Flying phobias in aircrew
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I don't like clattercopters, spent a bit of time in them at various places and was always relieved to get out. When the wings go faster than the fuselage something ain't right IMO.
Always felt entirely at home in either gliders or powered, only ever had one sharp intake of breath moment (apart from avoiding the usual nutjobs you find in any civvy GA circuit) when I was IMC and daydreaming. I corrected for a small bank on the AI but corrected the wrong way and couldn't figure out why the bank was increasing. This probably took two seconds but seemed like two hours to me; I can still see the AI now....I realised my error and corrected the right way whilst letting out an involuntary expletive. I became more alert thereafter...
No nightmares yet although I do dream about flying on my own without an aircraft. These dreams always end with me thinking 'I mut be dreaming' at which point I plummet earthwards and as I hit the deck I wake up with a bit of a start.
Commercial flying I don't like landings, I want to be up the front making sure the buggers are doing it right. The worst part for me though are these rated take offs they do these days. I know they are doing them but when you have been trundling down the runway for 30 seconds and the end is getting butt clenchingly close it still makes me clench my fist and scream in my head 'get some bloody power on you clowns and sod the engines.'
Always felt entirely at home in either gliders or powered, only ever had one sharp intake of breath moment (apart from avoiding the usual nutjobs you find in any civvy GA circuit) when I was IMC and daydreaming. I corrected for a small bank on the AI but corrected the wrong way and couldn't figure out why the bank was increasing. This probably took two seconds but seemed like two hours to me; I can still see the AI now....I realised my error and corrected the right way whilst letting out an involuntary expletive. I became more alert thereafter...
No nightmares yet although I do dream about flying on my own without an aircraft. These dreams always end with me thinking 'I mut be dreaming' at which point I plummet earthwards and as I hit the deck I wake up with a bit of a start.
Commercial flying I don't like landings, I want to be up the front making sure the buggers are doing it right. The worst part for me though are these rated take offs they do these days. I know they are doing them but when you have been trundling down the runway for 30 seconds and the end is getting butt clenchingly close it still makes me clench my fist and scream in my head 'get some bloody power on you clowns and sod the engines.'
Danny,
How many times I've sat down the back of an Albert and thought exactly the same. Problem was, unlike yourself, I doubt I could really do a better job. Hardly likely that 500 hours single seat gliders would equate to the fine pilots who kept me safe in 5000 hours plus of "aerial hitch hiking" I managed to accrue. I note that a lot of ex service pilots on PPRUNE tend to decry their abilities, except the fighter fraternity, but I think all are worthy of some respect, but not outright adulation. Certainly not the single seater bods, a bit selfish, if you see what I mean.
Smudge
How many times I've sat down the back of an Albert and thought exactly the same. Problem was, unlike yourself, I doubt I could really do a better job. Hardly likely that 500 hours single seat gliders would equate to the fine pilots who kept me safe in 5000 hours plus of "aerial hitch hiking" I managed to accrue. I note that a lot of ex service pilots on PPRUNE tend to decry their abilities, except the fighter fraternity, but I think all are worthy of some respect, but not outright adulation. Certainly not the single seater bods, a bit selfish, if you see what I mean.
Smudge
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500 hours single seat gliders
Certainly not the single seater bods, a bit selfish, if you see what I mean
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
The bit about aircrew being scared of heights is more general than people think. I know quite a few (myself included) who don't like ladders or ledges, and I certainly give funfair rides a miss. If I was going to turn upside down, I preferred to be the one doing it. Funny thing though, once I was grounded, I was happier (still not totally happy) climbing ladders.
Thing,
Accepted fully sir, and duly fined myself a double scotch. As you aren't here I will enjoy it on your behalf, I've selected a drop of Bruichladdich Rocks (Of course, the reference to the single seater chaps referred to fast jets pilots, who tended not to carry SLF like myself, except for one glorious experience). No disrespect intended, and obviously, you did not see what I meant. single seaters don't carry passengers.
Cheers
Smudge
Accepted fully sir, and duly fined myself a double scotch. As you aren't here I will enjoy it on your behalf, I've selected a drop of Bruichladdich Rocks (Of course, the reference to the single seater chaps referred to fast jets pilots, who tended not to carry SLF like myself, except for one glorious experience). No disrespect intended, and obviously, you did not see what I meant. single seaters don't carry passengers.
