First Lesson - Should it be like this?
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Join Date: Jun 2001
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First Lesson - Should it be like this?
Having just completed my first lesson, I still feel like I have a coat hangar in my mouth because of the size of my smile. I experienced a plethora of emotions from across the spectrum; euphoria, an adrenalin rush, nervousness.......... I did, however, feel quite tense for the most part. Clearly, light aircraft are more susceptible to turbulence than larger commercial carriers, but it still brought a few butterflies when we rocked. When the instructor gave me control I held the controls so tightly my forearms were bulging like Garths (an old cartoon reference for those not in the know). I guess it was the nerves getting the better of me. Is this reasonably normal during the first hour or two, or am I indeed a shandy drinking softie?
PS Next lesson booked.
PPS If this continues I will have to change my handle to the more appropriate 'luke warm novice'.
PS Next lesson booked.
PPS If this continues I will have to change my handle to the more appropriate 'luke warm novice'.
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tension is the biggest hinderance to learning to fly, and unless you can recognise it and relax it will be with you for a lot longer than the first few hours. Believe me , I teach quite advanced pilots and I regularly have to make them relax, you should see the difference in their flying once they do. There is no need to grip the column like you are afraid somebody is going to take it away from you, in fact your instructor is more likely to relieve you of the burden if you do.
The same goes for your legs on the rudder bar, When I did my basic training I could not understand why my legs ached so much at the end of each day. Its amazing I didnot damage the aircraft.
Relax and enjoy it, it costs too much to get stressed out about.
The same goes for your legs on the rudder bar, When I did my basic training I could not understand why my legs ached so much at the end of each day. Its amazing I didnot damage the aircraft.
Relax and enjoy it, it costs too much to get stressed out about.
Join Date: May 2001
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Don't worry mate - Don't let turbulence or anything trouble you! Just relax.
My instructor was excellent on my first lesson, I did everything except land, although I was a little tense at first.
After a touch and go, we established level flight and he made me sit back and leave the controls alone. Neither of us touched the controls for about 30 seconds, after which I applied some trim to maintain level flight.
This showed me how balanced the aircraft is, and that all is required is small, smooth adjustments on the yoke.
Try it!
I recently had my second lesson, and already I have a nice relaxed grip on the controls, and I almost landed!
Good Luck,
Mike
E-mail me to tell me how you get on!
My instructor was excellent on my first lesson, I did everything except land, although I was a little tense at first.
After a touch and go, we established level flight and he made me sit back and leave the controls alone. Neither of us touched the controls for about 30 seconds, after which I applied some trim to maintain level flight.
This showed me how balanced the aircraft is, and that all is required is small, smooth adjustments on the yoke.
Try it!
I recently had my second lesson, and already I have a nice relaxed grip on the controls, and I almost landed!
Good Luck,
Mike
E-mail me to tell me how you get on!
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RHA,
You sound like you felt exactly like I did when I had my first lesson,
excitement, relief, trying to crush the control column!
Keep at it mate, you'll soon become relaxed in the air,
by the time you get your PPL you won't even notice the bumps.
Gaz
You sound like you felt exactly like I did when I had my first lesson,
excitement, relief, trying to crush the control column!
Keep at it mate, you'll soon become relaxed in the air,
by the time you get your PPL you won't even notice the bumps.
Gaz
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red hot amateur
I just had my first two lessons and I can understand how you feel with all these new things thrown at you. But maybe this little story might help you a bit:
Many years ago one of Germany's most loved actors the late Heinz Rühmann who was also a private pilot was asked about his flying during an interview. He told how he was taught flying. His instructor told him to hold the stick only between his thumb and his index finger thus allowing him to steer the airplane with small adjustments and without using great force. He followed this advice throughout his flying career and I think he was still flying in his 80's.
I always remembered this. Although I must admit when I had my first trial lesson about one and a half years ago I completely forgot about it and I was very tense and holding the yoke like I was fighting with the airplane.
