My prior flight review was completed in May 2019 in a borrowed Aviat Husky.
And as of July 17, 2024, I am once again legal to fly my friend’s 1946 Piper J-3 Cub.
Why the gap between flight reviews?
Life.
My Mom moved into memory care in 2020 but remained a focus of my attention until (and after) her passing in May 2022.
I’m still not sure what happened to 2023.
And just as I was re-connecting with my instructor, the school I serve on the board of went into a meltdown of sorts.
That meltdown and the associated board work led me to cancel a scheduled flight review.
“Happy Monday Ryan. Today will be a no-go for the flight review,” I write to my flight instructor via text message. “Ceiling looks fine, but wind is a little more than I’d prefer. On top of that, I’ve got a busy week with my son’s graduation activities and a bit of a tempest in a teapot at his school. (I’m on the board). So, thinking of IMSAFE (stress and emotion), let’s reschedule. When you get some time, shoot me over your June schedule and let’s find a time to get this done. Thanks for understanding. Cheers.”
Approvingly, Ryan texted back, “I would have to agree with your aeronautical decision-making!”
At least I got that right.
With a flight review on my mind, I went through the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Rusty Pilots Online Course. Most of it, if I’m being honest. It’s a nice high-level look at flying that helps knock off the rust and gets the mental gears turning.
I am motivated to get back in the cockpit because Brenna, my daughter, is learning to fly.
And finally, July 17 was a lovely evening at Pierce County Airport/Thun Field (KPLU) in nearby Puyallup, Washington.
Ryan and I sat in the hangar next to the Cub and chatted about methods for controlling the Cub as it rolls along the ground during taxi, transitioning from ground to air and back again, as well as basic maintenance and the ease of starting the engine with the impulse coupler.
For the flying portion, we stuck mostly to the pattern.
Satisfied I was safe to operate the Cub once again, Ryan hopped out and I flew a few more laps around the pattern on my own. Door and window open — just like a Cub should be flown.
As I drove home from the airport, I realized I hadn’t thought of my board duties at all while I was at the airport.
I felt refreshed. It was a nice respite from the recent stress.
I do hope this currency sticks.
And best of all, my wife Deb is interested in going for an occasional flight on clear and calm days. There are a few nice airport restaurants in the area that we can explore.
That’ll be fun.
Regardless of what life throws at me tomorrow, today I’m current.
I would suggest you participate in the Wings programs, which gives you the opportunity to take a huge number of on line webinars ( there is a min of 3 in different classes) that can help you stay up to date and improve on many flight related topics. As part of the program you then you select and take the 3 Wings flight segments with a CFI.
It can be much more of a complete training than what a standard every 2 years flight review covers, and it counts as one.
I use the Wings program alternative much more often than the 2 years of the flight review, as you can select different Wings levels one after the other, which you can use to improve your proficiency. And it can be part of the fun!
Fly that Cub out to visit your old friends!
Glad to see you made good on our discussion at the Aviation Conference in February!
Ben…….. congrats…………… back in the saddle… yippe
May I ask that you always consider the following during the next 24 calendar months as you amble your way to your next Flight Review: Although you may be current, are you proficient?
So. by current FAA regulation, one gets their private certificate Aug 1st…….they could if they wanted not fly for 23 months and 29 days, then hop into their aircraft and go flying… they would be CURRENT (per FAR’s)………
if they wanted to take a passenger with them, then that is not true………..
so even though they would be CURRENT per the FAR’s, I believe they would not be PROFICENT…….. hence the phase: what is legal is not necessarily safe.
And I have never seen an aircraft
NOT OBEY
the laws of Physics…
so may I encourage you and others to keep proficient at all times.
Welcome back. Time spent flying/working on old airplanes is not deducted from our time on earth. It’s cathartic and good for re gaining perspective. Well done also on the earlier aeronautical decision 😎… Terk. CFI/A&PIA and all around old aviation Old Guy.
When working for the government I was always current. They paid for twenty hours a year of aircraft rental. 10 hours in a single and ten hours in a twin. Two inspectors always flew together. Being current is not being proficient. I was lucky, I owned my own aircraft and managed to fly it an additional 50-80 hours a year.
Congrats, Ben. Happy to read this news. Looking forward to a column where you talk about rock/paper/scissors with your daughter to pick PIC.
Ben,
Congrats of getting current again.!! The freedom to fly is a great USA privilege.!
I’ve only been flying for 15 years…[ I’m 77 now ].
I did start training in 1993, but didn’t finish, but did get in the 300 nm x/c [ it was longer then].
regards,
JimHughes