Nerves and flying for the sake of keeping current
 

Hi everyone,

Quick question that I wondered while I was flying today....Two fold actually..

I've been flying since I was 17, so 14 years and I still get a bit nervous when I go up given the fact that it's always in the back of my mind that when I'm up there I'm totally responsible for getting myself back down. Does anyone else still have this after so long?

The other thought was that given that flying is quite an expensive hobby, does any else ever feel like sometimes (only rarely) they're going flying just so it doesn't cost as much to revalidate when the SEP runs out!? Maybe I need to branch out and visit more places...

I'd just be interested in everyone elses thoughts on these matters!

Yep i get this every two years. Same thing over and over.

Im 29 now and passed when I was 21 I believe.

I purely only fly to keep current. I don't make a thing out of it and I wouldn't go as far as to say I enjoy it. When time allows in the coming years I will make more time to enjoy it but for now I'm just keeping legal.

I wouldn't say nervous about getting down as I feel like I'm a very competent pilot. However as a safety precaution I fly with an instructor for the first 3 or 4 hours of the 12 I have to complete. Then I do my own thing. Usually consist of taking friends up who have wanted to fly with me.

I've found its a function of how long since you last flew. consider flying for less time but more frequently. once you feel more comfortable then do longer but less frequent! :-)

The nerves thing I don't get every flight by any means, but do get it - from time to time, when something puts me out of my comfort zone. A new type, above 8/8 cloud, taking an IAP for the first time in months. There are various things that can give me that sense of deep nerves - the only solution I've ever found to it is being as prepared as I possibly can be for what I'm doing, and that's not so much a nerves prevention measure, as an accident prevention measure. (And for what it's worth, I've been flying for 27 years, and had a licence for 23.)

Regarding hours and currency. I do fly for currency - more usually currency of skill than legal minima, but that's just a variation on the same thing. But I think that if that's normal, you're failing to find a reason and justification for your flying beyond "just because".

There are many reasons people find to keep doing and enjoying their flying - here's one you might think about. I put a bit of effort into getting one of their badges (in my case, "just because I could" to be honest, but actually I rather enjoyed it.

LAA Wings | Developing safer pilots

There are plenty of other ideas and opportunities out there - but it's well worth finding something, for all sorts of reasons from pure fun to making you a better pilot. Some of the rallies can be a lot of fun as well - I did the microlight round Britain Rally two years, and gained a lot as a pilot from that, for example. Dawn to Dusk? Top Nav? Aerobatics course towards doing a club competition?

G

Yes. After rather more than 14 years.


I do not however include it in my passenger briefing: "Hey folks, the only way we're going to be alive an hour or so from now is if I don't screw up".

From the time I line up and push the power in, till I touch down to a full stop on EVERY flight. Flying for over 20 years, with 1000+ hours on a commercial rating, flying a tail dragger in and out of every half assed farm strip, beach or barley field North of Hadrians wall.

Nope, I delight in being on my own. There are certain flights I accept, where the risk is higher, and I'm nervous because of that, but, I accepted a risk over my normal comfort level.

I believe that a pilot who flies the minimums to maintain currency, will be minimally current, unless they are doing it based on many thousands of hours of previous experience.

I think a small amount of “nervousness” is good, let’s call it “heightened awareness” instead. On the arousal vs. performance graph, you want to be somewhere in the middle, not towards either end.

If you get into an aircraft without thought of any eventualities, your risk exposure is much increased, IMHO.

Achieving that state where you have peak awareness of your environment but are not inhibited by fear of it can be difficult, especially if you don’t have much experience or currency to fall back on. Best to be a little bit nervous than brazenly overconfident...

Being slightly apprehensive = a sense of self preservation.

Worry when you stop being nervous prior to flying. ;-

Really out of my comfort zone here, as I am an ex-military pilot who has never touched a cockpit for 60+ years; all I can bring to the feast is an aphorism heard in a Commons debate donkey's years ago:

"The more you fly, the more you want to fly; and the less you fly, the less you want to fly".

From my limted experience, I believe this to be true.

Great to hear I'm not alone.

I have to admit that I left out the greatest part of it all... every time I get back home there's that great sense of achievement and satisfaction that you have the skills to fly which makes you want to go up again asap.

It is nice to know however, that there are other more experienced pilots out there with the same thought processes!

You are certainly not alone.


I can remember the early years of having a ppl. In those days it was 5 hours every 13 months or a GFT (handling check).
I struggled to be anything other than safe.


