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By Jeffrey Synk
There are many things you can do in aviation that will keep you at the top of your flying game and offer lots of enjoyment and excitement whether you are flying or not. New ratings, new certificates, pilot networking, aviation organizations, and magazines are but a few, but before I talk about those more in-depth, first I would like to share with you a little story.
If You Give A Pilot A License
I occasionally read a story to my daughter called, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," by Laura Joffe Numeroff. It's a story about what happens when you give a mouse a cookie. You discover that if you give a mouse a cookie, he is probably going to want a glass of milk. And if you give him a glass of milk, he is probably going to want a napkin, and if you give him a napkin...well, you get the drift. The story goes on and on until finally it comes full-circle with, "If you give a mouse a cookie..."
"If You Give A Mouse a Cookie" is a charming story and somewhat similar to what flying is all about because once you get your Private Pilot license (certificate), it is really hard to stop there. It's basically a tease. Your realize that you are somewhat limited, so you get your Instrument rating. Whew! Your done! Oh, but not quite. You've done some cross-country flights and some night flights and suddenly you realize that you have over 200 hours in your logbook. Then someone says, "Hey, why don't you get your Commercial rating?" This gets you thinking that maybe you might want to try to make some money flying, so you get your Commercial rating. Eventually it becomes one certificate and rating after another much like if you "give a mouse a cookie."
Now whether you want to just stay a Private Pilot or get multiple ratings and certificates, the fact is you have to keep training and learning. Flying is a skill and one that needs to be practiced regularly much like any endeavor you undertake. Besides, it keeps flying interesting and fresh and offers a ton of opportunities, especially if your goal is to fly professionally someday. Now you don't have to go get ALL the ratings available, of course, because that can get very expensive. It is fine to be a Private Pilot and fly because you love to fly. But, either way, you have to stay current on the latest developments in aviation and "proficient" in order to fly safely. This is the best way to stay on top of your game but it is easier said than done.
Staying Motivated About Flying When Not Flying
Money and weather are always an issue when it comes to flying. So what do you do if money is tight or the weather seems to always be bad but you still want to stay involved in flying? Even after you have received your Private Pilot license or have gone all out and launched a career as a pilot, there are always ways you can be working to keep up with what is going on in aviation and the aviation industry. Here are a few suggestions:
Join An Aviation Group
One of the best things you can do to stay motivated and stay involved in flying is to join a group of other like-minded pilots in your area or on-line, like on Facebook. Pilots are a unique group of people and the experiences you have flying are unlike any other hobby or profession there is. It's natural you will want to belong to a community of pilots who share those common experiences. A few groups you may want to consider are aircraft restoration societies, glider clubs, Civil Air Patrol (http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com) and air show planning organizations. All these groups focus on improving aviation in their own way and are a lot of fun to be a part of.
Networking With Other Pilots
Networking with other pilots can offer you many benefits as well. The groups mentioned above are great for networking and a flight school is a great place to build future relationships, too. Your local fixed-base operator (FBO), which is an aircraft service center at an airport that provides fueling, aircraft rentals and possibly charter services, is ideal. Just striking up a conversation about the flying conditions that day or sharing important facts about the local area like "flight restrictions" or preferred operational procedures that you know about or heard about from other pilots may open the doors to opportunities undreamed of. One very good friend landed a flying job just this way. And don't forget to stay in touch with your flight instructor. You never know when you may need that letter of recommendation for a future airline job interview and who better to provide that letter than the pilot who taught YOU how to fly?
Building A Relationship With The FAA
There are other levels of networking and staying in the flying game that you can tap into as a member of the aviation community that you may not have thought of before. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Even though we think of the FAA as that big governmental agency in the sky, the FAA is staffed by individuals who are interested in taking care of pilots and making sure everybody lives up to the same standards so the industry is safe and profitable. If you live near a big enough airport, you probably have an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) (http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/) near you. These representatives would like nothing more than to know you better to find out how the agency can serve your needs. At many locations, the FAA holds meetings every other week that are really classes for pilots just like you to help you stay up-to-date with your education and to answer any questions that may have come up about the aviation industry and the FAA's relationship to it. Furthermore, the FAA offers free training and free publications through their website all focused exclusively on the aviation industry that you can take advantage of. So include your local FAA FSDO representatives in your network of professional associations. It will pay you well to tap this huge resource.
