Anyone able to help me with my fear?
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Anyone able to help me with my fear?
I'm sure people might find this amusing but does anyone have any suggestions to best beat my fear of the cockpit? It's just as a passenger I love flying and would like to try my hand at it but the thought of sitting in a cockpit with all these dials and gadgets brings me out in a sweat and literally scares the daylights out of me.
Even the thought of trying my hand at a flight sim scares me, I know the easy answer is to buy a sample lesson for a hour but is there any suggestions to help reassure me that its not that scary?
Even the layout of a Cessna confuses me, any help really would be appreciated I just hope I've posted this in the right section?
Even the thought of trying my hand at a flight sim scares me, I know the easy answer is to buy a sample lesson for a hour but is there any suggestions to help reassure me that its not that scary?
Even the layout of a Cessna confuses me, any help really would be appreciated I just hope I've posted this in the right section?
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Ajax, the answer is simples! forget power, start simple, in a glider - a K13 training glider; you in the front with a stick and rudder, and that's about it, no gadgets, dials (well nothing important), no radio to yammer at you, just the instructor calm and knowlegable in the seat behind you.
That is learning to fly the right way. Basics. All the other stuff is added later but only if you want; it all comes down to stick and rudder. Stick forward, nose moves down, stick back, nose comes up. Move stick to left knee, turn left, and right knee, turn right. Don't worry about rudder until lesson 3. You will know right away whether or not flying is for you. None of us care for heights, we don't like ladders, cliffs, or high buildings, but if you have wings, its OK, believe me.
So shell out for an airtow for a first lesson, it is more gradual than a winch launch. I knew the very first airtow that this was for me! Basics, simple,and WOW! I was born for this.
That is learning to fly the right way. Basics. All the other stuff is added later but only if you want; it all comes down to stick and rudder. Stick forward, nose moves down, stick back, nose comes up. Move stick to left knee, turn left, and right knee, turn right. Don't worry about rudder until lesson 3. You will know right away whether or not flying is for you. None of us care for heights, we don't like ladders, cliffs, or high buildings, but if you have wings, its OK, believe me.
So shell out for an airtow for a first lesson, it is more gradual than a winch launch. I knew the very first airtow that this was for me! Basics, simple,and WOW! I was born for this.
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Anyone able to help me with my fear?
I know what you mean about the confusion caused by " all those instruments"
Gliding is one option but also bear in mind that if you take flying lessons , even in a Cessna
Then your instructor will encourage you not to focus on them at all for the first bit of your training
90% of it is visually looking out the windscreen
Then you can introduce a few instruments at a time
Even then most your time should be looking out the windows
Gliding is one option but also bear in mind that if you take flying lessons , even in a Cessna
Then your instructor will encourage you not to focus on them at all for the first bit of your training
90% of it is visually looking out the windscreen
Then you can introduce a few instruments at a time
Even then most your time should be looking out the windows
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Are you a potential pilot that suffers from debilitating fear and it's getting in the way of your dreams, or just a passenger that wants to overcome the fear of flying?
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I used to be afraid of women, so I'd take them flying, where I felt at home with all those dials and gadgets, and my fear was reduced.
Appropriate to the nature of the flight, most of those dials and gadgets are there for a reason, and then there are a few aircraft owners who put in more, just so they have the more cool plane. Most of them have a good reason for being there, and many are required by regulation, depending upon the nature of the intended operation of the aircraft.
On the other hand, while recently restoring the cockpit of my second aircraft, I took out several items, which are not required, and I really do not want. On the other hand, owners of some aircraft are burdened by requirements to have additional gadgets, some of which you can't even see, but they cost a small fortune. You just get used to it.
And then you're flying along, and some of the dials stop working, and gadgets don't gadge. Then you don't have information that you'd like to have, and you will have a bill to fix it.
And so they developed the "Minimum Equipment List" to which the pilot can refer to determine if he/she is allowed to fly with that gadget not gadging. I was once an observer on a test flight of a modified turbine DC-3. The copilot tapped the glass on the face of the ammeter to see if was reading. He broke the glass. The MEL said no ammeter - no fly - so no flight test. Now the company rule is that you tap beside the gadget, not on the glass.
The location of many of the instruments and controls in certified aircraft is prescribed by regulation, more regulation, if the aircraft is newer than the mid 1970's in original design. So, when you get looking more carefully at what they all are, they fit a predictable pattern. This should reduce the chance of an experienced pilot moving the wrong knob at the wrong time. For many controls, the location relative to the aircraft centerline, and other controls, knob colour and shape, and direction of movement are all described - and then I go and test fly the Tiger Moth, where some are backward! But then the people who designed it drive on the other side of the road too, so I guess it makes some sense
So if you have a fear of too much information on too many dials, go men's wristwatch shopping for an hour, and you should be fine with planes after that!
