Hope you guys don't mind me posting here but I've got problems
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Sorry Guys - I would have posted sooner but I'm still not very happy.
I still can't get the plane to land despite the advice given here. I'd hoped the image of "Princess Ann and the tramps d*ck" would have relieved some of the stress and helped me calm down a bit.
I seem to be getting worse and there are absolutely no signs of improvement.
Back to the drawing board but thanks for all your support.
I still can't get the plane to land despite the advice given here. I'd hoped the image of "Princess Ann and the tramps d*ck" would have relieved some of the stress and helped me calm down a bit.
I seem to be getting worse and there are absolutely no signs of improvement.
Back to the drawing board but thanks for all your support.
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ok im only just starting my ppl and on my first lesson my instructor noted that i had a tendency ti drop the right wing, it was only after a few days driving my claped out old car that i noticed it pulled to the left so in correcting it to keep out of the shrubbery i had to apply a slight right hand down pull on the wheel and was unconciosly doing the same on the little 152s yolk
. if you do drive try to see if if its the same thing
good luck with the ppl
. if you do drive try to see if if its the same thinggood luck with the ppl
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I write not as a flying instructor but somebody who found landings impossible! Can I suggest a few hours sitting close to the runway threshold, analyse what others do. You will see the experienced pilots bring the craft in smoothly having sorted out all of the attitude, altitude and wind drift issues whilst on long final. Are you properly doing a pre flight which includes working out which direction you are going to be drifting during the circuit so that you can turn base and final at the appropriate time?
Essentially, you need to get your speed, trim and altitude all sorted out on downwind and base and then on turn to final. On short final, you should only be considering wind drift and just checking altitude and airspeed. All your flaps and trim should be sorted. You should be holding the yoke/stick with only thumb and forefinger and releasing all grip should have little/no effect on the aircraft. Certainly, if you have not trimmed or have these other issues sorted, you will be on "overload" and at best at risk of "pilot induced turbulence". Everybody that I know has an "arrival" sometimes - even commercial pilots!
Remember, if you are struggling getting the airspeeeed, attitude or altitude under control on short final, you will just make a pigs ear of the landing. Its a bit like getting an essay done, if all of the preparation and work is done, the final submission is more likely to be a relaxed and dignified affair.
Nobody did worse landings than me (and still do "arrivals" at times). If all else fails, try gliding, that will undoubtedly sort out your landing issues in a very short time and won't bankrupt you in the process.
Quote "I seem to be getting worse and there are absolutely no signs of improvement"
Three reasons for that, stress, stress and stress! you have to get that sorted first or you are just wasting your money! try talking to pilots at your club, ask their input, ask if they will care to demonstrate their perfect landings - many pilots actually welcome somebody flying with them - it can be much more interesting flying with somebody else, it can get lonely on your own! Good luck!
Essentially, you need to get your speed, trim and altitude all sorted out on downwind and base and then on turn to final. On short final, you should only be considering wind drift and just checking altitude and airspeed. All your flaps and trim should be sorted. You should be holding the yoke/stick with only thumb and forefinger and releasing all grip should have little/no effect on the aircraft. Certainly, if you have not trimmed or have these other issues sorted, you will be on "overload" and at best at risk of "pilot induced turbulence". Everybody that I know has an "arrival" sometimes - even commercial pilots!
Remember, if you are struggling getting the airspeeeed, attitude or altitude under control on short final, you will just make a pigs ear of the landing. Its a bit like getting an essay done, if all of the preparation and work is done, the final submission is more likely to be a relaxed and dignified affair.
Nobody did worse landings than me (and still do "arrivals" at times). If all else fails, try gliding, that will undoubtedly sort out your landing issues in a very short time and won't bankrupt you in the process.
Quote "I seem to be getting worse and there are absolutely no signs of improvement"
Three reasons for that, stress, stress and stress! you have to get that sorted first or you are just wasting your money! try talking to pilots at your club, ask their input, ask if they will care to demonstrate their perfect landings - many pilots actually welcome somebody flying with them - it can be much more interesting flying with somebody else, it can get lonely on your own! Good luck!
