Fear of heights?
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Sorry to resurrect this thread but after a break of a few months due to family commitments I restarted my training yesterday but still couldn't totally relax.
Having read every post on here at length, "t'aint natural" the original poster made a comment that I can relate to and has made me think that perhaps my uneasiness is down to the feeling of instability of the R22 and therefore was wondering if it might be an idea to have a few hours in the larger R44?
Any further ideas appreciated!
Having read every post on here at length, "t'aint natural" the original poster made a comment that I can relate to and has made me think that perhaps my uneasiness is down to the feeling of instability of the R22 and therefore was wondering if it might be an idea to have a few hours in the larger R44?
Any further ideas appreciated!
Last edited by KNIEVEL77; 15th Jun 2011 at 18:45.
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k77
I always experience vertigo after a period off flying. I start with half an hour hovering then some 500' circuits and build it up from there. After an hour or so it is back to normal. R44 is better but it is still an issue.
I always experience vertigo after a period off flying. I start with half an hour hovering then some 500' circuits and build it up from there. After an hour or so it is back to normal. R44 is better but it is still an issue.
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I'd try to keep my eye more on the instruments on the way up. It's eaier to get all worked up when you have time to be looking down. Try making a routine of checking your instruments in between looking out. Might help a bit. 
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I had a thought today that it might actually be 'component failure' that makes me uneasy hence being no good on the London Eye, moving Fairground Rides, Hot Air Balloons etc but fine at the top of the Eiffel Tower or a Helter Skelter!
Knievel, don't lose too much sleep over it as sitting at altitude takes a while to get used to. In a previous existance I'd often spend up to 6hrs during a day (or night) sat at 10,000ft in a Gazelle, it took a while to "aclimatise". Now I very rarely fly above 2,000ft, when I go up to 5,000ft I find this a bit strange at first..
What I'd suggest is try not to concentrate on the "numbers" too much but enjoy the view, be confident in your own ability to get the A/C back on the ground if things go wrong.
What I'd suggest is try not to concentrate on the "numbers" too much but enjoy the view, be confident in your own ability to get the A/C back on the ground if things go wrong.
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Fear of going solo
I have been flying helicopters for over 5 years as a hobby.I have PPL H over 4 years and hold a r44 rating. My fear is going solo when I’mflying with a passenger or instructor I’m fine but while going solo I have abig fear of the heights and space I’m in, it only lasts around 20 min andleaves.
My big hate is when I take off and the helicopter climbs outreaching 1000-1500 ft. I start a feel frozen and a little panic (what am I doingup here feeling) I worry about things going wrong etc.
I love flying but that feeling at the start I hate as theground disappears
I have 160 hours done and fly 2 hours per month mainly with aninstructor. I love to have the balls to fly solo and enjoy it. Any ideas onthis would be a massive help
My big hate is when I take off and the helicopter climbs outreaching 1000-1500 ft. I start a feel frozen and a little panic (what am I doingup here feeling) I worry about things going wrong etc.
I love flying but that feeling at the start I hate as theground disappears
I have 160 hours done and fly 2 hours per month mainly with aninstructor. I love to have the balls to fly solo and enjoy it. Any ideas onthis would be a massive help
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Me too
I remember the same feeling, perhaps it is a good thing. You don't want to ever truly believe you are totally in control; 'cos you are not.
I can't remember how long the feeling lasted with me but it's long gone now. I would not be surprised if most pilots have felt it at some time or other. It will pass.
Mine did and and have been a com pilot for 5 years now.
Anyway, how often will you be flying on your own?!
I can't remember how long the feeling lasted with me but it's long gone now. I would not be surprised if most pilots have felt it at some time or other. It will pass.
Mine did and and have been a com pilot for 5 years now.
Anyway, how often will you be flying on your own?!
My godfather told me about his flying instructor who, during his initial training course, had to deal with a couple of students who were terrified about performing their first solo.
Evidently he took them around the side of the hangar, squeezed them by the throat and, with the addition of a kaleidoscope of abusive language, threatened to beat them raw unless they mounted the craft and found themselves airborne within 5 minutes. Apparently this tactic was largely effective!
Regarding vertigo in flight, never had it, even with the doors off many thousands of feet agl. But .. put me atop a tall building or a cliff edge and I am most uncomfortable.
Evidently he took them around the side of the hangar, squeezed them by the throat and, with the addition of a kaleidoscope of abusive language, threatened to beat them raw unless they mounted the craft and found themselves airborne within 5 minutes. Apparently this tactic was largely effective!
Regarding vertigo in flight, never had it, even with the doors off many thousands of feet agl. But .. put me atop a tall building or a cliff edge and I am most uncomfortable.
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Evening EH
This is an interesting thread. To be absolutely honest with you I reckon this is a common mindset with all helicopter pilot in the early part of there flying whether as a PPL or CPL.
I have been a PPL(H) pilot for 8 years now, initially type rated on the R22 and then progressed on to R44.
I too...for a while - used to fly around on my own hour building when occasionally thoughts pinned through my head "What if something happens now with the helicopter? What will I do? Where will I go?"
Do what you need to do to stay safe at all times and if that means flying with an instructor then do it. May be if you can carry out frequent, short solo flights gradually building your flying confidence over time. There's no rush and you can always fly another day.
Just remember all the training that your instructor(s) taught you. Since I've been flying I've had a couple of life experience incidents. I had a complete drive belt failure in an R22 whilst completing my PPL(H) Test near West Malling in Kent. It resulted in us auto-rotating into a field where we slid along the damp wet grass for around 40 feet or so and then viewed the root cause.
