Sennadog
Down here things seem to be a little different and we do our skills test (GFPT) before doing our XC's. Once we have done this we can take pax to the local T/A.
So, the week after getting my GFPT I volunteered the better half into being my first pax - in a C152. Did all of the safety brief etc, and being as there was a bit of an easterly blowing, warned that there may be a bit of turbulence. Having spent many hours in the C152 to this point, I forgot just how bumpy it could feel to someone who had never been in an aircraft that small before.
We did hit turbulence right after take off and Mrs 'Boy really got quite scared - white knuckles on the edge of the seat. It took me quite a while to get her calmed down enough to really enjoy the rest of the flight. (Our T/A edges the coastline and is quite spectacular from 3000').
On the way back in however, a Tiger Moth was tootling along in front of me and even the little C152 was catching up. Mrs 'Boy was starting to panic at the sight of this yellow aircraft growing steadily bigger in the windshield. Got an "overtake and join late downwind" call from ATC and whipped past the Tiger Moth. Mrs 'Boy had wide eyes and clenched knuckles again.
It took me another month before she would go up with me again
Given this, my advice would be, keep it as simple and as smooth as possible and just let her enjoy the flight. Try not to get yourself agitated if anything happens as this will probably put the wind up her pretty quickly as well. And, both of you have as much fun as possible - Good luck