Last edited by Sensible; 11th Jun 2006 at 17:04.
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There is still hope!!
HMP - I've had similar issues to you so can sympathise as to how you feel but there is hope!!!
By fluke I went up with a different instructor (mine was away for the day) and decided to try the riding glove approach suggested by Lister Noble. Mine were cotton with rubbery "pimple" grips on the palm and fingers (£2.50 on the net). It stopped the sweaty hands being an issue and gave me confidence that I could still have a decent grip on the yoke without having to strangle it.
New instructor (who I know and like) had a slightly different style to my usual so I was a bit more chilled. I'd already told her that I was getting so pi**ed off with not being able to get the 'plane down that I was counting on her to help me out. So maybe my attitude was different too!!
Anyway... Despite 50 - 60 degree 15 kt crosswinds (I was gutted when I saw the windsock when arriving at the airfield
), I managed to get the wheels on the runway all but one time and that one was MY decision to go-around because it didn't feel right.
None of them bounced, one "minor" balloon when pulling a bit too hard at roundout - but controlled. I surprised myself!!!
I'm now a) extremely relieved and b) slightly more confident that I can do it (will hopefully still feel like this when I next go up with my usual instructor - I wish he'd been there, as he's done all the work to get me this far
)!!
Smile on my face everytime I re-live it.
Deep breaths girl - keep at it!!
By fluke I went up with a different instructor (mine was away for the day) and decided to try the riding glove approach suggested by Lister Noble. Mine were cotton with rubbery "pimple" grips on the palm and fingers (£2.50 on the net). It stopped the sweaty hands being an issue and gave me confidence that I could still have a decent grip on the yoke without having to strangle it.
New instructor (who I know and like) had a slightly different style to my usual so I was a bit more chilled. I'd already told her that I was getting so pi**ed off with not being able to get the 'plane down that I was counting on her to help me out. So maybe my attitude was different too!!
Anyway... Despite 50 - 60 degree 15 kt crosswinds (I was gutted when I saw the windsock when arriving at the airfield
), I managed to get the wheels on the runway all but one time and that one was MY decision to go-around because it didn't feel right.None of them bounced, one "minor" balloon when pulling a bit too hard at roundout - but controlled. I surprised myself!!!
I'm now a) extremely relieved and b) slightly more confident that I can do it (will hopefully still feel like this when I next go up with my usual instructor - I wish he'd been there, as he's done all the work to get me this far
)!! Smile on my face everytime I re-live it.
Deep breaths girl - keep at it!!
Last edited by Mad Girl; 12th Jun 2006 at 08:44.
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Reading through some of the posts from the people with problems reminds me of the time, a long, long time ago, when I was doing my PPL. I couldn't land consistently for lesson after lesson and felt I was letting my instructor down.
The problem was solved by him saying "Relax and stop beating yourself up - That's my job and I get paid for it."
When I was instructing, I had students who tended to be overly self-critical and I used the same line with them.
Everyone hits a brick wall in their training at some stage no matter how "natural" they are. Look on the bright side, if you struggle with landing you get to practice more circuits which will improve your attitude keeping when you start doing navigation, improve your RT and accustom you to more unusual situations involving other traffic etc.
Reading and responding to this thread has made me realise just how much I miss instructing - Anyone want an instructor who flies jets on his days off?
The problem was solved by him saying "Relax and stop beating yourself up - That's my job and I get paid for it."
When I was instructing, I had students who tended to be overly self-critical and I used the same line with them.
Everyone hits a brick wall in their training at some stage no matter how "natural" they are. Look on the bright side, if you struggle with landing you get to practice more circuits which will improve your attitude keeping when you start doing navigation, improve your RT and accustom you to more unusual situations involving other traffic etc.
Reading and responding to this thread has made me realise just how much I miss instructing - Anyone want an instructor who flies jets on his days off?
