Private Pilot's License

You might consider taking some vacation time, if that's an option.
It's hard to progress on a fortnightly lesson!

I don't feel comfortable if I don't fly 50 hours a year. That's a bit
more than an hour a week, since in the nature of things (New Hampshire
winters, grass field, Piper Cub) I don't fly much if at all from
January through March. (And yes, I feel very rusty in April.)

I read of a pilot who quit flying because he couldn't maintain the 80
hours a year that was his comfort level.


On Thu, 22 Sep 2005 05:51:55 GMT, "Vern Torino"
wrote:

Haven't begun any training yet. Still considering time and cost factors. One
problem is my job will only avail me to fly every other week, so I figure
it'll take me at least the better part of a year to get licensed. My
question is, after licensing what would be a likely minimum flight time and
frequency to maintain proficiency? Appreciate any helpful comments.



-- all the best, Dan Ford

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Cub Driver wrote:
You might consider taking some vacation time, if that's an option.
It's hard to progress on a fortnightly lesson!

I don't feel comfortable if I don't fly 50 hours a year. That's a bit
more than an hour a week, since in the nature of things (New Hampshire
winters, grass field, Piper Cub) I don't fly much if at all from
January through March. (And yes, I feel very rusty in April.)

Two of the partners in my 172 have flown probably 25 hours per year in
the last two years. Generally they fly shorter trips, on nice days, and
maybe one longer XC each year. They take instruction every spring
before returning to regular flying. Both are also instrument-rated and
maintain legal currency, but do not fly in IMC.

I think one distinction here is that some planes (a J-3 comes to mind)
require more sharpness on the controls, and some, like a 172 or
Cherokee, are more forgiving. I certainly would not want to ride in the
back seat with either of these guys flying a Bonanza, but I feel fine
with them in the 172.

-cwk.