Finally back into flying!
10-02-2013, 09:54 PM
#12
New Hire
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Posts: 6
Originally Posted by flynavyj
This reintroduction to instructing and small plane operations is really feeding my aviation love. It's all being done on my own time a couple times a week at most. I'm no longer worried about the size of my paycheck from a flying lifestyle. Fly as often or as rarely as I wish, still don't have to pay for it, and am able to get my bit of the fix.
11-04-2013, 08:01 AM
#14
Gets EVERY weekend off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: SIC
Posts: 1,367
You know, flying is an odd itch to scratch...
I almost equate it to motorcycles (my other, other love) you don't realize what a good bike you have until you sell it for something else.
I miss flying big, fast, and heavier airplanes. I still occasionally dream of that airline job that pays me twice as much as my office job, all while being off 18 days / month. I dream of free trips to Europe with the wife for a "weekend get-away". And at the same time, i'm very happy with the frequency and type of flying I'm doing right now.
One of my students recently had some financial issues and is scaling back the amount of flying she does, which is a bit of a downer. Same time, i'm not having a "how do i pay the bills" moment, which keeps the stress levels low.
Still haven't rented the plane with the family, but I think a $200 hamburger run is in the future.
My biggest worry was really feeling "comfortable" with the plane again, getting back to a previously attained level of proficiency, but after finally flying the plane in some rather gusty conditions over the last few flights the natural stick and rudder skills that were somehow hidden under a yaw-dampner for years have come back and the comfort level has increased 10 fold.
I almost equate it to motorcycles (my other, other love) you don't realize what a good bike you have until you sell it for something else.
I miss flying big, fast, and heavier airplanes. I still occasionally dream of that airline job that pays me twice as much as my office job, all while being off 18 days / month. I dream of free trips to Europe with the wife for a "weekend get-away". And at the same time, i'm very happy with the frequency and type of flying I'm doing right now.
One of my students recently had some financial issues and is scaling back the amount of flying she does, which is a bit of a downer. Same time, i'm not having a "how do i pay the bills" moment, which keeps the stress levels low.
Still haven't rented the plane with the family, but I think a $200 hamburger run is in the future.
My biggest worry was really feeling "comfortable" with the plane again, getting back to a previously attained level of proficiency, but after finally flying the plane in some rather gusty conditions over the last few flights the natural stick and rudder skills that were somehow hidden under a yaw-dampner for years have come back and the comfort level has increased 10 fold.
11-04-2013, 09:21 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Position: BE350 PIC
Posts: 624
I could use those signs here in Wyoming where it's often 100+ miles between lights/stop signs.
I know what you are saying about an itch. My last logged flight was in October 2011 when I came back from a functional checkflight with one engine out and the prop partially feathered.. Then went on terminal leave the next day. (so much for coming back for the carrier break)
Going up in a C172 to knock the rust off before heading to Denver to go to AATPs for the wham-bam ATP course. I've had the hours, just never the time to go get the checkride.
I know what you are saying about an itch. My last logged flight was in October 2011 when I came back from a functional checkflight with one engine out and the prop partially feathered.. Then went on terminal leave the next day. (so much for coming back for the carrier break)
Going up in a C172 to knock the rust off before heading to Denver to go to AATPs for the wham-bam ATP course. I've had the hours, just never the time to go get the checkride.
11-04-2013, 10:00 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by E2CMaster
I could use those signs here in Wyoming where it's often 100+ miles between lights/stop signs.
I know what you are saying about an itch. My last logged flight was in October 2011 when I came back from a functional checkflight with one engine out and the prop partially feathered.. Then went on terminal leave the next day. (so much for coming back for the carrier break)
Going up in a C172 to knock the rust off before heading to Denver to go to AATPs for the wham-bam ATP course. I've had the hours, just never the time to go get the checkride.
I know what you are saying about an itch. My last logged flight was in October 2011 when I came back from a functional checkflight with one engine out and the prop partially feathered.. Then went on terminal leave the next day. (so much for coming back for the carrier break)
Going up in a C172 to knock the rust off before heading to Denver to go to AATPs for the wham-bam ATP course. I've had the hours, just never the time to go get the checkride.
At least the weather was CAVU in the working area. 
flynavyj -
How has the part time CFI'ing been going?
11-04-2013, 12:52 PM
#18
Gets EVERY weekend off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: SIC
Posts: 1,367
Instructing has been pretty decent! I've had one regular student once a week, quite a few discovery flights on the weekend (essentially a sightseeing tour & airplane introduction) and the occasional additional student when i have free time.
I get up as often as my wife will let me, keep things to nights and weekends so i don't steal from my 9-5 job. The real beauty is, even though I'll commit 2-4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday towards flying, it never really feels like work...so there's nothing to complain about
I get up as often as my wife will let me, keep things to nights and weekends so i don't steal from my 9-5 job. The real beauty is, even though I'll commit 2-4 hours on a Saturday or Sunday towards flying, it never really feels like work...so there's nothing to complain about
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