Okay to nervous ?
High Flying Bird
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Old Sarum ish
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I was really nervous for the first 6 hours ish about just being in the air. I was worried that I would never be able to solo because of it, but just over 3 hours later I kicked out my instructor and went.
When I first got my PPL I'd double or triple check my route, the wind, the weather, the fuel, the oil... but now I'm getting more confident in myself. I have to say that the best thing for my confidence was to get up in an aircraft with a fair bit of kick, and do some aeros. A spin was demonstrated to me while I was doing my PPL, but I'd been pretty shook up by it (I was only on my 5th hour, and still worried about the height thing!). By the end of the aerobatics I was loving it though, and really really really want to go back and do more! The second best thing for my confidence was flying the Chipmunk.
When I got back into the C152 after both those I noticed my general flying had improved beyond measure.
Confidence comes with competence, and competence comes with practice.
When I first got my PPL I'd double or triple check my route, the wind, the weather, the fuel, the oil... but now I'm getting more confident in myself. I have to say that the best thing for my confidence was to get up in an aircraft with a fair bit of kick, and do some aeros. A spin was demonstrated to me while I was doing my PPL, but I'd been pretty shook up by it (I was only on my 5th hour, and still worried about the height thing!). By the end of the aerobatics I was loving it though, and really really really want to go back and do more! The second best thing for my confidence was flying the Chipmunk.
When I got back into the C152 after both those I noticed my general flying had improved beyond measure.
Confidence comes with competence, and competence comes with practice.
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: formerly Sarf Lunden, now in Minne*snow*ta
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spitfire2002,
of course ir's ok to be nervous, it takes a brave person to admit to being nervous.
This was something an ex-gf once taught me.. I then went on to tell her that I was scared of certain dogs notably alsations, spiders, envelopes with windows, bees and wasps.
She then told me I was brave for admitting my nervousness, but deep down I was really a wimp
of course ir's ok to be nervous, it takes a brave person to admit to being nervous.
This was something an ex-gf once taught me.. I then went on to tell her that I was scared of certain dogs notably alsations, spiders, envelopes with windows, bees and wasps.
She then told me I was brave for admitting my nervousness, but deep down I was really a wimp
Everything is under control.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Yes, nervousness is normal. Please stick with it. I did not.
I had about 15 hours as a student when I went on a solo three-leg cross country. I bounced my Cessna 150 on a couple of landings. No damage and things generally stayed under control. But that feeling of bouncing up while the plane is slowing, knowing you are getting closer to a stall really spooked me. I can feel it now. That was many years ago and I have not flown since.
Not to blame others, but I had an instructor who was a "cowboy" where I was more on the quiet side. It wasn't good chemistry, but I did not see it at the time. I should have immediately switched instructors and worked through my landing issues. You have a good relationship with your instructor, thank goodness. I am sure that as you develop competence, which I did not, your nervousness will lessen. As indicated above, its OK to keep a little apprehension of what's going on, to keep you safe.
I had about 15 hours as a student when I went on a solo three-leg cross country. I bounced my Cessna 150 on a couple of landings. No damage and things generally stayed under control. But that feeling of bouncing up while the plane is slowing, knowing you are getting closer to a stall really spooked me. I can feel it now. That was many years ago and I have not flown since.
Not to blame others, but I had an instructor who was a "cowboy" where I was more on the quiet side. It wasn't good chemistry, but I did not see it at the time. I should have immediately switched instructors and worked through my landing issues. You have a good relationship with your instructor, thank goodness. I am sure that as you develop competence, which I did not, your nervousness will lessen. As indicated above, its OK to keep a little apprehension of what's going on, to keep you safe.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Leeds, UK
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Well I did even worse on my QXC, involving fire engines & a temporarily closed international airport! And while it did not (quite) cause me to give up, I still feel a degree of anxiety prior to every flight.
But as has been pointed out earlier, this is actually a GOOD thing, and I don't relish the day - if it ever comes - where I don't feel something of this prior to take-off. So unless it is debilitating, I would not let it put you off.
