I think it depends what sort of flying he was doing. If you have an IMC rating and intend use it, it is important to keep current, otherwise you’ll quickly get yourself into trouble. I had a friend who gave up flying IMC after he seriously scared himself when he was taking his family for a flight and didn’t have another pilot with him to lighten the workload when it all started going horribly wrong. I flew with him a couple of times IMC, and it was obvious he was struggling.
For normal VFR flying, I don’t think you need as much. I’ve never done 60 hours in a year, though I have averaged from 40-50 hours, and felt quite comfortable.
This year has been different as I had an engine failure and lost my medical for seven months. It was rather daunting the first time I flew (with an instructor) after a five month lay-off, but actually the flight went OK – stalls, steep turns, instrument flying and some circuits. Since I’ve been able to fly myself again, everything is coming back, though my self-confidence took one hell of a knock. Just need practice now, to get back up to speed.
It probably helps that I fly from a full ATC airport (Southend), an unlicensed field with gliders, warbirds and jets (North Weald) and a very busy training field (Stapleford). Each has its own demands, but the skills one builds up are comlementary.
I reckon I shall probably do about 20 hours this flying year. I think I will be reasonably safe. (The clubs have their own currency requirements anyway.) The important thing is to fly often, even if it is just circuits sometimes. If you are a member of a group and can share flight costs, that is even better. I recently did a three sector flight: NW-Bourn-Duxford-NW. Took just over an hour, had three landings and some QX navigation, saw some wonderful aircraft and did my confidence the world of good.
And don’t forget that the professionals have accidents too. Guys with thousands of hours, sim checks, CRM etc still come unstuck sometimes.
I’d love to do 60, 100, 150 hours a year, Sadly I can’t afford it. But if I feel that the flying I can afford is not enough and is making me dangerous, I’ll stop. One close shave with death while flying is enough for me.
YR
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