Wondering when to get in the air again.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 779
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From: Kent UK
Wondering when to get in the air again.
Those who read the 'Most Protracted PPL' thread will know this, but for those who don't.....well, the issue is, that I suffered a severe bereavment just a couple of months ago. The loss is huge, but I'm getting along, with the help of family and friends and a busy working life.
Sometimes I feel I could get in the cockpit again and do what I've always loved doing. On the other hand, flying demands such concentration and immersion and I'm just not sure if I'm up to it, yet.
I suppose I've just answered my question there - but I'll leave it up, to see what you guys all think. I'm asking the question because I'm aching to get into the air again, plus I don't want to lose too much currency. Now I know my first flight would be a dual, but that would be preparing me for flight in command so I'd have to be on the ball. It's just that I've got so much going on right beneath the surface.....
Sometimes I feel I could get in the cockpit again and do what I've always loved doing. On the other hand, flying demands such concentration and immersion and I'm just not sure if I'm up to it, yet.
I suppose I've just answered my question there - but I'll leave it up, to see what you guys all think. I'm asking the question because I'm aching to get into the air again, plus I don't want to lose too much currency. Now I know my first flight would be a dual, but that would be preparing me for flight in command so I'd have to be on the ball. It's just that I've got so much going on right beneath the surface.....
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 567
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From: Timbuktoo
Kev, very difficult circumstances and each one of us react differently.
I think we could theorise about the pros and cons of the various options open to you till the cows come home.
On the one hand you say you are not sure if you are ready to fly, on the other you say you are itching to fly. I think if you initially go for that dual flight you will be in a much better position to know whether the you feel up to it, or whether you consider your concentration levels are not there yet.
Best of Luck!
I think we could theorise about the pros and cons of the various options open to you till the cows come home.
On the one hand you say you are not sure if you are ready to fly, on the other you say you are itching to fly. I think if you initially go for that dual flight you will be in a much better position to know whether the you feel up to it, or whether you consider your concentration levels are not there yet.
Best of Luck!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 42
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From: With the Care Bears.......
Kev,
Sorry you've had such a difficult time.
The others beat me to it - fly dual for a bit first. The spring and summer are ahead so hopefully you'll have plenty of time to get back into to gradually as you feel ready. Plan some trips with friends and enjoy it.... that's what it's all about. Then when you're feeling more ready plan a short solo trip to start and build it up.
I had a crappy time last summer and hadn't flown solo for a while, quite a bit of P1 with someone very experienced in the RHS (who granted, was not flying it but I was still aware he was sat there) but very little by myself. I flew by myself for the first time in a while in sept and was very aware that my capacity to deal with anything untoward was reduced but after a few sensibly timed trips, things were much better.
Good luck and let us know how you get on
B
Sorry you've had such a difficult time.
The others beat me to it - fly dual for a bit first. The spring and summer are ahead so hopefully you'll have plenty of time to get back into to gradually as you feel ready. Plan some trips with friends and enjoy it.... that's what it's all about. Then when you're feeling more ready plan a short solo trip to start and build it up.
I had a crappy time last summer and hadn't flown solo for a while, quite a bit of P1 with someone very experienced in the RHS (who granted, was not flying it but I was still aware he was sat there) but very little by myself. I flew by myself for the first time in a while in sept and was very aware that my capacity to deal with anything untoward was reduced but after a few sensibly timed trips, things were much better.
Good luck and let us know how you get on
B
Last edited by beany; 19th February 2011 at 16:37. Reason: spelling!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 118
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From: Suffolk
Kev,
Good idea to talk about this and look for a way back into your enjoyment of flying. Clearly you don’t want to bring the problems of your recent loss into the cockpit. Just jumping into the left-hand seat and fighting both yourself and the aircraft into the air is no way to go. At best you might just scare yourself into abandoning flying at worst you might become just another accident statistic.
There will be good days and there will be bad days. Build on the good days to increase their frequency until they are so common that the bad days become just a distant memory. Flying could help with this by giving you back the enjoyment and pleasure you once experienced.
I suggest you talk to your local club about a checkout flight to get an independent view of your current skill level. Work out with your instructor a program of few simple local cross country flights and exercises. The objective of this program being to build up the areas where lack of use has caused skill deterioration and to consolidate your flying skills to give you consistency and confidence in your performance.
In the unlikely event you or your GP feel that you should take medication to help you through a difficult period you will need to check out with your AME that it is OK to fly while taking them.
