how do i get my enthusiasm back for flying ?

[vectis lady]

i am again in the position of having only done 4 hours in the last year and needed to renew by july, obviously its not a problem to get 8 hours in or go with an examiner but i am starting to seriously think is it worth the effort / cost again if i am only going to get into the same situation in 2 years time. when i do go up the feeling that i got when i started out comes back to me but this only lasts a couple of days and then i get back into the same way of thinking and not bothering to book the aircraft etc
i dont want to be an occasional sunday flyer who is too rusty to be considered safe so i am not sure if i should just give it up now or if i can improve on the way i am feeling

any advice frm anyone who has been in this postion would be great

[BackPacker]

What's the main reason for flying so few hours? Is it financial, no-one to fly and share the excitement with, no challenge anymore, tired of doing the standard one-hour bimble in the local area?

If the reason is financial, there's not much we can do about that on this forum. But for any other reason, you might consider:
- Joining a group, club or other social network so that you can fly with fellow pilots, get inspired by their trip ideas, share flight to reduce cost, join in fly-aways etc.
- Get some advanced training which poses a new challenge, e.g. gliding, ultra/microlights, aerobatics, formation flight, tailwheel, IMC/IR.
- See if you can find and fly some exotic (for you) aircraft types instead of your average spamcan.

[neilgeddes]

Perhaps you can find some pilot friends to go on trips with? It can be much more fun and less stressful to share flying. Also, are you worried about the cost of flying? If so, perhaps you could consider other types of flying such as light singles, microlights, gliding etc. Do you belong to a club? If yes, do they run outings, land aways or other events you could take part in? Do stick with it if you can:)

[Molesworth 1]

Just an idea:

Book a week or two's holiday. Don't do any flying until then. Rent an aircraft at your holiday destination. Tell them you want an hours check out. This will count as your "hour with an instructor". Spend the rest of the hours exploring the area. I did that last year in Wales and had a very memorable time.

[hatzflyer]

Just checked your profile, says you fly PA28...Q.E.D.:rolleyes:

[Hamish 123]

Hatz,

Just checked another post of yours - must be nice to have owned 80 planes and thus being suitably qualified to offer opinions on the one that many of us fly.:rolleyes:

[Duchess_Driver]

Tailwheel, aero's, IMC, Night, Seaplane, multi.

All options.

Just try something different to what you normally would.

[Lister Noble]

I learned in a PA28,I found it had all I required for learning and a lot more equipment than in what I fly now.
PA28's are quite roomy and the 180's have adequate power for tight turns etc.
Just been up today for 90 mins bimble around Norfolk and Suffolk in the Cub,absolutely lovely day.
We all fly for different reasons,none of which in my opinion are better than the other.
Lister:)

[john ball]

OK, I see you live on the IOW so have limited aircraft to rent.

So, what about going to the Tiger Club at Headcorn, doing your tailwheel rating on the Piper Cub and chating to some of the members there to get some flying in the other interesting taildraggers. Very friendly bunch of enthusiastic flyers. Stay at the local pub, where you can walk to the airfield and they socialise in the evenings ! A friend of mine has just learnt on a Cessna and now flies a PA28. She now says the Cub is the best experience as it is a challenge !!!! That is what you need when things get stale.

[Mark1234]

PA28 is a perfectly serviceable, decent trainer (and tourer), however, it is not really that exciting, and the OP claims to be bored of flying.

IMHO change keeps things interesting. Do different things and you won't get bored.. Different types, tailwheel, different places, etc. Different places gets difficult as it usually means going ever further afield, and gets ever more expensive.

For me, a challenge - gliding (staying up!), aerobatics... If all I did was fly a warrior around the local patch I'd have given up very quickly. And I do sympathise - coming from aus the pain of conversion, and the additional (onerous) requirements make me wonder if it's worth it.. If I stopped, I'd probably not start again, but then every time I get airborne...

[tggzzz]

Have you considered gliding? I've only been in light aircraft a couple of times, but I found it to be rather predictable and boring.

Potentially interesting things include:
having good surprises when going cross-country, e.g. finding good thermals or cloud streets etc
not knowing what the next flight will bring - will it be 6 minutes or 6 hours?
thermalling with buzzards and other gliders
not falling asleep through boredom when flying straight and level
deliberately spinning "near" the ground
and, of course, the sheer exhilaration of a winch launch

[AliB]

I have been in that "is it really worth the effort" mood several times - the thing that keeps me coming back is remembering how much fun it really is.

