Feeling guilt for not flying?

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AlexJamesFitz@reddit

Is the problem access to transportation or wanting a little break because you were in a car accident?

If it's the first, see if your insurance company will cover a rental in the meanwhile. That may not work out depending on your age, though.

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So it’s a bit of both. I went to the doctor right after and was experiencing migraines at most and just light soreness. The doctor said I should most likely not fly for the next two days at least but it’s up to my discretion (I got a doctors note just in case). I am also trying to get a rental car from the other person’s insurance but their insurance adjuster isn’t picking up the phone as of right now

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ltcterry@reddit

Not migraines. Headaches. Not migraines.

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BuzzTheTower12@reddit

If you are having migraines, you likely got at least a mild concussion. You should definitely wait till the symptoms resolve, before flying again.

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vivalicious16@reddit

My guy, this happened yesterday. Take time to recover and rest, especially if you’re having symptoms. It’s better to feel guilty for not flying than feel guilty for flying and dying…lol.

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AlexJamesFitz@reddit

Second this. Wait til the migraines subside at least, you don't want to fly with one of those.

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nolaflygirl@reddit

Your own insurance co. should be contacting the other ins. co., not you. That's their job to arrange things for you. That's what you pay them for.

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cmmurf@reddit

My advice is patience. Including being patient with your impatience.

There’s plenty of ground school to work on. But don’t be quite so eager to dismiss this experience. You can draw upon it and learn. Accountability is a recurring theme in aviation, it doesn’t take incidents or accidents to trigger this theme.

In a car accident I was likewise not legally/economically at fault. But I identified weaknesses in defensive driving posture. Like, it’s still not my fault, but it might have been avoidable. Doing things to avoid or limit accidents is an effective use of limited resources.

This is not the same thing as staying in the safety zone though. You will become a better pilot intentionally pushing the envelope with a plan, a goal, with a skilled instructor. This means things like getting time in gliders, tailwheel, aerobatics, advanced stalls. That’s your equivalent defensive posture in aviation.

Whether car or airplane, you never see the accident coming. That’s the problem. We can train to be better prepared, to standardize, to look ahead, to be predictable, to avoid conflict. And still push the envelope in the right context and environment.

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ltcterry@reddit

How many letters in IMSAFE apply to this situation?

Zero reason for you to feel anything but relief that you are OK. Everything else can be worked out.

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Manga_Ryu_@reddit (OP)

Yeah, I definitely feel relief that everyone turned out to be okay in the situation. I just don’t wanna fall behind and know everything is kinda happening this week. It is for the best that I don’t fly though for sure

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Ill_Writer8430@reddit

To put it bluntly, you will be very far behind if you end up in a burning crater because you flew when you weren't fit to.

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maxmcfly3@reddit

There isn’t really an “ahead” or behind in flight school. I’ve gone through 4 or 5 “flight school” programs (PPL personally, and different phases of military). The anxiety of wanting to keep up with classmates is real and I get it, but there are weather cancellations, maintenance cancellations, people go “down” (your case right now) etc all the time.

You aren’t ahead or behind necessarily, you’re just where you’re at in the syllabus! It’s aggravating and annoying, especially since it wasn’t your fault and you can’t control it. But at the same time, you’ll get back up in a few weeks.

Use the extra time to study and make sure you have checklists, EP’s, systems, and any other ground school lessons down pat so you can be more than ready when you get back. Good luck, dude!

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Platterskill@reddit

You’ll be alright. I had big plans to become a professional pilot and then took a 2 year break from flying due to some stupid personal reasons. Moral of the story, life happens but the sky will always be there. Chances are if you’re in college you’re probably young and have plenty of time to reach your goals. Focus on healing up and when you’re mentally and physically (emphasis on mentally) get back up there.

Lean on family and seek advice from them as far as insurance goes. If you weren’t at fault don’t worry too much about things, they’ll work out.

You’re definitely distracted now by what’s happened so it’s best you take as long as it requires to clear your head and make sure you’re fit to fly. IMSAFE!!! A couple weeks won’t make or break your flying career! Best of luck to you! Feel free to PM with any questions about the insurance, I was in your shoes last year.

