Getting back in the saddle ("current," just not current)

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Auburn2002

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Auburn2002
My 415 total hours goes back not quite 30 years but almost, with PPL earned in 2008 and IR followed in 2009 - peak non-training flying years (~30-50 hrs) took place around 2010-2014 and have declined ever since, with single digits the past several. I don't know that I anticipate ever going full career - I'll be 45 in the spring after all - but always wanted to add commercial and multi just for the challenge and the future option. I can pass a flight review, in fact I just did a couple of months ago, but could I pass a PPL checkride? Eh, maybe. Instrument, probably no chance without some serious review. But I also don't think I should go find a flight school and sign up for Commercial lessons tomorrow either.

That being said, I'm curious how others in a similar situation have gotten back into the swing of things. I can grab a 172 and do a few dozen laps around the pattern, sure, but if I wanted to set my sights on adding a couple of ratings how would you get up to speed? Honestly the catching up is probably more about regs than anything. The "well, duh" answer is likely still go to the flight school, explain the history and the plan, and let them grill me and judge how much refreshing I need before moving forward. But thought it'd be fun to throw it out here and see how this might resonate with others who have been in similar situations time and time again.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Got my PPL in '94. Have taken several multi-year breaks since then. No magic trick, just pick a rating and start working on it.
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You know that might be part of the problem, I've forgotten how to "start working on it" :p - my PPL I started with an independent when I was 16 (1996) and finally finished through a flight school 12 years later, though that school has long since dissolved. My IR was with an independent instructor using a flying club 172, of which I'm still a member. Not sure if I'd want to try the independent/flying club route again (could only go so far for commercial because 172, and nothing multi at all) or go straight for a new flying school. Even then I think the only option I have is about an hour away.
 
I got my instrument rating in 2006 and then stopped flying until a brief stint in 2016. Then in 2019 started flying for fun. Wasn't until 2022 that I started going for commercial and beyond. So my suggestion is to fly with other pilots and CFIs to knock off rust and you will have a more confident footing to start training in earnest. Maybe start working on the knowledge tests, today!
 
Took a long time off to raise children. Came back and got ratings including an atp rating. Did some commercial flying part time ,into my fifties and sixties. Go out and get a biannual and decide if you want to work on some advanced ratings. Good luck.
 
Do some long cross-countries, as this will require you to dust off a lot of your planning, navigating, and radio skills (get flight-following, natch). It will also refresh your ability to evaluate and land on a variety of runway sizes, types, and surrounding terrains. CPL is just PPL maneuvers on steroids, so those should help with your stick-and-rudder skills. If you don't have it, getting your tail-wheel is an amazing refresher for monkey-skills and really focuses on what makes flying fun. Once you are happy with your ability to fly precisely, work your way though a reasonably thorough IPC with a good instructor to get back up to speed there.

For me, buying an airplane is what got me back into regular flying after a 20-year break. Might be worth looking into if you hate having money.
 
When I was prepping for my commercial I used a weekend course (ASI I believe) for the written. It was to complement and polish my knowledge. When we first logged in it said "Private" and the 3 or 4 of us who were commercial asked what the deal was. Since the commercial is basically private on steroids, they used the same ground school and had us stay online for a few sessions each day of additional commercial only knowledge. I'd say to get up to speed on current regs, etc. this is a very efficient (time wise) way to kill two birds-refresh and commercial.
 
jsstevens said:
When I was prepping for my commercial I used a weekend course (ASI I believe) for the written. It was to complement and polish my knowledge. When we first logged in it said "Private" and the 3 or 4 of us who were commercial asked what the deal was. Since the commercial is basically private on steroids, they used the same ground school and had us stay online for a few sessions each day of additional commercial only knowledge. I'd say to get up to speed on current regs, etc. this is a very efficient (time wise) way to kill two birds-refresh and commercial.
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ASI or Aviation Seminars? I used their weekend knowledge test prep for my private, instrument, and commercial.
 
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