Hi all
I'm interested in people's advice regarding getting back to flying after several years (sort of) on the ground. I got my ppl in 2007, about 2 months before I went away to college for Aircraft Maintenance. To make a long story slightly less long, I flew a few times, then didn't fly for over 4 years. I then got checked out at a flight school, where after one flight they set me loose. I felt comfortable enough with the hands and feet (not that the trusty ol' 172 demands much skill with hands or feet). However, I felt I was extremely uncomfortable and under prepared with regard to the more theoretical aspects.
It's now been another 4 years, and I'm looking to get back to flying before it's too late. As a first step I'm interested in taking a ground school course, to get my head back into the game, re-learn the things I've forgotten. I know some may say I can read through From the Ground Up and do some self study, but I know I will get more out of a proper ground school.
Finally, to get to the question. At some point I intend to get my CPL, though I cannot afford to fly regularly enough at this point in time to actively work towards it right now. However, if I want to do a ground school, would it be a good idea to go to a commercial ground school instead of a private? Would I be in over my head with the course material? Interested in anyone's thoughts or opinions.
Getting back to flying
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Cat Driver
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Re: Getting back to flying
As I understand your post you can fly the airplane but you are vague on the theory?However, I felt I was extremely uncomfortable and under prepared with regard to the more theoretical aspects.
My advice is when you are unsure of a given theory just look up the answer in a publication such as From The Ground Up or the regulations.
Why spend flying money on something you can look up yourself?
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
Re: Getting back to flying
A lot of times the "theoretical aspects" -which I can guess might be air law, airspace and managing a flight- usually become crystal clear with some context as you actually do them yourself. You can study charts all you want but sometimes you need to be in it for things to click.
Re: Getting back to flying
If the theory part includes things like how to join the circuit at an uncontrolled airport, then yes, study up and get it straight before you go out and try to figure it out in an airplane.
Re: Getting back to flying
I tend to solve my problems by throwing the cheapest solutions at them first, then getting gradually spendier until its solved. In this case I would probably sit down with the latest FTGU, flip to the practice exam in the back and review everything that seemed fuzzy to me. You've already learned this stuff once so the framework is still in there, give it a shot and see how you feel about your knowledge after.
