Tips for returning to flight after holidays

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crippy
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Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by crippy »

From the holidays and time away, it has been over a month since my last flight. I've toyed around here and there with my new Connie and the B-17 but nothing more than engine start procedures.

I was just curious to hear what tips / routines you all go through when you haven't flown in a very long time.
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AKar
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by AKar »

I just take a relatively simple flight and take it slow. I want to have a moment to think about what I am doing before executing any phase of flight. Forming a picture in my mind of what's going to happen. In the simulator, the 'P'-key is your friend, if necessary (often it is not, and one forgets its existence). I've noted that I actually fly better in the sim (in terms of basic handling) after a pause of several months due to this regeneration of flying touch than I would do without. Continuously flowing tasks, such as 'muscle memory' don't seem to fade much at all; the reason to take time when returning is to recollect how various procedural tasks were accomplished, what were the important figures and so on. The discrete, step-by-step things are what one easily forgets, or loses proficiency in. Luckily, there aren't that much of those in most GAs.

-Esa

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Medtner
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by Medtner »

“When you haven’t flown in a while?”

What do you mean? You mean from one day to the next? That doesn’t worry me too much. Or are we talking about *gasp!* several days? Now that is a gruesome concept. ;)
Erik Haugan Aasland,

Arendal, Norway
(Homebase: Kristiansand Lufthavn, Kjevik (ENCN)

All the Accusim-planes are in my hangar, but they aren't sitting long enough for their engines to cool much before next flight!

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AKar
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by AKar »

Medtner wrote:Or are we talking about *gasp!* several days? Now that is a gruesome concept. ;)
I checked it has been near seven months since I last did any real flight in FSX/P3D. :( I've only been refreshing on DCS, for twelve hours in total, for it is easy and simple to keep up to date.

It has been a few years since I last flew a glider in real world. A some more with any Piper Cessna. Next summer - I will again. Enough of backburner status.

-Esa

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dvm
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by dvm »

I assume you are referring to flying the sim. If that is the case just go for it your not going to die or break anything for real. :lol:

Remeber "Birds can fly because they take themselves lightly"!

Roadburner426
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by Roadburner426 »

I used to go through a whole refresh routine when I would take periodic breaks from the sim. However I have so much time in the sim, and on the certain aircraft I fly that getting back in the saddle is almost second nature. Get a little dusty and botch maybe a start or 2, and the landing may not be very pretty. Most of the other stuff though I am fairly confident in. Helps too though I suppose working on helicopters in real life. So even if I am not flying in sim I am still interacting with pilots and doing aircraft maintenance. So aviation is still at the forefront of my brain whether I am simming or not. :mrgreen:
S. Jordan
AM; United States Navy
FSX/P3Dc4 Hours: 3100 and counting! All A2A birds in the hangar except the 172.

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Skycat
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by Skycat »

Add +10 lbs. to your pilot's weight to account for holiday feasting. ;)
Pax Orbis Per Arma Aeria

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Mithras
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by Mithras »

Sometimes when work is hectic (I work from home 3 days a week) I have to miss a day or two. If course when I'm on holiday (US = vacation) all I do is dream of flying on the sim! I'd be climbing the walls of I couldn't fly for a week or more. It is sheer joy, relief, relaxation, excitement, wonder and a challenge - all in one.

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Lewis - A2A
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Re: Tips for returning to flight after holidays

Post by Lewis - A2A »

total check, pre-flight and then get up and go 8)

cheers,
Lewis
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