New milestone

[Horatio]

Passed 100 hours total time today. Looking forward to 500, etc.

[Horatio]

Looks like I've crossed the threshold for the most dangerous period! The next 50 hours will be critical, it seems.

http://www.sportpilottalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3925

[SportPilot]

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[Horatio]

I still think those statistics mean the more hours you fly, the more you are exposed to the inherent risk of flying. You are gaining experience and becoming a better pilot, but maybe not as fast as you are racking up hours and exposing yourself to the potential dangers. As your experience and skill levels increase, your risk will start to come down. Just stay alert, set personal limits, and don't take undue risk. In 50 years of flying I have never had an engine failure or equipment failure of any kind. (I probably shouldn't say that out loud). The only close call I had was as a brand new 17 year old Private Pilot I continued VFR into IFR conditions, clearly poor judgement on my part.

Good points, and advice. I hope my experience parallels yours.

[designrs]

Congrats Horatio! Stay safe.

[CTLSi]

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[designrs]

I still think those statistics mean the more hours you fly, the more you are exposed to the inherent risk of flying. You are gaining experience and becoming a better pilot, but maybe not as fast as you are racking up hours and exposing yourself to the potential dangers. As your experience and skill levels increase, your risk will start to come down. Just stay alert, set personal limits, and don't take undue risk. In 50 years of flying I have never had an engine failure or equipment failure of any kind. (I probably shouldn't say that out loud). The only close call I had was as a brand new 17 year old Private Pilot I continued VFR into IFR conditions, clearly poor judgement on my part.

Wow. I actually agree with you. Statistically, the more you enter the tiger cage the chances of getting mauled increases. Ask Sigfried and Roy about it...

Absolutely, just yesterday I faced several challenges that turned a short hop into a mostly all day affair. Weather at least was predicted (usually the biggest variable). While I improved from previous lessons (ate well, left early, full fuel, took snacks, etc.). I still ended up back home with 4.2 hours on the hobbs and exhausted. New challenges were, terrain around unfamiliar airport, judgement about flying high over scattered, engine cooling on rapid descent (to get under deck at destination) and general fatigue.

Trips ain't easy. It is really, really is a huge disappointment to make all that effort to fly someplace only to find that for whatever reason you either can't get there or can't land!!

(Its still a hell of a lot better to divert than to push too hard and have an incident.)

I'm sure that it gets better with experience.
It's just really tough going places right now.

Local flights are more enjoyable at this point.
Very controlled conditions where everything is pretty much known.

[SportPilot]

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[designrs]

Maybe you can find a few destinations about 1 hour away that have a good on-field restaurant. Get some confidence building experience and a hamburger.

Yes. Doing that as well.
Looking forward to staying local for the next few flights.
We need more hamburger joints!!

[designrs]

I'm really happiest on 30 minute hops to known destinations.

[SportPilot]

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[drseti]

"The longest journey begins with a single flight."

Ancient Chinese proverb

[Wm.Ince]

A 60 minute hop is merely 2 back to back 30 minute hops. A 1000 mile trip is merely ten 100 mile trips back to back. The main difference, of course, is the possibility of significant weather changes and the need for more planning, especially fuel management. Get back on that horse and go somewhere.

First flight was from San Jose to Blythe.
Next thing I know . . . I was sitting in Tampa.
Just do it!

After 45 years . . . flying is still a kick in the pants! . . . .

[SportPilot]

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[FastEddieB]

Patience, grasshopper...

Winter is coming and there will be times when a giant "H" will park itself right over your house and there will not be a cloud in the sky in a thousand mile radius for a week or so.

Believe me - it will happen!