New PPL's who never fly again
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Location: North Cornwall, UK
Age: 73
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New PPL's who never fly again
I think I read somewhere (maybe in this forum) that about 50% of newly qualified PPLs never fly again after passing their skills test, and wondered if this startling statistic has any truth. I only mention this because I'm in danger of becoming part of the statistic myself!
Can't really explain why but I'm having difficulty maintaining the momentum. It's not for financial reasons, although I'm not 'rich'; more to do with a lack of confidence, paradoxically. Also can't decide if I should continue flying the same - club - aircraft I learned in (Cessna 152), join a group, or even buy my own aircraft, perhaps a 3-axis microlight. I've got a PPL(A) but have hardly flown since passing the skills test last June.
Can't really explain why but I'm having difficulty maintaining the momentum. It's not for financial reasons, although I'm not 'rich'; more to do with a lack of confidence, paradoxically. Also can't decide if I should continue flying the same - club - aircraft I learned in (Cessna 152), join a group, or even buy my own aircraft, perhaps a 3-axis microlight. I've got a PPL(A) but have hardly flown since passing the skills test last June.
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: The World
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heard the same, about 50% not doing their first biannual. A friend with a flight school told me that of his students about 1/3 never set foot in a GA plane again after doing their license. I can only speak for me, but the confidence to really be able to be a pilot took about 100h after license. So, if you really want to continue flying, get a cheap plane, or share, or marry rich & old, or just hang out the bushes with hangar flying until a good friend let you fly his plane.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: London
Age: 55
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lack of confidence makes sense.
you've done your ppl, you know the area around you well but just pottering around it is boring. going further afield is interesting but you don't quite feel comfortable doing it, what if the weather deteriorates, or you get lost or the donk stops.
perfectly normal.
Having spent the money, why not find someone to fly with, then you have a companion who you can go exploring with and enjoy the flying. sure there are plenty of people who would be delighted to share their flying
you've done your ppl, you know the area around you well but just pottering around it is boring. going further afield is interesting but you don't quite feel comfortable doing it, what if the weather deteriorates, or you get lost or the donk stops.
perfectly normal.
Having spent the money, why not find someone to fly with, then you have a companion who you can go exploring with and enjoy the flying. sure there are plenty of people who would be delighted to share their flying
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To be fair, it is a bit of a struggle after you pass your skills test. Up to that point, your instructor has set the goals to be attained in every flight, he/she has organised the aircraft and made the judgement about weather conditions versus your abilities and also given you the confidence that there is nothing that can happen that he/she can't sort out.
Also, where you once had priority because you were a student generating income for the flight school, when you become just 'another PPL' I think you tend to feel a little isolated.
Also, where you once had priority because you were a student generating income for the flight school, when you become just 'another PPL' I think you tend to feel a little isolated.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 3,325
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What type of pilot are you? a 'going places' type, or a 'fly for fun' type? Some pilots are both, but not many.
If 'going places' get a share in a tourer (even a simple Cherrytree) and fly with group members to various destinations to build up your confidence.
If 'fly for fun' get a share in something interesting and responsive, preferably aerobatic and tail wheel, and get checked out and rated in it. You'll have no problems with confidence once that's under your belt.
If 'going places' get a share in a tourer (even a simple Cherrytree) and fly with group members to various destinations to build up your confidence.
If 'fly for fun' get a share in something interesting and responsive, preferably aerobatic and tail wheel, and get checked out and rated in it. You'll have no problems with confidence once that's under your belt.
Find someone (experienced) who wants to do a fun trip, and go along with them paying half the costs (and doing half the flying). You'll be learning as much as co-pilot as actually hands-on - possibly more...
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LHBS
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't lose sight what you brought into aviation in the first place. 
Never let lack of confidence deter from your flight, keep your currency, select easier flights in that case, nicer days, less crowded airfields etc, and if all else fails, bring an instructure on board
I do share the paradox feeling though.
As a low-time pilot, I recognized that my pre-flight preparations were mostly filled with anxiety, but in some cases, I sense a little fear too, especially when I try to prepare for all the things which can go wrong.
Funny enough, I calm down when I get into the airplane, test the flight controls and the engine starts to purr. The rest is all down to what I learnt and, prepared for, emergency procedures included.