Cheers
Smudge
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I've selected a drop of Bruichladdich Rocks
And guess what is happening at the end of May...
The Islay Festival | Welcome
Islay just happens to have a fine 1500 mtr runway, what a coincidence!!
By the way, have you ever tried this Bruichladdich Waves Whisky - Master of Malt Outstanding stuff.
Thing,
I fully intend to try the "waves" and wish you well on your Islay trip in May. I only wish I could join you. Enjoy your tipple sir, and thanks for the "waves" heads up.
Smudge
PS. I'm looking at the possibility of being there, subject to SWMBO permission and issue of a travel warrant.
I fully intend to try the "waves" and wish you well on your Islay trip in May. I only wish I could join you. Enjoy your tipple sir, and thanks for the "waves" heads up.
Smudge
PS. I'm looking at the possibility of being there, subject to SWMBO permission and issue of a travel warrant.
Last edited by smujsmith; 10th Feb 2014 at 22:28.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
There was an 8 Sqn Shack pilot back in the last couple of years it was flying who was going out with one of our WRAF controllers at Buchan who refused to fly it any more as he said it was going to kill him.
They sent him down for a Psychiatric investigation and he took his logbook and showed the shrink the number of engine fires and other Maydays and explained the consequences of the main beam burning through.
Shrink sent him back with a note stating he was evidently the only sane one on the fleet and that the rest ought to be grounded as mad.
IIRC he was posted to The VC-10 force.
They sent him down for a Psychiatric investigation and he took his logbook and showed the shrink the number of engine fires and other Maydays and explained the consequences of the main beam burning through.
Shrink sent him back with a note stating he was evidently the only sane one on the fleet and that the rest ought to be grounded as mad.
IIRC he was posted to The VC-10 force.
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As an engineer. I became aware how over maintained aircraft are, how much redundancy there is in the aero systems and the large quantity of safety nets in our procedures to stop mistakes slipping through (I.E, 100% supervised tasks, lengthy functional tests that are independently witnessed). Therefore I know we are more likely to be killed on the drive to an airport by Bambi's mum running across the road, than be involved in an aviation accident.
Interestingly, I used to do a lot of rock climbing in my youth. I was never phased when leading a climb but I struggle to look down over the balcony railings of a tall building. I suppose I trusted my climbing ability and equipment, I was in total control when climbing, but knew there's nothing to stop me falling over a railing?
I too had some moments taking off in airliners as a pax, looking out the window thinking to myself "they can't be much runway left".
My only phobia is going on det somewhere without a good hotel.
Interestingly, I used to do a lot of rock climbing in my youth. I was never phased when leading a climb but I struggle to look down over the balcony railings of a tall building. I suppose I trusted my climbing ability and equipment, I was in total control when climbing, but knew there's nothing to stop me falling over a railing?
I too had some moments taking off in airliners as a pax, looking out the window thinking to myself "they can't be much runway left".
My only phobia is going on det somewhere without a good hotel.
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I often wonder if I had a monkey harness or a parachute whether I would suffer the same illogical fear...
I asked "Whats the minimum height for the chute"?
The reply I was "Oh, you won't get that high".
I suppose the parachutes were there as ballast for us skinny people and to give some padding to the seat.
Do a Hover - it avoids G
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snafu
Yes I am the same as you - terrible fear of heights.
It seemed to me that I was actually afraid I might fall and that is why as soon as I strapped something on my back it became no problem.
Yes I am the same as you - terrible fear of heights.
It seemed to me that I was actually afraid I might fall and that is why as soon as I strapped something on my back it became no problem.
Yep, I am with the most revered John. Can't stand heights and absolutely HATE roller-coasters, even though I LOVE low-level aeros up to +9/-3g.
The other thing I am scared of is a big (deleted non-political adjective) chap with a knife!
The other thing I am scared of is a big (deleted non-political adjective) chap with a knife!
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John, out of interest, I have heard rotary mates talk of suffering vertigo when mountain flying, particularly flying slow over ridge lines.
Did you ever have a bout when flying the harrier?
Did you ever have a bout when flying the harrier?
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The airline pilots union BALPA have done a great deal of work on this subject. It's a serious issue. Nothing to do with being afraid of heights but the biggest cause of medical loss apart from cardiovascular. I personally know three pilots who left aviation for this reason. Two of them were former RAF pilots, one of whom sadly took his own life.