It's a "how long is a piece of string" type question.
What many overlook when starting out is the fact that the cost of flying does not stop on attainment of a licence. Far from it - if anything, it only seems to become more expensive. This bars many from aviation, and hinders most who are already involved.
One piece of advice that crops up time and again as the best way to stay "current" without spending any money at all is to know everything inside out. Without giving egg-sucking lessons, try the following - sit in a chair, close your eyes and make up a few questions for yourself. You will be surprised at how much you can recall, and indeed how much you can't.
- The engine coughs and splutters in flight - what are your immediate actions?
- The alternator warning light comes on - what does this mean?
- What are all your aircraft's 'V' speeds?
- What are the correct actions following a radio failure inside controlled airspace?
- You taxi out to the runway and get a steady white lght from the tower. What should you do?
You will probably 'feel' more 'current' after dragging all this from the depths of your memory than after a 1 hour, £100+ butty run.
A38