Flying Magazines And Publications
Finally, flying magazines and publications are a great way to stay in touch when you don't have much time. One of the reasons I got back into flying after a long hiatus was because of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) "Flight Training" magazine available at any bookstore. Here was a magazine that "talked to me." It kept me up-to-date on the latest-and-greatest technology, procedures, news, and commentaries regarding aviation. Then, when I became a flight instructor, it offered valuable tips on instruction techniques and ideas. Another terrific magazine is "Flying." Great articles and lots of good information are filled with every issue. These magazines will definitely keep you on top of your game.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Flying, and flying often, or getting new ratings and certificates is by far the best way to stay proficient and to grow as a pilot. Realistically though, money, time, and personal commitments often get in the way. Hopefully, you have seen that there are other ways to stay in the game of flying even if you aren't actually flying. It is important to stay involved in flying once you start because if you don't, your "flying" dream may slip away and that would be tragic. Being involved with aviation groups, networking, building relationships, and reading magazines are some of the best ways I know how to stay in the game.
Jeffrey is a captain at regional airline and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He flies the CRJ200, CRJ700, and CRJ900. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, a CL-65 (CRJ200) type rating, Gold Seal Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), and Advanced Ground Instructor. He has over 4000 hours total flight time.
He writes the blog Almost the Speed of Sound (http://www.flycrj.com) which is about his experiences, insights, and thoughts about being an airline captain and flight instructor. He is also the author of "The CRJ Quicknotes Study Guide" which is available at http://www.flycrj.com/order.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Synk
http://EzineArticles.com/?Staying-on-Top-of-Your-Game-As-a-Pilot&id=2469488
There are many things you can do in aviation that will keep you at the top of your flying game and offer lots of enjoyment and excitement whether you are flying or not. New ratings, new certificates, pilot networking, aviation organizations, and magazines are but a few, but before I talk about those more in-depth, first I would like to share with you a little story.
If You Give A Pilot A License
I occasionally read a story to my daughter called, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," by Laura Joffe Numeroff. It's a story about what happens when you give a mouse a cookie. You discover that if you give a mouse a cookie, he is probably going to want a glass of milk. And if you give him a glass of milk, he is probably going to want a napkin, and if you give him a napkin...well, you get the drift. The story goes on and on until finally it comes full-circle with, "If you give a mouse a cookie..."
"If You Give A Mouse a Cookie" is a charming story and somewhat similar to what flying is all about because once you get your Private Pilot license (certificate), it is really hard to stop there. It's basically a tease. Your realize that you are somewhat limited, so you get your Instrument rating. Whew! Your done! Oh, but not quite. You've done some cross-country flights and some night flights and suddenly you realize that you have over 200 hours in your logbook. Then someone says, "Hey, why don't you get your Commercial rating?" This gets you thinking that maybe you might want to try to make some money flying, so you get your Commercial rating. Eventually it becomes one certificate and rating after another much like if you "give a mouse a cookie."
Now whether you want to just stay a Private Pilot or get multiple ratings and certificates, the fact is you have to keep training and learning. Flying is a skill and one that needs to be practiced regularly much like any endeavor you undertake. Besides, it keeps flying interesting and fresh and offers a ton of opportunities, especially if your goal is to fly professionally someday. Now you don't have to go get ALL the ratings available, of course, because that can get very expensive. It is fine to be a Private Pilot and fly because you love to fly. But, either way, you have to stay current on the latest developments in aviation and "proficient" in order to fly safely. This is the best way to stay on top of your game but it is easier said than done.