I hope this helps.
GAF4139
I just had my first two lessons and I can understand how you feel with all these new things thrown at you. But maybe this little story might help you a bit:
Many years ago one of Germany's most loved actors the late Heinz Rühmann who was also a private pilot was asked about his flying during an interview. He told how he was taught flying. His instructor told him to hold the stick only between his thumb and his index finger thus allowing him to steer the airplane with small adjustments and without using great force. He followed this advice throughout his flying career and I think he was still flying in his 80's.
I always remembered this. Although I must admit when I had my first trial lesson about one and a half years ago I completely forgot about it and I was very tense and holding the yoke like I was fighting with the airplane.
I hope this helps.
GAF4139
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red hot amateur, I think it's exactly what it is supposed to be like. Don't worry what the others write about tension. It will all come natural and you will soon be able to relax.
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MikeSamuel:
Change your Instructor!!
He should know better that than to encourage you to attempt a landing on your second lesson!!!! it will only destroy your confidence when you realise that you cant do it!!.
Find an instructor that will stick to the syllabus and will teach you to decsend at different speeds and configurations fist. Then you will be ready to land the aircraft!
Change your Instructor!!
He should know better that than to encourage you to attempt a landing on your second lesson!!!! it will only destroy your confidence when you realise that you cant do it!!.
Find an instructor that will stick to the syllabus and will teach you to decsend at different speeds and configurations fist. Then you will be ready to land the aircraft!
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TheSilverFox, isn't atleast one landing always part of a lesson?
When I did my PPL years back, I landed on the first lesson. No problems, with good aid from the instructor. He handled the throttle as far as I recall.
When I did my PPL years back, I landed on the first lesson. No problems, with good aid from the instructor. He handled the throttle as far as I recall.
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shouldn't land during a lesson?!?!?!
instructor in my TIF put it into a sideslip and then got me to land it from the slip. Wasn't greatly pretty adn I needed some calm syllables when it went floaty but no hops thankfully.
I honestly don't think that's unreasonable: was a little surprised but the only irritation was that he had it in the slip so she wasn't so settled. Can't wait to get back: check bank balance AOAP.
Each to their own: i'll go with the instructor who pushes you, as long as not past what you'll tolerate. Learn faster? Maybe.
instructor in my TIF put it into a sideslip and then got me to land it from the slip. Wasn't greatly pretty adn I needed some calm syllables when it went floaty but no hops thankfully.
I honestly don't think that's unreasonable: was a little surprised but the only irritation was that he had it in the slip so she wasn't so settled. Can't wait to get back: check bank balance AOAP.
Each to their own: i'll go with the instructor who pushes you, as long as not past what you'll tolerate. Learn faster? Maybe.
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TheSilverFox
I just did my first landing at the end of my second lesson. It came a bit as a surprise to me, but with some input from my instructor I just carried on flying the airplane and everything was fine. And why not? Why waste a landing and let your instructor do it. He already knows how to land the plane, so I would take every opportunity to practise it myself. Of course, if you are already struggleing with flying straight and level this might be a bit too much. But then a good instructor should know how much he can demand from you.
GAF4139
I just did my first landing at the end of my second lesson. It came a bit as a surprise to me, but with some input from my instructor I just carried on flying the airplane and everything was fine. And why not? Why waste a landing and let your instructor do it. He already knows how to land the plane, so I would take every opportunity to practise it myself. Of course, if you are already struggleing with flying straight and level this might be a bit too much. But then a good instructor should know how much he can demand from you.
GAF4139
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Red hot amateur,
Know exactly how you felt. As everyone has already pointed out, it's not an uncommon feeling for the first couple of flights. However, by te time you've had a couple more hours you'll be delighted at every little aspect that had previously made your stomach do a runner. Last lesson I had was supposed to be doing the whole straight and level thing, but with rain clouds at about 2200 it was a little less than either. I had to stiffle a laugh as my instructor said "now that you've got straight and level..." and the poor wee tomahawk got thrown about, completely off level. If that had been my first lesson I can gaurantee that I'd be papping myself, but I actually really enjoyed it.
