In Part 1, I debunked the myths around the 1500-hour rule. Here in Part 2, I examine why this rule still matters: what experience truly brings to safety, judgment, and operational resilience.
I am a lifelong private pilot, and have been flying little airplanes since I was just a young kid, way way back in the 1960s. Yes, really – I learned to fly when I was in junior high school, a long time ago. Of course, I couldn’t fly solo until age 16 and couldn’t get my license until 17. But I got very good at handling a small airplane before I ever got behind the wheel of a car (made me a much better, safer, more skilled driver). I still fly a small plane today, and currently have over 1500 hours – every single minute of which was hand-flown, with almost zero “automation” (though GPS sure has made navigation easier!).
After countless flights, this is still 100% true: I learn something new on every single flight. Every one, no matter how mundane and routine it may have been, or how hairy and challenging it may have been. That accumulation of knowledge is absolutely priceless, and serves one well going forward as knowledge and experience builds on and reinforces what you knew previously.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
