How to Get Back to Flying Rusty Pilots InTheHangar Ep14 

I guess this is where my IT career helps, I have been studying nearly continuously since I left school so diving into the books was very much like what I do to stay current in my work.

great info!

10:00 hit the nail on the head for me, got my cert at age 35, but now haven't flown in 11 years, and now I have two young children. As much as I would want to get back into the hobby, I don't think I can regain enough confidence to feel comfortable flying while I have a family that need my presence.

Very good comments from panel, I at 73 would like very much to return after decades of non-flying and I could relate to what has been said. I have taken a few discover flights over the past 5 years and it is suprising how it comes back. I know learning to fly in the 70's has changed a great deal to learning to fly now. Alot more traffic, rules changed and glass panel is a scary thing to face coming back, and of course being slower thinking now comes into play.

Yep, I’m a late bloomer but training came to a halt in the late 90’s with kids and military deployments taking priority. Flight training has come back to the top of the list (#2) after completion of A&P school. Working on an online ground school. Looking forward to getting back in the air 👍👍 sooner then later.

Got my commercial multi instrument rated in 2012, was going to be a CFI but was a newly wed and couldn’t afford it I went into a different career, now I’m 41 far more stable and taking a leap of faith and leaving my career to fly

that was great info! I learned to fly at Meacham Field back in 87...I just turned 50 and want to get back into flying.

Will be starting my training at 62 as soon as the Coronavirus crisis passes.I have been watching videos and taking ground school to move the process forward.

I took my first lesson at age 30. That was 35 years ago. I was blessed to spend about 20 years at a major (or two.) Life is good.

I just flew an airplane for the first time in 27 years. I completed my flight review in two 1.5 hour flights. Of course, I've been active flying helicopters for 24 of those 27 years! Being in the air means more than getting comfortable in the cockpit, IMHO.

This episode is for me. Last time I was in the air was 1986. I got my PPL at 17 and I'm now turning 58. I've noticed there seems to be a fair number of us in this same boat lately, seems the aviation bug has bit a lot of rusty pilots. Anyway I feel like I'm starting from scratch with all the new tech, but it is defiantly doable. My big challenge is I live in a small community in SE Utah and finding an instructor could be a problem. Maybe I can find one that wants to spend some time in Moab Ut for a while if I provide room and board with pay of course, lol, will see. Thanks for the inspiration guys and gals. ;-)

I waited until our boys were out of school before I started my training. I was 50 when I got my PPL and I’m now 64. My CFI that I used when I finished my training fell I to the group of CFI’s that couldn’t care less if I learned how to fly so after I flew my butt off on my own before my check ride.

I am one of those non traditional students (started @ 37) ... But making up for lost time over the last dozen years with ~ 1400 hours now :-)

I've had a hard time finding an instructor, aircraft, and good weather but not at the same time at least :o) When I found an instructor at KPSX (900 miles from where I am now) we squeezed in two flights and all of it in crosswinds. I needed one more day (according to the instructor) to get signed off and good ole Texas winter weather kept me from flying before I had to come back here (KFMN). I'm comfortable with where I am in the process. It's "only" been 22 years. I'm not happy with how long it took to find the aircraft and instructors. I started the search in July 2018. I plan to get back on track, finish my instrument rating (I logged 38 hours but I'll need a lot of time beyond that), get a commercial rating (for the training), and maybe get my multi rating.

yep -- Late bloomer here - 61 right around the corner. Can't wait to start - I am in the search phase now. Subbed

I'm definitely a late bloomer I started into my journey in aviation at 63 I now have passed my FAA written test and have 31 hours in the airplane CFI is talking about prepping me for solo I'm healthy and strong and pretty much mentally stable and strong do not want to be a commercial pilot couldn't be if I wanted but I'd love to own my own airplane or maybe do some volunteer Mercy flights we'll see thank you for this episode

I have been thinking about returning to the air again since moving to Dallas, TX. I have not flown an aircraft since 1994 (C-210) from Robert Muller Airport in Austin to San Marcos and back. I am seriously thinking about getting back into flying again. I can see I am going to have learn a few things.. GPS -- item not found in airplanes at all back then. RNAV was not taught in instrument classes except in concept (1989). To pass IFR I had to shoot a VOR, NBD and ILS approach. I find the instrument part of my future flying as the biggest obstacle.

Interesting topic but a lot is really hard to define especially the 'rusty pilot'. Got license in 1972. Finished college and 2 years later worked 16 years and some 4000 hrs traveling for a company that required I call on clients by using an airplane (C182 Turbo RG ) Some on an off flying for next 10 years or so after that. Then 2 kids put things on hold for over 20 years. Actually it had been 26 years since last flying. Decided to get back at it again - got everything back in order and a BFR that went surprisingly well in an all glass C172. 2 weeks later bought a play toy (J3 Cub). Had not been in tailwheel in over 26 years. Got in and felt like I'd never left. Took off solo in it and for the last 9 years it is the most fun thing I've done in retirement. Over 1,000 take off and landings in it with around 400 hrs, and still having a blast at >70+ yrs old. As the saying goes "You don't stop flying when you get old - rather you get old when you stop flying"