In later years I have checked out many ppl`s wanting to hire an aircraft.
Often they would not have passed a handling check but I had to look for a safe standard (would I sit in the back of an aircraft being flown by them?)


The fact that a pilot "knows what he dosen`t know" and knows that he is not in current practice is more important and therefore adjusts his operating minima accordingly (x-winds etc).


Flying shorter more regular flights (as has been suggested) would help.
Also what you do during the flight.
It is a shame that fewer airfields allow circuit practice these days. 1/2 hour in the circuit ( tight as you can with glide approaches) every month is better than 1 hour straight and level every 2 months.
If circuits are out, then some general handling (accurate 30deg banked turns through 360 deg, then 45deg bank if you are confident). Also slow flight (stall +10kts) and simulated go-arounds at a safe height.


When you do the flight with an instructor, discuss with him/her what you feel least confident at, you will then get more out of the flight. Try not to treat it as a test


Sharing flights with other ppl`s can help. You can learn a lot from others (minor) errors and whilst he/she is flying you will be mentally flying the aircraft as well.
You can visit new airfields that way.


By knowing that you are out of your comfort zone and wanting to do something about it suggests that I would sit in the back of your aeroplane.


J.J.

The more you do the less nervous you will be! But then if you increase to a more demanding aviation challenge the nerves will tear again and so on so on !
I think it's normal to be slightly apprehensive before a flight!
I remember from my car racing days before a start nerves were high, as soon as the flag dropped they went and that extra shot of adrenaline helped you perform better ))

Pace

What some others have said. It's normal to be nervous if you haven't flown for a while, and slightly apprehensive every time you fly. Currency is the key - the more often you fly the more at home in the aeroplane you'll feel.

There are those on here who will disagree but I divide pilots into two types; tourers and aviators. Or as someone a lot more experienced than me (probably either Brian Lecomber or John Farley) defined them, 'pure' and 'applied' flyers. The 'pure' or aviators fly taildraggers short distances to farm strips and aerobat them on the way.The 'applied' or 'tourers' use the aeroplane to go places, sometimes IMC. Which are you?

I put myself firmly in the 'aviator', 'pure' camp. I have or had little interest in going places and love nice handling aeroplanes, interesting strips and simple aeros.

Aeroplanes cost 'X' per hour to operate or to hire no matter what you do with them (though capable tourers cost more than fun taildraggers) and I always thought (a purely personal view!) there are more bangs per buck doing it the way I did, or maybe that's just me.

But you can spend 1 hour flying to a strip and doing some aeros on the way there and back every week for seven weeks (different strip, though, probably). Or you can spend the same time / money on one flight every 7 weeks going to LTQ for lunch.

If you are rich, you can go to LTQ for lunch every Sunday, and do your stripping and aeros in your other aeroplane on Saturdays. I am not rich. I had to choose.

So, to maximise the 'richness of experience' per hour be an aviator. Stick to one type (get a share) so you have the time on type to 'meld' with it and become as one with it. That takes away a lot of the nervousness even if finances, wx, or availability mean a lay off for a few weeks.

That's what I did. It may not be what others want to do. I may not be what you want to do. But I offer it as no more than a suggestion which may or may not appeal, as a possible answer to your very real question.

About a month or so ago I decided to go flying to keep my 90 day passenger currency up. I was in the middle of a set of night shifts but the weather was too good to miss and my shared Cherokee was available for the afternoon. I did all the checks as far as starting to taxi but something just did not feel right so I shut down and was angry with myself for feeling the nerves that I was feeling and decided to go home. The weather was brilliant though and I wrestled with my thoughts till I came upon the idea of seeing if an instructor at the airfield might have had a cancellation and went to Ops to ask. I felt a bit of a wimp explaining my situation but one was available and I had the best circuit workout for long time and though I didn't get the hour in my log book I was so glad I did that..it really boosted my confidence and made me realise there is always another day and that extra £40 was worth every penny.

The most nervous I ever was, was when the door on my C152 became open.
So being inquisitive, I pushed it open as far as it would go against the windflow, and had a look under the fuselage, as you do... I then realised that all that was between me and the 3000ft drop was a thin 1/16 inch of alloy sheet.... Gave me some cause for concern for the rest of the flight.

Not PiC, but I can't think of any reason you couldn't log that flight.

G

Oh of course, I logged it but as I am hour building as much PiC is what I am after. Glad I listened to that little niggle that said this flight should not be PiC.

