Did it all seem too much?
High Flying Bird
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Did it all seem too much?
I've been chatting to a few people recently about the whole process of learning to fly. No-one seems to have got through the PPL without having problems, hang-ups, and thoughts of "Why am I paying lots of money to do this?" ... not to mention fear, self-doubt, etc etc.
Who of us didn't think, early on in our training, that we'd ever go solo, be able to navigate, use the radio, fly through controlled airspace, or land somewhere new on our own. Or, the combination - the Qualifying Cross Country.
I distinctly remember being about 3 hours into my training, and having just started the engine, thinking "This frightens me, why am I doing it?". Of course I was too stubborn to give up that easily, and once I got back in the air I remembered why I was there.
All you PPL students out there who are having worries or difficulties, finding it hard to learn how to land, or can't get your head round an overhead join, you're not alone!
Who of us didn't think, early on in our training, that we'd ever go solo, be able to navigate, use the radio, fly through controlled airspace, or land somewhere new on our own. Or, the combination - the Qualifying Cross Country.
I distinctly remember being about 3 hours into my training, and having just started the engine, thinking "This frightens me, why am I doing it?". Of course I was too stubborn to give up that easily, and once I got back in the air I remembered why I was there.
All you PPL students out there who are having worries or difficulties, finding it hard to learn how to land, or can't get your head round an overhead join, you're not alone!
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Oh dear yes!!
I'll confess now that I can't stand flying over water. Flying from Southend on the River Thames made trips south start and end with the pulse racing. I always tried to get a departure to the west and then turn south where the river narrows.
(Is there a smilie for a chicken?)
First solo navex was nerve wracking, even though I could see the turning points from miles away. Its difficult to lose two bl00dy great reservoirs. Its just that the first solo navex is the model for all future flights, take off- navigate-communicate-land.
Incipient stalls terrified me.
But in case all these posts seem too negative, there are good points: sitting at 5000' and being able to see North Foreland, Canary Wharf and Havergate, being able to take my aged Mum flying, flying over a traffic jam, landing at Duxford and parking next to a Spit. (You show me yours & I'll show you mine!)
Believe me, you will have very bad lessons and you will have wonderful lessons. But the end result is worth it - Trust me, I'm a pilot
I'll confess now that I can't stand flying over water. Flying from Southend on the River Thames made trips south start and end with the pulse racing. I always tried to get a departure to the west and then turn south where the river narrows.
(Is there a smilie for a chicken?)
First solo navex was nerve wracking, even though I could see the turning points from miles away. Its difficult to lose two bl00dy great reservoirs. Its just that the first solo navex is the model for all future flights, take off- navigate-communicate-land.
Incipient stalls terrified me.
But in case all these posts seem too negative, there are good points: sitting at 5000' and being able to see North Foreland, Canary Wharf and Havergate, being able to take my aged Mum flying, flying over a traffic jam, landing at Duxford and parking next to a Spit. (You show me yours & I'll show you mine!)
Believe me, you will have very bad lessons and you will have wonderful lessons. But the end result is worth it - Trust me, I'm a pilot
stiletto psychopath mk4
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I hated landing. I used to say it was because I was having such a wonderful time up there that I didn't want to come back down. Which was true. But actually the deeper reason was that I was terrified by the notion that here was the ground coming up to meet me at 80 miles an hour..."we're all gonna die, we're all gonna die!" ...even when my instructor was landing (though I don't THINK I actually said it out loud at any time) 
Took me about 10 hours just to get that out of my system. Now I don't have that excuse - my poor landings are just down to physical rather than psychological incompetence.
Took me about 10 hours just to get that out of my system. Now I don't have that excuse - my poor landings are just down to physical rather than psychological incompetence.
Join Date: Oct 1999
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Aerbabe,
get hold of a copy of Richard Bachs 'gift of wings'
Theres a story in it 'Loops, voices and the fear of death' which says it all far better than I could explain it. It all boils down to our fear of the unknown, which is a survival trait. He takes the example of jumping off a high diving board as a child, running through the emotions and fears that you feel until you take the plunge and then the rush that you get once you've done it.
Anyone who says that they've never been afraid or concerned whilst flying is either lying or someone you should not get into an aeroplane with.
Don't forget every thousand hour ace started off as a green sprog. learn from those around you, don't get discouraged and if in doubt ask.
And yes I have been scared F@rtless, but I have also been elated and enchanted in equal or greater measure
get hold of a copy of Richard Bachs 'gift of wings'
Theres a story in it 'Loops, voices and the fear of death' which says it all far better than I could explain it. It all boils down to our fear of the unknown, which is a survival trait. He takes the example of jumping off a high diving board as a child, running through the emotions and fears that you feel until you take the plunge and then the rush that you get once you've done it.
