How long after passing PPL does it take to get more confident?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2023
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 8
Likes: 2
From: UK
How long after passing PPL does it take to get more confident?
Hello! I have just recently passed my PPL, and have been trying to fly as much as possible to build my confidence. I currently have around 8 hours since passing so I'm still very new.
Since passing, I've only ever done short trips around the local area and haven't landed at another airfield yet.
I was planning to do a short trip to another airfield today around 40nm away but the forecast looks marginal with fairly low clouds, possible drizzle and strong winds (for me!). I've decided to instead overfly the airfield if I can and then return home without the added pressure of landing there. I'm hoping this will give me the confidence to land there when the weather is more favourable.
I'm just wondering how long it usually takes to get comfortable with this kind of thing? I would really love to be able to go all over the UK, but flying long distance especially when the weather isn't great (which seems to be most days at the moment) makes me quite nervous.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get over this? I know I can do it, since I did plenty of trips to other airfields as part of my training, I just seem to be struggling with it lately.
Thank you for any insights!
Since passing, I've only ever done short trips around the local area and haven't landed at another airfield yet.
I was planning to do a short trip to another airfield today around 40nm away but the forecast looks marginal with fairly low clouds, possible drizzle and strong winds (for me!). I've decided to instead overfly the airfield if I can and then return home without the added pressure of landing there. I'm hoping this will give me the confidence to land there when the weather is more favourable.
I'm just wondering how long it usually takes to get comfortable with this kind of thing? I would really love to be able to go all over the UK, but flying long distance especially when the weather isn't great (which seems to be most days at the moment) makes me quite nervous.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get over this? I know I can do it, since I did plenty of trips to other airfields as part of my training, I just seem to be struggling with it lately.
Thank you for any insights!
Joined: May 2025
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 83
Likes: 71
From: AK
From Predicting Accident Rates From General Aviation Pilot Total Flight Hours (FAA doc).
I don't know if this was covered in your training, but accident statistics demonstrate a Dunning-Kruger type relationship, where the risk of a serious accident increases for the first few hundred hours, before then decreasing. So, confidence early on is not per se what you want, instead incremental increases in experience with no hesitancy to drop back a few notches if feeling out of your element.
With your desire to do a lot of cross-country flying in the future, a rule I was taught is that GA flying and schedules do not mix. You have to be willing and able to park somewhere until conditions improve. The flight you describe doesn't sound like an enjoyable one to me.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 32
From: MAN. UK.
You're doing fine. It's perfectly normal to feel nervous once qualified and you're absolutely right to make progress slowly and in stages that are comfortable for you. As you gain experience, so your confidence will grow, but beware of over confidence as well.
When I qualified back in 1971 I felt very uncomfortable about leaving the local flying area and it took a long time to gain the confidence to start cross country flying. I think I had over a 100 hours before I felt that attempting a cross country to somewhere I'd never been was normal. Even now, fifty four years later I work on doing as much preparation as possible. Even using a home sim to fly the trip first.
Also, be aware of outside pressure from social media or those who will tell you that only by stretching your boundaries will you learn. Ignore them and do what brings you pleasure. Just because someone on youtube or facebook with half your flying time is wandering across Europe having a wonderful time it does not mean it's right for you. Social media will put you under pressure to equal the deeds of those you perceive to be your peers. Ignore them all, especially the ones who've bought a gopro and elected themselves to be 'educational influencers'. A lot of the information and airmanship they demonstrate is nothing less than dangerous.
Go flying. Enjoy your hobby and don't set yourself any tasks that you are not happy to undertake unsupervised.
When I qualified back in 1971 I felt very uncomfortable about leaving the local flying area and it took a long time to gain the confidence to start cross country flying. I think I had over a 100 hours before I felt that attempting a cross country to somewhere I'd never been was normal. Even now, fifty four years later I work on doing as much preparation as possible. Even using a home sim to fly the trip first.
Also, be aware of outside pressure from social media or those who will tell you that only by stretching your boundaries will you learn. Ignore them and do what brings you pleasure. Just because someone on youtube or facebook with half your flying time is wandering across Europe having a wonderful time it does not mean it's right for you. Social media will put you under pressure to equal the deeds of those you perceive to be your peers. Ignore them all, especially the ones who've bought a gopro and elected themselves to be 'educational influencers'. A lot of the information and airmanship they demonstrate is nothing less than dangerous.