IMHO the "low hours Sunday pilot" is only a danger if they do not realise their limitations. I cannot afford to fly as often as I would like, as a result my log book is full of dual checks and circuit checks with relatively few cross countries in between - but I enjoy my flying so I keep coming back for more.

I would recommend converting to other types too - I tried some tail dragging and loved it. I will not give up "spam can" flying though - sometimes having something solid and predictable to fly allows you time to enjoy other aspects of the experience.

I would say - before giving up for good make at least one more flight (perhaps two if that one does not go well :hmm:) and do the sort of flying you like - if that is boring to others, ignore them :cool:.

[GyroSteve]

Try flying gyros - a buzz round in one of the new factory-built machines will put a smile on your face - the famous "Gyro Grin"!

[mary meagher]

Dear Vectis Lady -

Hate to say it, but living on the IOW would certainly cramp my style! which is flying gliders.....as another poster has mentioned, this sport is endlessly challenging. Because if you get it wrong you visit a farmer! and then your friends come to get you, and you all stop at a pub on the way home! or go rock polishing in Wales, or fly in competitions, or in the Alps, or in the Cairngorns in wave, but mainly....

Because in gliding we have to help each other out, and so the club is our family. In power, you book the plane, you taxi out, you fly someplace dull, at great expense, and any group activity is contrived. And it costs a lot! and it isn't safe except in good weather, unless you have all the kit and 2 engines and an IR and plenty of practice.

If I lived on the IOW I would seriously take up sailing.

[24Carrot]

As others have said, finding a flying buddy could make a big difference.
Ideally a pilot ready to give and receive constructive criticism.
I did this early post-PPL and it has clear advantages:
Half the cost (you fly out, they fly back, etc)
You do more adventurous stuff, (one of you is always more comfortable with something).
You are safer: eg I see three times more traffic P2 than I do P1. (Finally, I realised why FI's saw so much during my PPL...)
Last but not least, it's somebody to have lunch with when you get there.

[AdamFrisch]

I think it's important to find your personal reason for flying. The thing that got you interested in the beginning (or in the end, for all purposes).

I can only speak for myself, but for me it was the prospect of traveling and being able to - although I'm not yet there without IFR or an own plane - actually use it as a tool for business. One of the things that gets me terribly excited is doing long trips to far away places. Of course I still bimble around the field occasionally, but I tend to always try something new or go somewhere, learn new things, see new airfields. Last time I went for tea in the Isle of Wight. 2,5hrs back and forth to Lydd, so rather expensive tea, but it was a great trip and it forced me to face my fear of flying over open waters.

I've been in and out of flying since my 20's, and there were long periods where I didn't fly and wasn't that interested. I've let my license lapse three times all in all. I got sidetracked by helicopters for a period, then money ran out, then disinterest, career etc. There are loads of things. What got me back this time was simply the lure of traveling, seeing new stuff, convenience and if at all possible, not have to stand in a stupid line at some airport being degraded by security people. If I can bypass that just once, then it's worth it for me.

[Genghis the Engineer]

I've always rather enjoyed the PA28 in various flavours, but for me the joy of it is the ability to cover a lot of terrain in comfort and drop into places I'd not otherwise visit. 4 hours in a year clearly isn't going to do that for you

If the PA28, or similar aeroplanes, is what's there for you - and time and money permit, then I'd suggest seeing if that sort of touring, maybe taking some friends or family along, scratches the itch.


However, if this isn't it for you, then I suspect that what you might want to look at is any interesting syndicates that might be running at Sandown or Bembridge? And don't necessarly restrict yourself to standard nosewheel-SEP aeroplanes; what about taildraggers, microlights, motorgliders? Look to what's going on at the local LAA strut or microlight club.

The trio of microlight / LAA / syndicates (yes, there's a lot of overlap there) will give you shots at new learning, and cameraderie in your flying. By and large, hiring standard club SEP aeroplanes, doesn't do the cameraderie thing, and any new learning will empty your bank balance very quickly.

I don't know the IOW that well, but if you cross to the mainland fairly regularly - look at Hampshire Microlight Club, Popham, Chilbolton, and Solent LAA strut and see what they have to offer between them.


