Need advice on returning to flying

[McCroskey]

Hello everybody,

To cut a long story short about 6 years ago I finished one of those ab initio courses and got a nice shiny CPL/frozen ATPL however, due to the pilot market and my finances going due south I have never flown since.

I have now managed to scrape enough money together to get back in the sky, I would initially be looking at just getting to PPL standard but would eventually like to become a flight instructor.

I would appreciate it if anyone could shed any light on what I have to do to get back flying, I seem to remember that if you have'nt flown in 5 years you have to do extra to get started again, also does anyone know how much it will roughly cost.

Many thanks, hope someone can help.

[pa28biggles]

McCroskey,
Have a look on the CAA's web-site on LASORs, it should tell you what you need to do to re-validate your ratings. Click on the link below.
It's here (http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/licensing/fcl/document.asp?groupid=292)

[strafer]

McCroskey,

Re your PPL - I might be talking bollocks here, but my understanding is that as you'll have a CAA PPL, it's valid for life. (Unlike us JAA boys & girls who only get 5 years). It will only be your rating (presumably SEP) that will have expired. That being so, all you need is a valid medical and a certificate of re-validation. If you got to CPL standard, I can't see you taking too long to get that.

Good luck & welcome back!

[eyuppp]

I too have returned to the sky after a four year lapse. Fortunately I have a CAA PPL also (even if it is in a crappy brown wallet).

Welcome back and good luck with the revalidation