Anyone who says that they've never been afraid or concerned whilst flying is either lying or someone you should not get into an aeroplane with.
Don't forget every thousand hour ace started off as a green sprog. learn from those around you, don't get discouraged and if in doubt ask.
And yes I have been scared F@rtless, but I have also been elated and enchanted in equal or greater measure
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Loved the challenge, the only things that got me were:
PFLs - yech - bloody lottery
Airplane technical exam - yep, failed it first time.
"I just drive 'em man, I don't fix 'em" (Oddball - Kelly's Heroes).
PFLs - yech - bloody lottery
Airplane technical exam - yep, failed it first time.
"I just drive 'em man, I don't fix 'em" (Oddball - Kelly's Heroes).
Join Date: Aug 2001
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I always hated using the radios, purely and simply because I was paranoid about getting the terminology wrong and making a fool of myself. But after a while, like everything, you get used to it. I'm having to now, as I work towards re-qualifying after seven years of being ground-bound. The other thing I used to hate was landing on a grass airfield at night, which I had to do for the FAA PPL. Especially when my instructor flicked the landing light off!
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I hated (and to an extent still do) touch and go landings - that darned golf course rushing towards me as I grasp for flaps, carb heat and throttle. Just knowing I was expected to do one made me rush the flare and thus bang poor old DP's gear into the tarmac.
Lucky for me Denham has a bizzare rule of "every other landing being a full stop at weekends" - so "every other landing was OK at weekends" for me.
There have been other moments of fear - e.g. I threw away my first post PPL flight to a new airfield when my original aircraft went U/S and I was delayed by an hour. "Dont worry, you have until 8 to get back, plenty of time" said the CFI - I stood up for myself and told her that my confidence was gone for the day (?) She concurred - and I returned the next week to complete the flight easily.
No pain, no gain I guess. Stick to it - the bad times are WELL worth it for the good times
AliB
Lucky for me Denham has a bizzare rule of "every other landing being a full stop at weekends" - so "every other landing was OK at weekends" for me.
There have been other moments of fear - e.g. I threw away my first post PPL flight to a new airfield when my original aircraft went U/S and I was delayed by an hour. "Dont worry, you have until 8 to get back, plenty of time" said the CFI - I stood up for myself and told her that my confidence was gone for the day (?) She concurred - and I returned the next week to complete the flight easily.
No pain, no gain I guess. Stick to it - the bad times are WELL worth it for the good times
AliB
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Dere Airbibe,
I have just met a man who took me fling in his pline.
I wos to fritened to object when he told me to hold the pole
andd the pline wint upsde don.
I no hav ovir a thosand hors and i cnt get ovir this irrat iritt arrit erritin stupid fere of crsheng. Mi qwestin is this....do i tell this man to hold his owne pole, or do i get anothir man to take mi fling. Taledriggir for instins. He sims like a nyce chip.
i hive dun many stoopid tings in planes, but dont want to tell evirybodi on proon. i wunce taxied out with grate gusto and the engin qwit rite in front of the fling clubhowse. I had forgettin to turn on de fool cock. I filt like a rite tossir.....witch of curse i wis.
so donte give up....evin intelligint peepul like me make mistooks.
I have just met a man who took me fling in his pline.
I wos to fritened to object when he told me to hold the pole
andd the pline wint upsde don.
I no hav ovir a thosand hors and i cnt get ovir this irrat iritt arrit erritin stupid fere of crsheng. Mi qwestin is this....do i tell this man to hold his owne pole, or do i get anothir man to take mi fling. Taledriggir for instins. He sims like a nyce chip.
i hive dun many stoopid tings in planes, but dont want to tell evirybodi on proon. i wunce taxied out with grate gusto and the engin qwit rite in front of the fling clubhowse. I had forgettin to turn on de fool cock. I filt like a rite tossir.....witch of curse i wis.
so donte give up....evin intelligint peepul like me make mistooks.
The Original Whirly
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The problems happen when you look too far ahead. When I was doing my PPL(A), I'd see other students returning from solo flights, and the very idea terrified me; I was sure I'd never be able to fly alone. Later, that was OK, but having learned at a small airfield, I was sure I'd never ever be able to fly into a big airport. I nearly didn't try for my CPL(H) because I was sure I'd never pass the exams. Now, over halfway through the instructors course, I can't really believe that I'll ever be able to teach anyone to fly; I can't even do it very well myself yet.
I'm still nervous before I fly anywhere, unless it's a local jolly or something really simple. Of course, as soon as I get in and switch on the engine, I'm fine. And extending myself happens fairly naturally, unless I really try and do too much too quickly.
