Anyone grounded for years and can’t find a realistic path back?
Posted by aviator_educator@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 50 comments
I’ve been grounded for 8 years. Not because I stopped loving flying, but because the cost, the aging fleet, and the feeling that the system wasn’t built for people like me just wore me down.
Anyone else feel this way? I’m curious how many of us are out there, pilots who still think about flying constantly but can’t find a realistic (or less-expensive) path back.
What’s kept you grounded? And what would actually get you back in the air?
MechanicalPulp@reddit
I loved flying, finishing PPL didn’t work out. Went to college, started career, and flew with people I knew whenever possible. 17 years later, it worked out. Got my PPL and in 2023 bought a Piper Arrow. The ship sailed for the airline job I dreamt about as a kid - but now I have a really fun thing to share with my family and get to fly whenever I feel like it.
PG67AW@reddit
The ship hasn't sailed unless you're like 60. Don't let your dreams be dreams.
zangler@reddit
Basically my exact story. Have a great career now, and flew whenever I got a chance. Would love to get back in for the love of the game. Started over 30 years ago. Dream is now family flights CC or something like that.
fussinghell@reddit
Just about todo my conversion to the Arrow. But I’ll only be doing private hire, no ownership for me but I’m looking forward to it
uniballing@reddit
Sounds a lot like me. I flew a bit in high school, dreamed about it a bit in college, graduated, built a career, and came back to it in my late 30s. One of my CFIs was in his 40s working on a career change. I’m just flying for fun now
SmithKenichi@reddit
Doesn't sound like you're grounded. Just sounds like you don't like it.
Swimming_Way_7372@reddit
What does the aging fleet have to do with keeping you on the ground. The best flights ive ever had have been in airplanes that had their tongues hanging out and smelled like oil and piss. I get the cost part but don't let the age have any effect on your flying.
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
I just realized the guys that enjoy ga may have a weird fetish for smelling piss, leaded fuel, and 50 year old butt sweat.
taint_tattoo@reddit
Don't kink shame!
mustang__1@reddit
Someday the lack of fleet replacement at scale will catch up to us. We can only sustain GA because of what came before us. I hope that changes - either in salaries catching up with the cost or more cost effective products, but .... I have low hopes.
TxAggieMike@reddit
Fortunately, we treat the older GA fleet muuuuch better than we do our autos and trucks.
If we did better maintenance and routine inspections on our vehicles and kept detailed logbooks, our car money would “last longer” and we could get more when we sell.
bhalter80@reddit
There's also the fact that the current auto fleet is basically a g1000 172 that's as good as it's ever going to get from an avionics perspective while everything pre-2010 is upgradeable at will
KITTYONFYRE@reddit
I think it's pretty silly to think that progress won't continue, and in unexpected ways.
I think the real problem with car longevity (in much of the US) is salt. The lack of corrosive agents in the runway environment REALLY helps these planes last a whole hell of a lot longer. Definitely people don't take care of their cars as well, either. Plus, parts aren't as easy to get (they're still producing the same 1960 engine and all of its associated parts for that skyhawk).
I'd rather aviation was closer to cars, tbh, even as someone very pro right to repair/sustainability/durability. A fleet of newer planes, with associated newer safety features, would go a decent way towards improving GA safety (see: diamond vs cessna)
taint_tattoo@reddit
There is another problem, and that is usage volume. Many private GA planes get used about 50 hours per year, while many private automobiles get used about that much every month.
Add to that the often unseen damage that cars take from the poor road conditions in many areas.
By contrast, GA planes are babied.
bhalter80@reddit
I love what Cirrus and Diamond are doing I just find the current building of the airplane around the infotainment system like g700/g1000 really problematic for longevity. Same problems exists in cars
KITTYONFYRE@reddit
Ah I think I misunderstood your first comment (or maybe you brain farted...?). Yeah, those planes having the g1000 on the type cert is a big problem. Not one I know a damn thing about except from the thread the other day that I'm pretty sure you were the one posting in, lol
bhalter80@reddit
Could have been.
The thing with those is that because of that they're very limited in what you can put into them and are as good as they'll likely ever been without a massive upgrade plan.