Or, even buy yourself a cheap single seater, store it at Sandown, and just play!

G

[tomtom_91]

Seaplane rating sounds epic!!

[vectis lady]

Thanks for all the ideas & encouragment, as you can see on the IOW you are pretty limited with types / trying new things etc, the tiger club at headcorn sounds interesting, especially the tip about the local pub

i have tried gliding a couple of times - i can watch them launching from Bem from my desk !!!

i think the problem might be no camaraderie / flying friends, i learnt at a very friendly club up in the midlands with lots of support and then moved down here 7 weeks after getting my licence - maybe it was a bit of a knock to my confidence not knowing the area / other pilots etc

i will check out the tiger club even if its just for a couple of hours on something new and see how i feel after

any other reccomednations of good airports / clubs with interesting types / training on offer would be great

thanks

[IO540]

I'd go places.

From the IOW, France is very reachable, even in a PA28. La Rochelle is probably doable nonstop.

The southern UK quickly gets boring, with a few exceptions like flying over Snowdonia.

Funnily enough most passengers enjoy a trip around the IOW :)

One key to going places is to take others along and enjoy it with them. A PA28 is not the most passenger-friendly plane, with the way one has to crawl in and out like a cave.

[Mark1234]

I think the whole 'figure out what floats your boat' part is really important.

Obviously IO540 likes touring, I found it mostly boring, unless going somewhere 'new'. That required further and further afield and got rather expensive. For me, aerobatics was the saviour, many would hate it.. I also collect ratings and interesting types, for me the joy is in the stick'n'rudder skills and I don't mind flying dual.. Neither is right or wrong, matter of personal taste.

[BackPacker]

I think the whole 'figure out what floats your boat' part is really important.

Absolutely. For me, competition aerobatics, rallies (aerial photo recognition along a set route - a once-a-month Tuesday evening activity at our club) and I got involved in a Dutch charity that aims to let chronically or terminally ill children be a pilot for a day.

My last significant x-country was two years ago, I think. Landing at Tempelhof was great fun, but the hours required to get there became boring after a while.

[Mark1234]

Now there are a couple of good ideas...

The place I used to fly in aus ran club competitions varying every month:

Balloon bursting (hit it with the prop or it just bounces off)
Flour bombing (self explanatory!)
Streamer cutting (loo roll out the DV panel at 3000agl see how many times you can cut it before 1500agl
Spot landingsAlso they ran a 'young eagles' program to get youngsters interested in aviation - the patrons were the roulettes (Aus's red arrows), who would send someone down, often with an aircraft; the kids got goody bags, a bit of a talk, and a flight with a club member. Club members got reduced rates for those flights, and free landings - it was mostly done out of goodness of heart.

I guess nobody does anything like that over here? Too much litigation/paranoia?

[BackPacker]

You need permission from the CAA to throw anything out of the aircraft (balloons, loo rolls, bags of flour) and this permission, althought relatively straightforward, costs a few 100 UKP plus a time investment to handle the paperwork. At least, that's what somebody mentioned on here a while ago. That's a considerable amount, even if you spread it across a number of participants.

My club has an annual spot landing "competition" - although you need to be careful using the word "competition" in this context, for insurance reasons. Last time I participated I had a birdstrike which led to serious damage to the wing and the aircraft being out of action for about three weeks while they repaired the leading edge. We were very carefully referring to the event as a "spot landing challenge" instead of a "competition" in that case.

[Genghis the Engineer]

i will check out the tiger club even if its just for a couple of hours on something new and see how i feel after

any other reccomednations of good airports / clubs with interesting types / training on offer would be great

thanks

Popham, Popham and Popham.

Just go over there on a sunny Saturday - about 45 minutes off the ferry, look at the noticeboards, have a stroll around, talk to people.

G

[BIGJ91]

I'd definitely recommend finding a shared ownership group if you can. The PFA used to produce a booklet on the ins and outs of group flying and it's probably still available from the LAA.

I'd say look for a group that has a proper constitution, is friendly, open and genuinely democratic and not controlled or dominated by one person. These often seem to be the aircraft's original or even actual owner which is why I personally wouldn't go for a non-equity group or the group's founder so make sure that you're required to meet several members before they'll take you.