Go flying. Enjoy your hobby and don't set yourself any tasks that you are not happy to undertake unsupervised.
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 424
From: GA, USA
As previously said, you’re doing fine.
I used to be so nervous I could barely sleep the night before a post PPL flight.
People assume you’re now somehow magically an experienced pilot.
Its like a birthday, in reality you’re only one day older.
I used to be so nervous I could barely sleep the night before a post PPL flight.
People assume you’re now somehow magically an experienced pilot.
Its like a birthday, in reality you’re only one day older.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,856
Likes: 75
From: uk
I think that one of the best ways to gain confidence in most aspects of PPL flying is to share flights with more experienced, competent pilots. Ideally, this should include flights to other airfields and sometimes, but carefully, in what you might consider marginal weather. If you do this, make sure beforehand that you have an agreed procedure to help you if things get too much for you. I was lucky enough to have a mentor/friend who helped me to be confident enough to fly to most airfields within the UK and France. OK, sometimes my confidence in him led me into some situations I would never have got into on my own but, I guess, that's how I learnt.
Joined: Sep 2001
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 208
From: Toronto
You need to become a student of weather.
Having moved from power to my glider, I'm subscribed to Skysight.io which gives an hour by hour forecast of a multitude of elements affecting gliding conditions. I suspect that there's other forecast services tailored to GA needs. Of course, forecasts may be off.
A common error is flying to a destination on a good forecast without checking the forecast for when you need to get back. On a day trip this is easy to do. Away for a weekend opens up more uncertainty on conditions for the return trip. You would do well to have your employer aware that you may have to work remotely for a day or two. If your employer requires your presence, you may need a really solid forecast, change your plans or have alternative transportation. In the worst case, better fired than dead.
I've overnighted when the forecast is poor. Once the front is past, conditions can be much better in the morning.
I would suggest getting familiar with the airports in your local area. One day you may need to use one as a bolt hole. I don't always make it back in my glider and have dropped in to a number of airports, strips and farm fields.
Having moved from power to my glider, I'm subscribed to Skysight.io which gives an hour by hour forecast of a multitude of elements affecting gliding conditions. I suspect that there's other forecast services tailored to GA needs. Of course, forecasts may be off.
A common error is flying to a destination on a good forecast without checking the forecast for when you need to get back. On a day trip this is easy to do. Away for a weekend opens up more uncertainty on conditions for the return trip. You would do well to have your employer aware that you may have to work remotely for a day or two. If your employer requires your presence, you may need a really solid forecast, change your plans or have alternative transportation. In the worst case, better fired than dead.
I've overnighted when the forecast is poor. Once the front is past, conditions can be much better in the morning.
I would suggest getting familiar with the airports in your local area. One day you may need to use one as a bolt hole. I don't always make it back in my glider and have dropped in to a number of airports, strips and farm fields.
Joined: May 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 395
Likes: 160
From: Denmark
To answer your question, somewhere around 100 hrs total, I guess !
I BTW consider myself having been probably most safe just after passing my PPL - being really cautious due to my awareness of my own lack of experience. Likewise, I consider myself having been never as "fit" at that time, having flown 50-ish hours in a matter of a few months.
Looking at the graph above, there's a peak at around 500 hrs, and I'm guessing that's due to people becoming over-confident, perhaps relaxing procedures due to having a lot of routine.
I BTW consider myself having been probably most safe just after passing my PPL - being really cautious due to my awareness of my own lack of experience. Likewise, I consider myself having been never as "fit" at that time, having flown 50-ish hours in a matter of a few months.
Looking at the graph above, there's a peak at around 500 hrs, and I'm guessing that's due to people becoming over-confident, perhaps relaxing procedures due to having a lot of routine.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Kernow
It seemed in the past that we all had to learn about bad weather vfr flying by pushing on too far before turning back. Some of course bumped into sticky out things like hills. Probably nowadays there is more focus on getting onto the instruments early, but many didn't have any back then (even a radio!). I've always thought that there should have been more focus, perhaps there is nowadays but flight into terrain has always been a killer. Knowing how soon to turn back for a tyro pilot is better taught than learned from experience.
Joined: May 2005
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 395
Likes: 160
From: Denmark
I'd recommend all VFR-only PPLs to spend their next checkride on training in proper IMC and doing instrument approaches. A good life insurance should you need it one day !
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 27,400
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
If you're a pilot with a UK-issued PPL (or shortly, an NPPL), the better insurance is to include an IMCR in your licence!