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i always had a problem with my radio calls. flying is not the issue, but went out flying with a senior instructor few months back, and the way he "MADE" the flight easy by cracking few jokes, pretending like a student to who faults cant be ignored, made it very simple at the end.
him not putting me upto a level of nervousness where i would start doing every calls i make turn into dry jokes, but made me realize that i CAN do it. was just a way to easen me up and giving me useful information on talking to ATC of an international airport, just reading out a story.
guess what? confidence went up 100% up and read back EVERY radio calls with the tower with confidence and eloquence!
i was happy to master the fine art of radio telephony! but still way to go....
richie
him not putting me upto a level of nervousness where i would start doing every calls i make turn into dry jokes, but made me realize that i CAN do it. was just a way to easen me up and giving me useful information on talking to ATC of an international airport, just reading out a story.
guess what? confidence went up 100% up and read back EVERY radio calls with the tower with confidence and eloquence!
i was happy to master the fine art of radio telephony! but still way to go....
richie
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My 2ps-worth. Make sure that the seat is always in the same position for each lesson. If the seat is right up one day & right down the following lesson, your view of the runway over the cowling will be different each time you fly. One day you'll think you are high, the next, you'll think you are low. Find a comfortable seat position & stick with it. If you want to aim for consistency, you have to eliminate all the variables, seat position is a variable.
Even now, my first cockpit check is 'seat three notches back and locked'
Even now, my first cockpit check is 'seat three notches back and locked'
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If it can help...
roundabout my 11th hour of training I was practicing circuits and feeling I was getting nowhere... was getting it all wrong and with no signs of improvement. On that particular lesson we went up, did 2 awful circuits (a go aro und and a mess-up) and asked my instructor to go back down as I thought I was wasting my time and money, with serious doubts I would actually come back and do it again !
3 lessons later I went solo.
All of a sudden it all falls into place and it just happens naturally.
I made the mistake of getting too worried about it and it only made it worse, so I have probably wasted some money in lessons where I wasn't taking anything in. But it's all part of the learning process !
As long as you enjoy it, 'cause it costs quite a bit !
roundabout my 11th hour of training I was practicing circuits and feeling I was getting nowhere... was getting it all wrong and with no signs of improvement. On that particular lesson we went up, did 2 awful circuits (a go aro und and a mess-up) and asked my instructor to go back down as I thought I was wasting my time and money, with serious doubts I would actually come back and do it again !
3 lessons later I went solo.
All of a sudden it all falls into place and it just happens naturally.
I made the mistake of getting too worried about it and it only made it worse, so I have probably wasted some money in lessons where I wasn't taking anything in. But it's all part of the learning process !
As long as you enjoy it, 'cause it costs quite a bit !
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I debated for quite a while whether to post this or not.......
I'm not looking for sympathy, or a shoulder to cry on, but just some sensible flying instructor advice - What would you prefer your student to do in this situation??
I love my flying, it's become almost an addiction, and I'm definitely not happy if I have to miss even one weekend in the air.
I've had major (to me...) problems with landing and one week ago I managed to start doing it after at least 4 weekends of just not getting it. This weekend I had to be away so missed out.
I know that missing lessons leads to a lack in consistancy and it ends up costing more in the long run as you need to go back to recap before you can start moving forward again. The more you miss - the longer it takes to get back to where you were.
I have ABSOLUTELY no wish to go back to where I was a fortnight ago.
Here's the problem... My father has been ill for a very long time and unfortunately he died this morning. I'm actually doing quite well at the moment so I don't need the sympathy vote (I'm relieved that he's not suffering anymore) - I do appreciate that how I feel now may change later in the week (If it does - I WILL take the first option below as I'm not totally stupid)!!!
I also know that I can be totally single minded in concentration which is what it takes me to land.
Dilemma - As my instructor is NOT a mind reader.
- Do I declare myself unfit to fly and just cancel my lessons for the next few weeks, running the risk of putting myself back to square one and more weeks of frustration which I would find very hard to take - my personal feeling is that this is too extreme.
- Do I talk to my instructor just so that he doesn't do anything stupid like sending me solo if I can keep landing the 'plane - this is where my gut instinct is leading me.
- Do I just keep my mouth shut and put myself where I want to be - In the air... - Stupid???
If I was your student (and had been for 6 months) - what would you want me to do???
I love my flying, it's become almost an addiction, and I'm definitely not happy if I have to miss even one weekend in the air.
