When does learning to fly become fun
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Hi!
If U want fun, fun, fun, get a great console flight simulation game.
If you want realistic combat fun, get IL-2 Sturmovic for your desktop computer, preferable with 3 or more screens. From what I have read, this is THE best WWII flight sim, and maybe THE best one. I prefer WWII stuff, partly because there is more flying and less button-pushing.
Just found this:
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
If you want to play Sturmovik on your PS3 (or, God Forbid, XBox 360) then you can avoid all the patches and mods and glitches and frustration that comes from trying to play games on your PC.
If you want realistic fun, get MS Flight Sim ____ 2004?(whatever your computer can handle, as the newest version is pretty much ahead of what any "normal" computer can handle).
If you want to continue real flying and be successful, you should do step number three above and go through all the ms flightsim flight lessons, staying one or two steps ahead (or maybe more, if you can handle it) of your aircraft lesson with your msflightsim lessons.
If you do flightsim lessons, when you get in the plane, a LOT of stuff will be familiar/comfortable. You can even learn to talk on the radio WHILE you fly with flightsim.
Good luck!
cliff
LFW
If U want fun, fun, fun, get a great console flight simulation game.
If you want realistic combat fun, get IL-2 Sturmovic for your desktop computer, preferable with 3 or more screens. From what I have read, this is THE best WWII flight sim, and maybe THE best one. I prefer WWII stuff, partly because there is more flying and less button-pushing.
Just found this:
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
If you want to play Sturmovik on your PS3 (or, God Forbid, XBox 360) then you can avoid all the patches and mods and glitches and frustration that comes from trying to play games on your PC.
If you want realistic fun, get MS Flight Sim ____ 2004?(whatever your computer can handle, as the newest version is pretty much ahead of what any "normal" computer can handle).
If you want to continue real flying and be successful, you should do step number three above and go through all the ms flightsim flight lessons, staying one or two steps ahead (or maybe more, if you can handle it) of your aircraft lesson with your msflightsim lessons.
If you do flightsim lessons, when you get in the plane, a LOT of stuff will be familiar/comfortable. You can even learn to talk on the radio WHILE you fly with flightsim.
Good luck!
cliff
LFW
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I think you will find your real lessons very different to the ones that come with Flight Simulator. FS teaches you to fly by using the AH. It'll prepare you well for IFR but that's not how you will be taught to fly VFR. The flights in the book "Flight Simulator for Pilots" are much better , although geared for the FAA license.
The time to is Flight Sim is AFTER you have been taught by an instructor. Go over what was in your lesson and do it the way your instructor told you - not the FS way. If you are training in a Cessna 152 then get the add on for that.
As a PPL I quite often used FS. It's very helpful for learning to fly IR (I haven't got there yet). Arguably it helps with practising landings although the texture resolution is nowhere good enough those last few feet. It can also be frustrating as flying FS is often more difficult that flying for real.
The time to is Flight Sim is AFTER you have been taught by an instructor. Go over what was in your lesson and do it the way your instructor told you - not the FS way. If you are training in a Cessna 152 then get the add on for that.
As a PPL I quite often used FS. It's very helpful for learning to fly IR (I haven't got there yet). Arguably it helps with practising landings although the texture resolution is nowhere good enough those last few feet. It can also be frustrating as flying FS is often more difficult that flying for real.
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Hi!
Was reading a post from a non-pilot who did all the ms flightsim lessons, all the way through to finish his ATP. Then he started flying lessons. He know each instrument and control: How to use it, what it did, what it meant. He knew how to start the engine, takeoff, land, etc., etc. He knew how to talk on the radio. He said when he got in the plane, it helped him IMMENSELY because he was comfortable and familiar with the preflight brief, and all of the actions expected on each lesson.
I was too old...no home computers when I started flt training. I am sure though, that having all that knowledge would have helped me out a lot.
cliff
LFW
Was reading a post from a non-pilot who did all the ms flightsim lessons, all the way through to finish his ATP. Then he started flying lessons. He know each instrument and control: How to use it, what it did, what it meant. He knew how to start the engine, takeoff, land, etc., etc. He knew how to talk on the radio. He said when he got in the plane, it helped him IMMENSELY because he was comfortable and familiar with the preflight brief, and all of the actions expected on each lesson.
