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By Howard Deevers

 

What could be wild about Sheltering-in-Place or working from home, as we have all been encouraged to do? Not much change for me, since I already work from home for the most part. However, I am sure that these changes have been shocking or confusing to many since they came about so quickly.

Flight instructing is not a “stay at home” industry. Sure, you can do a limited amount of instructing on a flight simulator, if you have one. You can stay proficient with a home simulator to a certain extent, and even learn new things, maybe that you should have known already, from a simulator. So, if you have one, I urge you to use it.

one wild ride 1

It is really hard to practice “social distancing” in the cramped confines of a small training airplane, but we do practice caution in any case: no hand shaking, covering cough or sneezes, and don't come out to fly if you have ANY symptoms. To be extra careful, I have been doing more cleaning of the airplane as well, by wiping down all surfaces that we touch with disinfecting cleaners. Some of the airplanes I have flown in needed a good cleaning anyway.

Two months ago we were planning our flights for the year. Plans to go to AOPA fly-in's, even to Oshkosh, or many other events. Only a few weeks ago, all of that changed. Any plans up to July are in doubt. After that, who knows? Keep your options open, and plan wisely.

AOPA is requesting that the FAA grant some extensions to pilots that are affected by this wild ride. They are making a case that some pilots will not be able to meet the requirements within the time allowed for recent experience, flight reviews, medical certifications, annual inspections, CFI renewals and many other things. All of the CFI renewals that I have checked on have been cancelled. I know that a CFI can renew online, so this may be the year that I will do that.

one wild ride 2

Aviation has taken a big hit. Airlines are parking airplanes anywhere they can find space to do so, but this is not like the aftermath of 9/11 when ALL aviation was shut down. General Aviation is still flying and doing things to assist local communities. Limited flight instructing is still ongoing, and personal travel in your own airplane is still allowed. Two major airports had control tower shutdowns: Las Vegas and Midway. That affected Commercial travel, but General Aviation can go to other airports, in most cases. Airlines must go where there are facilities that can load and unload passengers.

Thinking about this wild ride, I was wondering if there are any good things to report? There are some good things: Pinal Airpark will be getting lots of airplanes to store and will need to hire additional workers. All of that washing of hands, cleaning and distancing will reduce the cases of every other virus also. On average, we have over 40,000 deaths due to the influenza every year. By taking all of these cautions, we will reduce that number, too. Another benefit is that friends and families are checking on each other more often than ever before. Even churches have a “call a member” program to keep in touch. My aviation friends are calling more often, too. You can't say anything bad about that!

We can't see the future, but from past experiences we can guess. My guess is that we will come out of this stronger and better. Stay safe and keep in touch with family and friends.

 

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