I've had major (to me...) problems with landing and one week ago I managed to start doing it after at least 4 weekends of just not getting it. This weekend I had to be away so missed out.
I know that missing lessons leads to a lack in consistancy and it ends up costing more in the long run as you need to go back to recap before you can start moving forward again. The more you miss - the longer it takes to get back to where you were.
I have ABSOLUTELY no wish to go back to where I was a fortnight ago.
Here's the problem... My father has been ill for a very long time and unfortunately he died this morning. I'm actually doing quite well at the moment so I don't need the sympathy vote (I'm relieved that he's not suffering anymore) - I do appreciate that how I feel now may change later in the week (If it does - I WILL take the first option below as I'm not totally stupid)!!!
I also know that I can be totally single minded in concentration which is what it takes me to land.
Dilemma - As my instructor is NOT a mind reader.
- Do I declare myself unfit to fly and just cancel my lessons for the next few weeks, running the risk of putting myself back to square one and more weeks of frustration which I would find very hard to take - my personal feeling is that this is too extreme.
- Do I talk to my instructor just so that he doesn't do anything stupid like sending me solo if I can keep landing the 'plane - this is where my gut instinct is leading me.
- Do I just keep my mouth shut and put myself where I want to be - In the air... - Stupid???
If I was your student (and had been for 6 months) - what would you want me to do???
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i'm not an instructor, but i find, if i am having difficulty with something, that if i talk my way through, just as the instructor talks you through, then it will come a lot easier. don't just think it - say it out loud to yourself. if you can, sit rear seat on a MAUW check, watch the pilot, listen to the instructor, and talk your own self through what's happening.
i still talk out loud to myself before doing aeros, and on downwind checks. if i don't, i invaraibly forget something.
i still talk out loud to myself before doing aeros, and on downwind checks. if i don't, i invaraibly forget something.
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Landing - what helped me
MadGirl and HelpMePlease.
When I did my ppl a couple of years ago, it took me "forever" to learn to land.
Some ideas that helped me a great deal:
1) Go over to a table or desk in your immediate surroundings, while standing next to it look down on the surface. Now slowly crouch down as your eye height above the top diminishes, notice how the table-top appears to "flatten out". That is the same picture you'll get of the runway as your height decreases. When it's almost perfectly flat, that will be your cue to start flaring the aircraft.
2) When taking off in a typical light plane, the cowling is usually approximately on the horizon. Or .. next time you fly and you're climbing out after takeoff (at ~ Vy), notice where the cowling/horizon relationship is. *That* is the same attitude you want when you start to flare the plane in the landing. Put the cowling on the "end of the runway" and hold it there.
3) When you are landing / flaring, remember to *keep flying the plane*, using all the controls to just keep flying down the centre line of the runway. Pay attention to the sink rate and steadily increase the backpressure as the airspeed diminishes / sink rate increases. Ideally the stall horn will start to beep just as the tires "chirp" against the runway.
4) You might ask your instructor about practicing just flying along the ruwnway about 10' or lower, so that you get the sight picture in your mind. If you combine that with just gradually reducing the throttle, you'll get the idea of a landing being that the plane just slowly stops flying, in coordination with gradually reducing altitude (during the last 2-3 feet above the runway).
- When you do touchdown, remember to keep control of the plane, with both the rudder/nose steering and to increase your cross-wind aeileron inputs as the groundspeed reduces.
As far as maintaining currency, while it's important to physically fly at least once in a while, I think it's just as important, if not more so, to have a very clear idea in your mind of what's involved in any aspect of flying .. or any other activity for that matter.
Experiments have been done in other fields, where the participants were split into groups, one group practicing the physical activitiy, while the other group simply practiced "mentally" rehearsing the activity. The "mental" practicers did almost as well as the "physical" practicers.
Also, (yet another) controversial area is the opinion of pilots on computer-desktop flight simulators. Personally I think they are great and while *physically* they are certainly not the same as a real plane, I think that for keeping your *mental* skills sharp they are great.
Mike
When I did my ppl a couple of years ago, it took me "forever" to learn to land.
