Children?
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Join Date: Feb 2008
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Children?
I posted this in the Private Flying Forum and it has been suggested that here might be the more appropriate place. 
Evening all...
I have question for all you parent pilots out there, or anyone that might have some advice for me.
At what age would say it would be suitable for a very young child to travel safely in say a PA28-181?
I have been flying around now for about 3 years, but have yet to meet any experienced(ish) pilots who have very young kids. The reason I ask is that little Supersport is currently only 15 months old... walking, almost but not quite talking and I have been considering the idea of going on a 'flying holiday' either this year or next. Obviously, I would be flying with Mrs Supersport too, so wouldn't just be me and the boy. Any advice would be much appreciated.
I have question for all you parent pilots out there, or anyone that might have some advice for me.
At what age would say it would be suitable for a very young child to travel safely in say a PA28-181?
I have been flying around now for about 3 years, but have yet to meet any experienced(ish) pilots who have very young kids. The reason I ask is that little Supersport is currently only 15 months old... walking, almost but not quite talking and I have been considering the idea of going on a 'flying holiday' either this year or next. Obviously, I would be flying with Mrs Supersport too, so wouldn't just be me and the boy.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Can't think of any medical reason why the tot shouldn't fly, I suspect your decision should be made on practical grounds. (Can you still fly the thing if he pukes or kicks off).
I think mine was about 6 or 7 before she took the co-pilots seet in a 172. She got hooked, and soon wanted to be a fighter pilot- until she realised that she may have to kill people.
She then wanted to be a flying instructor, but I did try and explain that she'd need an even meaner streak to fulfill this role.
Have a search again in private flying, I'm sure it's been covered in the last 3 years.
I think mine was about 6 or 7 before she took the co-pilots seet in a 172. She got hooked, and soon wanted to be a fighter pilot- until she realised that she may have to kill people.
She then wanted to be a flying instructor, but I did try and explain that she'd need an even meaner streak to fulfill this role.
Have a search again in private flying, I'm sure it's been covered in the last 3 years.
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No reason why you should not indulge them in flying with you.
Both the youngest Ms FDs have been coming on a variety of longer and shorter trips since they were a few months old.
Things to consider are:
1. Restraining them; cots; seats etc; takes some extra attention but all not insurmountable.
2. Who is able to look after them; IMO you can not take them with you on your own until they can at least talk abit and understand some of the issues that you may have to explain to them in the variety of situations that may arise
3. Airsickness; not so likely when they are very tiny; more likely to rear its head between the ages of 1 and 5; making sure they can look out seems to help a lot, as does fresh air; on longer trips you may want to consider to give them some travel sickness preventing meds; good supply of barf bags within easy reach ensures no sickness (or so it seems)
4. Drinks and snacks again on longer trips a must.
5. Nappies or a pee before you go; in the transition phase useful to provide them with a nappy or pull up; you don't want to have to worry about having to stop for a pee mid-channel
6. Entertainment; music or stories on an Ipod; big incentive for them to keep the headphones on.
7. Hearing protection; probably important but notoriously difficult for parents to encourage nippers to keep headsets on; not sure if they are likely to develop any lasting hearing damage from trips en avion; I think everyone needs to decide if the potential risks outweighs the experiences gained (it does in my book for my off-spring)
8. Destinations; some are more kid friendly than others; fly ins where other kids attend are usually a big hit.
9. Reward; huge. Most kids love flying and going out with their parents on trips; they usually fall asleep on the way back after an exciting day out; priceless.
Have fun.
FD
Both the youngest Ms FDs have been coming on a variety of longer and shorter trips since they were a few months old.
Things to consider are:
1. Restraining them; cots; seats etc; takes some extra attention but all not insurmountable.
2. Who is able to look after them; IMO you can not take them with you on your own until they can at least talk abit and understand some of the issues that you may have to explain to them in the variety of situations that may arise
3. Airsickness; not so likely when they are very tiny; more likely to rear its head between the ages of 1 and 5; making sure they can look out seems to help a lot, as does fresh air; on longer trips you may want to consider to give them some travel sickness preventing meds; good supply of barf bags within easy reach ensures no sickness (or so it seems)
4. Drinks and snacks again on longer trips a must.
5. Nappies or a pee before you go; in the transition phase useful to provide them with a nappy or pull up; you don't want to have to worry about having to stop for a pee mid-channel
6. Entertainment; music or stories on an Ipod; big incentive for them to keep the headphones on.
7. Hearing protection; probably important but notoriously difficult for parents to encourage nippers to keep headsets on; not sure if they are likely to develop any lasting hearing damage from trips en avion; I think everyone needs to decide if the potential risks outweighs the experiences gained (it does in my book for my off-spring)
8. Destinations; some are more kid friendly than others; fly ins where other kids attend are usually a big hit.
9. Reward; huge. Most kids love flying and going out with their parents on trips; they usually fall asleep on the way back after an exciting day out; priceless.
Have fun.
FD
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pets too . . . . . . .
My own "kids" are now 33 and 35, so this is not really an issue now. But my son, in particular, was my most enthusiastic passenger ever since I first got my PPL. That was 27 years ago, so he must have been 7 or 8, and my daughter was 2 years younger !
This reminds me that we also used to take our dog flying ! He was a large chocolate labrador, and loved going in cars, and would jump in if he saw an open door. We thought why not try the plane too ? ! He just loved it ! He was always held firmly, in the back seat, and needless to say, lead discipline is of 100% paramount importance at any active airfield.
"Golf - X X what is your position ? "
" Woof, woof " ! ! !
This reminds me that we also used to take our dog flying ! He was a large chocolate labrador, and loved going in cars, and would jump in if he saw an open door. We thought why not try the plane too ? ! He just loved it ! He was always held firmly, in the back seat, and needless to say, lead discipline is of 100% paramount importance at any active airfield.
"Golf - X X what is your position ? "
" Woof, woof " ! ! !
