Okay, I said it, I’m not current.
My last logbook entry as Pilot in Command dates to June 26, 2020. I logged 1.4 hours in a Piper J-3 Cub that a good friend lets me fly. It was a Friday afternoon and traffic at Pierce County Airport-Thun Field (KPLU) in Washington was busy. I flew solo because it was the first time I had flown in nearly a year.
The entry before was Aug. 20, 2019. My daughter, Savannah, and I went up for a flight in the Cub before she left for her senior year at Whitman College. We cruised around the area, windows open. It was a warm summer day. I demonstrated a couple of power on stalls. Savannah enjoyed the experience.
Back at KPLU, I found us a bit high on final so I added left aileron and right rudder to slip the Cub downward. At that moment, the left rear window decided it had worked long enough and departed its frame. A large chunk of the plexiglass fell away, while a larger chunk blew in, around the back of my head, and lodged itself between the front seat and the right rudder pedal being held up by my right leg. Savannah grabbed it and tried to remove it. I told her to stop. I quickly tested the flight controls. I had full control of the airplane and I feared the rather sharp-looking edges might cut something important in my leg.
We landed safely and taxied to the hangar. Both Savannah and I were unharmed by the experience. Thankfully. Aside from the missing bit of plexiglass, I found no damage on the Cub either. Icing on the cake. I ordered a new left rear window from Univair and worked with the owner of the Cub, Jeff, to install it a few weeks later.
While flipping through my logbook while writing this column I’m reminded that I have flown far too little in the past few years.
On Sept. 27, 2002, I logged 2.7 hours in our Cessna 205, but included few details beyond the time. My next logbook entry wouldn’t be until Feb. 9, 2013.
I hadn’t decided to stop flying. It just happened.
Our oldest daughter, Savannah had just turned three, and Brenna was not yet two. Jack was still nearly three years in the future. I was operating General Aviation News full-time. Mom and Dad had retired. Life was full and fun. (It still is.)
When I’ve retold that bit of life to fellow pilots, they nod in understanding. Life has way of inserting itself — even for a guy who owns an aviation newspaper.
In 2019 I logged 11.1 hours, including the plexiglass flight. In 2020, just one flight, described above.
So what’s going on?
Well, I know I’m not scared. The idea of hopping in the Cub, especially with some of the beautiful days we’ve been enjoying this summer in the Pacific Northwest, is appealing.
It is something else. My Mom. I’ve written about her before. She co-published General Aviation News with my Dad for 30 years. Today, I often have to work to help her remember General Aviation News. Some days the memory comes relatively easy. Other days, not so much.
Okay, but what does that have to do with flying?
Simply put, I don’t want to put my wife in the position of having to singlehandedly manage my Mom’s affairs. Deb, that’s my wife, loves my Mom. We work together to make Mom’s life as good as possible. I have no doubt — she’s said as much — that she would carry on if anything happens to me.
And yes, I know I could slip and fall while getting out of the shower…game over.
But as John and Martha King have repeatedly taught, flying is about risk management. And the thought of flying PIC at this point in life is hard to articulate.
I’ve looked at the FAA’s I’M SAFE checklist. I’m not ill. I’m not on any medication. Stress is well managed, even factoring in Mom. Alcohol isn’t an issue. Neither is fatigue. Maybe it’s emotion. Just the picture in my mind of Deb being forced to handle Mom, General Aviation News, The Suburban Times (our little community news and information website), and the remaining journey for our kids into adulthood gives me pause.
I have no doubt she could do it. She’s an incredibly smart woman with compassion that knows no bounds. But I have no desire — if I can help it — to test her mettle.
So, I’m not sure what I’m calling this period of time. An unscheduled break? A weather delay? AOG? Safety Standdown? Or something else entirely.
And for the record, I’m happy to hop along with someone else who is current in their abilities to fly. This, whatever I’m calling it, applies to me alone.
I’m still as passionate and positive about flying as ever. But I’m experiencing that passion from the ground. Unless someone wants to take me for a ride.
Who knows, maybe a switch will flip inside me tomorrow and I’ll find the desire to head back to the airport and get current. And maybe, just maybe, that switch will also include the desire and drive to stay current. Then again, maybe it won’t happen. I don’t know.
Today, I’m not current. Tomorrow? Who knows?
