On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 16:49:10 -0400, "Skylune"
wrote:

Agreed, that they don't just "give these things away." But wouldn't you
agree, that once you get your ticket, it is very possible to not stay
current or proficient if you don't practice regularly? Would you agree
that there are some pilots out there who got their PPL long ago, and now
fly so infrequently as to be a danger to themselves, their passengers, or
those below?

Most, if not all people who study, practice and earn their PPL do so
because they've always wanted to fly an airplane. Once they've gotten
their license, they want to fly. The cost may limit how often they
can fly, but practicing means flying an airplane. At the FBO where I
rent, the insurance requires that any pilot renting from them must
have made at least three landings in the past 45 days. "Oh please
don't trow me in dat briar patch."

Every two years pilots go through something called the "biennial
flight review". You may not have heard of it because you did not
finish your flight training but it is required of all private pilots.
During this review the CFI will ask the pilot to demonstrate
proficiency in anything he/she feels is relevant to the act of flying
safely. It includes ground school. According to the CFI who gave me
my BFR,

Corky Scott