First Flight in Months

[Wingo]

As some of you know I was in a Cadetship here in Australia. Back in September I made a decision to leave and move back home. The decision was based mainly on the fact that I had lost my love of flying. During the VFR/PPL training stages I enjoyed the flying but when it moved to IFR/CPL I found I didn't enjoy the style of flying and started ti hate it. It wasn't a question of difficulty, I understood the theory and could apply it practically after a few shots. It is a profound shift from watch to map to ground and visually flying to charts, instruments and autopilots. I feel flying visually is much more enjoyable and fells more like real flying. I know there are those here who will agree and those who will disagree, but these are my personal feelings. I have decided to stay within GA and fly privately and chase a career in software engineering, which is starting with a Uni course next week.

Since I came back I haven't been flying til last Saturday, and it was a great feeling to get back into the left hand seat. I'm continuing my training on the Archer III and moving up to the Arrow IV to do my retractable and constant speed endorsements. The Archer is a dream to fly. Very stable, very easy to manouvre and easy to land. I was happy considering I was going to a new type, from glass to analouge and haven't flown in months and I was doing tight circuits and smooth landings within 3 circuits. Next lesson is emergencies then my instructor is signing me out on the type to go solo.

Going back after this amount of time was almost as good as sex, and I'm once again excited to go flying again.

[beaky]

Glad to hear you're back in the saddle! Also glad you re-thought what you want out of flying... I've always said that while Rule #1 is Safety, Rule #2 is Fun. You should enjoy flying, not find it a chore.

[matt2190]

Glad you found what you want to do. People like flying for different reasons. Personally I really like instrument flying, but it is nice to go VFR sometimes.

[Wingo]

Glad you found what you want to do. People like flying for different reasons. Personally I really like instrument flying, but it is nice to go VFR sometimes.

For me, IFR means I Follow Rivers

[Boss_BlueAngels]

Wingo -
I certainly know what its like to lose that love of flying.  For me, however, it was due to a bit of a compatability issue with an instructor I had at the tail end of my instrument training.  He was rude, and quite abraisive to fly with and the personality conflict seriously impacted my performance.  I took a 9-month brake before finding a new, AWESOME, flight instructor.  It took me just 2 review flights then I took, and passed, my instrument checkride.

After that experience, and three years of working at a local airport, I decided I wanted nothing to do with commercial aviation.

Now I fly at least once a week in a nice little Aeronca Champion and take fellow middle school teachers, students, and friends up flying whenver the weather is VMC.  

I would love to use my IR ticket more, but I can't really justify the extra cost of renting a C-182T at this point.  


Here's to ejoying the freedom of flight... however that may be!