First Flight For My Grandad

[fernytickles]

Most of the time, people who haven't been up in a small aeroplane before are happy just to be looking at the view, enjoying seeing the land from an unusual and different perspective.

If you liken your flight to the Barnstorming days, or to sight seeing flights, thats basically what you are acheiving. Nothing technical or likely to upset a stomach less accustomed to flying than yours has become.

Glad your Grandfather had a strong stomach, and a calm demeanour!

If you really want to sharpen your skills, and have the finances, how about considering an aerobatic course?

[lauchiemb]

Patronising?

Poor grandad much have been SO scared, I am amazed he made it through the flight. All that nasty noise and tight turns.

Guys of his generation grew up during the war and would be the first to sacrifice their lives for King and country. Remember all those young pilots that flew off to defend the UK in the air with far fewer hours that we need to gain our PPL.

Grandad should have clipped Information Delta round the ear!

[Mikehotel152]

I planned to take my wife up for a few short local flights in a little 152 before embarking on a long-time planned trip to Scotland. I thought this would give her confidence in my abilities.

As it turned out, her first flight with me was in a hulking great 182 around 3 days after my licence came in the post. While I was fidlding with the wobbly prop and asking for help identifying the Luton/Stansted gap on the way up to Prestwick, she was feeling a little and and .

She often reminds me of this...very often...exceedingly often...

Which reminds me: I issued 'vouchers' to family members to join me for a few flights over the summer. I'm not looking forward to taking my wife's sister up. She's even scared of escalators for goodness sake...

[moggiee]

There's nothing wrong with doing steep turns and stalls with Grandad on board provided that.........................they were done with the same professionalism and accuracy that your instructor would expect.

The dangers come with the "hey, watch this" moments. A planned and properly executed manouevre with good lookout and airmanship is fine. Otherwise you may as well say "can't carry passengers, flying circuits and landing is too dangerous".

[Lasiorhinus]

As fernytickles said, your passengers don't need an aerobatics display to be impressed. Just because you consider straight and level to be somewhat mundane, does not mean your passenger will. Simply being up in an aircraft, looking outside, looking at the ground, trying to see their house, will be enough of a thrill. Your task is to keep both your aircraft, and your passenger's lunch stable.

[Rugbyears]

It was my dad who was the first passenger, things were progressing rather smoothly and he was somewhat enjoying himself. That was until the engine kindly give a brief cough. This was closely followed by the weather quickly closing in. Rather annoyingly, I had meticulously studied the forecasted weather for that day in great detail prior to departing, however, it was awful, very unpleasant, mainly rain.

The poor man hasn't recovered to this day..!

[moggiee]

Originally Posted by Lasiorhinus

As fernytickles said, your passengers don't need an aerobatics display to be impressed. Just because you consider straight and level to be somewhat mundane, does not mean your passenger will. Simply being up in an aircraft, looking outside, looking at the ground, trying to see their house, will be enough of a thrill. Your task is to keep both your aircraft, and your passenger's lunch stable.

It's hardly up to any of us to say what the pilot and passenger did/should/could enjoy - that is their business and as long as they were safe, legal and both happy then that's all that matters.

Back in your boxes you sanctimonious, patronising, self-important know-it-alls (that last one was not aimed solely at Lasoirhinus).

[usedtofly]

It's hardly up to any of us to say what the pilot and passenger did/should/could enjoy - that is their business and as long as they were safe, legal and both happy then that's all that matters.

Maybe so, but the passenger is wholly dependant on the pilot. The pilot has a 'duty of care' not to expose passengers to unnecessary risk. How would 'Grandad' know what is safe or not? he is not a pilot.

Back in your boxes you sanctimonious, patronising, self-important know-it-alls

Personally, if I am one of the 'sanctimonious' one's, then perhaps it's because I've seen too many young and inexperienced pilots make too many 'judgement errors' over the years. Contributors to this forum are simply offering Info Delta a 'few cautionary words' of advice or guidance.

Info Delta was clearly in a state of excitement when he first posted. He also solicited comment. Given what came his way he has dealt with it rather well I'd say.

All of this debate is of course meant to be constructive so I have just modified this post a second time to remove the 'personal' element from it.

Happy and safe flying dudes

UTF