Our group is a dozen and that seems about right to us for a sensible balance between costs and availability.The cost saving is the obvious advantage. If the fixed and flying costs are properly allocated you need to fly at least 10-12 hours a year to realise a good saving but the far cheaper hourly cost compared with renting means that the more you fly the cheaper each hour becomes.

The other advantages are less obvious. With a decent booking system you can fly the plane more or less when you like and far less formally than hiring; and if you want to go somewhere overnight you don't have to ask permission; you've always got a group of people you know you can call on if you want to share flying and there is also the sense of ownership, that it's YOUR aircraft.

When I went from ad hoc hiring to group flying my annual hours more or less doubled and the types of flying I was doing also got a lot more varied. I've been flying in a group for about fifteen years and I'd never want to go back to renting.

[POBJOY]

The best way to really enjoy your flying is having a reason to go flying.
As you are on the IOW would not a share in an economical two seater open up all sorts of reasons to visit other places plus providing an excellent way to cross over to the mainland.
Explore the possibility of 4 people sharing an aircraft and then spreading the the cost of operations by flying in pairs.
Put an ad in the local rag to see if other like minded (and solvent) souls are thinking that way.
Of course i could suggest you buy a Turbulent single seater but then you would get fired from your job as you would be flying all the time (with a big smile on your face)
Having made such a big effort to get a licence then just make a bit more and see if the above ticks the boxes.
There is a lot of fun and adventure still to be had, you just have to find out what suits you
Regards and good luck
Pobjoy
There are dozens of great strips and private airfields out there just waiting to be visited that are a lot more interesting and fun than the expensive security besotted ones with multiple "VRP's" and yellow coats.And thats before you pop over the water and go to a French club field where the radio is used to order your lunch ! PC
As for streamer cutting from 3000 ft down to 1500ft this is positively dangerous and not to be recomended (hundreds of Pilots have been bored to death doing this)

[camaro]

Vectis Lady

Another thing you could look into is Handicapped Air Racing - check out the Royal Aero Club Air Racing Team's website: The Royal Aero Club - Records, Racing and Rally Association (http://www.airraceuk.co.uk)

Even if you don't want to have a go at racing the social side is excellent fun with a party of some kind each race weekend. Great excuse to go visit different airfields. As you are based on the IOW I bet you've seen the Schneider Trophy races we have at Bembridge each September.
The 2010 season starts in April (first race is at Great Oakley) and continues through to the end of September (Alderney).

Regards

Camaro

[englishal]

Vectis,

You are SO lucky to live close to Bembridge..... What I'd give to live near an airfield. I have to drive 30 miles at the moment :(

But as said, get yourself a flying buddy. It is so much more fun flying with someone else, not only because you don't look like Johnny Nomates as you sit in the cafe having a cup of tea :O. I quite often visit Bembridge (I like the baked Potatoes ;) ) and would be happy to take you for a flight if you're ever bored.....but don't give up flying just yet......

[Squeegee Longtail]

Try doing something like this:
YouTube - BAC Strikemaster run & break (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJXoxXqzej8)
If that doesn't get you enthused, look for another pastime!

[IO540]

I agree with Englishal; living close to Bembridge should be wonderful. So much potential for exploring France...

[MadamBreakneck]

Bembridge?

Pop over the hedge to Sandown on 12th June and see what they're doing there...
The Wight Party - Spamfield Isle Of Wight Microlight Fly In (http://www.wightparty.org.uk/)

MB
:ok:

[vectis lady]

You are SO lucky to live close to Bembridge..... What I'd give to live near an airfield. I have to drive 30 miles at the moment http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/sowee.gif

But as said, get yourself a flying buddy. It is so much more fun flying with someone else, not only because you don't look like Johnny Nomates as you sit in the cafe having a cup of tea http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/embarass.gif. I quite often visit Bembridge (I like the baked Potatoes http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/wink2.gif ) and would be happy to take you for a flight if you're ever bored.....but don't give up flying just yet......

I know what you mean about the baked potatoes. they are pretty good, along with the cakes !!! next time you are over here let me know and i will pop down to say hi - im here mon-fri 9-5 anyway :0)

i am lucky to work at an airport, its so much better than an hour drive which i had all through my training,

thanks to everyone for their encouragment, i am researching a few different options to put a bit of fun back into flying & challenge myself,

[hatzflyer]

I wish my airfield was 30 miles (or less) away. I travel double that.
I know a lot of people that live on the island fly out of Popham. Thats a realy lively place with shares availabe in LAA, touring and aerobatic types available.
I have a good freind that lives on the island based at sandown. I'll send you his contact no if you want.( subject to his permission of course ).

