Finally back into flying!
 

After 3 years with the airlines (06-09) I hung up the hat and began started a second career behind a desk. After 4 years of sitting behind the desk my itch to fly was growing stronger each day. Like most of my former airline co-workers, I missed the flying, the crews, the hotels, and the airplane. There were a lot of things I don't miss, mostly contract negotiations, the career uncertainty, the russian roulette career choices, and calling crew scheduling to check out after a 12 hour work day.

So about a month ago I finally got my butt in gear, called a friend who owns a flight school, got a BFR, got comfortable behind the controls of a Cessna again, and started putting my commercial certificate to use.

When I was instructing before my airline employment, it seemed like a race to gather as many hours as necessary before moving onto the next gig. Don't get me wrong, the years of my flight training and instructing were some of the most enjoyable flights I've ever done, best variety of airports, airplanes, and $100 hamburger runs. But even still, it was evident that I was working towards something else.

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.

I've noticed that a lot of former pilots really do miss flying, and the cockpit, and some regret transitioning out of the airline life. I'm just happy to see that there is an aviation life after the airlines, and it feels like coming home.

Glad to hear it.

I picked up a sectional and terminal chart for my home area, a couple GA magazines and called a local flying club. I'm looking forward to flying for fun again.

Frank was right!

There are a couple of posters on the forum who often try to highlight the fact that there is more to flying that JUST airline pilot (JamesNoBrakes being one of the most prolific at trying to remind people of this). I'm glad you seemed to have rediscovered this.

I would love to "rediscover" flying but, for me, the cost is still to prohibitive. The Bay Area is just way to expensive a place to fly. It didn't use to be that way but it would now cost me approximately $155 an hour to rent a Cessna 172. Ouch! I still don't know how Aviation is going to survive with these kinds of costs.

Still enjoying my 150
 

Buying a plane is still an option. There are nice 150's out there for not much money.

Skyhigh

That's a bit higher than the rental fee's here in the midwest, but not by a lot. It's part of the reason I was glad to renew my instructor certificate. My friend had the right idea when he got out of the airlines though, buy a 172, start a flight school, and do that after work. He's WORKED at it though, but it has paid off, and the airplane is always being utilized. I'm more than happy to get my aviation fix this way for a bit, and on occasion rent the aircraft myself for a little "fix"...maybe someday I'll look at purchasing a bird myself...If only my wife enjoyed flying.

hey Flynav, so if I udnerstood well, you are flying as CFI right now ? right ?

enjoy! )

That's correct, i'm part timing as a CFI.

I full time as a desk jockey.

I instructed during my college years and a year or so after graduation. Most my students were there for primary/pleasure flying...in the seventies flying was a whole lot cheaper. Time has probably ironed out all those long days and noisy airplanes, but the flying was a blast. Should anyone wonder about it, while flying point a to b is more profitable then teaching, whether I was in an old aztec, sleek learjet, or
now in a stretched 777, the fun is in choosing your destination which none of the forementioned provide. I wish I didnt let my CFI lapse...never thought I'd use it or want to use it ever again. Dont make that mistake. Wont have the time or money to rectify that now. A nonflying job along with instructing and some personal flying on the side could be the perfect combo :D

It seems like it is working out for you: you not only get the chance to fly, but also forgo all the hardship and negativity of having to endure the roller-coaster ride that is the airlines. Good for you, sir.