Appropriate to the nature of the flight, most of those dials and gadgets are there for a reason, and then there are a few aircraft owners who put in more, just so they have the more cool plane. Most of them have a good reason for being there, and many are required by regulation, depending upon the nature of the intended operation of the aircraft.
On the other hand, while recently restoring the cockpit of my second aircraft, I took out several items, which are not required, and I really do not want. On the other hand, owners of some aircraft are burdened by requirements to have additional gadgets, some of which you can't even see, but they cost a small fortune. You just get used to it.
And then you're flying along, and some of the dials stop working, and gadgets don't gadge. Then you don't have information that you'd like to have, and you will have a bill to fix it.
And so they developed the "Minimum Equipment List" to which the pilot can refer to determine if he/she is allowed to fly with that gadget not gadging. I was once an observer on a test flight of a modified turbine DC-3. The copilot tapped the glass on the face of the ammeter to see if was reading. He broke the glass. The MEL said no ammeter - no fly - so no flight test. Now the company rule is that you tap beside the gadget, not on the glass.
The location of many of the instruments and controls in certified aircraft is prescribed by regulation, more regulation, if the aircraft is newer than the mid 1970's in original design. So, when you get looking more carefully at what they all are, they fit a predictable pattern. This should reduce the chance of an experienced pilot moving the wrong knob at the wrong time. For many controls, the location relative to the aircraft centerline, and other controls, knob colour and shape, and direction of movement are all described - and then I go and test fly the Tiger Moth, where some are backward! But then the people who designed it drive on the other side of the road too, so I guess it makes some sense
So if you have a fear of too much information on too many dials, go men's wristwatch shopping for an hour, and you should be fine with planes after that!
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ajax, google the British Gliding Association website, to find which club is nearest to your home, then don't book a flight, just go and watch for a while. Talk to the locals. See if the ambience suits you.
People who show up early in the morning and help get out the kit are especially welcome. These are clubs, not private business, and because everyone helps out, makes the cost of flying quite reasonable.
And regarding progress, if you follow the news, the chap who safely landed his Airbus in the Hudson River after two Canada geese got cooked in his engines, was flyiing a large glider - and he used to be a gliding instructor! So altogether, whatever your plans, gliding is a very good start in learning to fly. If you can drive a car safely, flying is easy by comparison!
People who show up early in the morning and help get out the kit are especially welcome. These are clubs, not private business, and because everyone helps out, makes the cost of flying quite reasonable.
And regarding progress, if you follow the news, the chap who safely landed his Airbus in the Hudson River after two Canada geese got cooked in his engines, was flyiing a large glider - and he used to be a gliding instructor! So altogether, whatever your plans, gliding is a very good start in learning to fly. If you can drive a car safely, flying is easy by comparison!
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I have had loads of PAX comment on how do I not get confused with all the dials and switches in the jet I fly yet I can get it up and running within 5 minutes from cold without a check list and almost blindfolded with finger touch.
Same goes with ATC " How do you understand all that garbage"!
I watched an old lady whizzing about with a sowing machine knowing instictively how to turn the material at just the right point for perfect stitch curves and lines.
There is nothing clever or special its just a matter of understanding and familiarity with something till it becomes second nature like riding a bike.
So forget the gliders unless you want to learn to fly gliders.
Learn about what you intend to fly and the mystery and fear will go until its as easy as riding a bike
Pace
Same goes with ATC " How do you understand all that garbage"!
I watched an old lady whizzing about with a sowing machine knowing instictively how to turn the material at just the right point for perfect stitch curves and lines.
There is nothing clever or special its just a matter of understanding and familiarity with something till it becomes second nature like riding a bike.
So forget the gliders unless you want to learn to fly gliders.
Learn about what you intend to fly and the mystery and fear will go until its as easy as riding a bike
Pace
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I've flown as a passenger 8 times with three different airlines and marvel at the skill to get a aircraft off the ground and in the air, while flying I love the feeling of it. Its just a awesome experience so I just want to get over my fear and least have a go myself to know once and for all if I'm happy to just be a passenger or actually fly a aircraft myself.
Thanks for the help everyone, I've found a local gliding club so will be making enquires for a flight next month.
Thanks for the help everyone, I've found a local gliding club so will be making enquires for a flight next month.
