Hi, HiFranc,
Like Cessnasey, I too have just started out. I seem to recall from one of his/her posts that he/she had just done their 4th lesson. Well, mine's coming up, and my feelings about flying mirror exactly what Cessnasey has described here.
Similar to you Franc, my first lesson (EofC) was a mixture of nervousness and euphoria. I'm not scared of heights but was wary of flying an airborne caravan and I landed wondering if I had it in me to keep going. To make matters worse, my 2nd flight was bloody hair-raising. I'd plummed for the dodgy club headset with shoddy mic, (doesn't help the learning process) and the turbulence was so bad (hot day) the FI apologised profusely, saying if he knew how bad it was, he wouldn't have taken me up. But I still went away questioning my nerve.
My advice? Get straight back on that horse!
Despite negative memories of my 2nd flight, #3 was a blast, simply because I made a conscious effort to force myself into being positive. Things came pretty easy (unlike before) and I went away feeling I'd started to learn something. Now I'm itching for #4!
You'll soon get over issues with heights, turbulence and other things (like feeling sick), but one of the most important pieces of advice I've been given is - enjoy it! Don't just have fun, try to go to your next lesson feeling positive and relaxed and it'll all seem to come together much easier.
If it's any help, from what you've described, it appears you did and learned a terrific amount (or maybe I'm just a slow learner?!) in just your first lesson. For that alone you should be proud, and if you're not too nervous to continue, and as long as you enjoy it, keep at it. Compared to me and as a newcomer, you sound like you're onto it mate. Go ahead and book another lesson.
Look at it like this. No-one ever said flying was easy. That's why it's so gratifying when you know you can do it.
PS. You're flying over a beautiful part of the world up there. Cold as buggery but I'll always have warm memories of the place.
Last edited by 1972; 1st March 2006 at 06:00.