I was too old...no home computers when I started flt training. I am sure though, that having all that knowledge would have helped me out a lot.
cliff
LFW
Learning to fly IS fun. Every instant of it. Of course the fun is sometimes hidden, behind clouds of anxiety or stress or your instructor's bad mood. Instructors are humans, too, remember? But even if you don't realise the fun right at the moment, it is there, to be enjoyed later.
Learning to fly IS fun. That is only normal, given the exorbitant cost.
As for using cheapo flight simulation software: I had used so much of it that I did my first flying on the instruments solely, to the despair of my poor first instructor. He ended up putting a sheet of paper (carefully prepared!) before the instruments and having me fly several circuits without a single instrument visible - that was NOT fun at the actual moment! Only later did I realise how much I had learned that day - and how much fun it really had been.
Learning to fly IS fun. That is only normal, given the exorbitant cost.
As for using cheapo flight simulation software: I had used so much of it that I did my first flying on the instruments solely, to the despair of my poor first instructor. He ended up putting a sheet of paper (carefully prepared!) before the instruments and having me fly several circuits without a single instrument visible - that was NOT fun at the actual moment! Only later did I realise how much I had learned that day - and how much fun it really had been.
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The golf club mentality thing doesn't seem to apply at power clubs as the power clubs seem to be run as businesses with services (landing fees/parking/etc) sold to members without work being expected of the members. Gliding clubs are run as societies on a not for profit basis, so require their members to get involved in every aspect (CAA/BGA compliance/accounting/running the launch point/driving the winch/etc) and this makes gliding clubs a haven for jobsworths and for those too lazy to pull their own weight. This in turn creates the friction and the feeling of 'being watched' lest you don't make a reasonable contribution. Its the feeling of being watched that give the golf club mentality feeling.
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BTW I've never belonged to a golf club (I agree with whoever said it was a way to ruin a good walk), but suspect they come in a wide range of styles just as gliding clubs do.
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stick with it
Chas, I am a learner at the 20 hour mark and I have experienced, quite a few times, that feeling of being overwhelmed and haven't enjoyed it!!
However I have come to learn that as you progress those moments get fewer to be replaced by truly joyous moments such as the elation of your first unaided landing!
Bottom line, it gets better, MUCH better, stick with it!!!!
However I have come to learn that as you progress those moments get fewer to be replaced by truly joyous moments such as the elation of your first unaided landing!
Bottom line, it gets better, MUCH better, stick with it!!!!
If my partner was pressuring me not to do the things I loved, I don't think they'd be my partner for much longer. I don't understand people who don't do things "because the wife won't let me". Well then, get a better wife!
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It's often possible to radically change your stress levels whilst in the air. If you are with an instructor don't beat yourself up every time they say you are doing something wrong. Instructors continually "raise the bar" - so they are expecting a higher standard from you because you are getting better.
After you have your PPL and you are flying solo you may need to reduce your workload if you are feeling stressed. Adjust the radio so that it's clearer, less noisy or whatever, make sure you are sitting comfortably. Don't feel you have to announce yourself to every en route ATC if flying VFR - or find an ATC which is going to be with you for most of the flight so that you don't have to continually change frequency. Don't fiddle unneccesarily with GPS units. Slow your cruise speed if the a/c is getting ahead of you. Concentrate on the basics - i.e. flying the aircraft.
After you have your PPL and you are flying solo you may need to reduce your workload if you are feeling stressed. Adjust the radio so that it's clearer, less noisy or whatever, make sure you are sitting comfortably. Don't feel you have to announce yourself to every en route ATC if flying VFR - or find an ATC which is going to be with you for most of the flight so that you don't have to continually change frequency. Don't fiddle unneccesarily with GPS units. Slow your cruise speed if the a/c is getting ahead of you. Concentrate on the basics - i.e. flying the aircraft.
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Katamarino, when your wife says "its me or the glider", your choice is clear!
Molesworth, yes of course your family deserves your time, your attention, and your money, that is, until the kids have finally flown the nest...
and then, happy and rare is the man or woman whose partner shares your true love interest! A compromise is the usual solution, yes dear, garden club, horse riding, even travel, if I am allowed my day at the gliding club to fly and to help out.
Layabouts and moaners are alas part of any human endeavor, irritating those who pull their weight; we grit our teeth and accept their fees, and discount their excuses, and when it is their turn to ask for help, it can be slow to arrive.
Molesworth, yes of course your family deserves your time, your attention, and your money, that is, until the kids have finally flown the nest...
and then, happy and rare is the man or woman whose partner shares your true love interest! A compromise is the usual solution, yes dear, garden club, horse riding, even travel, if I am allowed my day at the gliding club to fly and to help out.