The worst situation for me are those flights, which are cancelled due to weather, aircraft glitches, etc. Then I only have the anxious part, but not the joy part.
Never let lack of confidence deter from your flight, keep your currency, select easier flights in that case, nicer days, less crowded airfields etc, and if all else fails, bring an instructure on board
I do share the paradox feeling though.
As a low-time pilot, I recognized that my pre-flight preparations were mostly filled with anxiety, but in some cases, I sense a little fear too, especially when I try to prepare for all the things which can go wrong.
Funny enough, I calm down when I get into the airplane, test the flight controls and the engine starts to purr. The rest is all down to what I learnt and, prepared for, emergency procedures included.
The worst situation for me are those flights, which are cancelled due to weather, aircraft glitches, etc. Then I only have the anxious part, but not the joy part.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Surrey, England
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's not 50%, its 70%!
Hi vegancruiser,
Actually, the number I think you are referring to is that 70% of private pilots fail to renew their licences at the end of the first 5 years.
There are numerous reasons for this, but I don't think lack of confidence features highly among these. The ones I know of are as follows: -
1. Once having flown friends and family on the new licence, and bought a few £150 bacon butties, people become bored and pack in.
2. Long before having got that licence, the realisation of the full and ever rising cost of flying has horrified them and so they keep it up until they get their licence and then call it a day.
3. They become sick of the gross over-regulation and stupidity of EASA.
4. They are young and married and a baby comes along needing all their spare dosh.
5. They finally become sick of flying boring spam-cans but can't afford to take up aerobatics or some other more interesting form of flying.
6. They lose their medical for some reason.
7. They lose their job and have to cut back on expenditure while out of work.
There are other reasons, but I can't think of any for the moment.
Regards,
BP.
Actually, the number I think you are referring to is that 70% of private pilots fail to renew their licences at the end of the first 5 years.
There are numerous reasons for this, but I don't think lack of confidence features highly among these. The ones I know of are as follows: -
1. Once having flown friends and family on the new licence, and bought a few £150 bacon butties, people become bored and pack in.
2. Long before having got that licence, the realisation of the full and ever rising cost of flying has horrified them and so they keep it up until they get their licence and then call it a day.
3. They become sick of the gross over-regulation and stupidity of EASA.
4. They are young and married and a baby comes along needing all their spare dosh.
5. They finally become sick of flying boring spam-cans but can't afford to take up aerobatics or some other more interesting form of flying.
6. They lose their medical for some reason.
7. They lose their job and have to cut back on expenditure while out of work.
There are other reasons, but I can't think of any for the moment.
Regards,
BP.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: England
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a non-PPL holder, one reason I never committed to going for my licence in the first place is that I was advised to sit down and think long and hard about what I would be doing with it a year, then two years+ after qualifying.
This was a way of getting me to think about the longer term elements rather than go for the "rush of blood" approach and based on long analysis, I decided not to try for it. This obviously leaves me with the feeling of never knowing for certain whether I would have qualified for a PPL, but I'd rather that than spend the money and put in the effort through the training just to find that I didn't utilise it fully.
This was a way of getting me to think about the longer term elements rather than go for the "rush of blood" approach and based on long analysis, I decided not to try for it. This obviously leaves me with the feeling of never knowing for certain whether I would have qualified for a PPL, but I'd rather that than spend the money and put in the effort through the training just to find that I didn't utilise it fully.
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mare Imbrium
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assuming we are talking about leisure aviation, what on earth is wrong with getting your PPL and then packing it in? It doesn't matter. It doesn't make you a bad person. Its not a waste of money as long as you had FUN getting your PPL in the first place.
On the other hand I do think there are folk who don't think further than getting the licence and haven't any idea of what to do next. It analogous in a way to blokes who retire and then don't know what to do and hang around at home getting under their wives' feet, because they haven't thought further than retirement day. For those PPLs its a shame because if they had thought it through and saw the licence simply as one milestone on their journey, they'd have a great time.
I prescribe three-axis microlights to cure the ills listed by BroomstickPilot (oh, apart from No. 4)
On the other hand I do think there are folk who don't think further than getting the licence and haven't any idea of what to do next. It analogous in a way to blokes who retire and then don't know what to do and hang around at home getting under their wives' feet, because they haven't thought further than retirement day. For those PPLs its a shame because if they had thought it through and saw the licence simply as one milestone on their journey, they'd have a great time.
