Flying after a baby
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Flying after a baby
Hello prunners,
It's a while since i've posted on here due to having a baby, and i've missed having the time to read the articles in the private flying forum where I used to enjoy 'hanging out'.
The time has come to think about returning to flying, which has always been at the back of my mind ever since I had to hang up my head-set in February.
Although I am looking forward to being back in the air again, I am a little apprehensive because of my new responsibility. It has even crossed my mind whether I should be flying at all, but I love flying, and it's part of who I am.
I'm posting this to ask if anyone has been in a similar situation? I realise that i'm not going to have a huge response as there probably won't be that many female pilots reading this, especially female pilots who have had babies!
Many thanks, K x
It's a while since i've posted on here due to having a baby, and i've missed having the time to read the articles in the private flying forum where I used to enjoy 'hanging out'.
The time has come to think about returning to flying, which has always been at the back of my mind ever since I had to hang up my head-set in February.
Although I am looking forward to being back in the air again, I am a little apprehensive because of my new responsibility. It has even crossed my mind whether I should be flying at all, but I love flying, and it's part of who I am.
I'm posting this to ask if anyone has been in a similar situation? I realise that i'm not going to have a huge response as there probably won't be that many female pilots reading this, especially female pilots who have had babies!
Many thanks, K x
Last edited by KandiFloss; 29th Jul 2012 at 12:59.
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Hi Kandi,
Well, firstly congrats on the little 'un!
My thoughts (for what their worth because I am not a Mum and have no intention of being so as I hate kids - especially babies!!) is that if flying is you and I am sure that you are a safe pilot, then there should be no need to give up.
Although I am not a mum, I can empathise on the part which you say
because that IS totally me too, and I would not wish to give up for whatever reason.
On the other hand, I know of a female fast jet pilot who hung up her gro-bag after having a baby and didn't want anything to do with flying at all, as that part of her life had gone.
Just depends on how you feel I guess....
have you thought about contacting the British Women Pilot's Association, as they may have some members in your situation.
Whichever course you decide, best of luck and if we hear of a baby called Magneto...we'll know whose it is
GQ
Well, firstly congrats on the little 'un!
My thoughts (for what their worth because I am not a Mum and have no intention of being so as I hate kids - especially babies!!) is that if flying is you and I am sure that you are a safe pilot, then there should be no need to give up.
Although I am not a mum, I can empathise on the part which you say
I love flying, and it's part of who I am.
On the other hand, I know of a female fast jet pilot who hung up her gro-bag after having a baby and didn't want anything to do with flying at all, as that part of her life had gone.
Just depends on how you feel I guess....
have you thought about contacting the British Women Pilot's Association, as they may have some members in your situation.
Whichever course you decide, best of luck and if we hear of a baby called Magneto...we'll know whose it is
GQ
Last edited by Grob Queen; 29th Jul 2012 at 13:16.
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For some, the practical realities of live intrude. In our case it was the cost of childcare - it was thirteen years before that had dropped down to the level where I could afford to fly again.
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My initial glance at the topic title made me think: "woah, that's a fast baby!". Then, within the same second of thinking that, realised what it actually meant. 
Congratulations on your new baby! You are going to be one of the coolest mums ever because not many kids can say their mum is a pilot!
I think you should get back into flying. Technically speaking you're safer in the air than you are on the road, so I don't see a safety-related argument which stacks up against the statistics.
All the best for whatever you decide to do!
Congratulations on your new baby! You are going to be one of the coolest mums ever because not many kids can say their mum is a pilot!
I think you should get back into flying. Technically speaking you're safer in the air than you are on the road, so I don't see a safety-related argument which stacks up against the statistics.
All the best for whatever you decide to do!
Last edited by G-F0RC3; 29th Jul 2012 at 21:25.
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Babies for years have been transported around Scotland from the islands in Islanders and Seakings and thats the really ill ones.
There was a thread in the medical forum on it and the medical types seemed to think that there wasn't a problem. I move babies all the time in a noisy TP and 90% of the time they are asleep after the first engine start.
There was a thread in the medical forum on it and the medical types seemed to think that there wasn't a problem. I move babies all the time in a noisy TP and 90% of the time they are asleep after the first engine start.
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You might want give the baby some ear protection and you might want to look at your life insurance cover, but not because of flying per se, because of the increased responsibility and the uncertainty of life in general!
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Congrats
I took my youngest up when he was 6months straped him and car seat back C172 put my father next to him. I rolled a blanket and put on his head like a headset (if you know what I mean) he fell asleep on the climbout !! problem is he loves flying now aged 3
I took my youngest up when he was 6months straped him and car seat back C172 put my father next to him. I rolled a blanket and put on his head like a headset (if you know what I mean) he fell asleep on the climbout !! problem is he loves flying now aged 3
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Originally Posted by flybymike
I gather that the hearing of very young babies can be damaged by flying in light aircraft.
In my professional life at-least, people making glib statements like that get asked to provide references and citations.
I gather that the hearing of very young babies can be damaged by flying in light aircraft.