Stephen
Good idea to talk about this and look for a way back into your enjoyment of flying. Clearly you don’t want to bring the problems of your recent loss into the cockpit. Just jumping into the left-hand seat and fighting both yourself and the aircraft into the air is no way to go. At best you might just scare yourself into abandoning flying at worst you might become just another accident statistic.
There will be good days and there will be bad days. Build on the good days to increase their frequency until they are so common that the bad days become just a distant memory. Flying could help with this by giving you back the enjoyment and pleasure you once experienced.
I suggest you talk to your local club about a checkout flight to get an independent view of your current skill level. Work out with your instructor a program of few simple local cross country flights and exercises. The objective of this program being to build up the areas where lack of use has caused skill deterioration and to consolidate your flying skills to give you consistency and confidence in your performance.
In the unlikely event you or your GP feel that you should take medication to help you through a difficult period you will need to check out with your AME that it is OK to fly while taking them.
Stephen
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 332
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From: Downwind
Very sorry to hear your news. I can only imagine your loss. Private pilots I feel are a very dedicated bunch, investing so much time, effort and cash for no financial reward - therefore we all share passion! I understand you're desire to return to flight. Can I suggest that you try not to focus on returning to where you were before (in a P1 position) but rather just get yourself back up for the sake of getting back up. Go on a dual flight and perhaps don't think of it as an excercise in which there are certain goals to be achieved. Why bother? Plenty of time for that later. For now, I would suggest just flying again with no 'targets' per se might ease your mental burden.
You are in my thoughts and I wish you all the best.
Ryan
You are in my thoughts and I wish you all the best.
Ryan
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 581
Likes: 3
From: ZRH
Hi Kev,
went back to the other thread to read up so please accept my heartfelt condolences to your loss. I can imagine your situation only too well.
I think you will go back to fly and you should too. For me, going back to flying after a 7 year hiatus for reasons not unlike yours (but ongoing at the time) I decided to take up flying again when the fogs started to lift and I had more time on my hands again. It was absolutely the right thing to do, gave me purpose and took my mind away from the grief. I now own my own plane even, something I would not have contemplated a while ago.
By all means go dual until you feel ready, but then go for it. Take some friends along, do some nice trips and get the feeling back. It's one of the best therapies to overcome grief that I know of. Also because the flying community is usually quite close and that means after landing beer and people to talk to after the flight. Can't go wrong there.
My best wishes to you!
Best regards
AN2 Driver
went back to the other thread to read up so please accept my heartfelt condolences to your loss. I can imagine your situation only too well.
I think you will go back to fly and you should too. For me, going back to flying after a 7 year hiatus for reasons not unlike yours (but ongoing at the time) I decided to take up flying again when the fogs started to lift and I had more time on my hands again. It was absolutely the right thing to do, gave me purpose and took my mind away from the grief. I now own my own plane even, something I would not have contemplated a while ago.
By all means go dual until you feel ready, but then go for it. Take some friends along, do some nice trips and get the feeling back. It's one of the best therapies to overcome grief that I know of. Also because the flying community is usually quite close and that means after landing beer and people to talk to after the flight. Can't go wrong there.
My best wishes to you!
Best regards
AN2 Driver
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 36
From: France
Kev, let your feelings guide you for solo flying. Do some dual to keep the handling up to speed, of course, but otherwise just go by what you want to do. I think that as you did your PPL with the full support of your partner, she would not have wanted you to stop now.........Best wishes, cyber hugs
Barbara
Barbara
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 779
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From: Kent UK
Thank you, thank you everyone, for your kind thoughts, sympathies and advice. Just reading your posts has been very heart-warming, and I am really thankful for all your support. Through these replies and PMs I know that others have had to suffer these circumstances and deal with the effect of them on their flying. I will go flying sooner rather than later, I think - indeed, two PPRuNers have, with great kindness, offered to fly with me in their aircraft, and it is through such support as this that I feel I will be able to return to the air in a well-balanced and 'right' way.
I feel that when we post on a forum such as this we are throwing ourselves on the mercy of other forum users, but when the chips are down there is no doubt that your online friends are rooting for you in a very real way: you guys have been wonderful and it has brought a tear to my eye to read your replies; and I hope to be there for anyone else who flags up trouble of their own, that needs a helping hand.
I feel that when we post on a forum such as this we are throwing ourselves on the mercy of other forum users, but when the chips are down there is no doubt that your online friends are rooting for you in a very real way: you guys have been wonderful and it has brought a tear to my eye to read your replies; and I hope to be there for anyone else who flags up trouble of their own, that needs a helping hand.
