| There are many things you can do in aviation that will | | | | Networking with other pilots can offer you many |
| keep you at the top of your flying game and offer lots | | | | benefits as well. The groups mentioned above are |
| of enjoyment and excitement whether you are flying | | | | great for networking and a flight school is a great |
| or not. New ratings, new certificates, pilot networking, | | | | place to build future relationships, too. Your local |
| aviation organizations, and magazines are but a few, | | | | fixed-base operator (FBO), which is an aircraft service |
| but before I talk about those more in-depth, first I would | | | | center at an airport that provides fueling, aircraft |
| like to share with you a little story. | | | | rentals and possibly charter services, is ideal. Just |
| If You Give A Pilot A License | | | | striking up a conversation about the flying conditions |
| I occasionally read a story to my daughter called, "If | | | | that day or sharing important facts about the local |
| You Give a Mouse a Cookie," by Laura Joffe | | | | area like "flight restrictions" or preferred operational |
| Numeroff. It's a story about what happens when you | | | | procedures that you know about or heard about from |
| give a mouse a cookie. You discover that if you give a | | | | other pilots may open the doors to opportunities |
| mouse a cookie, he is probably going to want a glass | | | | undreamed of. One very good friend landed a flying |
| of milk. And if you give him a glass of milk, he is | | | | job just this way. And don't forget to stay in touch with |
| probably going to want a napkin, and if you give him a | | | | your flight instructor. You never know when you may |
| napkin...well, you get the drift. The story goes on and on | | | | need that letter of recommendation for a future airline |
| until finally it comes full-circle with, "If you give a mouse | | | | job interview and who better to provide that letter than |
| a cookie..." | | | | the pilot who taught YOU how to fly? |
| "If You Give A Mouse a Cookie" is a charming story | | | | Building A Relationship With The FAA |
| and somewhat similar to what flying is all about | | | | There are other levels of networking and staying in the |
| because once you get your Private Pilot license | | | | flying game that you can tap into as a member of the |
| (certificate), it is really hard to stop there. It's basically a | | | | aviation community that you may not have thought of |
| tease. Your realize that you are somewhat limited, so | | | | before. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). |
| you get your Instrument rating. Whew! Your done! Oh, | | | | Even though we think of the FAA as that big |
| but not quite. You've done some cross-country flights | | | | governmental agency in the sky, the FAA is staffed |
| and some night flights and suddenly you realize that | | | | by individuals who are interested in taking care of pilots |
| you have over 200 hours in your logbook. Then | | | | and making sure everybody lives up to the same |
| someone says, "Hey, why don't you get your | | | | standards so the industry is safe and profitable. If you |
| Commercial rating?" This gets you thinking that maybe | | | | live near a big enough airport, you probably have an |
| you might want to try to make some money flying, so | | | | FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) ( near |
| you get your Commercial rating. Eventually it becomes | | | | you. These representatives would like nothing more |
| one certificate and rating after another much like if you | | | | than to know you better to find out how the agency |
| "give a mouse a cookie." | | | | can serve your needs. At many locations, the FAA |
| Now whether you want to just stay a Private Pilot or | | | | holds meetings every other week that are really |
| get multiple ratings and certificates, the fact is you | | | | classes for pilots just like you to help you stay |
| have to keep training and learning. Flying is a skill and | | | | up-to-date with your education and to answer any |
| one that needs to be practiced regularly much like any | | | | questions that may have come up about the aviation |
| endeavor you undertake. Besides, it keeps flying | | | | industry and the FAA's relationship to it. Furthermore, |
| interesting and fresh and offers a ton of opportunities, | | | | the FAA offers free training and free publications |
| especially if your goal is to fly professionally someday. | | | | through their website all focused exclusively on the |
| Now you don't have to go get ALL the ratings | | | | aviation industry that you can take advantage of. So |
| available, of course, because that can get very | | | | include your local FAA FSDO representatives in your |
| expensive. It is fine to be a Private Pilot and fly | | | | network of professional associations. It will pay you |
| because you love to fly. But, either way, you have to | | | | well to tap this huge resource. |
| stay current on the latest developments in aviation and | | | | Flying Magazines And Publications |
| "proficient" in order to fly safely. This is the best way | | | | Finally, flying magazines and publications are a great |
| to stay on top of your game but it is easier said than | | | | way to stay in touch when you don't have much time. |
| done. | | | | One of the reasons I got back into flying after a long |
| Staying Motivated About Flying When Not Flying | | | | hiatus was because of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots |
| Money and weather are always an issue when it | | | | Association (AOPA) "Flight Training" magazine |
| comes to flying. So what do you do if money is tight | | | | available at any bookstore. Here was a magazine that |
| or the weather seems to always be bad but you still | | | | "talked to me." It kept me up-to-date on the |
| want to stay involved in flying? Even after you have | | | | latest-and-greatest technology, procedures, news, and |
| received your Private Pilot license or have gone all out | | | | commentaries regarding aviation. Then, when I became |
| and launched a career as a pilot, there are always | | | | a flight instructor, it offered valuable tips on instruction |
| ways you can be working to keep up with what is | | | | techniques and ideas. Another terrific magazine is |
| going on in aviation and the aviation industry. Here are | | | | "Flying." Great articles and lots of good information are |
| a few suggestions: | | | | filled with every issue. These magazines will definitely |
| Join An Aviation Group | | | | keep you on top of your game. |
| One of the best things you can do to stay motivated | | | | Conclusion |
| and stay involved in flying is to join a group of other | | | | So there you have it. Flying, and flying often, or getting |
| like-minded pilots in your area or on-line, like on | | | | new ratings and certificates is by far the best way to |
| Facebook. Pilots are a unique group of people and the | | | | stay proficient and to grow as a pilot. Realistically |
| experiences you have flying are unlike any other | | | | though, money, time, and personal commitments often |
| hobby or profession there is. It's natural you will want | | | | get in the way. Hopefully, you have seen that there |
| to belong to a community of pilots who share those | | | | are other ways to stay in the game of flying even if |
| common experiences. A few groups you may want | | | | you aren't actually flying. It is important to stay involved |
| to consider are aircraft restoration societies, glider | | | | in flying once you start because if you don't, your |
| clubs, Civil Air Patrol ( and air show planning | | | | "flying" dream may slip away and that would be tragic. |
| organizations. All these groups focus on improving | | | | Being involved with aviation groups, networking, building |
| aviation in their own way and are a lot of fun to be a | | | | relationships, and reading magazines are some of the |
| part of. | | | | best ways I know how to stay in the game. |
| Networking With Other Pilots | | | | |