Local VFR got stale, so I stopped flying for a bit. Now that I'm back, I've got a different focus. I'll be concentrating on improving my flying wherever possible, doing longer trips - perhaps with an overnight camping stop. I'm also planning to add an IR(R), tail wheel and aero endorsements, and then perhaps look at an FI course.

I love flying, but flying for the sake of staying current or because I was paying the group fee so I may as well use it were the wrong motivators for me. It became a chore rather than a joy.

I've some 25 hours post licence and I got my licence August last year. Given the winter we had, I don't mind calling myself fairly current, I even have my first sea crossing between UK and Ireland (accompanied by more experienced pilot) and a NR. I never really get nervous before the flight, however from time to time I would get anxious during the flight. All sort of IFs come in play, I don't think I ever doubt the aircraft I'm flying - I worry more about myself - what if I get sick? What if I have a heart attack or whatever? I also get anxious when traffic get's really busy and when you hear dozens of planes around you on the frequency but have a very little idea where exactly are they and what's their intention. I'm based in an airfield that's quite prone in being cut off by sudden sea fog or low cloud, that adds to the stress..

My method in dealing with anxiety is quite simple - I try to keep myself as busy as I can. Writing logs, looking at charts, scanning, planning, playing around with VORs or whatever else. Focusing on a task really helps. The worst anxiety attacks I've had have happened when I'm up there and I'm doing nothing. If all else fails, I can always grab my phone and start making pictures. It works

Anyone else experienced this or should I go seek help?

I don't think I've ever felt nervousness or anxiety when airborne, only pre-flight.

Even in situations which, looking back, might have turned out badly (severe engine problems, extreme turbulence such as one can no longer control the aeroplane) I find the emergency concentrates the mind to the task in hand - no free brain capacity for nerves! And of course the much-practiced training kicks in so some things are 'Pavlov Dog' automatic (such as stick forward on power loss).

Must admit there are a few things that get me nervous after 80 hours this last year!!

mainly I get a bit worried when it starts to get a little bumpy during mid day etc.. dont know why really, I don't feel good not being 100% in control when wind and thermals are pushing me around, I'm constantly fixed on the ASI incase i stall and loose control!! This is something i need to get out of the habit of!! as it stops me enjoying flying, when its smooth i love it but as soon as it gets bumpy i start worrying about wings falling off for some reason!!

the other thing is failure of something in flight, a flight control,engine fail or similar!!

one thing though, as soon as i get near landing i'm already thinking about when i can get back up!!

KP

Martin 123, please tell me you spend your time when flying KEEPING A GOOD LOOKOUT, not fiddling around in the cockpit, eyes inside.

And for the rest of you petrolheads, try flying without an engine. Its a lot more fun, and if they let you tug as well, can keep you current in power.

I had to step down from solo flying, alas, but since 1983 have clocked up over 1,800 hours in gliders and 1,400 in power, and have never been out of practice, teaching and tugging. The US is the best place to visit to keep current in power, the UK or New Zealand for gliding.

Often nervous before a flight, but now experienced enough to know I won't be the moment I have the engine started and I'm rolling down the runway.

I think it's natural and very healthy to remember that you're not perfect and flying has it's dangers. The trick is to remember how much you enjoyed the last flight and how much you'd miss it if you let your (very human) self doubts deprive you of your next.

:ok: SS

Licence to Learn.
Nervousness ahead of flying is a valuable skill. It makes you think. A pilot that doesn't think has a short life span. That's what they try to teach us. Avoiding the "Get-home-itis."
I admit that I spend many years just getting enough 5hrs/13months to make me unsafe. Then I'd get a dose of money and have a nice summer. One year I made a trip to pick up some family and take them for a jolly, then fly home. That last trip was dreadful. Scud running, descending cloud, rising ground, pissing rain dripping down my back. VFR visibility? Yeah, right. I needed to land.
As a conscientious pilot with a family I sacked myself and ended up not flying for 7 years.
Now, I am back in the air. I feel happier. Currency is key. I like the new rules.

of course I keep a good lookout, the things I mentioned are just a side activity to keep myself busy, but keeping a good scan at all times

If you don't have at least a tiny bit of nervousness then you've become complacent. And, we know complacency kills.


Not about nerves, but about currency for the sake of currency. I am currently IFR current but not 90-day ASEL (SEP if you prefer) current. (Not to mention I was able to use "current" three times in one sentence!)


