Speech question

[standbykid]

Discovered this site by chance last week, who knew? Really good read. Anyhoo I'm finally thinking seriously about starting PPL lessons. The only light aircraft experience I've had is a couple of dual control glider flights years ago and loved it.

My concern is I have a slight speech impediment, can't get certain words out sometimes and stutter a bit, not severely. Whilst not desirable obviously, is it a real hinderance to safely flying, communicating with the ground and instructor, etc? Would it limit me if I decided to continue beyond my PPL?

Thanks.

[SoundBarrier]

Standbykid,

without knowing the severity of the impediment I would still say that you will still be able to fly, at least privately. I knew of two people both with stutters who flew quite safe and had fun doing so.

Furthermore, I have seen many methods of being able to deal with these kinds of speech difficulties that speech therapists have been able to assist with.

Good luck

[effortless]

I have a close friend who stutters severely. On the ground he couldn't say "golf foxtrot charlie" but he doesn't stutter while flying. This may be due to the artificial nature of aviation speak. Its a bit like singing. I'll bet that you never stutter while singing.

[Spitoon]

And it won't be long before someone comes along and tells you that their aircraft doesn't have a radio!

But give it a go. Maybe you won't have any difficulties, maybe you'll have a problem that you have to work on - but you won't know until you try.

Go and speak to a flying school. Be straight with them about your concerns, and find an 'understanding' instructor.

Final step - enjoy your flying!

[18greens]

Add to that the fact that most students who do not have speech impediments on the ground develop them when they push the PTT (other wise known as the brain disconnect) button.

I'm sure you will be absolutely fine. I've seen guys with cerebal palsy fly, why let a speech problem stop you. Give it a go.

[jimbo715]

From the horses mouth

HI,

I am quite "lucky" that I can speak from experience. I am currently doing my PPL and have recently done my first solo, but also I have a slight speech impedament. Whilst I do not know the severity of yours for me I can be speaking normally to someone and then for no known reason words just won't come out, extremely annoying and frustrating.

However, when Im using a radio either at work or whilst flying it seems to subcide and whilst my instructor is aware of it i haven't had a bout of it whilst i've been solo. Part of me thinks its a mental thing part of me doesn't know what the hell is going on sometimes, but as long as you can stay cool don't panic about it you can get by just fine.

Hope this has been of some help.

[BigEndBob]

I have known students that have stuttered on the ground but speak perfectly ok when using the radio.

Seem to remember some documentary years ago where they used a headset and mike system to help overcome and train out stuttering.

[PlasticPilot]

Just for fun, there are some combinations of words that I can't say properly, so I replace them by easier things. My favorite example is "Geneva Arrival", which I always call "Geneva Approach". I never got a remark.

[standbykid]

Soft 'G' would help!

Thanks to all for your input and PMs

[ChampChump]

Amazon.com: Flight Of The Gin Fizz: Midlife At 4,500 Feet: Henry Kisor: Books

This is one of my very favourite books, ever. Garrison Kielor learned to fly, dealing with his deafness en route. All things are possible.

Go for it!

[Cusco]

Standbykid:

Go book a trial lesson immediately:

You'll never regret it.

Cusco

[1946]

As a long time stutter-er as in about 60 years, I have had a PPL since 1972. I have tried many and varied ways to rid myself of the impediment, although nowhere as bad it is still there, particulary in times of stress, but not always. DO NOT let any thing stand in your way of acheiving what you want to do. I had a couple of very understanding flight instructors, and spent many hours with them practicing radio calls in a link trainer. I over heard one day another instructor having a grizzel about the 'quality' of students the club was getting and to quote" they even let that silly bast--d XXXX in who can hardly say his name propely" so that made more determined to pass my flying test. Eventualy I got better at the radio, even had the tower ring the club and ask who was opperating the radio for me---solo flight. I now have an Amature Radio Opperators Certificate of Proficency for ham radio, so as I said at the start, go for it--do not ever give up. Good Luck!

[IFMU]

Originally Posted by BigEndBob

Seem to remember some documentary years ago where they used a headset and mike system to help overcome and train out stuttering.

I remember something similar too. Somehow hearing yourself speak through the headset tweaked something in the feedback loop and stopped the stuttering. It does seem like the same setup with our ICS & radio systems we fly with.

There are plenty of people here in the states who can speak clearly, yet they get on the radio and what they say is unfocused garbage. They don't let their deficiency stop them, you should not let your impediment stop you. Always go after your dreams.

You can always go back to gliders. I don't know if it is the same in Canada or not, but most glider pilots I associate with don't know what do do with a radio unless it is the kind that music comes out of.

-- IFMU