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riptrixie@reddit

Try not to rush, you aren’t racing anyone to fly more or get your license faster. Everyone has their own pace, and life happens.

Take it from me, I took my PPL check ride, then just 2 days later, I badly injured my shoulder and was grounded for 6 months. Had to drop classes and didn’t fly for 6 months. I was worried I would forget how to fly and I was worried my injury ruined my flight training. Fast forward to now, I started flying 3 months ago after finally recovering, and it’s like riding a bike. I was able to pick up where I left off easily.

Just focus on handling your situation, staying in the books, and when you get back to flying it’ll be like you never took any time off.

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lorianthesse@reddit

Don’t beat yourself up — accidents happen and it’s not your fault. Take the time you need to sort things out and recover. Flying will still be there when you’re ready, and being patient now keeps you safer later

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nolaflygirl@reddit

All accidents are different. But first, doesn't your auto insurance provide for a rental car after an accident while yours in the shop? I have State Farm & someone plowed into me in '22 & totaled my SUV & it was my only vehicle. State Farm paid 80% for a rental car the very next day, which I had for 3 wks while I shopped for a replacement car. Ask your insurance agent. That way, at least, you don't have to depend on friends to drive you everywhere. Having a car will immediately ease your mind while you figure out the next steps.

Accidents are very upsetting, even when they're not your fault, & sidetrack most people bc you now have to deal w/ the aftermath. You didn't indicate any injuries, so that's one less thing you have to worry about. But if the collision was a very hard impact, DO go to the doctor & get checked out bc you can be injured & not know it!

In my case, I thought I was ok, except my knee hurt, which hit the steering wheel & my forehead was swelling. My young daughter had a slight neck pain. Luckily, bc my forehead & face were turning purple...I called a cab to take us to the ER. I had a contusion. No big deal. But my daughter's neck was fractured! Needless to say, we were sidetracked for a long time. She's ok now. Just be sure to get checked out.

Re your ground test. If too much is going on, especially if you can't get a temporary rental vehicle, I'd try to take the ground test next wk or however late they allow if your mind is very distracted from this accident, which is totally understandable. You don't want to perform poorly on ANY flying-related test.

Re your PPL written. Again, I'd wait to take it until things calm down from this accident & you have your car back & normalcy returns. If you don't do well on it, the DPE will grill you on your oral, on everything you missed. I was also in college, finishing my B.A. when I took it & scored in the high 90s. Consequently, my oral test was a breeze & so was my checkride.

This is an IMPORTANT milestone. You do NOT want to fail anything! IMHO, as a mature pilot, let things settle a bit, so your mind is calm, & consult w/ your teachers/instructors to see when it's best to take your ground test & PPL written. Also talk w/ your auto insurance agt & ask about any rental car coverage in your policy. Good luck & let us know how you make out.

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__Patrick_Basedman_@reddit

I can assure you that I’ve had longer spells of not flying. There was moments in school when I didn’t fly for like 1 month because of bad weather and scheduling issues. Don’t kick yourself down. Life gets in the way of things, so push through and get back when you’re ready and able to

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mirassou3416@reddit

Don't worry about it. Just take time to get over the accident and handle affairs. Flying will wait for you

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rFlyingTower@reddit

This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:

Okay I totally know this is like not my fault and it’s okay to take time before flying again. I got into a car accident yesterday (Other person merged into me which was totally their fault and the officer gave them a citation) and my car needed to get towed. I’m currently a 3 hour drive away from my college where I’m a student pilot. I was supposed to fly all this week and take my ground class final on Thursday which my teacher endorses me to take the written portion for my PPL. I just feel like the accident really sidetracked me and feel like I’m disappointing myself in someway by not getting someone I know to just drive me over to my college to take the test and try to fly by tomorrow and Thursday. My instructors and teachers are understanding but I have no clue how long accidents take to get resolved since this is my first accident so I just feel weird about waiting. I feel impatient to get back to how it was.

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