Getting Back in the Air

The objective of every pilot is to be airborne, but sometimes, life gets in the way of flying. Often, we are forced, by a myriad of events or challenges thrown at us by life, to stay on the ground for a while. Commonly health, starting a family, living overseas or changing jobs are factors that can clip our wings for a while.

After time away from aviation, a return can be a little daunting. Rather like meeting an old school friend, there’s a feeling of familiarity, paired with an experience of change. Depending on the length of your absence, many changes to the rules may have occurred: the growing number of glass-cockpit equipped aircraft, the boom in recreational aircraft, the changes to a Part 61 licence, the graphical area forecast and the rise of the EFB. As well as new rules, be prepared for changes at the airport: maneuvering areas, taxiway designations, and if the absence has been a long one, Class D procedures.

Returning to aviation need not be daunting, but it will need a little advanced preparation.

Go recreational?

General aviation is a mysterious beast; some things appear mired in tradition, while others change