How did I do the above? My last ASEL flights were in November '15, completing IFR currency. Early February the ASEL currency ran out, but (FAA) IFR is good for six months. Two weeks ago I was in Texas and did seven approaches in a Redbird Advanced Aviation Training Device (can't call it a simulator by FAA definition) so I did one more that required to reset for six more months.


The only IFR flying I do is to stay IFR legal. If that's the only reason I'm doing it, why am I doing it? I don't plan to launch into serious IFR conditions, but I do want to be sure that if something ever happens I have some skill/ability to safely return. I paid a lot of money for that rating!


Terry

It's funny I was just considering this matter recently. I'm just about to take my skills test for the CPL so have been doing a fair bit of (dual) flying recently and I'd like to think my standard is reasonable and I'm moderately instrument capable etc should I get inadvertent IMC. That being said I had to do a solo flight to make up a couple of hours I am short and I did find myself feeling the nerves on the way to the airport.

I think it's a positive thing - it keeps you on your toes and hopefully means you are more likely to take your time with checklists, flight planning etc. The day you just rock up and take off will probably be the one you make a mistake on...Hopefully one that at worst requires a new pair of trousers.

Safe landings.

I have to say I've found the positive feedback and the fact that everyone seems to "suffer" the same feelings really has put my worries to bed.

In everyday situations I'm the kind of guy who prefers to listen than talk, who will have a good idea in my head but won't say it in a group of strangers in case someone shoots it down - you see where I'm going with this? I think confidence or lack thereof plays an important part of how nervousness/accepting of your abilities as quite good has a major factor in the thought process behind my original question.

Since posting the first question I have managed to go flying three times for an hour a time and both have been really fun. I think the key here is definitely currency. :ok:

The dreaded flying rut
 

I got stuck in a rut with flying after getting in the "flying to keep current" trap. A very busy job, the demands of family life and poor Wx all conspired against any kind of flying I could do. Eventually I could only afford 1hr a month of flying yet again around the local area which if I missed ended up in yet another dual check. £150 down the drain and I wasn't even enjoying it, despite being a total flying nut all my days and flying in one form or another since I was 14. Pretty depressing. I ended up letting my SEP lapse and after a couple of attempts at renewing which were canx due Wx I got utterly fed up and just gave up.

Then I discovered gliding. My interest was rejuvenated, £25 for an aerotow and £20/hr for the most exciting, enjoyable and challenging flying I have ever done. The chance to fly lots of different, interesting types and meet lots of characters who are all willing to muck in and help out. Additionally I have the opportunity to fly a motor glider which I am taking up, just £45/hr, great fun.

Group A is old hat, regulated to hell beyond any pleasure by E-arse-A and completely useless unless you are stinking rich and can afford going somewhere. There are much more interesting and fun (and cheaper!) ways of flying. It's a pity it took so long for me to realise it...

I'd love to try microlights but can't afford a share in one at the moment.

Being slightly apprehensive before flying when you are lacking suffucient personal currency is not a bad thing. After a break of eight weeks last year I was slightly concerned when hopped back into my seat. But that soon went as the "process" kicked into action. By process I mean the pre-flight, set-up, briefing and initial execution. In addition, I made sure I could remember all the memory items a day or so before I went flying. If you are still under-confident, in spite of proper preparation do not go flying by yourself. Instead, get some assistance from an instructor. It's what they are paid for and its a nice change flying with people who can already fly. You can work on some of some more interesting stuff and expand their horizons.

Lastly, I can not see the enjoyment in flying to stay legal or flying just to stay current. It's the system's way of telling you that you don't have the time and/or money to go flying. My suggestion would be to change the type of flying you do. Gliding, micro-lights, paragliding or even model aircraft flying may float your boat and give you the satisfaction you are looking for.

PM

You've been able to rent them for years - albeit that not that many places offer microlight hire.

There are plenty of schools who will do you a lesson or two however. For example: Learn to Fly in Scotland - Flexwing, Fixed Wing, Gyrocopter

G

Private flying used to be a Rich Mans pastime. Thankfully things have changed so that it is in reach of most to enjoy.
Microlights have always appealed to me as do some of the homebuilts which can be fast and furious :E and some should be allowed to fly IFR

Which are the best designs in both categories?

I can well understand the appeal of gliding too and the challenges that gives you.
I would love to know Gs top 5 in each category Microlights and home builts :ok:

i know I flew a friends RV6A which was a dream to fly and quick with it

Taking the club 150 up once a month for a usual around the local area must be soul destroying

Pace

Top 5 by which criteria Pace?

