Believing in Yourself
Joined: Sep 2001
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 208
From: Toronto
Airgirl,
It can take a long time for the doubts to go away. Even after my PPL, the doubts were still there. In a way that was to the good because it kept my nose to the grindstone in carrying out the checks and doing a thorough flight plan. I started using airplanes to go places and the various interesting situations that came up and were adequately handled eventually erased the doubts.
Overconfidence is the more dangerous condition.
One of the bugbears that is hard to lay to rest is: will I be able to do a proper forced landing landing if the engine breaks? -- presuming of course that you have arranged that it always has enough gas
When I did a checkout at one school after a long hiatus, I discovered that the instructors had a habit of declaring the engine lost after I had completed the down wind checks. This was to a demanding runway. The confidence level went up a few notches after doing a few of these and landing on the button each time
In gliders, your first outlanding is more demanding than your first solo as you really do have to think for yourself rather than just do what you have done dozens of times before.
It can take a long time for the doubts to go away. Even after my PPL, the doubts were still there. In a way that was to the good because it kept my nose to the grindstone in carrying out the checks and doing a thorough flight plan. I started using airplanes to go places and the various interesting situations that came up and were adequately handled eventually erased the doubts.
Overconfidence is the more dangerous condition.
One of the bugbears that is hard to lay to rest is: will I be able to do a proper forced landing landing if the engine breaks? -- presuming of course that you have arranged that it always has enough gas
When I did a checkout at one school after a long hiatus, I discovered that the instructors had a habit of declaring the engine lost after I had completed the down wind checks. This was to a demanding runway. The confidence level went up a few notches after doing a few of these and landing on the button each time
In gliders, your first outlanding is more demanding than your first solo as you really do have to think for yourself rather than just do what you have done dozens of times before.
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Dorking, England
its something that can never be repeated
Actually I was lucky enough to have two first solos! My first after 14 hours instruction in a C150 at Sandown in 1982. My second, when regaining my licence after a break of 21 years, in a C172 at Redhill. Two first solos and two skills tests. I don't remember much about my first solo now but my second I'll always treasure
Beacon Outbound
Joined: Mar 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 710
Likes: 22
From: "Home is were the answer machine is"
If I was teaching somebody I care about to fly, I would make sure they can fly an ILS before they go solo.
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Airgirl,
the very fact that you have this air of apprehension and concern tells me that you will be absolutely fine when the moment for going solo arrives. This feeling is not un-common, work a bit on the bits that is "worrying" you, talk to your instructor about your concerns, they will be alleviated and you will be OK, the most important thing is to enjoy every moment of your training, its all about enjoyment..... ooh,and when you go solo come back in here and tell us all about it..... just so we can say "told you so" !!
All the best for when the big day arrives,
Jon
the very fact that you have this air of apprehension and concern tells me that you will be absolutely fine when the moment for going solo arrives. This feeling is not un-common, work a bit on the bits that is "worrying" you, talk to your instructor about your concerns, they will be alleviated and you will be OK, the most important thing is to enjoy every moment of your training, its all about enjoyment..... ooh,and when you go solo come back in here and tell us all about it..... just so we can say "told you so" !!
All the best for when the big day arrives,
Jon
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: Military
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 20
From: I have no idea but the view's great.
You say a couple of times just how much this all means to you and how important it is and that's probably part of your problem, here.
You want to do this so much that you probably want every landing to be a perfect greaser and every move to be perfect. The thing that we've all been keeping from you is that they rarely will be. Your skills and confidence will grow but you'll never do everything perfectly every time.
I'm sure you know that if your instructor says you're ready then you are, don't beat yourself up too much if it's not perfect. You'll love it and you'll never forget it.
The day when you have absolutely no apprehension about anything is the day to put your headset on eBay, not today.
You want to do this so much that you probably want every landing to be a perfect greaser and every move to be perfect. The thing that we've all been keeping from you is that they rarely will be. Your skills and confidence will grow but you'll never do everything perfectly every time.
I'm sure you know that if your instructor says you're ready then you are, don't beat yourself up too much if it's not perfect. You'll love it and you'll never forget it.