Ben: Buck up – your situation describes what many of us are experiencing. The covid situation. fuel prices, the fact that my wife and I sold our Dakota when I retired, and a less than welcoming FBO at the local airport has many of us scratching our heads as to how to get and stay current. Any POSITIVE insights will be welcome.
I say positive for there is more than enough negative news in the media these days to make me avoid TV and cancel several subscriptions, so if any one has something good to tell me, lay it on me.
Thanks for your columns that help a lot.
Ben, I knew your father – even back when he was shooting sailboat races, and my message to you is that many of us have taken a break from flying (no matter how great our passion). Mine was 17 years as “life” gets in the way. I am now nearing the end of my flying years, but so glad that I re-joined the community a few years back. Good Luck to you and I suspect that you will again be current – some day!
Same here
Kids grown
Sold Cherokee six 6 years ago
Help kids financially
All ok now
But now have 2 grandchildren
And one on the way
In time possibly share aviation with them
Keep medical and bfr current
Keep. Cfi renewed
Even own empty hangar at local field
But do not consider myself
“Current”
Best to you and yours…
Understand completely. My dream from childhood was to learn to fly. Once I did, I’ve struggled to find a reason to fly. Until I find that reason, I won’t fly….
Ben:
I think you are being too hard on yourself. If you don’t have time to fly, then I can understand you decision. If you do have the time in your schedule to fly, then fly as frequently as possible. By building up your flight hours you will regain your confidence. Fly only when it is good VFR. Set reasonable limits for yourself and maintain a positive attitude.
GO FLY!
My math says you didn’t meet the currency requirements to fly with a passenger at the time of the window-failure flight.
When you don’t have all parts of the equation, it is hard to do the math correctly.
This, for me, was one of the best parts of the article. I laughed out loud to myself. Because, when we “assume” . . . We make an –
ASS out of U and ME 🤣
Ben, I feel your pain. There are priorities in life. I had such a decision early in my life when I was on the street due to an airline bankruptcy and wondering if I would ever fly again. Family demands prevented me from starting over at another airline so for decades I spent time occasionally renting airplanes to allow my family to experience the joy of flying or to fly with friends that would allow me to ride with them. I finally gave up on ever flying professionally.
After my family grew up and left home, my wife and I were alone and finally retired. I decided, after many years of avoiding getting a CFI certificate, I obtained my MEII. I was a former military flight instructor and airline pilot so I felt getting just the MEI would work for me for I felt I would be comfortable instructing in a multi-engine airplane. Now to find an instructing job. The second flight school I walked into hired me to be in a special training program focused on a King Air. I had no idea that the program existed (good luck), but I was thrilled at the opportunity to fly a business airplane in this program.
Keep in mind I was retired and only planning on working a short time. Well, after 2 1/2 years of part-time work I’ve logged over 1000 hours, flown all over Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana and have had a blast doing it. At 72 I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in this program. So don’t give up hope. You never know what lies ahead for you. Maybe a full-time flying job?
I self grounded in 2018 under similar circumstances. Two back to back years of ~20 hours of flying due to other commitments and I might just about have been keeping the rust hidden from others, but I sure as heck knew it was there and it was getting harder to ignore – particularly with two young kids.
Been thinking lot about getting back in to things recently, but if I’m realistic, I’m not sure circumstances have really changed for me that much…meh.
Think about all the high risk things that are around you all the time. Manage them and enjoy life especially with family.
If you listen to the Covid people you would think we are all going to die soon, if not that global warming.
Manage it all.
Just think about the gas pump handle, the window washer at the pump. Wear throw away gloves and wash you windows at home. Stay upwind of people when talking to them. Carry alcohol wipes. And stay away from restaurants.
I found myself in a similar situation. Took a management job in 2001 and just lost interest in flying my Bonanza. It sat and the hangar rent continued. Sold the plane and moved on. My family and job duties came first.
I retired in 2013 and did not think that much about flying for 6 years. Then the bug hit me. I checked out a flight school that rented a 182 and gave myself 10 hours to get signed off, did it in 6 hours. Got my medical and all was good. Also checked out in the Archer since the 182 was rented a lot.
All was good except the rental program just sucked.
Bought another Bonanza and enjoy it.
As far as Risk, I am a fair weather pilot, day time.
Now the risk that I have no control over is sharing the road with drivers that I don’t know and their condition to drive, yet we will be passing each other at 65 MPH 4 feet apart. Now that is trust. Same for flying, we share the sky’s with people we don’t know and if we within 1/2 mile of each other we think it’s a near hit.
