The Emotional, Philosophical Journey to a Pilot Proficiency Check

A pilot en route to a pilot proficiency check finds that the excuse to fly a long distance provides unanticipated returns.

Dick Karl

Friday, March 31, 2023 at 11:32 AM ET

Verified

[Courtesy of Dick Karl]

Key Takeaways:

The article chronicles a pilot's multi-day cross-country flight in his Cessna Citation CJ1 for recurrent training, incorporating stops to visit family and friends across several states.
The journey included navigating challenging weather, dealing with his fearful-flyer wife, and personal reflections on themes of luck, expectation, and privilege.
A central theme is the pilot's increasing concern about his aviation future, facing potential curtailment of single-pilot operations due to age and ongoing challenges with FAA medical certification.
He reflects on his "unforgivably lucky" life and profound love for flying, expressing deep sadness and gratitude for his experiences as he anticipates the eventual end of his cherished passion.

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September is my “base month” for recurrent training in our Cessna Citation CJ1. Traditionally, I’ve trained at SimCom in Orlando, Florida. The facility is within driving distance of my home in Tampa, the people are great, and my insurance company approves the training. I was disappointed but not surprised when I called to hear that no course dates were available this year in September. The resurgence of general aviation flying had put a premium on those slots.

I called LOFT Aero in California and arranged for “recurrent,” or a “61.58” in FAA speak. This provided an excuse to fly from my summer digs in New Hampshire to the West Coast, with some intriguing stops in Montana, Colorado, and New Mexico. How much fun is that?