I remember as a child wondering how grown-ups did...all sorts of things. Of course, once I grew up it was actually fairly easy. I think flying works roughly the same way. So I'll try to take my own good advice, and not look beyond the next lesson. Certainly not to the absolutely terrifying prospect of teaching students helicopter engine off landings.
I'm still nervous before I fly anywhere, unless it's a local jolly or something really simple. Of course, as soon as I get in and switch on the engine, I'm fine. And extending myself happens fairly naturally, unless I really try and do too much too quickly.
I remember as a child wondering how grown-ups did...all sorts of things. Of course, once I grew up it was actually fairly easy. I think flying works roughly the same way. So I'll try to take my own good advice, and not look beyond the next lesson. Certainly not to the absolutely terrifying prospect of teaching students helicopter engine off landings.
The Original Whirly
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eveepee,
It sounds to me like you're totally completely absolutely boringly normal. Stick with it, cos you owe me a flight in return for the helicopter trip I gave you. 
It sounds to me like you're totally completely absolutely boringly normal.
Stick with it, cos you owe me a flight in return for the helicopter trip I gave you.
Join Date: Feb 2001
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I had a couple of early hours flights where I was quite nervous - even though I was up with instructor. They passed.
Now i've got GFT and am doing IMC, I still get nervous about the thought of going up solo. Comfort level usually returns at around brakes-off time (thankfully!).
And we all have bad days - had one this weekend when I went up in what was suppsed to be 6kms vis and had to turn back after 10 mins when it became (un)clear that nav wasn't going to be possible. Didn't even see field again until overhead and then made the worst join/circuit of my career. I'm trusting that the next flight will be a blinder!
Hersh
Now i've got GFT and am doing IMC, I still get nervous about the thought of going up solo. Comfort level usually returns at around brakes-off time (thankfully!).
And we all have bad days - had one this weekend when I went up in what was suppsed to be 6kms vis and had to turn back after 10 mins when it became (un)clear that nav wasn't going to be possible. Didn't even see field again until overhead and then made the worst join/circuit of my career. I'm trusting that the next flight will be a blinder!
Hersh
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One step at a time
I think whirly hit the nail on the head ... take it one step at a time...
It's pretty disheartening to see your 'airline career' slipping away with every little mistake. But mistakes are normal when learning, that's why instructors are paid so ... errr much
Keep plugging away, make friends, keep your eyes open and work at the flying, and the breaks will come. I am at 150 hours and may have a crack at getting into the tow pilot group at the glider group. That's a pretty cool break
It's pretty disheartening to see your 'airline career' slipping away with every little mistake. But mistakes are normal when learning, that's why instructors are paid so ... errr much
Keep plugging away, make friends, keep your eyes open and work at the flying, and the breaks will come. I am at 150 hours and may have a crack at getting into the tow pilot group at the glider group. That's a pretty cool break
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Someone on Pprune has the excellent signature 'If a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, think how dangerous a lot is!'
Pprune is a two-edged sword, for on one hand you can find out an awful lot of information, but on the other hand, for a new student struggling with circuits, it must be very disturbing reading about GFTs gone wrong, frightening moments, etc etc.
Perhaps I'll change my signature to 'When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise'
Pprune is a two-edged sword, for on one hand you can find out an awful lot of information, but on the other hand, for a new student struggling with circuits, it must be very disturbing reading about GFTs gone wrong, frightening moments, etc etc.
Perhaps I'll change my signature to 'When ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise'
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some of my thoughts doing my PPL were :
I'll never land this thing
I'll never master all those radio phrases
I'll forget all the emergency procedures
How do I get home if my Nav goes wrong
What if I hit cloud ? (which I did once - oops)
I will mess my flight into controlled airspace up and hit a 757 on finals!
Looking back I had nothing to worry about and it all seems so easy now. The instructors DO know you and your ability better then you do yourself, trust them.
Like I say, the PPL is easy really. (oh for hindsight)
Now I am looking to start my ATPL exams and flight training......aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhh
Guess what's going through my mind ?????
I know I will one day look back and say ATPL exams, flying on instruments ???? - it was easy really (I hope)
I'll never land this thing
I'll never master all those radio phrases
I'll forget all the emergency procedures
How do I get home if my Nav goes wrong
What if I hit cloud ? (which I did once - oops)
I will mess my flight into controlled airspace up and hit a 757 on finals!
Looking back I had nothing to worry about and it all seems so easy now. The instructors DO know you and your ability better then you do yourself, trust them.
Like I say, the PPL is easy really. (oh for hindsight)
Now I am looking to start my ATPL exams and flight training......aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhh
Guess what's going through my mind ?????