Putting a g600 in my Baron is not easy either but it can be done.
primalbluewolf@reddit
Issue comes down to regulation. Used to be a lot more feasible to build a better engine or a better wing and sell it to Joe Public.
falcopilot@reddit
Certainly, on average, the fleet hasn't gotten any younger.
primalbluewolf@reddit
On average its mostly gone up a little less than 1 year, per year.
Glittering-Mammoth35@reddit
I worry about deferred maintenance on 50+ y.o. Airplanes. I don’t want to suffer through a bunch of crazy expensive annuals only to find out that some essential part is unobtainium and be out of luck or AOG indefinitely. The cost and risk associated with the aging fleet (and fewer affordable airplanes every year) means flying has become out of reach for anyone who’s not earning high 6 figures. This is just my experience.
Cats155@reddit
Old ass planes constantly breaking and generally freaking out passengers gets old. Sometime I wish I didn’t have to explain to a passenger why there are 4 inop gauges and a useless ammeter in a 70s Piper.
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
I bought my own to not deal with that... Or only have one person to blame when I do
JBalloonist@reddit
I'm in the beginning of a break after flying fairly consistently for the last five years, including earning my IR a year ago. Time and money getting in the way. I'll be back, but not sure when.
Akepur@reddit
I was grounded, medically, for 13 years. Was told I was done flying for good. Always told my story. Until I randomly met a Dr that called BS on my situation. He got me my medical back. Full standard FIRST class. Now I am a 135 CA, I have CJO with an airline.
It cost me a a bunch of money. But worth it.
warning_signs@reddit
Who did you use?! I went years undiagnosed with a rare condition and given a bunch of erroneous meds. Turns out, the condition isn’t even a big deal and is easily treatable.
SemiProFakeCarDriver@reddit
I'm not u/akepur, but I used AMAS for a weird and disqualifying cardiology condition, and they were great at managing everything. One thing that made it much harder is that because my condition is weird, I had doctors make notes and do things that then had to be further evaluated and ruled out. The FAA went through my whole medical history and basically said "everything a doctor suggested needs to get ruled out" and it was exhausting. I had a transcription error that listed me as having melanoma at one point, that was fun to track down (fortunately a letter from my current dermatologist was sufficient).
Absolutely worth it for me, I love flying!
Oregon-Pilot@reddit
I’ve been out for about a year, hopefully getting back soon. How was training when you finally got back? Im worried about loss of proficiency and knowledge making it really difficult. I’ve got a plan to mitigate it, but curious how things went for you.
Akepur@reddit
Fine. When I lost the medical I was only a private pilot with 100 hours. Like riding a bike. Did a lengthier flight review. Then just jumped in to instrument. So nothing compared to being away from a transport category.
Accurate-Breath-1272@reddit
This is very inspirational. Thanks for sharing!
Substantial-Good1174@reddit
That’s awesome! Congrats on getting your medical back and achieving your goals!
Human-Iron9265@reddit
This gives me hope, have all my ratings and been grounded for nearly three years. Took a full time job detailing cars to get some money flowing back in.
AreYouAliv3@reddit
Honestly even one flight every couple months is probably enough to keep the spark alive. Doesn’t have to be airlines or bust. Flying is still flying.
adnwilson@reddit
You looking for path to be a commercial pilot or to be a GA pilot?
Mispelled-This@reddit
I was medically grounded for 21 years. Finally had the time and money to hire a good doctor and lawyer, and after 3 years of fighting FAA incompetence, I finally got my medical back. Going career wasn’t realistic anymore due to golden handcuffs, but I own a plane and fly (nearly) whenever and wherever I want.
redditburner_5000@reddit
There's no way around the cost. It is what it is. Everything else is up to you.
yerlovernico@reddit
I’ve been grounded about a year and a half because I’ve been laid off for most of that time and can’t afford it. I was going for my PPL and complete a few solos before I had to stop. I’d love to get back into it once I can afford to and finally get my license (granted I pass my check ride and everything).