Joined: Apr 2006
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 240
Likes: 9
From: Lestah
Put your name, number and hours on the club notice board requesting a flying buddy.
You’ll go twice as far for the same cost and have a shared enthusiasm for the wonderful experiences that lie ahead and beyond the local bimble.
You’ll go twice as far for the same cost and have a shared enthusiasm for the wonderful experiences that lie ahead and beyond the local bimble.
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,089
Likes: 2,952
From: Ontario, Canada
Yes, you'll benefit from riding right seat, actively participating in navigation and radio work. Those are skills you can built as well, if not better while not actually flying the plane! Certainly, some of my trips with two of us have been swapping seats for each leg, and I learned lots while not flying!
Keep raising your own standards of "good" flying. Everything you do, always ask yourself if it could have been done more gently, with more grace, or more precision. Leave silly short takeoff and landing stuff until later, focus on precision and grace first. But, always note mistakes you think you made, and commit to doing better next time. Indeed, occasionally, while landing here at home, I'll do a poor landing. Nearly always, I'll do a circuit or two right away, to leave my last landing of the day a better one.
As for confidence, don't get more confident, let your skill grow, but not your complacency! Sometimes when I takeoff on my own in a type which is new to me, particularly a clients test aircraft, I am genuinely concerned about damaging it. I want everything I do while flying it to stand up to a question if something goes wrong. Indeed, a few years ago, when I had brought my client's prototype modified DHC-2 Beaver to Ontario, I did not fly it into my runway at home - there was just no excuse for doing that were something to have gone wrong. Instead I based it at a local airport while it was in my care. I'm okay feeling nervous while flying, I will leave it to the owners of the airplanes I fly to judge if I am competent in them!
You will find as you build skill and improve your precision, that peripheral aspects of the flying will become more clear to you, because the core flying tasks become muscle memory, but you're hundreds of hours from that, so don't rush it! The only things that you have to prove right now are that you are worthy of the trust placed in you to fly someone's airplane, and that you know that you have more to learn, and skills to build, and you're going to do that!
Welcome to PPRuNe!
Keep raising your own standards of "good" flying. Everything you do, always ask yourself if it could have been done more gently, with more grace, or more precision. Leave silly short takeoff and landing stuff until later, focus on precision and grace first. But, always note mistakes you think you made, and commit to doing better next time. Indeed, occasionally, while landing here at home, I'll do a poor landing. Nearly always, I'll do a circuit or two right away, to leave my last landing of the day a better one.
As for confidence, don't get more confident, let your skill grow, but not your complacency! Sometimes when I takeoff on my own in a type which is new to me, particularly a clients test aircraft, I am genuinely concerned about damaging it. I want everything I do while flying it to stand up to a question if something goes wrong. Indeed, a few years ago, when I had brought my client's prototype modified DHC-2 Beaver to Ontario, I did not fly it into my runway at home - there was just no excuse for doing that were something to have gone wrong. Instead I based it at a local airport while it was in my care. I'm okay feeling nervous while flying, I will leave it to the owners of the airplanes I fly to judge if I am competent in them!
You will find as you build skill and improve your precision, that peripheral aspects of the flying will become more clear to you, because the core flying tasks become muscle memory, but you're hundreds of hours from that, so don't rush it! The only things that you have to prove right now are that you are worthy of the trust placed in you to fly someone's airplane, and that you know that you have more to learn, and skills to build, and you're going to do that!
Welcome to PPRuNe!
Joined: Dec 2005
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 341
From: Hong Kong
This is by far one of the most useful things you can do. I even recommend doing it during PPL training, by backseating on each others dual lessons and thus getting twice the exposure. It may be a little more expensive if you have to pay extra for a 4 seater but it guarantees getting the PPL in 45 hours.
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,280
Likes: 66
From: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Many, many years ago, I was going up for a spinning lesson [we did that on a PPL course in those days!!] I admitted to my superb instructor that I felt a little nervous of flying at times. His reply? 'Good. Then you will treat it with the respect it deserves' I went on to do only 250 hours,young family intervening' but what wonderful hours they were. I never forgot what Kevin said, and I always tried to be as meticulous as possible, not overstretching myself until I felt ready to do so. Enjoy!. Now aged 83, I still look up at the sky every time I hear an engine, large or small.