I know I will one day look back and say ATPL exams, flying on instruments ???? - it was easy really (I hope)
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Im a PPL Student over half way through my training and I must say only now im starting to get the confidence. Im still poor with the radio and Im a bit poor with learning the genral things to do and say in the air when working with the ATC and im nervous of sounding stupid or messing things up, or joining in the wrong place. Last two hours solo I have forgot to call finals which really drove me mad cause the flying went so well. Well actually PFL!!! Hate doing that on my own!!! I did one and was concerntratin so hard on getting down safe and in the right place I got low and then on climb out I must of gone over some trees at about 300ft but it felt too close and i didnt like it I just wanted height and I wanted it quick!!!
An overall opinion so far, yeah I hhave thought id never get things but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel to be able to have confidence and to be able to start my journey of being a pilot
HANG IN THERE!!!!
An overall opinion so far, yeah I hhave thought id never get things but now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel to be able to have confidence and to be able to start my journey of being a pilot
HANG IN THERE!!!!
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Plenty of occassions where I doubted I could do it (usually at night when I wanted to sleep instead, but never in the a/c for some reason), but always did, and could never understand why I thought it was difficult afterwards. Now the proud (and unemployed) holder of a CPL/IR and the thought of a simple check ride and VFR nav fills me with morbid thoughts again - wierd! Give me an autopilot and airways anyday.
However, only the instructors were frightened (except for a little incident in a Bulldog following some solo aeros that did leave me wondering whether to bale out or not - talk about cold sweat).
However, only the instructors were frightened (except for a little incident in a Bulldog following some solo aeros that did leave me wondering whether to bale out or not - talk about cold sweat).
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In my (admittedly) fairly short career I don't think I've been truly scared whilst flying. Just very very 'concerned' on more than one occasion...
Overcoming fear and doubt is par for the course in learning to do just about anything worthwhile. 4 personal milestones come to mind:
1st lesson on stalling approx 5hrs into PPL training. Seriously thought about giving it up after that lesson. Eventually managed to overcome the fear through learning aerobatics but lost a lot of sweat in the process. Have since used that particular experience to overcome fear in other areas of my life.
1st solo circuit. I was doing pretty well and looking like going solo after approx 3hrs of circuits until I had a brain melt for 4 or 5 lessons and couldn't land well consistently. Started to dislike the whole flying caper. Eventually clicked one day, the instructor got out and I finally got to experience that impressive 700ft/min max climb rate of the C150!.
1st solo cross-country. Sweaty palms all the way to destination. Mucked up the circuit and had to go around from short final, but have never been more proud of myself after shutting down. Was a bumpy ride on the way back home until I decided to change my flight plan and climb above the inversion. Absolute heaven thereafter. I couldn't get rid of the smile for days. Still brings a smile to my face just remembering it.
1st solo aerobatics. Very nervous and full of doubt. Just getting out of the control zone was difficult enough, couldn't seem to focus on anything. Preparing for the first aileron roll, I'm glad the harness was tight, I think my heart would have popped out of my chest otherwise. Got the first one out of the way and enjoyed the rest of the flight. Almost needed corrective surgery to remove the grin from my face.
And that's what learning to fly is all about - fear, doubt and elation all rolled into one neat package.
Overcoming fear and doubt is par for the course in learning to do just about anything worthwhile. 4 personal milestones come to mind:
1st lesson on stalling approx 5hrs into PPL training. Seriously thought about giving it up after that lesson. Eventually managed to overcome the fear through learning aerobatics but lost a lot of sweat in the process. Have since used that particular experience to overcome fear in other areas of my life.
1st solo circuit. I was doing pretty well and looking like going solo after approx 3hrs of circuits until I had a brain melt for 4 or 5 lessons and couldn't land well consistently. Started to dislike the whole flying caper. Eventually clicked one day, the instructor got out and I finally got to experience that impressive 700ft/min max climb rate of the C150!.
1st solo cross-country. Sweaty palms all the way to destination. Mucked up the circuit and had to go around from short final, but have never been more proud of myself after shutting down. Was a bumpy ride on the way back home until I decided to change my flight plan and climb above the inversion. Absolute heaven thereafter. I couldn't get rid of the smile for days. Still brings a smile to my face just remembering it.
1st solo aerobatics. Very nervous and full of doubt. Just getting out of the control zone was difficult enough, couldn't seem to focus on anything. Preparing for the first aileron roll, I'm glad the harness was tight, I think my heart would have popped out of my chest otherwise. Got the first one out of the way and enjoyed the rest of the flight. Almost needed corrective surgery to remove the grin from my face.
And that's what learning to fly is all about - fear, doubt and elation all rolled into one neat package.