I prescribe three-axis microlights to cure the ills listed by BroomstickPilot (oh, apart from No. 4)
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Oop North, UK
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Decide what YOU want to do with your flying and set some goals, doing the PPL is a target and that is why many pack in after, they reach the goal and then do not know where to go from there, setting a new target gives focus, a good one for a new PPL is something like the UH Advanced PPL course, otherwise look at doing a basic aeros course with an aim at taking part in a basic competition aeros event/do the IMC or basic IR course/learn to fly a Taildragger/flying abroad to a destination well into Europe - another pilot to do this in tandem with is good here, whatever you do a target will help, and once you reach this target you will probably have more of an idea how you want to use your PPL.
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Andover
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
P6. Then you'll never know �� I only wish I had gotten my licence when I was in my twenties rather than my fifties
For me the sheer joy of flying just for the fun of swooping around some fluffy cumulus clouds on a summers morning looking down on the English countryside made all the training worth while.
Simon
For me the sheer joy of flying just for the fun of swooping around some fluffy cumulus clouds on a summers morning looking down on the English countryside made all the training worth while.
Simon
Last edited by Simon T; 16th Jan 2015 at 21:01. Reason: Add picture...or nots
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For me the sheer joy of flying just for the fun of swooping around some fluffy cumulus clouds on a summers morning looking down on the English countryside made all the training worth while.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Cambridge, England, EU
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
There are other reasons, but I can't think of any for the moment.
8. Getting a PPL was just something on their "to do" list. Having ticked that off, they've moved on to the next thing, maybe cave diving or extreme knitting.
Yes, there are loads of them, you either need to go on to professional flying or have a disposable income that you are willing to spend/ blow (for a line in your logbook) on getting off the ground. There are a few clever posters on here who "advertise" their employers service under the guise of enthusiasm & the "love of flying"
The entire flight training industry NEEDS raw meat. That is why the entire profession has gone to pot.
The entire flight training industry NEEDS raw meat. That is why the entire profession has gone to pot.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Getting a PPL was just something on their "to do" list. Having ticked that off, they've moved on to the next thing, maybe cave diving or extreme knitting.
There are a few clever posters on here who "advertise" their employers service under the guise of enthusiasm & the "love of flying"
Quite right Thing.
You were very selective in your quote though. I refer any reader to the last line of my previous post.
You were very selective in your quote though. I refer any reader to the last line of my previous post.
The entire flight training industry NEEDS raw meat. That is why the entire profession has gone to pot.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's the objective?
If the objective was to earn a PPL, frame it, and move on to the next thing, so be it.
If the objective is to be a pilot, be assured that earning a PPL is just one milestone along that path. If you would like to be a pilot, think well beyond earning your PPL.
An objective could be to achieve a feeling of confidence flying an aircraft type or operation of your choice. You can enjoy working toward that for years.
If the objective was to earn a PPL, frame it, and move on to the next thing, so be it.
If the objective is to be a pilot, be assured that earning a PPL is just one milestone along that path. If you would like to be a pilot, think well beyond earning your PPL.
An objective could be to achieve a feeling of confidence flying an aircraft type or operation of your choice. You can enjoy working toward that for years.
Thing.
The flight training industry constantly needs new recruits , be it the likes of the professional airline providers or local little airfields. The training industry needs per hour fee's while the individual is training but once they are fully licensed (as far as they want to go) they are redundant as far as the training industry is concerned and they need MORE to keep going. So the hunt is continuously on, with quite frankly a lot of salesmanship and over enthusiastic false "promises". From the professional side this has destroyed aviation as a profession due to flooding the industry with pilots, and from the amateur side it constantly produces a lot of people who spend a lot of money for what?? a cheap $hit coloured book.
The flight training industry constantly needs new recruits , be it the likes of the professional airline providers or local little airfields. The training industry needs per hour fee's while the individual is training but once they are fully licensed (as far as they want to go) they are redundant as far as the training industry is concerned and they need MORE to keep going. So the hunt is continuously on, with quite frankly a lot of salesmanship and over enthusiastic false "promises". From the professional side this has destroyed aviation as a profession due to flooding the industry with pilots, and from the amateur side it constantly produces a lot of people who spend a lot of money for what?? a cheap $hit coloured book.