[washer]

Like you I live on the island and when I used to fly it was mostly on the mainland due to the lack of aircraft here. I instructed part time at Compton Abbas in Dorset for several years. It continues to be a friendly popular place, the aircraft are middle aged Warriors, a Cessna 172 and an AA5 well maintained plus opportunities for aerobatics, and tail dragging, regular fly outs and club nights and clear of controlled airspace. It's a bit of a trip but it is through the New Forest and if combined with another exscuse for going over a good day out. Worth a look at their web site if nothing else.

[Sam Rutherford]

Okay, so not very patriotic, but...

Why not buy 20 wet hours in Florida, and tour the Keys and Bahamas...

Even with international flights etc. it'll probably cost you less than the same number of hours in UK. If that doesn't get you all fired up, then nothing will!

Safe flights, Sam.

[Jumbo Jockey]

Hi Vectis

You might consider going back to the place, or somewhere like it, which inspired you to do it in the first place. After 15000 hours I sometimes get jaded with airline life and frustrated with the internal politics and whingeing which goes on in the company I work for and I lose sight of what inspired me to do this, and when that happens sometimes I go out on my own and find an airfield or an airport somewhere and just sit and watch the aeroplanes. It was my Dad taking me out to little airfields when I was tiny which first sparked my interest, and then later when I was a bit older, going down to Heathrow on the bus to watch the airliners - in those days it was Tridents, VC10s and 707s for the most part, but the roar of their engines was music to my ears and the air didn't smell right unless it bore the perfume of jet fuel! For others it might be the puttering of a Gipsy Major engine or the sight of a biplane delicately three-pointing on to a grass runway in the green of an English summer, but there is usually something in most pilots which makes the pulse quicken some. Go find it and you might rediscover what brought you here in the first place. Good luck.:)

[dublinpilot]

Well, I'm going to be the exception.....

The reason we do flying is because we love it.

But at the end of the day, it's an expensive hobby. If the enjoyment you get out of it is worth the cost, then we'll continue to spend our money on it.

For you it seems that you don't enjoy it anymore. There maybe many reasons why you don't enjoy it anymore.

But why bother spending lots of your hard earned money trying to get that love back?

Why not take the opportunity to do something else that you've always wanted to do?

If flying is for you, the bug will come back to bite, and you'll start to long to fly again.

If it's not for you, then why waste your money trying to get the bug back?

dp

[Lister Noble]

Just about the most sensible post on here to date.
When the fun goes,find something else.
Racing cars,sailing round Europe,even bungee jumping.
Must admit I've not tried the last one.;)

[G-Atlast]

Not lucky enough to be in your position yet (still very slowly working towards PPL in the first place myself), but have PMd you some info that may be of use.

[throw a dyce]

Vectis,
I was the same about PPL flying.Just gave up and spent the money on model aircraft again.I can fly helicopters,fixed wing and gliders,all on the same day.Very little rules,and you still keep current.Also don't hurt so much when you get it wrong.Also the cost of one hours flying can buy a pretty good set of radio.:)

[hatzflyer]

Throw a dice, as a modeller myself,like you flying fixed wing , helicopters ( anybody want to buy a couple?) and gliders I can see the appeal of models as can most pilots.
BUT...if models alone are giving total satisfaction as you would have us believe, what are you doing hanging around a flying forum?:rolleyes:

[throw a dyce]

I don't normally hang around here.Just answering Vectis question.I am an aviation professional and as part of my job have to have an understanding of quite a few aspects.Rotary,Airline ops,military,PPL.ATCO Twr and Radar.
I still have my PPL,night rating,and did half an IMC course.
But there you go.Get your a:mad:ss shot off by ''Biggles'' for showing an interest.Back to the toys.:*

[hatzflyer]

So if you still have your PPL, night rating and half an IMC you haven't really given up have you ? Well not yet at least until your PPL is expired.
You sound a bit jaundiced to me with the biggles snipe.

[LowNSlow]

vectis lady try 30 mins in an Extra 300. It certainly brought back my urge to get flying!