Draker
Well Known Member
As I get closer to finishing the RV-7A, it's quickly dawning on me that I need a plan to get back into the left seat after... (checking logbook) 13 years without flying. In addition to rebuilding proficiency, I will need to learn a bunch of new systems and review in order to have a shot at being able to handle the RV. I think a good first step is to identify as many obstacles as I can:
On the plus side, at least I'm building an -A so I don't need to learn tailwheel on top of all that.
I'll be calling up a few local flight schools to find a CFI and with him/her work out a detailed plan, but what I'm thinking at this point looks something like this:
I've scheduled the transition training session for October, which gives me a nice low-pressure deadline to get all this done. What am I leaving out here? Anyone with a similar profile go through this process already and have any tips for me?
- Long time since last flight (13 years)
- Low total time (80 hours)
- Never flown with glass panel avionics
- Never flown behind a constant speed prop
- Flying experience limited to slow C172 and LSAa
- No experience flying around hills and terrain (mostly in Florida where field is always around sea level)
On the plus side, at least I'm building an -A so I don't need to learn tailwheel on top of all that.
I'll be calling up a few local flight schools to find a CFI and with him/her work out a detailed plan, but what I'm thinking at this point looks something like this:
- Watch an AOPA Rusty Pilot webinar [DONE]
- Buy a paper chart and FAR/AIM and do some reading/re-familiarizing
- Ground instruction + 20 hours dual in a C172 with a 6 pack to jog the memory
- BFR
- 5 hours or so in a newer C172 with a G1000
- 5 hours or so learning what to do with the blue knob
- 5-10 hours of mountain training
- Maybe a few hours in a higher performance plane that lands faster than 45 knots?
- 20 hours poking holes in the sky solo to build more proficiency
- 10 hours transition training with Mr. Seager
I've scheduled the transition training session for October, which gives me a nice low-pressure deadline to get all this done. What am I leaving out here? Anyone with a similar profile go through this process already and have any tips for me?