Some ideas that helped me a great deal:
1) Go over to a table or desk in your immediate surroundings, while standing next to it look down on the surface. Now slowly crouch down as your eye height above the top diminishes, notice how the table-top appears to "flatten out". That is the same picture you'll get of the runway as your height decreases. When it's almost perfectly flat, that will be your cue to start flaring the aircraft.
2) When taking off in a typical light plane, the cowling is usually approximately on the horizon. Or .. next time you fly and you're climbing out after takeoff (at ~ Vy), notice where the cowling/horizon relationship is. *That* is the same attitude you want when you start to flare the plane in the landing. Put the cowling on the "end of the runway" and hold it there.
3) When you are landing / flaring, remember to *keep flying the plane*, using all the controls to just keep flying down the centre line of the runway. Pay attention to the sink rate and steadily increase the backpressure as the airspeed diminishes / sink rate increases. Ideally the stall horn will start to beep just as the tires "chirp" against the runway.
4) You might ask your instructor about practicing just flying along the ruwnway about 10' or lower, so that you get the sight picture in your mind. If you combine that with just gradually reducing the throttle, you'll get the idea of a landing being that the plane just slowly stops flying, in coordination with gradually reducing altitude (during the last 2-3 feet above the runway).
- When you do touchdown, remember to keep control of the plane, with both the rudder/nose steering and to increase your cross-wind aeileron inputs as the groundspeed reduces.
As far as maintaining currency, while it's important to physically fly at least once in a while, I think it's just as important, if not more so, to have a very clear idea in your mind of what's involved in any aspect of flying .. or any other activity for that matter.
Experiments have been done in other fields, where the participants were split into groups, one group practicing the physical activitiy, while the other group simply practiced "mentally" rehearsing the activity. The "mental" practicers did almost as well as the "physical" practicers.
Also, (yet another) controversial area is the opinion of pilots on computer-desktop flight simulators. Personally I think they are great and while *physically* they are certainly not the same as a real plane, I think that for keeping your *mental* skills sharp they are great.
Mike
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Good advise MSTRAM,
Been teaching people for a while now, and I definitely helpful with flying level with the runway at 10'.
Another technique i use is: When you fly straight and level see where the horizon is in the windscreen, this is where you want to set your aiming point on approach to the runway. When you get down to your round out height (doing the 10' flybys will fix this) change the attitude to the straight and level, but use the end of the runway as the horizon. When you start feeling the aircraft to sink, stop it by applying a slight amount of back pressure to a point where the nose cowling just comes up to the end of the runway. AND WAIT!!!!
Another trick I use with students doing the death grip is by making them hold a pencil between there fingers whilst flying the aircraft. If they squeeze the control column too tight then they'll either break the pencil or it will hurt like hell and then they'll relax the grip and still be able to control the a/c rather easily.
MAD GIRL, sometimes a break can do wonders, give your mind a break, you won't forget how to fly an aircraft overnight. The rest might fall into place. (Please i'm not discouraging you, I think it's great seeing people do what they have always dreamed of doing. I know i've done it and living it)
Helpmeplease:
Patience Patience Patience Patience, Persistance and Practice!!!! It will pay off
Happy Landings 
Been teaching people for a while now, and I definitely helpful with flying level with the runway at 10'.
Another technique i use is: When you fly straight and level see where the horizon is in the windscreen, this is where you want to set your aiming point on approach to the runway. When you get down to your round out height (doing the 10' flybys will fix this) change the attitude to the straight and level, but use the end of the runway as the horizon. When you start feeling the aircraft to sink, stop it by applying a slight amount of back pressure to a point where the nose cowling just comes up to the end of the runway. AND WAIT!!!!
Another trick I use with students doing the death grip is by making them hold a pencil between there fingers whilst flying the aircraft. If they squeeze the control column too tight then they'll either break the pencil or it will hurt like hell and then they'll relax the grip and still be able to control the a/c rather easily.