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It's interesting to read of peoples fears, it wasn't a fear but I just couldn't get used to being 2,500ft up in the air in a tiny bubble that is the Robinson R22 Helicopter..........I then swapped to the more stable Schwiezer 300C and it all became that much easier but I found the best way to overcome ones fears exposure therapy, the more you do it the easier it becomes.
Hi Ajax. I started learning on a condor. Very basic instruments and no radio. Half way through training I had a good look at the inside of a PA28 ( Cherokee) it was stuffed with instruments and my immediate reaction was how could I possibly get to grips with that lot and fly the aeroplane!
When it came to converting to the PA28, no problems at all. Its just a matter of familiarity. Trust me!
Best wishes and enjoy!
When it came to converting to the PA28, no problems at all. Its just a matter of familiarity. Trust me!
Best wishes and enjoy!
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But is it really a fear of flying?
Ajax,
Is your fear one of not understanding, rather than one of flying?
"Even the thought of trying my hand at a flight sim scares me"
So start simply. Select a single engined aircraft, fly it with the instruments switched off. There is no down side to getting it wrong on a PC Sim at home.
Most PC Sims also have a "reduced view" which just shows you the basic instruments - start to use that maybe.
Let us know how the gliding and the PC Sim goes. I fly out of Peterborough, (listed as your home city) and you're more than welcome to sit in an aircraft, on the ground, and get an idea of what pilots look at, and what for, without any pressure to come flying. We can do that when you're happier.
Old Ben
Is your fear one of not understanding, rather than one of flying?
"Even the thought of trying my hand at a flight sim scares me"
So start simply. Select a single engined aircraft, fly it with the instruments switched off. There is no down side to getting it wrong on a PC Sim at home.
Most PC Sims also have a "reduced view" which just shows you the basic instruments - start to use that maybe.
Let us know how the gliding and the PC Sim goes. I fly out of Peterborough, (listed as your home city) and you're more than welcome to sit in an aircraft, on the ground, and get an idea of what pilots look at, and what for, without any pressure to come flying. We can do that when you're happier.
Old Ben
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Complicated - not while I've still got dials in front of me ;-)
Ajax,
The instruments on the aircraft you'll be learning on are no more complicated than what was around during WWII. Don't wish to state the obvious, but, learning what these instruments do is part of learning to fly.
Get reading up on the first PPL book, use the "lessons" in a PC flight sim to get the basics. Your fear sounds like that of the unknown. Like a 17 year old who has never seen a car and wants to learn to drive; "Hands on the wheel, feet on pedals, whilst looking out the window - and I have stalks that work lights I can't see too! Are you mad?!"
Same goes for flying. It's nothing a good instructor can't fix. Trust me.
Old Ben
The instruments on the aircraft you'll be learning on are no more complicated than what was around during WWII. Don't wish to state the obvious, but, learning what these instruments do is part of learning to fly.
Get reading up on the first PPL book, use the "lessons" in a PC flight sim to get the basics. Your fear sounds like that of the unknown. Like a 17 year old who has never seen a car and wants to learn to drive; "Hands on the wheel, feet on pedals, whilst looking out the window - and I have stalks that work lights I can't see too! Are you mad?!"
Same goes for flying. It's nothing a good instructor can't fix. Trust me.
Old Ben
Flying as a passenger I have no trouble with, it's just trying to understand how these complicated dials work.
Don't try to understand.
The dials you need, what they display, and how to interpret them will be explained as you learn.
The first lesson is usually titled "air experience", and that's all it is. Lesson two "effects of controls" is often introduced as part of this lesson.
Learning to fly is rather holistic, yet performed in a sort-of modular fashion. It will take several lessons, and then several hours after that, to start to get the hang of it. Be content that there will be a lot going on that you have no idea about, and just enjoy the lesson for what it is.
It's a lesson, not a test.
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As others have mentioned, gliders may well be a suitable starting point.
Consider visiting your chosen club and asking to see the cockpit of a training glider. If flying isn't imminent, there's a good chance that someone will be more than happy to explain the controls and instruments to you.
The instruments aren't really necessary anyway! Often, when a student is almost ready to go solo, the instructor will cover up all the student's instruments and have them fly the flight simply by looking out the cockpit and feeling how the aircraft is behaving.
Consider visiting your chosen club and asking to see the cockpit of a training glider. If flying isn't imminent, there's a good chance that someone will be more than happy to explain the controls and instruments to you.
The instruments aren't really necessary anyway! Often, when a student is almost ready to go solo, the instructor will cover up all the student's instruments and have them fly the flight simply by looking out the cockpit and feeling how the aircraft is behaving.