Dkosky: 'envelopes with windows' - really? That has to be one bizzarre phobia. Care to elaborate? Come to think of it, solicitor's letters arrive in that format so perhaps I can understand ;-)
But as has been pointed out earlier, this is actually a GOOD thing, and I don't relish the day - if it ever comes - where I don't feel something of this prior to take-off. So unless it is debilitating, I would not let it put you off.
Dkosky: 'envelopes with windows' - really? That has to be one bizzarre phobia. Care to elaborate? Come to think of it, solicitor's letters arrive in that format so perhaps I can understand ;-)
spitfire I'm always slightly nervous before flying as I'm always aware that machines and peolpe can and do fail. The feeling fades as I get involved in my pre-flight and finally goes when the bird is back in the hangar 
I feel it's a healthy thing as long as it doesn't distract you from the tasks you have to perform. It certainly keeps me checking the few gauges I've got and my head swivelling around like a voyeur on a nudist beach when I'm roaring (no silencer, not cos it's fast)along through our relatively crowded skies.
I feel it's a healthy thing as long as it doesn't distract you from the tasks you have to perform. It certainly keeps me checking the few gauges I've got and my head swivelling around like a voyeur on a nudist beach when I'm roaring (no silencer, not cos it's fast)along through our relatively crowded skies.
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Bottiepouting
An intersting thread with some useful contributions - yes we are all human!
I have been flying for many years as a PPL, I fly a lot - more than 200 hours a year - yet still get the occasional bottiepout. A 20kt crosswind on my farmstrip after a long flight from Europe with the family on board dozing away certainly focuses the mind. Flying is a great responsibility.
My biggest pout recently was my first display. Lining up and seeing 7000 people lining the fence set everything shaking.
I bet if any display pilot is following this thread they will agree with me. The hour before you climb aboard can be unpleasant - especially if the conditions will further stretch your skills. Great afterwards though!
I have been flying for many years as a PPL, I fly a lot - more than 200 hours a year - yet still get the occasional bottiepout. A 20kt crosswind on my farmstrip after a long flight from Europe with the family on board dozing away certainly focuses the mind. Flying is a great responsibility.
My biggest pout recently was my first display. Lining up and seeing 7000 people lining the fence set everything shaking.
I bet if any display pilot is following this thread they will agree with me. The hour before you climb aboard can be unpleasant - especially if the conditions will further stretch your skills. Great afterwards though!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Manchester, England
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Yesterday, less than 2 weeks after getting my PPL, I took my first passenger for a flight. Whilst she (my girlfriend) was not at all nervous (she sat there taking photos of everything... me, the panel, my mum's house way down below) I found that this was a completely new kind of pressure. So much so, that I really had to limit the conversation and concentrate very hard on the checklists. In relation to the original question - yes, I was slightly nervous at the thought of having sole responsibility for nearest and dearest in an aircraft, but once airborne it was all fine.
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Nothing wrong with a bit of nervousness, although I try to keep it within the realms of anticipation rather than outright fear.
Its funny, but the best thing to calm my nerves is actually a wait at the hold prior to departure, which happens reasonably frequently at my home field. Whilst it is a bit of a shag seeing your money disappearing down a plughole, I find that once you have got all of your checks out of the way and you are sitting there with the engine nicely chugging away at 1200rpm it can be quite serene...
Its funny, but the best thing to calm my nerves is actually a wait at the hold prior to departure, which happens reasonably frequently at my home field. Whilst it is a bit of a shag seeing your money disappearing down a plughole, I find that once you have got all of your checks out of the way and you are sitting there with the engine nicely chugging away at 1200rpm it can be quite serene...
Join Date: May 2001
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It still worries me every time I fly, the worries are just different. I think I am OK with the flying now most of the time at any rate, so I just worry about things dropping off or the fan stopping. I guess I will stick to those for a while until the ejector seats turn up. Just off to do some more PFLs!