Anyway, The morale of the story is, confidence comes with experience. As for the landing stuff being talked about, should it not be up to your instructor to see if he thinks you have good enough control over the plane? He might also prefer to go through the aspects of flight first. I've not done a landing yet, although I've set up a couple of approaches. My instructor usually takes over just before we kiss the tarmac. Probably so that we do kiss the tarmac, rather than head-butt it. Not bothered though, I'll get my chance soon enough.
Bunty
Know exactly how you felt. As everyone has already pointed out, it's not an uncommon feeling for the first couple of flights. However, by te time you've had a couple more hours you'll be delighted at every little aspect that had previously made your stomach do a runner. Last lesson I had was supposed to be doing the whole straight and level thing, but with rain clouds at about 2200 it was a little less than either. I had to stiffle a laugh as my instructor said "now that you've got straight and level..." and the poor wee tomahawk got thrown about, completely off level. If that had been my first lesson I can gaurantee that I'd be papping myself, but I actually really enjoyed it.
Anyway, The morale of the story is, confidence comes with experience. As for the landing stuff being talked about, should it not be up to your instructor to see if he thinks you have good enough control over the plane? He might also prefer to go through the aspects of flight first. I've not done a landing yet, although I've set up a couple of approaches. My instructor usually takes over just before we kiss the tarmac. Probably so that we do kiss the tarmac, rather than head-butt it. Not bothered though, I'll get my chance soon enough.
Bunty
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RHA
Sounds like you're doing well. BB gives good advice - head butting the runway happens, but is preferably avoided
Holding the yolk between your thumb and forefinger is a good technique, and regularly checking that your shoulders aren't up against your headset helps!
Just relax and enjoy it!
(Where have I heard that before???)
[ 07 August 2001: Message edited by: RV6 ]
Sounds like you're doing well. BB gives good advice - head butting the runway happens, but is preferably avoided
Holding the yolk between your thumb and forefinger is a good technique, and regularly checking that your shoulders aren't up against your headset helps!
Just relax and enjoy it!
(Where have I heard that before???)
[ 07 August 2001: Message edited by: RV6 ]
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Thank you esteemed colleagues for the words of comfort. Good to know that I am not the only one to have experienced a few tense moments. Fortunately, 24 hours on, the cramp is just starting to ease in my hands. Lesson two, here I come!
Lesson two, here I come!
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Hi all,
I recently had my first lesson. It was in fact just a 30 minute trial lesson but my instructor was very good and willing to let me have a go. He let me do all the usual stuff like banking left and right, he even let me turn 90 degree's onto the final approach and while he did the throttle I controlled it all the way to the tarmac as I remember - ok maybe he took over just befor we touched down but it was certainly the best 50 quid I've spent on 30 minutes ever. He even took the plane to so many G - I can't remember how many but my head certainly felt alot heavier for it - is that normal to do something like that on a first lesson?
As for whether you should be allowed to land so soon - it can only be good for confidence surely. I mean if you do it then well done but if you don't then you've got a good excuse - 'well its only my first/second lesson'.
I recently had my first lesson. It was in fact just a 30 minute trial lesson but my instructor was very good and willing to let me have a go. He let me do all the usual stuff like banking left and right, he even let me turn 90 degree's onto the final approach and while he did the throttle I controlled it all the way to the tarmac as I remember - ok maybe he took over just befor we touched down but it was certainly the best 50 quid I've spent on 30 minutes ever. He even took the plane to so many G - I can't remember how many but my head certainly felt alot heavier for it - is that normal to do something like that on a first lesson?
As for whether you should be allowed to land so soon - it can only be good for confidence surely. I mean if you do it then well done but if you don't then you've got a good excuse - 'well its only my first/second lesson'.
