4 years ago, I had a bad experience in flight and instead of going back immediately on the pilot seat, I stood on the ground. And fear of flying kept growing in my mind. I knew I had to go back sometime because there was still over 1000$ on my account deposit at the flying club. Last weekend, without any specific reasons, I decided to go back and called the flying club. An instructor and a 172 were available to check me.
It was a similar feeling than in my first solo flight. Terrifiing and marvelous. At first, I was sweating and shaking from everywhere but I remembered that an airplane fly better if you don't fight the controls. I relaxed, trimmed and let the machine think she is flying alone with just small corrections on the controls. After that, it was perfect.
The instructor simulate an engine failure and the procedure just came as I had done that all my life. I didn't had to think, everything came back. Slow flying, stalls recovery, steep turns, navigating my way back to the airport,... I was checked for all exercices except circuits.
Next weekend, circuits and then, I'm back as a pilot in command. What was I thinking, stoping flying for 4 years. When I'll be too old and they will refuse to renew my medical, I will regret those 4 years.
