how do i get my enthusiasm back for flying ?
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how do i get my enthusiasm back for flying ?
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
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
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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.
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.
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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
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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.
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.
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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
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
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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.
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.
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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...
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...
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Consider gliding
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:
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
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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
) and do the sort of flying you like - if that is boring to others, ignore them 
.
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
) and do the sort of flying you like - if that is boring to others, ignore them .
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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
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
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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
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
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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.
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.