Joined: Sep 2025
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 43
Likes: 9
From: Dublin
Hello! I have just recently passed my PPL, and have been trying to fly as much as possible to build my confidence. I currently have around 8 hours since passing so I'm still very new.
Since passing, I've only ever done short trips around the local area and haven't landed at another airfield yet.
I was planning to do a short trip to another airfield today around 40nm away but the forecast looks marginal with fairly low clouds, possible drizzle and strong winds (for me!). I've decided to instead overfly the airfield if I can and then return home without the added pressure of landing there. I'm hoping this will give me the confidence to land there when the weather is more favourable.
I'm just wondering how long it usually takes to get comfortable with this kind of thing? I would really love to be able to go all over the UK, but flying long distance especially when the weather isn't great (which seems to be most days at the moment) makes me quite nervous.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get over this? I know I can do it, since I did plenty of trips to other airfields as part of my training, I just seem to be struggling with it lately.
Thank you for any insights!
Since passing, I've only ever done short trips around the local area and haven't landed at another airfield yet.
I was planning to do a short trip to another airfield today around 40nm away but the forecast looks marginal with fairly low clouds, possible drizzle and strong winds (for me!). I've decided to instead overfly the airfield if I can and then return home without the added pressure of landing there. I'm hoping this will give me the confidence to land there when the weather is more favourable.
I'm just wondering how long it usually takes to get comfortable with this kind of thing? I would really love to be able to go all over the UK, but flying long distance especially when the weather isn't great (which seems to be most days at the moment) makes me quite nervous.
Does anyone have any tips on how to get over this? I know I can do it, since I did plenty of trips to other airfields as part of my training, I just seem to be struggling with it lately.
Thank you for any insights!
Joined: Dec 2009
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 371
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
OP my 2c is this: I have far less hours than others here but after two decades of private flying I can say, over time the things you are nervous about change. Reading your post I see you have several good habits that will serve you well during your flying career. The best one is, considering and setting go/no go thresholds, knowing your personal limits and incorporating it all into your plan.
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 188
From: 11 GROUP
experience/confidence
Pobjoy had spent many years in the Air Cadet gliding organisation which was a great start in getting 'hands on' with aviation although limited when it came to 'breaking out of the circuit'.
My answer was to buy a Turbulent ultra light and 'break out of the circuit'. You start off with local cross country and strip visiting and then extend the range as the weather and circumstances allow. It was easier back then although weather info was limited (I once phoned Gatwick for a route forecast told them my planned route/ height was to be 500 ft and they suggested I ring the AA !!!) Never bothered after that. Being 'on your own' does really concentrate the mind and is great fun plus helps with decision making as long as you remember to have an uncomplicated plan B & C. The truth is you have to get airborne and find out as reading books is ok but no substitute for DOING IT . Six decades later it is still fun with always something to learn, although I also always credit the Air Cadets as being the base factor, because as a staff Cadet we were allowed to make decisions and do the job. I might add that most of the above this was 'non radio'.
Just a quick 'add on' when I first started rather (for a Turbulent ) longer forays away from base it helped to start with a friendly area with a bit of local knowledge.
When I started to extend into the 'unknown', fellow club members were rather surprised on a rather ambitious plan to go from Redhill to Cornwall, my response was to inform them that the machine thought it was only going to Fairoaks and was not worried !!!!!
My answer was to buy a Turbulent ultra light and 'break out of the circuit'. You start off with local cross country and strip visiting and then extend the range as the weather and circumstances allow. It was easier back then although weather info was limited (I once phoned Gatwick for a route forecast told them my planned route/ height was to be 500 ft and they suggested I ring the AA !!!) Never bothered after that. Being 'on your own' does really concentrate the mind and is great fun plus helps with decision making as long as you remember to have an uncomplicated plan B & C. The truth is you have to get airborne and find out as reading books is ok but no substitute for DOING IT . Six decades later it is still fun with always something to learn, although I also always credit the Air Cadets as being the base factor, because as a staff Cadet we were allowed to make decisions and do the job. I might add that most of the above this was 'non radio'.
Just a quick 'add on' when I first started rather (for a Turbulent ) longer forays away from base it helped to start with a friendly area with a bit of local knowledge.
When I started to extend into the 'unknown', fellow club members were rather surprised on a rather ambitious plan to go from Redhill to Cornwall, my response was to inform them that the machine thought it was only going to Fairoaks and was not worried !!!!!
Last edited by POBJOY; 21st November 2025 at 23:34.