Layabouts and moaners are alas part of any human endeavor, irritating those who pull their weight; we grit our teeth and accept their fees, and discount their excuses, and when it is their turn to ask for help, it can be slow to arrive.
As an instructor I just cringe when I hear a hear a person say they have used MS FS before they started ab intio flying lessons. It is simply not realistic enough to teach skills which can be wholly transfered to the aircraft and encourages a host of bad habits, the most vexing is the habit of flying the aircraft by reference to the instruments instead of referencing the natural horizon out the windshield. MSFS has a lot of utility for a licensed pilto who wants to practice instrument procedures, but IMO it results in negative learning for ab intio students.
Exactly what my poor first instructor said. Worst of all: no PC-based simulator will ever make your buttocks feel a well or badly sync'ed turn.
Even after more than 100 hours up there, I sometimes develop a vague feeling something isn't really perfectly right, only then to see that damn ball tucked up in one or other extreme. Most often on crosswind leg right after take-off.
Even after more than 100 hours up there, I sometimes develop a vague feeling something isn't really perfectly right, only then to see that damn ball tucked up in one or other extreme. Most often on crosswind leg right after take-off.
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Well, I can attest to how stress and disappointment in oneself can mentally block you from enjoying and learning anything. This has recently happened to myself.
I've been chasing the standalone FAA PPL and it's taken forever. Mainly because I have to go away on jobs all the time and don't get the recency that's needed. I also have a very strict instructor, and although I welcomed that as good thing - I want to be held to high standards - it recently became too much for me. I felt like a worse pilot every time I went up, like I was unlearning. Screwing up the most basic stuff at times. And the minute I screwed something up I got it good. This stressed me out and inevitably the next maneuver/radio call/whatever would also be fouled up.
Los Angeles is busy airspace and there is no real time to "catch up" with stuff until you're into the next high workload scenario. I know my instructor is very knowledgeable and was just increasing the workload as I got nearer my checkride (as he should do), but nevertheless the last times were no fun at all and I questioned my abilities as a pilot. I realize this is all just stress from my own disappointment in myself, but nevertheless I've decided to finish with another instructor that's a little more patient, hopefully. I feel bad as I think he's good, but I have to have a gentler touch (even though he did always praise when I did good). For some reason I think I'd do better with a female instructor.
Everyone learns differently. I don't learn well in a high amplitude scenario between praise and criticism - some do. I can do without the praise when I do something good, but then I don't want to be beat up when I screw stuff up. Just less of an arc between the two extremes is better for me personally.
So, flying has not been fun at all recently. And since I'm stuck in America, I can't go off and fly on my UK PPL either just to get a break from instruction and regain a bit of confidence (when I fly alone I never feel stressed). But it'll all be good in the end.
I've been chasing the standalone FAA PPL and it's taken forever. Mainly because I have to go away on jobs all the time and don't get the recency that's needed. I also have a very strict instructor, and although I welcomed that as good thing - I want to be held to high standards - it recently became too much for me. I felt like a worse pilot every time I went up, like I was unlearning. Screwing up the most basic stuff at times. And the minute I screwed something up I got it good. This stressed me out and inevitably the next maneuver/radio call/whatever would also be fouled up.
Los Angeles is busy airspace and there is no real time to "catch up" with stuff until you're into the next high workload scenario. I know my instructor is very knowledgeable and was just increasing the workload as I got nearer my checkride (as he should do), but nevertheless the last times were no fun at all and I questioned my abilities as a pilot. I realize this is all just stress from my own disappointment in myself, but nevertheless I've decided to finish with another instructor that's a little more patient, hopefully. I feel bad as I think he's good, but I have to have a gentler touch (even though he did always praise when I did good). For some reason I think I'd do better with a female instructor.
Everyone learns differently. I don't learn well in a high amplitude scenario between praise and criticism - some do. I can do without the praise when I do something good, but then I don't want to be beat up when I screw stuff up. Just less of an arc between the two extremes is better for me personally.
So, flying has not been fun at all recently. And since I'm stuck in America, I can't go off and fly on my UK PPL either just to get a break from instruction and regain a bit of confidence (when I fly alone I never feel stressed). But it'll all be good in the end.
Last edited by AdamFrisch; 27th Jul 2010 at 04:08.
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Adam, my friend, I bet anything that your instructor is ex-military!