In my professional life at-least, people making glib statements like that get asked to provide references and citations.
Babies for years have been transported around Scotland from the islands in Islanders and Seakings and thats the really ill ones.
There was a thread in the medical forum on it and the medical types seemed to think that there wasn't a problem. I move babies all the time in a noisy TP and 90% of the time they are asleep after the first engine start.
There was a thread in the medical forum on it and the medical types seemed to think that there wasn't a problem. I move babies all the time in a noisy TP and 90% of the time they are asleep after the first engine start.
There's a possibility that that set the pattern for the rest of my life
G
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Obviously you want to make sure that the ear protection is in place properly and works, because the baby is not going to be able to tell you.
Without protection, hearing will be damaged in a typical GA piston cockpit. The sound level is way too high for long term exposure.
I have never flown with a baby but have flown with "kids" at altitude and you have to be on top of them, making sure they are using the oxygen, are monitoring it, and if they go to sleep they have to use a mask.
Otherwise, go for it They really enjoy lazy eights, and variations thereof.
Without protection, hearing will be damaged in a typical GA piston cockpit. The sound level is way too high for long term exposure.
I have never flown with a baby but have flown with "kids" at altitude and you have to be on top of them, making sure they are using the oxygen, are monitoring it, and if they go to sleep they have to use a mask.
Otherwise, go for it
They really enjoy lazy eights, and variations thereof.
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Yes, I would encourage you to return to flying either with or without your child. There are so many reasons to do so.
As the main breadwinner in my household my risk assessment and management didn't change after the birth of my son but I did pause longer for thought when assessing my flying, either with or without him. He now takes me flying
....not sure of that, but I did know of one female ferry pilot who took her teenage daughter with her on a ferry flight
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-re...2/a03a0022.pdf
As the last person to fly that aeroplane before she took it a couple of days later, it certainly at the time forced me to re-evaluate whether or not I should have continued to fly with parental responsibilities.
Then again you could get hit by a bus crossing the road. Go on, fly again. But just think a little longer and harder about each flight. It'll enhance your airman(woman)ship
As the main breadwinner in my household my risk assessment and management didn't change after the birth of my son but I did pause longer for thought when assessing my flying, either with or without him. He now takes me flying
Code:
Wasn't there a female ferry pilot who took her baby with her across the Atlantic on delivery flights?
http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-re...2/a03a0022.pdf
As the last person to fly that aeroplane before she took it a couple of days later, it certainly at the time forced me to re-evaluate whether or not I should have continued to fly with parental responsibilities.
Then again you could get hit by a bus crossing the road. Go on, fly again. But just think a little longer and harder about each flight. It'll enhance your airman(woman)ship
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As others have said, there is a tiny risk associated with almost any daily activity. Even buses can crash!
Undeniably, flying increases that tiny risk, and it is an avoidable risk - a bit like going on holiday in an earthquake zone, which lots of people do.
But to focus on that tiny risk is to ignore the overwhelmingly most likely outcome, whether you fly or not: nothing bad happens!
So now the difference is: which kind of role model do you want to be for your child? The pilot, or the person who thinks mothers shouldn't be pilots?
It is really a personal choice with no right or wrong answer, so I hope the comment above does not come across as rude, but you did ask on a pilot's forum!
Go for it!
Undeniably, flying increases that tiny risk, and it is an avoidable risk - a bit like going on holiday in an earthquake zone, which lots of people do.
But to focus on that tiny risk is to ignore the overwhelmingly most likely outcome, whether you fly or not: nothing bad happens!
So now the difference is: which kind of role model do you want to be for your child? The pilot, or the person who thinks mothers shouldn't be pilots?
It is really a personal choice with no right or wrong answer, so I hope the comment above does not come across as rude, but you did ask on a pilot's forum!
Go for it!
Last edited by 24Carrot; 30th Jul 2012 at 12:44.
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The problem is protecting their hearing. I haven't taken our 1yo flying yet as I know that he'll pull off any ear defenders in about a second and it is too noisy in the cabin.
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India Mike. Tragic report, as usual, but she opted to set out from Prestwick without a working turn coordinator. Not a big deal, until that AI fails. Which it did in hard IMC. After that, especially at night, you are pretty much doomed. I suppose vigilant cross referencing of a compass, VSI, speed and altitude could perhaps keep you at the very best level for a short period - if you're a superhuman pilot - but as soon as you instigate a turn it would probably be all over.
I just happened to see Dynon present their new electronic Pocket Panel EFIS that you just velcro to the dash. It's $1400 and it would have saved this womans life. I'm going to get one as a backup. It's not FAA approved, but anything portable doesn't have to be. I'd rather save my life and worry about bureaucrats later.
I just happened to see Dynon present their new electronic Pocket Panel EFIS that you just velcro to the dash. It's $1400 and it would have saved this womans life. I'm going to get one as a backup. It's not FAA approved, but anything portable doesn't have to be. I'd rather save my life and worry about bureaucrats later.