MAD GIRL, sometimes a break can do wonders, give your mind a break, you won't forget how to fly an aircraft overnight. The rest might fall into place. (Please i'm not discouraging you, I think it's great seeing people do what they have always dreamed of doing. I know i've done it and living it)
Helpmeplease:
Patience Patience Patience Patience, Persistance and Practice!!!! It will pay off
Happy Landings
MAD GIRL Very sorry to hear of your loss. You are now in a situation you have, probably, never been in before. Only you know how you can approach flying training in these circumstances. However, you do need to take your instructor aside and tell him what's up. Remember now and in the future, it's his aircraft when he's teaching you and he needs to kn ow how all the crew are going to perform (CRM).
As another correspondant mentioned, flying may be what you need to take your mind off your loss. I am lucky in that I have always been able to leave my 'admin' problems on the ground. This doesn't work for everyone; you will find out as your flying progresses. This may bethe time to find out as it is a dual sortie. Keep us all informed !
As another correspondant mentioned, flying may be what you need to take your mind off your loss. I am lucky in that I have always been able to leave my 'admin' problems on the ground. This doesn't work for everyone; you will find out as your flying progresses. This may bethe time to find out as it is a dual sortie. Keep us all informed
!
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Thanks Guys
Thanks for the kind words on my Dads death.
My Instructor reads this forum so I thought he'd get the message, but I sent him an e-mail anyway to be sure that he was in the picture in case he missed it.
As I'm a totally sad muppet, I normally start thinking about my Saturday lesson from Wednesday onwards - suddenly taking a lot of interest in weather forecasts, thinking about what we did last time, what did I do wrong or do right etc etc etc. - My "other half" says he always loses me towards the end of the week as he sees me become more focussed on what I want to do.
I also went back to work on Thursday so that my brain would be out of cotton wool.
All of which took my mind off my personal situation for a short while - doesn't make it go away - but it helps.
Lesson went fine - instructor was a gem - and originally was going to keep the lesson to 40 minutes. I wasn't getting tired and I can't have been doing that bad so we stayed up longer. (He was taking short cuts around the circuit to set me back up on the approach quicker.)
We did lots of final legs, low level flyby's and I actually didn't put it pointy end first in the runway, even managed a couple of touch and go's without it going "totally" to pot.
It felt like a good lesson and, as he said, there was a start of a smile on my face.
I just felt the need to say - "Thanks Dave - it is appreciated" - lets just play it by ear for the next few weeks and I'm sure you'll get your "lippy" student back in due course (whether you prefer the quieter one or not!!!).
My Instructor reads this forum so I thought he'd get the message, but I sent him an e-mail anyway to be sure that he was in the picture in case he missed it.
As I'm a totally sad muppet, I normally start thinking about my Saturday lesson from Wednesday onwards - suddenly taking a lot of interest in weather forecasts, thinking about what we did last time, what did I do wrong or do right etc etc etc. - My "other half" says he always loses me towards the end of the week as he sees me become more focussed on what I want to do.
I also went back to work on Thursday so that my brain would be out of cotton wool.
All of which took my mind off my personal situation for a short while - doesn't make it go away - but it helps.
Lesson went fine - instructor was a gem - and originally was going to keep the lesson to 40 minutes. I wasn't getting tired and I can't have been doing that bad so we stayed up longer. (He was taking short cuts around the circuit to set me back up on the approach quicker.)
We did lots of final legs, low level flyby's and I actually didn't put it pointy end first in the runway, even managed a couple of touch and go's without it going "totally" to pot.
It felt like a good lesson and, as he said, there was a start of a smile on my face.
I just felt the need to say - "Thanks Dave - it is appreciated" - lets just play it by ear for the next few weeks and I'm sure you'll get your "lippy" student back in due course (whether you prefer the quieter one or not!!!).
Last edited by Mad Girl; 25th Jun 2006 at 07:11.
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Another week gone by and another lesson.
Managed lots of touch and go's and did my first engine failure after takeoff. Even got a pat on the shoulder and a big grin when the first one flared at the right height.
All touch downs on the main wheels (poor old nose wheel had a rest this week) - was even getting the stall warner to go off.
Clicking at last !!! (shame my circuits went to pot. Don't know what shape they were but they certainly weren't rectangular.........Oh well!! can't have everything - YET!!!)