I today’s life there are many things that will change our life, maybe today.
Be careful and live it with little or no regrets
Thanks, Ben, for yet another thought provoking essay.
Well said and I agree totally. I flew with my wife twice and once or twice with daughters. It’s one thing to take on a risk for yourself and it’s another thing to put it on others. Or to leave them left alone. I average about 20 hours a year at best. VFR calm winds and schedule and expense. I’m safe and want to keep it that way. I read everything I can and keep my head in the game. I feel it’s better than some kick the tires and go pilots. Never had a problem with my BFRs. Thank you for being honest.
Great observation (and caution) Ben. More pilots should be so self-aware (and compassionate). Rod Machado has a great video on achieving safety by valuing something more than our immediate enjoyment; respecting a larger purpose in your life.
On another note, I use a scenario much like yours on private pilot tests; “As a pilot, you have not flown in 23 months and 29 days, can you legally fly? (YES) Would this flight meet your personal standard of safety? (hopefully NO)”
Very wise, insightful and brave story here Ben….well said.
It’s comforting to read the reticence of a mature adult thinking and acting with caution as a ‘grown up’ mindful of his loved ones who depend on him, verses the unbridled eager puppy dog enthusiasm often written by GA enthusiasts who pursue the hobby with apparent reckless abandon comparable to not wearing sunscreen on the beach. The accident and mishap scenarios appearing every day on this reporting service often speak to ‘get there itis’ and disregard for mechanical integrity of their flying machine. I drop my head in sorrow for those left behind by GA pilots with child’s brains in adult bodies. Bravo Ben for your conservative approach to your hobby, and your excellent publication. Regards/J
Ben, I would echo Bob C’s comments. I live in the Minneapolis/St Paul area and would be more than happy to have you as a passenger, should you find yourself here. I too enjoy your publication. Keep up the good work!
As I age, I’ve found that my ability to not fixate upon one phase or another of operating any slightly complex mechanism has diminished. For that reason alone, I will stay non-current.
Ben,
There are thousands of pilots in your situation, but unfortunately for some, luck runs out and eventually we read about the accident later. Just the fact that you wrote about indicates that you know the risk and are making good decisions to deal with it going forward.
So in a related story, I was flying a short cross country one day when my Stratus (suction cupped to the window of my 172), came loose and bounced off the front of the empty passenger seat and came to rest behind the rudder pedals. After confirming that my rudder control was restricted, I realized that I needed to retrieve it somehow. I tried to lean over and grab the it, but couldn’t even come close. So, I climbed to 3k feet, cleared the airspace around me, and trimmed the aircraft with a little nose-up and level wings. In a Ninja-like flash, I unbuckled, crawled over to the right floor board and grabbed the Stratus, returned to my seat and buckled up in what seemed like took forever, but was probably 3 or 4 seconds. It was a scary moment for someone who’s accustomed to be securely strapped down in the cockpit! I’ve since tied a lanyard to my Stratus that keeps it from falling too far next time…
Rudder pedals in a 172? Guess I didn’t realize those were anything other than foot rests…..
I’m feeling the pain. I havn’t flown in over 20 years. And I’m building an EAB taildragger. Hopefully it will be finished in about another year. Then I need to get current…. and get a tail wheel endorsement. I know its gonna be a struggle to go from the days of steam gauges and dead reconing to ‘glass’ and GPS. My plane wont have all that, but to get current, I’m sure I’ll have to learn or/and master it. So much has changed since those days. I’m focused on finishing the plane, but I know the trials, errors and excitement of flying again is coming…
Ben,
I feel ya. It’s called priorities. I’ve taken a step back or two as well. While I do remain current, I choose to not fly single engine at night anymore, nor single engine IFR. Two daughters who depend on me, as well as an elderly father, yep. It’s being responsible. Good on ya!
If years lapse between flights then you are not flying legally as you MUST go up with a CFI every two years min for an hour and an hour on the ground for your BFRs.
The article was not about the “flight review”, but rather the decision to continue to fly or not. A “flight review” would be part of getting instruction if the decision is made to return to flying after two years. That being said, it would certainly be prudent to get some dual after a year of inactivity.
If you ever find yourself in Massachusetts you’re always welcome to fly with me in my Husky. I’ve enjoyed reading GA News since I became a pilot and appreciate all you’ve done for GA. So this is just a small way to give back to someone who has already given so much.