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Alright you guys - trade secret time :
I (and many instructors that I know) let most of my first timers, and trial lessons that are actually interested, have a go at 'landing' the aircraft. Reason being that it's a talking point, makes them leave the aircraft feeling good and as such, more likely to come back for more. Truth is, the student is not actually doing jack sh!t in the landing phase but they don't know the difference.
Most instructors are able to fly the plane reasonably accurately using only little inputs on the foot pedals to control roll/yaw, and the trim and throttle for pitch. The unsuspecting punter is sitting there giving it the white knuckle death grip on the control yoke feeling like they're in charge, when in fact the instructor has it under total control the whole time. (Alright, it needs a very subtle nudge on the elevators at the flare phase, but it's barely noticeable and certainly not noticeable to the first time pilot, who doesn't know what a flare is supposed to look or feel like anyway).
I don't 'properly' teach landings until the circuit where it's supposed to be done, unless a student is particularly sharp and I think they can handle it ... but I get everyone following through my landings from about the climbing & descending lesson onwards (ie a couple of lessons away from the circuit), trying to show them the correct landing attitude and control position.
Hands off flying is a good skill for all pilots to have, it teaches you loads about the proper use of balance and trim, and not to lean on the controls for support while you're distracted inside the cockpit (i.e. not watching attitude). In the past I've made students who are up to the cross country nav phase and haven't learned how to trim the aircraft properly (i.e. most of them!!) fly an entire cross country flight without touching the controls, using nothing but trim and rudder, seeing how long you can keep it accurately on height and heading for - most of them find it's much more accurate than their normal rough, two handed flying.
RHA, you'll find that it all relaxes after a few trips. If you're like most people, you'll be tending to grip the controls two handed and pull back on them for support with every little unexpected movement of the aircraft at first, it's totally normal. Try not to stare at the instruments or out the sides too much because that is what makes it disorientating, just focus on really trying to relax, visualise and set the correct attitude your instructor is trying to show you out the front window.
Cheers
L.S.T.
I (and many instructors that I know) let most of my first timers, and trial lessons that are actually interested, have a go at 'landing' the aircraft. Reason being that it's a talking point, makes them leave the aircraft feeling good and as such, more likely to come back for more. Truth is, the student is not actually doing jack sh!t in the landing phase but they don't know the difference.
Most instructors are able to fly the plane reasonably accurately using only little inputs on the foot pedals to control roll/yaw, and the trim and throttle for pitch. The unsuspecting punter is sitting there giving it the white knuckle death grip on the control yoke feeling like they're in charge, when in fact the instructor has it under total control the whole time. (Alright, it needs a very subtle nudge on the elevators at the flare phase, but it's barely noticeable and certainly not noticeable to the first time pilot, who doesn't know what a flare is supposed to look or feel like anyway).
I don't 'properly' teach landings until the circuit where it's supposed to be done, unless a student is particularly sharp and I think they can handle it ... but I get everyone following through my landings from about the climbing & descending lesson onwards (ie a couple of lessons away from the circuit), trying to show them the correct landing attitude and control position.
Hands off flying is a good skill for all pilots to have, it teaches you loads about the proper use of balance and trim, and not to lean on the controls for support while you're distracted inside the cockpit (i.e. not watching attitude). In the past I've made students who are up to the cross country nav phase and haven't learned how to trim the aircraft properly (i.e. most of them!!) fly an entire cross country flight without touching the controls, using nothing but trim and rudder, seeing how long you can keep it accurately on height and heading for - most of them find it's much more accurate than their normal rough, two handed flying.
RHA, you'll find that it all relaxes after a few trips. If you're like most people, you'll be tending to grip the controls two handed and pull back on them for support with every little unexpected movement of the aircraft at first, it's totally normal. Try not to stare at the instruments or out the sides too much because that is what makes it disorientating, just focus on really trying to relax, visualise and set the correct attitude your instructor is trying to show you out the front window.
Cheers
L.S.T.
