one year

entry from last time i flew

been a long time


well, it's been a year today since i last spent time aloft in a plane. i haven't even flown commercial since i last took a flight lesson. in the interim, several things have happened that have had quite an impact on flying time. first of all, i bought a new (to me) car. although the monthly payment isn't extraordinary, the $200 translates into 2 less hours of flight. i wasn't blindsided by the monthly payment, but it still is there. secondly, i then took a 6 week vacation. i drove all around the country, visiting many family members and friends, over 11000 total miles all added to the car at an average of around 24 mpg. the amount i spent on gas could've doubled my flight hours. i don't regret going, it's merely an observation.

realizations

however, since returning from vacation, car-related expenses have run quite a bit higher than expected. of course, spending money on a car is normal, spending money on flight is not. had i realized that concept a year ago, i'd probably own a plane now. i've actually spent more on the car in the past year than it would've cost to pay for a full pp-sel course at a flight school. as a result of my penny wise, pound foolish approach, i was forced to avail myself to a few daily deals for flights, but i still haven't even exercised my rights in any of them. i do intend to use them soon, but the real focus is getting re-positioned to fly again regularly.

flight plan

moving forward, a [new improved] plan is now in play: focus money toward flying. i would really like to be able to take my checkride before my written exam expires at the end of jan 2013, but not if flying isn't cost-effective. paying more to fly by flying now instead of waiting until some things are figured out is a recipe for disaster in the long run. paying another $150 to take the written could result in some of my cheapest flying yet if it means i've paid off other obligations. i also would like to spend some time in whirlybirds, which can easily cost twice the hourly rate of planes. that makes doing this the right way even more imperative. hopefully, i am able to get more updates from the air coming out soon and with pictures as well.