Whether or not, it is time for you to fly with somebody different. The instructor who is overloading you and telling you off is probably not very confident himself.
As for radio difficulties, making the transition from gliding to the PPL, this is where glider pilots come unstuck. May I suggest you invest in an airband radio and spend a lot of time listening to the busy frequencies. And if you fly United Airlines, always stay tuned in to Channel 9. The more you listen to the professionals, the more your brain is able to think that way.
And remember, the ATC is there to serve you! The three most useful things I found to say to ATC were "Say again slowly!", "Stand by" and "Unable"!
Whether or not, it is time for you to fly with somebody different. The instructor who is overloading you and telling you off is probably not very confident himself.
As for radio difficulties, making the transition from gliding to the PPL, this is where glider pilots come unstuck. May I suggest you invest in an airband radio and spend a lot of time listening to the busy frequencies. And if you fly United Airlines, always stay tuned in to Channel 9. The more you listen to the professionals, the more your brain is able to think that way.
And remember, the ATC is there to serve you! The three most useful things I found to say to ATC were "Say again slowly!", "Stand by" and "Unable"!
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Change instructor sounds like good advice. A friend of mine went through this (with a female ex-military instructor) and quit for good. It is ridiculous that a foul-up early on should waste the rest of the lesson. Instead of shouting, why can't your FI take the controls/radio/whatever, explain what went wrong, set you a new task, and move on?
I got overloaded too, frequently, but I think I was luckier with the instructors I had.
I got overloaded too, frequently, but I think I was luckier with the instructors I had.
if you're a natural worrier like me then you'll get overloaded, then eventually manage it.
i'm on navigation at the moment, and the many different things i now have to do in the exercises are getting slightly easier, but it still takes the instructor a while to iron out your mistakes or your priorities. it just comes together after a while and you're able to manage it when you're more organised.
if they have a go at you, then they are not the instructor for you. some people like that, others like a calm instructor, praise where it's due, telling you where you've made a mistake or missed something, but overall they give off a calmness that in turn makes you calm. then when it comes to solos you can handle everything just fine.
i'm on navigation at the moment, and the many different things i now have to do in the exercises are getting slightly easier, but it still takes the instructor a while to iron out your mistakes or your priorities. it just comes together after a while and you're able to manage it when you're more organised.
if they have a go at you, then they are not the instructor for you. some people like that, others like a calm instructor, praise where it's due, telling you where you've made a mistake or missed something, but overall they give off a calmness that in turn makes you calm. then when it comes to solos you can handle everything just fine.
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I had an absolute honey of an instructor - mostly calm (to the extent of sometimes spending her time looking out of the side window making comments about the sheep), although not unknown to shout "FULL POWER" on an approach going wrong!
The idea is that the voice of your instructor will stay in your head when you fly on your own.
The idea is that the voice of your instructor will stay in your head when you fly on your own.
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Some varied responses and all very welcome. Yes I worry about everything and self criticise - sometimes with things like studying this forces me to do very well but other times it stops me in my tracks eg having a go in my car at Santa Pod. However I am going to continue and see how I get on. Thanks to everyone for their advice. ChasG
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getting back to the sim issue....before starting my ppl this june I spent a lot of time playing around on a sim. it helped me to form patterns in my head about the physics of flight - effects of controls etc - so when it came to start doing the real thing, I had a pretty good idea about what was going on.
obviously you don't get the seat of the pants feel, or the occasional pinball in a washing machine turbulence effect, but it definately sped things up for me. now I'm 10 hours into 'reality' and using the sim to practice procedures in the flight training manual and checklist run throughs.
long story short - it's saved me a lot of money.
and as already pointed out, flying in FS2004, even with a full yoke / throttle / rudder setup, is actually harder than the real thing. and for the first 2 hours I drove my instructor nuts with over-reliance on instrumentation!
obviously you don't get the seat of the pants feel, or the occasional pinball in a washing machine turbulence effect, but it definately sped things up for me. now I'm 10 hours into 'reality' and using the sim to practice procedures in the flight training manual and checklist run throughs.
long story short - it's saved me a lot of money.
and as already pointed out, flying in FS2004, even with a full yoke / throttle / rudder setup, is actually harder than the real thing. and for the first 2 hours I drove my instructor nuts with over-reliance on instrumentation!
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So nice today to go flying by myself and on my own again. I feel rejuvenated. Quick bimble around Beachy Head and then back to Lydd. Ahh, just what the doctor ordered after all that LA hardcore instruction.
