Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 2; Flight Crew Total 6500; Flight Crew Type 5000
Communication Breakdown; Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Due to COVID-19 and family issues there has been a considerable limited amount of flying. I am flying practice flights to regain proficiency in all aspects.Did not call in to Approach until 16 miles from ZZZ instead of the required 20 miles.It was a miss communication caused by time away and now getting back into the system after the layoff. This is why I am practicing in VFR conditions with various phases of flight.
GA pilot reported not contacting ATC at the required DME due to lack a of flying time during the pandemic.