How to Stay Current During Unpaid Leave: A Pilot's Guide to Maintaining Skills

Keeping Your Edge When You Are Not Flying

Whether you have taken unpaid leave for family reasons, a sabbatical, or due to circumstances beyond your control, one of the biggest concerns for any pilot is skill degradation. Studies consistently show that piloting skills begin to decline after just 90 days without practice, and the decline accelerates after six months.

This guide covers practical strategies to maintain your currency, preserve your skills, and return to the cockpit with confidence.

Regulatory Currency Requirements

FAA Requirements

EASA Requirements

Low-Cost Currency Strategies

Simulator Options

• Personal flight simulators -- Home setups with X-Plane or MSFS 2024 are excellent for procedural practice. A quality HOTAS and rudder pedals cost under $500.
• FTD sessions -- Many flight schools offer FAA-approved training device time at $50-100 per hour. These count toward instrument currency.
• Level D full-flight simulators -- Some training centers offer single-session packages for $300-800 per hour. One session every few months keeps your muscle memory alive.

Flying Clubs and Rentals

• Flying club membership -- Monthly dues of $50-150 plus hourly rates of $100-180 for single-engine aircraft. Much cheaper than renting from FBOs.
• Partnership ownership -- Splitting aircraft ownership 3-4 ways can provide access to an airplane for $200-400 per month plus hourly fuel costs.
• Angel flights and volunteer flying -- Organizations like Angel Flight and Pilots N Paws provide meaningful flight time at reduced or no cost.

Maintaining Knowledge

Daily and Weekly Habits

1. Read NOTAMs and weather briefs -- Even if you are not flying, reviewing daily weather builds and maintains your meteorological judgment
2. Study aircraft systems -- Review your type rating manual or aircraft POH for 15-30 minutes daily
3. Listen to ATC -- Apps like LiveATC let you monitor real-time communications, keeping your ear tuned to radio phraseology
4. Practice mental flying -- Chair fly approaches, departures, and emergency procedures. This technique is used by military pilots and is remarkably effective.

Monthly Activities

• Complete online recurrency courses (AOPA, King Schools, Sportys)
• Attend local pilot association meetings
• Review recent accident reports and safety bulletins
• Practice CRM scenarios with fellow pilots

Physical Fitness Considerations

Flying requires physical stamina that can decline during leave:

• Cardiovascular fitness -- Maintain a regular exercise routine to support the physical demands of flying, especially long-haul operations
• Vision -- Get regular eye exams and address any changes immediately
• Hearing -- Protect your hearing and get baseline tests
• Sleep patterns -- Maintain regular sleep hygiene, especially if you will return to irregular airline schedules

Returning to the Cockpit

The Re-entry Plan

Common Challenges on Return

• Automation skills -- FMS programming and autoflight modes are the first skills to degrade. Focus simulator time here.
• Multitasking -- The ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously takes a few flights to restore.
• Radio communications -- Especially at busy airports, radio work may feel rusty. Practice with LiveATC before your first flight.
• Checklist discipline -- Re-establish your flow patterns and checklist habits from the start.

The Bottom Line

Taking leave from flying does not have to mean starting over. Pilots who maintain a structured program of study, periodic flying, and physical fitness return to the cockpit with minimal difficulty. The key is consistency -- a small amount of practice every week is far more effective than cramming before your return date.

*Keep your ATPL theory knowledge fresh with our [question bank](/). Try our [free quiz](/tools/quiz) covering all 13 subjects to identify areas that need review.*