Fly More in 2024

How many of you have added this to your New Year's resolutions? You can't just say the words or write it down someplace—you have to plan to make this happen.

It's not enough to say you will fly more in 2024—identify the type of flying you intend to do. If your state has an Airport Passport program, make a list of the ones you want to collect. 

1. If your state doesn't have an airport passport program, campaign for one, or do one on your own where you take a selfie in front of the airport FBO, the airside of the restaurant, the fuel pumps, whatever, and turn it into a scrapbook.

2. Finish that certificate that you've been pursuing. Maybe you took a break from flying to finish that project around the house—project done, now get back to the airport and finish the certificate. It's the things that we don't do in life that often dog us the most—not finishing a certificate could become a regret.

3. Fly a new-to-you aircraft. Never flown a Cessna Cardinal? An LSA? A Piper J-3 Cub? Check around with local flight schools and instructors to see what can be arranged. It may open up aircraft ownership possibilities in your future. If you are an instructor or looking for a career in aviation, having a lot of different makes and models of aircraft in your logbook can open up some professional doors.

This is the big one. Everyone talks about flying into Oshkosh. Start. Planning. Now.

Look for an FBO or flight school that has aircraft available to rent. Often the busier schools have waiting lists, or they may limit aircraft rental to pilots enrolled in their program. For this reason, finding rental aircraft can be a challenge. Decide how far you are willing to drive for a two hour flight. Be patient, you worked very hard to learn to fly, so don't give up.

1. Be realistic about the rental process. There are some pilots who have never rented an aircraft before—they didn’t have to, because they had their own. But when their airplane gets sold or is down for annual, they are looking for an aircraft to rent and can be surprised to learn that it isn’t like renting a car where you simply show your license.

You will likely have to do an open book test on the systems of the aircraft that will include questions about the airport and the airspace, then fly with a flight instructor for at least one hour. Don’t try to argue your way out of it—show these people what a good pilot you are and that you can follow the rules.

2. When you find a place to rent, make sure the rental agreement coincides with your plans. If the school is particularly busy it is highly unlikely that you will be allowed to rent an aircraft for a half a day or overnight without paying a premium. For example, if you rent the aircraft for 4 hours and only put 2.1 hours on the Hobbs the flight school may charge you for 4 hours of flight time.

3. Look for a flying club. They usually have more flexibility when it comes to longer rentals. Be advised that many flying clubs have an application and "buy in" fees and require you to fly with one of their CFIs for insurance reasons before you can rent. Before you hand over the money, check out the aircraft types, fleet size, and maintenance practices. You don't want to put down thousands of dollars at a club with three Cessna 172s on their website and then find out only one of them is airworthy.

Maybe it's time to join with like-minded individuals and start your own flying clubs. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has information that can walk you through the process, covering everything from bylaws and budgeting to attracting members and managing club assets.

Flying is more fun when you have someone else—or several someones—to go with. If you haven't already done so, join the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) or a type-club appropriate to your airplane. These tend to have organized events like flying to other airports for the $100 hamburger, museum tours, etc.

EAA does some of the best aviation outreach when it comes to making aviation approachable. Many chapters pride themselves on the number of Young Eagles flights they do each year (as they should). Pilots volunteer their time and their aircraft to do these short rides for children ages 8 to 17. Often EAA groups have a designated day, such as the third Saturday of the month (weather permitting), for these events.

You get time in the air and you may inspire a youngster to pursue a career as a pilot. It is very satisfying to encounter one of these kids years later and learn that it was the flight with you that made them want to become a pilot.

More information is available on EAA's website.

Will this be the year you fly for a cause? There are many non-profits out there that are looking for certificated pilots who are willing to share their time and talents to fly people to emergent medical appointments or help relocate animals, both domestic and wild. Some suggestions are Pilots N Paws, Wings of Rescue, and Angel Flight.

AOPA offers guidance in this area on its website.

Every year there are aircraft owners and pilots of a certain vintage that for insurance reasons or by request of their family, prefer to fly with a second pilot onboard. It is sort of like a safety pilot in VFR conditions. For the younger pilot it is a great way to build hours and make someone else happy.

Ask around at the airport—there may be a pilot like this looking for someone who would be comfortable flying with them and sharing expenses, such as the cost of gas.