Tell me what your perfect cheap aeroplane does in your mind, and I'll gladly make some suggestions.

Some permit aircraft can fly IFR now, but not many yet.

G

Nerves and PPL
 

I'm a 250 hour ppl. I've flown all the usual types and have never had a real scare in all that time (apart from the odd "interesting" landing......anyone NOT been there???). I've been flying mostly with another, far more experienced PPL for a while now and had finally made up my mind to fly solo for the first time in ages but backed out as the time approached. I used to fly solo all the time before! Has anyone else experienced this sudden anxiety about going solo after a long spell with a flying buddy?

I got my PPL in 1991 aged 17 after an RAF Flying Scholarship and then flew until 1995 when I stopped as I had just come out of university, started a job, bought a house etc so had to sacrifice the flying.
Some 20 years on, I'm thinking of getting back into it and re-certifying but now feel that I am a lot more aware of my own mortality than I was as a youngster and am not sure if I will be able to get back up there and do it justice.
Am going to book an hour flight at the local flying school to see if I have the stomach for it any more. I really hope I still do but just feel I'll be a bundle of nerves all the way through it.

That sounds familiar. My earliest flying experiences were in the open cockpit of a T21 Sedberg glider and I can still recall looking over the cockpit rim and thinking that there was about 3/32 of an inch (that shows how long ago it was) of plywood between me and eternity.

Is the motor glider you're flying not an E-arse-A type? Most of them are but can probably be maintained relatively cheaply under the aegis of the BGA as CAMO.

To the OP, I kind of see you at that time of life when financial, social and family demands can be high but for whatever reason it seems to me that you're not flying enough to get past the nerves and gain confidence. Perhaps you might explore some of the lower cost options like LAA permit aircraft, a share in a group, TMG, microlight, some of which would put many group A's to shame, or gliding. Any one of these activities will be more stimulating and rewarding than the occasional hour in a club rental and are more likely to put a smile on your face.

Speaking from experience, a couple of crashes under your belt tends to dull any heightened anxiety about flying. I also used to fret about how my significant other would cope if I bit the big one but a after a few expensive divorces and a mountain of lawyer bills any such concerns have been removed . Nowadays my sole concern while hurtling uncontrollably towards terra firma would be regret at prepaying my council tax for the year and perhaps foolishly buying more usable fuel than I actually now need.

Lifes for living!

pb84


I did laugh at that ! "a few expensive divorces..." How many would that be ?

Aireed - a few months ago I flew solo for the first time in three years - before that a complex rating two years earlier and a dodgy flight review in a C152 for an hour a year earlier - both dual.

I did have grand plans to do 10/15 hours in the US before heading home after a three-year saga getting my plane refurbished (rubbish work, lawyers the full nine yards). In the event the autopilots, first one then the other, were disconnected so that messed up the plan for a short cross country - so a couple of abortive flights and an extended series of touch and goes with an instructor was all I got fitted in. The instructor a very experienced guy was brilliant - no patter, just "you fly the airplane and I'll stop you if you're about to kill us" - so flew the airplane not listening to the usual patter - very good landings (and I mean really, really good - landing was something I always struggled with) - so after two and a half hours (one and a half of t&g and two short flights when the a/p issues forced a return) - he said "you're good to go". So first solo flight after three years 1,500 mile trip to Barbados from Florida, first leg Stella Maris - no problems.

I have been wondering what happened in the three years that caused my landings to be at best iffy to rather good. Oddly I think I have figured it out, playing a video game called War Thunder (I am an addict) and a plane called a BB-1 - it usually gets shot to bits but getting it back takes serious thought. One thing is bleeding off speed - I came to realize it when landing in Puerto Rico, could not find the airport (looking in the wrong direction!) - over the numbers in my Archer low at 100mph+ bled it off in a third of the runway for a rather nice landing - just like the game in the BB-1.

Whatever caused it things have seemed to slow down and flying is much more fun now I am not freaked out at the prospect of having to land - latest wheeze over the number just above stall and maybe 3ft and fly half the length of the 10,000ft runway at that height to the exit - no more holding up everyone as I taxi a mile to exit.

That said I do still think when I park the car before I fly whether I will be coming back - all part of the fun - we all tend to live boring lives why would we want a hobby where there is not some real chance of death or injury:sad::bored::eek: