon once or twice, swaying the decision-making towards being safely on the ground.

I have a friend who went through his ratings in a pro-pilot style (unlike my weekend pilot routine), year or two CFI'ing at a large institution, regional job - all the normal stuff. Family eventually took priority and he traded his airline wings for instructional position, which he enjoys, but not before a few months of not flying were thrown at him. He said that in retrospect, however painful the non-flying months were, he came out of them feeling more cautious and probably a safer pilot.

Anyone else had situations like that? Thoughts? Comments?
 
Time to reflect helps. I'd agree with that, but I haven't flown as PIC in 7mos, so Some would argue bias.
 
After an extensive evaluation of my golf swing, the teaching pro advised me to lay off for about a year and then quit.
 
The break is not helpful. You add rust and forget skills. If you were frustrated and had a bad mindset it's a different story, but it doesn't sound like you were there.

Reading and research are important parts of aviation safety. Statistics show people who are members of type specific clubs are less likely to have fatal accidents than people who aren't. Why? The general theory is that such clubs look at the sorts of crashes that exist and make ttheir members aware of what is killing people and why. One doesn't have to be a member of a type specific club to have these benefits, but it's a good line that is easy to work with. It sounds to me like you had that effect through your research.

I'd add that PoA probably has a certain level of benefit there. Even though we mostly bicker, we do talk about crashes and safety of flight issues. In close to 6 years of being on PoA, I can't think of any PoAers who've died in a plane crash, but I've known others (directly and indirectly) who have.
 
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In my case , it did help . I was able to finish my basement and take care of my honey do list.
 
I have posted extensively about my return to flying after a 40 year break. I'd say yes, it's beneficial, though probably most folks don't need to wait 40 years.

Why?

* I'm safer (see posts of POA members who think I'm too safe, including one who said I was a "sheeple"); hogwash...this is my life and I have a family who loves me very much

* I am more organized now and learn faster; yes...I know this defies conventional wisdom, but I'm better at asking good questions and remembering the answers

* My skills faded, but came back with a vengeance. My first two touch and go's were done without instructor intervention. After about 12 hours of dual, and passing my BFR, my landings and technique are getting better every day. Microsoft's Flight Simulator helped me a great deal.

What are the challenges?

* Air traffic - OMG - So. Cal. is challenge. You can't turn 10 degrees without contacting someone

* Condition of some rental planes (finally found a couple I like)

* Can't think of any others
 
I take breaks all the time. I'm not flying right now. But I might be in a few hours.
 
I've been flying regularly during those same 40 years. During that period I accumulated more than 10k GA hours and a few additional ratings. I don't find SoCal or any other busy area to be all that difficult.


VWGhiaBob said:
I have posted extensively about my return to flying after a 40 year break. I'd say yes, it's beneficial, though probably most folks don't need to wait 40 years.

Why?

* I'm safer (see posts of POA members who think I'm too safe, including one who said I was a "sheeple"); hogwash...this is my life and I have a family who loves me very much

* I am more organized now and learn faster; yes...I know this defies conventional wisdom, but I'm better at asking good questions and remembering the answers

* My skills faded, but came back with a vengeance. My first two touch and go's were done without instructor intervention. After about 12 hours of dual, and passing my BFR, my landings and technique are getting better every day. Microsoft's Flight Simulator helped me a great deal.

What are the challenges?

* Air traffic - OMG - So. Cal. is challenge. You can't turn 10 degrees without contacting someone

* Condition of some rental planes (finally found a couple I like)

* Can't think of any others
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When I left the airlines I took almost two years off from flying. I just didn't want to do it anymore. So it helped me actually like it again. I don't think that is what you were looking for, but just my 2 cents
 
That's about it - I had my chance to step back and think about why I want to do it and how I want to do it.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to do it again and I'm not suggesting that everyone should just stop flying for a few months, however, looking back, that 1/2 year break was rather a good thing than a bad thing.
Amongst other things I went to read a few books from the local library while at it "Flight of Passage", "Flight of the Gin Fizz" and "Weekend Wings" - later being a major inspiration to go fly something right away :)
 
I hope you are right, after getting my ticket in '97, I moved to Australia. While there I flew a few times, then a few times when I got back in '99. After that and the constant arguements over my selfish habit with the "first" Mrs. Young (please note "first"). I stopped flying and did not get back into the saddle until 2009. In 2009 passed a BFR, the got signed off to fly the FBO's DA40 (which I loved). Then they sold the DA40, and I stopped flying again six months later.

All of that leads me to today.... and this week I will be closing on a Grumman Tiger. An aircraft that I have lusted after for some 20 years. The "new and improved" Mrs. Young made me buy the plane (gotta love the 2nd wife), she does not fly though, but understood the importance to me. So sometime this week, I will be getting back behind the yoke (with a CFI) to get checked out in the plane and complete a BFR. To say I am nervous would be an understatement.
 
ryoung99 said:
To say I am nervous would be an understatement.
Click to expand...

Congratulations!
There will be moments when you might doubt your own sanity, but stick to it - flying is very much enjoyable :yes:
 
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So today I logged 2.4 hours of dual, flying for the first time since 3/28/10. Honestly it felt great. The nervousness ended the minute the Tiger took flight. I am happy to say the CFI I was flying with did nothing the entire time, other than watching to make sure I did not screw anything up.

Although I did "pass" the BFR today, we have agreed to meet tomorrow for another 1.5-2 hours of dual prior to the sign off. There were a few times I even forgot he was there, we did about 10 landings (some T&G and a couple of full stops). During the day I did not like my approach two times and went around.

We did slow flight, stalls (power off and on), 45 degree 360 turns which I kept within 50 feet of starting altitude. Honestly I was not a rusty as I expected.

Spent some time with ATC flight following, and it was a busy day in the Sacramento valley, lots of company and jumpers.

Anyways, I could not be happier that we bought the Tiger and look forward to many more days like today.

Rick
 
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