Holiday Flying Only

[anyiodil]

Hi all,

What does anyone think of a PPL holder that flies only during vacations/holidays. Assuming he is able to put 20-40 hours a year in one or two spells of two weeks annually with intervals of at least six months, will he still be a proficient and safe flyer?

In economic terms is the training expenditure justified if the pilot will fly infrequently albeit in short intense bursts?

For safety ,is frequency of flight more important than absolute number of hours logged?

If PPL flying skills decay due to disuse, what is the best way of mitigating this?

What form of aviation has the least 'decay of skills' due inactivity?

Thanks.

[SteveR]

What does anyone think of a PPL holder that flies only during vacations/holidays. Assuming he is able to put 20-40 hours a year in one or two spells of two weeks annually with intervals of at least six months, will he still be a proficient and safe flyer?

That's a maximum for 4 weeks available to fly a year. In this country? No chance. It'll only actually be flyable for two of those weeks, and getting 20 hours in 2 weeks is very hard, and knackering. Anyway, what sort of flying would you pack into two weeks? A very long tour? VFR? His/her chance of getting back in time are slim.

In economic terms is the training expenditure justified if the pilot will fly infrequently albeit in short intense bursts?

Depends on the pleasure s/he gets out of those bursts. 20 hours of local bimbles packed into a couple of weeks wouldn't do it for me.

For safety ,is frequency of flight more important than absolute number of hours logged?

Yes. Very yes.

If PPL flying skills decay due to disuse, what is the best way of mitigating this?

I'm not aware of any. Sims won't hack it IMHO

What form of aviation has the least 'decay of skills' due inactivity?

Thinking about it, dreaming about it. Can't think of any others.

[Tay Cough]

One of our group members lives (very) abroad and comes back in the summer to do his twelve hours or so over a period of a week or two. He always flies with an instructor initially as a refresher before he lets himself loose.

There are no issues that I know of.

[anyiodil]

Re: Holiday flying only

Thanks for all your responses. I think the critical question for me is....will it be wise to train for a PPL if (for the forseeable future) all my flying will be limited to holiday activity?

[Pilot DAR]

SteveR gave you good advice.

The fact that you cannot fly consistantly is not a reason to not fly, just approach with caution. Though I fly fixed wing wheels most days, I will go long periods between flying helicopters, and then one has the seasonal interruptions in float and ski flying associated with winter.

When I get back in a helicopter after the better part of a year, I'm rusty, and not safe for solo. After a few hours of recurrent training, it comes back, somewhat.... Know your limitations.

When I go back onto the water after a winter not landing on the water, I'm checking myself out. I go very slow and careful, double checking everything I do, and it all comes back.

Fly as you are able, just surround yourself with compotent mentoring, and don't resist if those mentors tell you you need more refresher training....

[Slopey]

If you're not going to be flying for 48 weeks of the year, which aircraft will you be doing it in?

Are you looking to buy one?

Or you'd need to join a group which was happy to let you monopolise the plane for a full fortnight twice a year (doesn't sound much, but if there are a few active flyers in the group it needs to be properly handled/scheduled). And even then, you'd have a capital cost up front and a monthly (plus be liable for a cash call) even when not flying.

So that leaves renting. If you've not flown for 6 months, whoever you rent off of will want you thoroughly checked out - so there's a few hours with an instructor. But you might have issues getting availability with a rental unless they have available aircraft.

You could likely do it in the US where there's more rental/touring capacity, but in the UK, and with the weather, it'd likely be virtually impossible to notch up 20 hours in two weeks in an aircraft you don't own at least a part of.

[Julian]

Dont see it as an issue, you would want to go up with a safety or instructor for an hour or so before you set off to make sure you havent forgotten anything but otherwise do it - don't just jump in and set off if you are not confident of your proficency!

I can rack up 5-6 hours in a day dependant upon where I fly to so 20 in 2 wks should be easily doable.

J.