Originally Posted by
Gingerbread Man
Is it not the case that each license supercedes the previous one? I was under the impression that if you had a current CPL, then you also had a current PPL by default. Am I being hopelessy naive?
As for the topic in question, i've had my PPL for over a year and have done about 5 hours flying with it. The main reason being that I am a student and flying is expensive. I don't have sufficient means to fly regularly and it seems a waste of money to fly with an instructor to get current and then let it go again. My aim is to earn enough money so that I can start Aeros training this year. The only thing is I really want to have lots of other qualifications like IMC and night, but my aim is to go for an ATPL, so I don't want to pay for things that I may have a chance of getting for 'free' later on (if I can get into CTC, for example).
Ginger
Yes but what happens is people go onto fly bigger machinery for a job and the lighter end of the licence expires and they do not renew them. My friend is in the same position., just got a job with BA and already his IR and MEP privelidges have lapsed and the SEP is not far behind.
There is also an odd mentality with a lot of airline pilots that they would not be seen dead in a small aircraft now they fly "proper" airacraft. Then a few years down the line they discover how dull flying a "proper" aircraft is (but to be fair they are very good at Suduko) and they went to get back to real flying so renew the ratings again.
Every one of my friends who flies for a living with high airline hours have returned to GA as they find the day job so dull. My Canadian friend 17,000hrs training Captain came over for the Jersey air rally this year, we got weathered off but spent the time touring France with our group, I lent him my 152 and he was so hooked he has booked for next years rally!!