I learned to fly or rather received my certificate at the ripe old age of 23. I've taken some time off here and there but the longest was 7 years. I was older then and the regs had changed some. It took about an hour and a half of going over some revised regulations and about another two and a half hours in the cockpit to get comfortable with it again. I remember after about an hour and a half or maybe a little longer I was on final approach for 27 and the gentleman giving me the refresher course told me I was way too high for the 4,000 ft runway and there was no way I was going to get it down. He didn't realize that I had gotten my confidence back at that point and I asked him if he'd mind me giving it a try and he said go ahead. One of the things that have changed evidently is they don't teach full slips with partial flaps anymore at least he didn't. I might make a footnote that he was even an older pilot like myself but current. And also a CFI. I dropped some flaps, pulled the power along with the carb heat and went into a full side slip. I had it down and turned off at the first taxiway which is just under 2000 ft. He signed me off after that and I jokingly replied that he was scared to fly with me so he better go ahead and give me my sign off so I wouldn't bother him anymore. We have joked about that on several occasions and I'm not sure I'm too far off the mark really. By the time I had had this done I did have a few hundred hours but not significant compared to others. Flying has been my passion for over 36 years of my adult life and many years before that truth be known. It has always been a dream of mine and at 59, close to 60 I plan on flying for at least another 35 years. I jokingly say I'm going to live to be 104 and fly till I'm 103 but yet I have known pilots that were over 100 years old and still very efficient so that truthfully is a goal. I still smile like a Cheshire cat every time I go out to my hanger even though by now it should be a relatively benign experience. I'm still able to laugh out loud at the enjoyment I get while flying with steed I currently have and even often I will sit up there looking at the view and be in absolute awe of the fact that I am blessed enough to not only have the skills to do this thing we call Aviation but to do it well according to others that know me and have flown with me. I've had the privilege of flying with some incredible pilots and my former flight instructors were two of the best men I've ever known in my life. They are both now gone but their lessons I learned from them and their experience I take with me every time I take to the skies will stay with me until I am sitting on the front porch reminiscing and telling stories of Aviation. We as pilots are always learning or at least we better be. My current airplane and one I plan to keep for many years is a Wittman Tailwind W8 with a venerable Continental 0-200 for power. It is an excellent flying airplane but it does let me know on occasion that I do not know it all and like any good friend, is not afraid of teaching me a lesson or two. Thank you for doing this video and again for the memories I have and the ones I've yet to make.

Almost 65 and very rusty PPL holder. In the Medical process then hopefully back to the skies

As a rusty pilot looking to get back into the cockpit, the issue for me is trying to find out which local flying schools are good and which not so good. It would be great if there was a database of flight schools with a ranking system of sorts to help.

Thank you for this video. Im' a Rusty Pilot trying to get back in, and my dad is 64 who always wanted to be a pilot and now is 64 and wondering if he should get his license. This was very helpful. Keep it up.

I have my commerical rating but stopped flying after I got it. I am thinking about getting back into it and resuming my training to make this my occupation. I just need some motivation and money lol.

So there is hope for us old geezers. I learn how to fly in the 1970's. I haven't flown since 2018. I suppose it's time to rejoin the flock.✈️ By the way Christy, I like your shoes.

I'm a rusty pilot who has about 400 hours. 95% (or more) of my time was in high-wing aircraft (C-152, 172, 182). My goal is to get back into flying as a hobby and buy a low-wing complex plane like a Piper or Mooney. Should I shake off the rust in a C172 to get my confidence and skills back first and then transition to a low-wing, or should I start my refresher course in a low-wing Piper with fixed gear and then, after getting checked out, take some complex training? Anyone have thoughts on this?

Well it's been since 1987...gonna take some work.

Here because Aaron & Emily Reeves sent me to your channel.

How old is too old? I am 83 and passed my last flight review two years ago; just can't get flying out of my system. My flying started when I was 13 years ago and has been an off and on affair due to money, school and my employment. I have had a lot of "go for it" responses but I am a safe pilot first. Opinions?

I haven’t flown in 3 months and I feel rusty

I’m about to go knock the rust off. Just need to get a fresh medical and I’ll be ready to talk to an instructor. 200 hours SEL and 100 hours helicopter. Haven’t flown in 10 years. Money got short and marriage/children forced me out for a bit. Wish me luck!

One big problem with very young instructors teaching older pilots is that the late bloomers are intimidated by young CFI’s. Also some very young CFI’s could care less about teaching. All they are looking for are the flight hours to get their ticket to the airlines.

65 to late?

I’ma Rusty pilot... sorry couldn’t help myself. 😉

what about a 25k hour retired airline pilot that has not been flying for a year and a half.... 🤓

If you dont use it ...you will lose it..

You people are delusional.... Who can afford up to 300 bucks a lession.! I got my private lic. In '72 a 150 was 9-10 bucks an hour... Most folks could get a lic. For a thousand bucks including books, e6b and a chart. I could even rent a twin after my rating gor 60 an hr. Instruction was still 5 an hr. Glad to see instruction up to 60 hr, but the rest of it... Forget it!!! Hundreds of dollars for a flight check now; if you can get an appt ... What ever happened going to the gato office for free flight check? Not going to happen now.... FAA has in my view appreciator y stances... Ur papers pls???

Trump 2020!

Why does Dan Millican keep referring to older student pilots as "late bloomers" when "non-traditional student" is so much more appropriate? He has limited brain power I guess. I turned this presentation off after hearing "late bloomer" for the 10th time!