Many-Airport-757@reddit
I was in the same situation! Flying was glaring at me in the face every day during my hiatus. Finally one month ago I said screw it!! I held my breath and swallowed the bill lol. I am doing it at my own pace. There’s too much pressure to get hours fast. This approach is helping me enjoy it more and not get worn down.
pilot87178d@reddit
OP has nailed it. No realistic path.
When I stopped, it was about $72 to feed the Hobbs Meter for rental and to purchase ramp gas on my go-to fav, a 30 yr-old '68 172 . Last I checked, all that is around $225 for a similar rented ride. I think of that aircraft, 23 Romeo, often....it is still training on a field 3 states away.
The Stearman, my 2nd Place personal favorite, and the PA 28 are no longer on the field as they went with the business that owned them.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I’ve been grounded for 8 years. Not because I stopped loving flying, but because the cost, the aging fleet, and the feeling that the system wasn’t built for people like me just wore me down.
Anyone else feel this way? I’m curious how many of us are out there, pilots who still think about flying constantly but can’t find a realistic (or less-expensive) path back.
What’s kept you grounded? And what would actually get you back in the air?
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Various-Blood-3902@reddit
Got my CFI in 2022, worked as a CFI in 2023, quit because my boss was abusive, and I focused on myself for the past couple of years. Now it’s impossible to get a job.
mysterygarbage@reddit
I found my way back. It took more time, effort, money up front, and credit card debt than I expected, but I made it. Seven years about. Life doesn’t slow down, but the economy and the industry do. First I stopped because I thought I was broke. Then school ended and the student loans payments came. I kept waiting for it to get easier or for a better time. Luckily my wife could keep us afloat and had a real job with health benefits, etc, and we waited to have kids, and I knew it was fast approaching a now or never fork in the road.
I was working different ground services jobs for years while trying not to get too far from the industry, after not finishing my commercial license during college.
The real journey back into it started with a “Rusty Pilot” seminar. It was fun and there were peers there in similar straits, and I felt immediately like my knowledge wasn’t as far gone as I had believed. I chipped and chipped at a single engine commercial, then a CFI, but luckily got scooped up by a 135. I was a grown man flying with kids for Captains.
Start with the seminar. Then go full dunk into it if you’re trying to go pro.
OkEfficiency3747@reddit
What do you mean, "the system wasn't built for people like me"?
excellent_rektangle@reddit
I was going to a big box flight school and left my IR training about midway through. I chased the shortage (at 40+) but quickly realized commercial flying was not going to be for me, decided to hang it up before I spent another $40k. I’m now 2 years removed from my last flight and I’m getting bitten by the bug to get back up there. Just don’t really know where to start…
TxAggieMike@reddit
Look at AOPA’s Rusty Pilot and You Can Fly Programs.
Seek out a local independent flight instructor near to you and just start with a conversation.
You can also start a thread here stating where you’re located and you’re seeking an independent instructor worth your time.
Eventually you will have enough information to confidently take the next steps.
ROTORTheLibrarian2@reddit
For myself it’s simply costs. Rusty pilot here and went back up a few months to get brushed up and flight review. Work, life get in the way and just two weeks in between flights, rates went up again due to fuel etc. I miss it though.
armrha@reddit
Gliders... pretty cheap, I can give people rides if they feel like putting around a valley and it's pretty cheap. My bill last month was like $250 and I did like 5 rides. Certainly not as fun as going to get a $300 hamburger but its inexpensive and you still get to land a thing
m4a785m@reddit
I'm sure if you really wanted to, you'd be flying by now 8 years later. Despite the cost
Esoteric_Prurience@reddit
I'm coming from a recreational private pilot perspective - but I was laid off during my IR training and couldn't continue to fly, having done at least 2-4 hours a week since I was 18. It was a huge blow to me - but I made it my burning desire to get back up there. It took six years before I was in a comfortable enough position to get back into the skies - it was tough but knowing I was working to get back to where I wanted to be was a huge motivating factor.
Fit_Breath_7533@reddit
Exams kept me grounded I failed 2 exams. MET and FPP passed everything else but seeing the big red FAIL. it made me lose my love of flying. Then the cost as well of course. I still haven’t fully got back into but I’ve found flying on a flight sim or a low budget aviation hobby always helps.