Safely Returning to Flying after the Winter Break (Rotorcraft Article)

Preparing for the new GA flying season

Airplane and helicopter General Aviation pilots face many similar safety challenges.

After several months of reduced flying during the winter, you may be eager to get back into your aircraft and start the new season. However, long breaks can affect your flying skills, reduce situational awareness, and leave you less familiar with procedures or changes at your airfield.

A Rotorcraft article valuable for fixed-wing pilots too

The article originally published in the Community Rotorcraft, Safely Returning to Flying after the Winter Break | EASA Community, brings together key considerations to help you return to flying smoothly, safely, and confidently.

In that article, both EASA and GASCo remind us that a safe return to flying starts with good preparation, refreshed knowledge, and a careful reassessment of your personal readiness, your aircraft’s airworthiness, and your overall flying environment.

Taking a refresher training flight with an instructor is also an excellent practice.
 

Taking a training and refresher flight with a qualified flight instructor

Although rotorcraft elements do not always transfer directly to airplanes, the underlying principles are the same. This article therefore nicely complements General Aviation Season Opener 2026 - Train for Mastery, Fly with Wisdom | EASA Community, previously published in the General Aviation Community.