7 July 2020
While plenty of pilots have been lucky enough to get back to some GA flying, for many of us that’s not been an option. However, the lockdown has given most of us time to reflect on our flying – and perhaps our lives in general. I’ve done all the usual things for the aircraft that I fly, such as refreshing my memory of checklists and emergency stuff. I’ve not gone down the computer simulator route, although I gather that’s not a bad way to keep yourself vaguely current. I still have not updated my logbook, not that there’s much to add since I last did it. My last flight was in the PC-12 at the end of February before I went off on a skiing holiday, before returning to the ‘end of aviation as we know it’. For the first time since I learned to fly, I now find myself out of currency for all aircraft. It feels a bit strange to be honest, and the more I start to look at my current situation the more I could start to panic.
The first thing to lapse was my Catalina rating, and with no sign of any airshows any time soon, I don’t know if I’ll even renew it this season. This is especially sad as it was looking like a super busy season for us all over Europe, which included a lot of water flying.
My SEP is due to lapse very soon, and while I know there are the various extensions granted to ratings, I’ve not looked into that for now as my Cub is still not airworthy. The saga of that little aeroplane is almost enough to put you off owning a light aircraft altogether… but our group soldiers on in the hope that we might once again have an airworthy aeroplane – one day.
“Getting my seaplane rating is still right up there as one of the most fun things I’ve done”
That leaves the work PC-12 as the only current rating I have, and while the aircraft is ready to go, due to all the COVID-19 restrictions we can’t really ‘go’ anywhere. Before you ask, I didn’t borrow it to go for a jolly to the beach… With potential two week quarantine for some destinations, I don’t see the owners wanting to go anywhere if that’s what waits on the return. At least my medical is valid until the end of the year…
With little prospect of flying any time soon, what’s a pilot to do? You could fall down into the pit of despair never to resurface and wallow in all the missed opportunities. While we probably should take a little time to grieve, I’d rather look to the future and decide what I want to do next by reassessing everything.
I got my first flying job in 2009 when the world was going through a massive recession, so I know nothing is impossible if you’re willing to change things up to suit the circumstances. It’s by doing this that we can stay positive and not fall into the trap of thinking everything is terrible.
For numerous reasons, I came back to the UK from what was a dream job, and a big reason was the desire to build a Van’s RV-8. I’ve now got most of the way through constructing a large workshop in my back garden but have yet to start the kit, the empennage of which is still under my bed. There are many reasons for that, time and money being the main two. Right now I have lots of time, but without being certain I’ll still have a job in the future, I can’t commit to investing lots of money into it.
I’ve also realised that it’s going to cost more money than I initially thought to see the project through, so something will have to give. If I’m honest with myself I think I had realised that before all the coronavirus pandemic kicked off, but there’s nothing like having lots of time to reflect on things.
So. I have decided to sell my share in the Catalina. It’s been an amazing five years flying her and I’ve achieved far more than I would have imagined in that short time.
The fact that I bought my share unseen via a Skype call from a hotel room in Jakarta still amuses me, and is testament to how I’ve taken the policy to just go for things if you can and don’t hesitate. Getting my seaplane rating is still right up there as one of the most fun things I’ve done with an aeroplane.
However, if I want to get this RV-8 done, something has to give. I cannot afford to have three aircraft on the go, for financial and time reasons.
I could never sell the Cub as it is still the best aircraft I’ve ever flown and epitomises the very essence of pure flying. It’s also about as cheap as you can get for simple flying pleasure. It will fly again one day and while I build the RV-8, I’ll need something to keep me current in SEP aircraft.
If you’re keen in joining the Catalina group you’ll be interested to know you only need a PPL to fly it and all the training is given by our in-house instructor. As a shareholder, you can even take it for jollies to the beach, should you wish…
The group is holding an open day at Duxford on Sunday 11 October (2020), so if you’re interested, please let me know and I’ll send you all the details.
It’s been awesome to be involved with keeping and flying a genuine WWII warbird, but it’s time to move on. I wish the group – and any new members – all the best for the future.
Cub under maintenance, Catalina share for sale. Just the work PC-12…
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