Pilots who are flying passenger aeroplanes sometimes fly small aeroplanes in their spare time, why is that?

Question

Pilots who are flying passenger aeroplanes sometimes fly small aeroplanes in their spare time, why is that?

Answer

Much of the flying we conduct as professional pilots, is done using automation, also called an auto-pilot. Many pilots will try to perform manual departures and landings if the conditions are good, and for the most part we can do this up to an altitude of about 6km or 29000 feet. We do enjoy this, but on days with many flights, we often use the automation quite a bit to reduce our workload in congested airspace. This does not really give us much freedom to “fly as we wish” and most flights are done according to scheduled routes and does not leave much room for “hands on flying” As you can imagine this makes it slightly monotone at times.

When we on the other hand make our way into a small aeroplane with no passengers or just some friends, it is an entirely different experience. Most pilots love to fly, and when we are working the flights are always conducted according to what we call instrument flying rules “IFR” and must follow a great many predetermined rules. When we fly a small aeroplane, its usually done under visual flying rules and in good weather, this is called VFR, and you can under most circumstances fly exactly how you what, and where you want, depending on airspace and other permissions given by air traffic control. Mostly these flights can be conducted in uncontrolled airspace, and thus gives us a large degree of freedom in choosing altitudes, routes and speed. Besides who would not want to take their friends and family for a small adventure in the sky!

Best regards, Ask a Pilot