The day when you have absolutely no apprehension about anything is the day to put your headset on eBay, not today.
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: UK
Airgirl : if you offered me the chance to re-live either my first solo or my first sexual encounter, I'd be strapping myself into a 152 before you'd finished asking me ... with the added bonus that I wouldn't have to spend all night at a crap party with the plane first ! 
Your instructor won't offer if you can't do it - he can't afford to get that decision wrong. Go for it, you'll not only remember the rush for a loooong time, you'll feel so much better about yourself afterwards as well. Enjoy !
Your instructor won't offer if you can't do it - he can't afford to get that decision wrong. Go for it, you'll not only remember the rush for a loooong time, you'll feel so much better about yourself afterwards as well. Enjoy !
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
I did my first solo not that long ago.
It's a psychological barrier... the actual flying is easier than what you will have been doing. Your instructor won't send you in anything other than good conditions and calm air. The actual flying, you will have worked harder before doing glide approaches, turbulence, crosswinds etc.
It's a psychological barrier... the actual flying is easier than what you will have been doing. Your instructor won't send you in anything other than good conditions and calm air. The actual flying, you will have worked harder before doing glide approaches, turbulence, crosswinds etc.
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: UK
Airgirl> I had exactly the same aprehensions before going solo, but the euphoric feeling afterwards was worth the effort, you won't forget it for the rest of your life.
I found the 3 hours of solo circuits hard work, but I broke it down into smaller chunks of 30 to 45 minutes or until I started to feel mentally drained & would call for a full stop on the next downwind leg.
I'm now onto the Nav part of the course & its like being back at the begining of learing circuits, the workload seems insurmountable, but hopefully not impossible. The thought of doing my QXC is filling me with dread! hehe
I found the 3 hours of solo circuits hard work, but I broke it down into smaller chunks of 30 to 45 minutes or until I started to feel mentally drained & would call for a full stop on the next downwind leg.
I'm now onto the Nav part of the course & its like being back at the begining of learing circuits, the workload seems insurmountable, but hopefully not impossible. The thought of doing my QXC is filling me with dread! hehe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Cotswolds UK
Airgirl - I've been through exactly the same - and I soloed in September last year after convincing myself I couldn't do it and almost giving up.
My first solo was a breeze - although when my instructor turned to me and said 'right - are you ready to do it on your own' I said 'not sure'. Her response - of course you can - trust me!
Still getting the nerves/self doubt though. This is a lifelong dream for me (from age four wanted to be a pilot - but one poor eye has stopped me being able too until the advent of the NPPL) - and I have been creating my own pressure by wanting to do everything perfectly - which as a student doesn't always happen!
Keep going - it does get easier. Did my solo x-country qual on Sunday - got very nervous before hand - but was better once airbourne. Made a few mistakes - but by the time I got to my second landaway I was getting into my stride.
Test profile with instructor followed by GFT next. At this point I'm really nervous again - don't feel like I know enough to be a pilot! Am sure in a few weeks I'll look back and wonder what I was worrying about!
What has helped hugely is talking to fellow students and pilots - it's amazing and re-assuring to know how many have gone through similar worries.
Enjoy your solo - it really is a magical experience!
Iain
My first solo was a breeze - although when my instructor turned to me and said 'right - are you ready to do it on your own' I said 'not sure'. Her response - of course you can - trust me!
Still getting the nerves/self doubt though. This is a lifelong dream for me (from age four wanted to be a pilot - but one poor eye has stopped me being able too until the advent of the NPPL) - and I have been creating my own pressure by wanting to do everything perfectly - which as a student doesn't always happen!
Keep going - it does get easier. Did my solo x-country qual on Sunday - got very nervous before hand - but was better once airbourne. Made a few mistakes - but by the time I got to my second landaway I was getting into my stride.
Test profile with instructor followed by GFT next. At this point I'm really nervous again - don't feel like I know enough to be a pilot! Am sure in a few weeks I'll look back and wonder what I was worrying about!
What has helped hugely is talking to fellow students and pilots - it's amazing and re-assuring to know how many have gone through similar worries.
Enjoy your solo - it really is a magical experience!
Iain
