Reminder: the Return to Flying (REV)
For safety
The REV (Return to Flying) was set up by the FFPLUM in 2018. For the 7th year, licensed pilots are being offered the chance to make a flight with an instructor, whatever the microlight class. The FFPLUM contributes €60 towards this flight, reimbursed directly to the pilot by the federation.
The aim of this flight is to bring each pilot's skills up to date and to carry out manoeuvres they do not perform regularly. It is a chance to see or review particular points of piloting, radio contact and transit through zones. This flight can be made in the club's aircraft or in the pilot's own. The programme is set by the FFPLUM (see the FFPLUM website). This flight of at least one hour is generally made at the start of the season or after a long period of inactivity.
You should know that every year we record between 15 and 25 fatal accidents, resulting in between 18 and 30 deaths or serious injuries. Since the REV was introduced, we have recorded a fall in accidents of around 17%.
For pilots who own their aircraft, it is an opportunity to carry out a slightly more thorough pre-flight inspection, to show the special features of their machine and to see or review particular phases of flight.
For pilots who do not own an aircraft, it is a chance to fly again in another of the club's machines, with a different instructor.
Whatever the pilot, it is also the time to review and update one's piloting skills. The REV must on no account be seen as a way of testing pilots' ability. On the contrary, it is a way of perfecting your flying and reviewing exercises such as the circuit and engine failure in the countryside...
For clubs
It is a way of checking each person's ability to control their flying and to be fit to make introductory flights, for example. In some clubs the REV is compulsory in order to use club aircraft. It is also reassuring for a club president who has to name, for insurance purposes, the pilots who are fit to make introductory flights.
For instructors
It is a good opportunity to fly again with students you qualified a few years ago. It also means flying privately owned machines whose performance is very different from that of training aircraft. The REV between instructors is also very beneficial and lets you compare your ways of teaching.
Alain DUGAS