Next question on the agenda...
At what point is said instructor likely to get out of the 'plane???
He's always said to me that I'll be virtually trying to throw him out before I go solo.... What he doesn't know is that 6 month's ago someone told me that one day he'll just get out and leave me to it whether I like it or not!!! (He's a nice guy at the moment, so is he going to go Jekyll & Hyde on me??)
Maybe now he'll understand why I've always joked about handcuffing him to the 'plane (no kinky comments please!!).
Anyone prepared to give me a heads up so that I can get the handcuffs ready
????
Managed lots of touch and go's and did my first engine failure after takeoff. Even got a pat on the shoulder and a big grin when the first one flared at the right height.
All touch downs on the main wheels (poor old nose wheel had a rest this week) - was even getting the stall warner to go off.
Clicking at last !!! (shame my circuits went to pot. Don't know what shape they were but they certainly weren't rectangular.........Oh well!! can't have everything - YET!!!)
Next question on the agenda...
At what point is said instructor likely to get out of the 'plane???
He's always said to me that I'll be virtually trying to throw him out before I go solo.... What he doesn't know is that 6 month's ago someone told me that one day he'll just get out and leave me to it whether I like it or not!!! (He's a nice guy at the moment, so is he going to go Jekyll & Hyde on me??)
Maybe now he'll understand why I've always joked about handcuffing him to the 'plane (no kinky comments please!!).
Anyone prepared to give me a heads up so that I can get the handcuffs ready
????
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To give you some heart....
My wife (not a young lady but one who loves flying) just couldn't get the last bit of landing and did over 80 hours before she finally went solo!
However during this time she passed all her exams and her hours and hours of practice made her a superb flyer and a good navigator.
My wife (not a young lady but one who loves flying) just couldn't get the last bit of landing and did over 80 hours before she finally went solo!
However during this time she passed all her exams and her hours and hours of practice made her a superb flyer and a good navigator.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: UK
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I know technique that can work well in this situation. It's a bit New Age sort of thing, but it's helped me and also a couple of my students - in one case spectacularly so.
The technique is called EFT and is well described here
http://www.emofree.com/newcomer.htm
Have a go, and enjoy your flying.
Best wishes
The technique is called EFT and is well described here
http://www.emofree.com/newcomer.htm
Have a go, and enjoy your flying.
Best wishes
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Manchester
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Sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my Grandad last year, and although I wasn't flying a lot at the time, I felt it better to stay away until I had got my head round it.
There is tons of good advice here, but my take on it is this...
The instructor is not looking for the perfect pilot (if that exists). Before he sends you solo what he wants to see is good, sound decision making. So if it's going to rats at 100ft and you go-around then don't beat yourself up about a "failed" landing, it isn't failed, the plane is still in the air, not broken and nethier are you!! The same applies at the skills test, you can screw it up (to a point) and still pass, if you make the right decisions on a safety basis when you realise that you've screwed up. Before this gets poo-poo'ed, how many examiners tell a student in a de-brief that they've now got a "licence to learn"???
And remember this, no 2 landings are ever the same. Most of flying a plane can be taught "by numbers", but the landing is a black art that only comes with experience. Some people need more experience than others, that's all. Look at it this way, you are capable of flying a plane, something that millions of people in this country cannot do, or likely ever will.
There is tons of good advice here, but my take on it is this...
The instructor is not looking for the perfect pilot (if that exists). Before he sends you solo what he wants to see is good, sound decision making. So if it's going to rats at 100ft and you go-around then don't beat yourself up about a "failed" landing, it isn't failed, the plane is still in the air, not broken and nethier are you!! The same applies at the skills test, you can screw it up (to a point) and still pass, if you make the right decisions on a safety basis when you realise that you've screwed up. Before this gets poo-poo'ed, how many examiners tell a student in a de-brief that they've now got a "licence to learn"???
And remember this, no 2 landings are ever the same. Most of flying a plane can be taught "by numbers", but the landing is a black art that only comes with experience. Some people need more experience than others, that's all. Look at it this way, you are capable of flying a plane, something that millions of people in this country cannot do, or likely ever will.