Staying Motivated About Flying When Not Flying
Money and weather are always an issue when it comes to flying. So what do you do if money is tight or the weather seems to always be bad but you still want to stay involved in flying? Even after you have received your Private Pilot license or have gone all out and launched a career as a pilot, there are always ways you can be working to keep up with what is going on in aviation and the aviation industry. Here are a few suggestions:
Join An Aviation Group
One of the best things you can do to stay motivated and stay involved in flying is to join a group of other like-minded pilots in your area or on-line, like on Facebook. Pilots are a unique group of people and the experiences you have flying are unlike any other hobby or profession there is. It's natural you will want to belong to a community of pilots who share those common experiences. A few groups you may want to consider are aircraft restoration societies, glider clubs, Civil Air Patrol (http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com) and air show planning organizations. All these groups focus on improving aviation in their own way and are a lot of fun to be a part of.
Networking With Other Pilots
Networking with other pilots can offer you many benefits as well. The groups mentioned above are great for networking and a flight school is a great place to build future relationships, too. Your local fixed-base operator (FBO), which is an aircraft service center at an airport that provides fueling, aircraft rentals and possibly charter services, is ideal. Just striking up a conversation about the flying conditions that day or sharing important facts about the local area like "flight restrictions" or preferred operational procedures that you know about or heard about from other pilots may open the doors to opportunities undreamed of. One very good friend landed a flying job just this way. And don't forget to stay in touch with your flight instructor. You never know when you may need that letter of recommendation for a future airline job interview and who better to provide that letter than the pilot who taught YOU how to fly?
Building A Relationship With The FAA
There are other levels of networking and staying in the flying game that you can tap into as a member of the aviation community that you may not have thought of before. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Even though we think of the FAA as that big governmental agency in the sky, the FAA is staffed by individuals who are interested in taking care of pilots and making sure everybody lives up to the same standards so the industry is safe and profitable. If you live near a big enough airport, you probably have an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) (http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/) near you. These representatives would like nothing more than to know you better to find out how the agency can serve your needs. At many locations, the FAA holds meetings every other week that are really classes for pilots just like you to help you stay up-to-date with your education and to answer any questions that may have come up about the aviation industry and the FAA's relationship to it. Furthermore, the FAA offers free training and free publications through their website all focused exclusively on the aviation industry that you can take advantage of. So include your local FAA FSDO representatives in your network of professional associations. It will pay you well to tap this huge resource.
Flying Magazines And Publications
Finally, flying magazines and publications are a great way to stay in touch when you don't have much time. One of the reasons I got back into flying after a long hiatus was because of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) "Flight Training" magazine available at any bookstore. Here was a magazine that "talked to me." It kept me up-to-date on the latest-and-greatest technology, procedures, news, and commentaries regarding aviation. Then, when I became a flight instructor, it offered valuable tips on instruction techniques and ideas. Another terrific magazine is "Flying." Great articles and lots of good information are filled with every issue. These magazines will definitely keep you on top of your game.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Flying, and flying often, or getting new ratings and certificates is by far the best way to stay proficient and to grow as a pilot. Realistically though, money, time, and personal commitments often get in the way. Hopefully, you have seen that there are other ways to stay in the game of flying even if you aren't actually flying. It is important to stay involved in flying once you start because if you don't, your "flying" dream may slip away and that would be tragic. Being involved with aviation groups, networking, building relationships, and reading magazines are some of the best ways I know how to stay in the game.
Jeffrey is a captain at regional airline and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He flies the CRJ200, CRJ700, and CRJ900. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, a CL-65 (CRJ200) type rating, Gold Seal Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI), and Advanced Ground Instructor. He has over 4000 hours total flight time.
He writes the blog Almost the Speed of Sound (http://www.flycrj.com) which is about his experiences, insights, and thoughts about being an airline captain and flight instructor. He is also the author of "The CRJ Quicknotes Study Guide" which is available at http://www.flycrj.com/order.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Synk
http://EzineArticles.com/?Staying-on-Top-of-Your-Game-As-a-Pilot&id=2469488
