No matter where your career takes you, never forget the basics!

1) Airspace Rules

Whether it's Class A or G, special airspace, equipment requirements, or weather minimums, there's a lot you need to know about airspace. When you're a professional pilot flying under IFR, you don't have to remember as many of the rules. But if you take a personal flight in a GA aircraft, you're going to need to brush off the dust on your knowledge...

2) Single Engine Currency

Once they start flying turboprops/jets, many professional pilots lose single engine currency. Keep current every few months by flying with a CFI!

3) CFI Renewal

Keep your CFI certificate current with renewal courses! If you don't to renew your cert, you'll need to take a CFI checkride to get your teaching privileges back.

4) Rudder Control

Does your airplane have a yaw damper? Get back into a light airplane and practice steep turns to knock the rust off your rudder coordination.

5) Traffic Pattern Procedures

It might seem very basic, but having a good understanding of how to fly the traffic pattern and land at a non-towered airport is extremely important. Don't lose your ability to fly traffic patterns, even if you're in a jet!

6) VFR Charts

Even if you always fly IFR, don't forget how to read sectional charts! They have a ton of great information, and you'll definitely need them if you fly outside of your professional airline/corporate job.

7) Pilotage and Dead Reckoning

Your pilotage and dead reckoning skills are just as important as your ability to program a GPS or EFB. As you get started, focus on your scanning skills outside the cockpit, rather than relying solely on instrumentation.

What else could professional pilots do a better job of reviewing before flying in general aviation? Tell us in the comments below.