Admittedly, the examiner took over and I learned so much from him and from that specific incident. The 3 rule that I live by when flying are as follows: Never allow the left hand to venture too far away from the collective. I've seen pilots flying Robinson aircraft in person and on Youtube holding maps or charts with their left hands which immediately sends shivers down my spine as I'm fully aware with the speed that RRPM decays in R22s. Secondly always mentally stay in front of the helicopter and never behind "Prepartion is a job half done" as the saying goes. Thirdly never fly outside your flying ability and limitations or training. These rules always work for me.
During another experience - post PPL(H) I lost all communication while flying an R22 through Farnborough's Airspace. I kept calm, controlled monitored my fuel and instruments and took the necessary steps where I returned back to Wycombe Air Park successfully.
Have faith and confidence in yourself, never become complacent and I think you'll naturally find the ability over time with how to enjoy flying solo without the fear and worry, should and if, something go wrong...I think you'll surprise yourself.
This is an interesting thread. To be absolutely honest with you I reckon this is a common mindset with all helicopter pilot in the early part of there flying whether as a PPL or CPL.
I have been a PPL(H) pilot for 8 years now, initially type rated on the R22 and then progressed on to R44.
I too...for a while - used to fly around on my own hour building when occasionally thoughts pinned through my head "What if something happens now with the helicopter? What will I do? Where will I go?"
Do what you need to do to stay safe at all times and if that means flying with an instructor then do it. May be if you can carry out frequent, short solo flights gradually building your flying confidence over time. There's no rush and you can always fly another day.
Just remember all the training that your instructor(s) taught you. Since I've been flying I've had a couple of life experience incidents. I had a complete drive belt failure in an R22 whilst completing my PPL(H) Test near West Malling in Kent. It resulted in us auto-rotating into a field where we slid along the damp wet grass for around 40 feet or so and then viewed the root cause.
Admittedly, the examiner took over and I learned so much from him and from that specific incident. The 3 rule that I live by when flying are as follows: Never allow the left hand to venture too far away from the collective. I've seen pilots flying Robinson aircraft in person and on Youtube holding maps or charts with their left hands which immediately sends shivers down my spine as I'm fully aware with the speed that RRPM decays in R22s. Secondly always mentally stay in front of the helicopter and never behind "Prepartion is a job half done" as the saying goes. Thirdly never fly outside your flying ability and limitations or training. These rules always work for me.
During another experience - post PPL(H) I lost all communication while flying an R22 through Farnborough's Airspace. I kept calm, controlled monitored my fuel and instruments and took the necessary steps where I returned back to Wycombe Air Park successfully.
Have faith and confidence in yourself, never become complacent and I think you'll naturally find the ability over time with how to enjoy flying solo without the fear and worry, should and if, something go wrong...I think you'll surprise yourself.
Last edited by SECRET SERVICE; 17th Jul 2012 at 19:22.
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EH
Sounds to me like your suffering from anxiety (I'm no expert)
Lots of pilots suffer , but not many will divulge information because its seen as a bit "airy-fairy"
Read a few books on the subject
(Panic attacks, Christine Ingham)
(Feel the fear and do it anyway, Susan Jeffers)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is another very helpful way.
After that ..... GET OUT THERE AND DO SOME SOLO !
Sounds to me like your suffering from anxiety (I'm no expert)
Lots of pilots suffer , but not many will divulge information because its seen as a bit "airy-fairy"
Read a few books on the subject
(Panic attacks, Christine Ingham)
(Feel the fear and do it anyway, Susan Jeffers)
Cognitive behavioral therapy is another very helpful way.
After that ..... GET OUT THERE AND DO SOME SOLO !
Have you tried just going solo around the airfield for a few hours? Then, build on that and maybe try some low level circuits (500ft) for a few hours, then step up to 700ft, then a 1000ft and then try a transit flight A-B and so on?
If the above is no use then a Transactional Analyst should be able to help you in addressing your fears.
Good luck! MB
If the above is no use then a Transactional Analyst should be able to help you in addressing your fears.
Good luck! MB
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I don't know if this is relevant, but when my instructor informed me I was ready to solo, I thought he must have me confused with someone else. But, being that i was kind of dumb, and I thought saying no was like crying uncle I just strapped in and did it. And you know what? I flew great!
Wait, actually I flew just as bad as before and probably parked it 30 degrees nose left after dropping it on the ground at the end shaming my old instructor.
So later on as I told people that I in no way felt ready to do that solo, almost all of them responded with..."me either".
But, it occurred to me later on that what my instructor was thinking. Even though I couldn't do much of anything very well, all I needed to do was not crash it, which is harder than you might think if all your doing is flying from one runway to another. I was really having trouble with landings, and I remember at one point my instructor said "if it's giving you that much trouble just turn the throttle off at hover and then it'll land itself".
By no means am I telling you that you should do your solo if you're not ready, but I'm telling you that if you have some anxiety about doing your solo, you are probably like 95% of the people out there.
Wait, actually I flew just as bad as before and probably parked it 30 degrees nose left after dropping it on the ground at the end shaming my old instructor.
So later on as I told people that I in no way felt ready to do that solo, almost all of them responded with..."me either".
But, it occurred to me later on that what my instructor was thinking. Even though I couldn't do much of anything very well, all I needed to do was not crash it, which is harder than you might think if all your doing is flying from one runway to another. I was really having trouble with landings, and I remember at one point my instructor said "if it's giving you that much trouble just turn the throttle off at hover and then it'll land itself".
By no means am I telling you that you should do your solo if you're not ready, but I'm telling you that if you have some anxiety about doing your solo, you are probably like 95% of the people out there.
Last edited by Shenanigan; 17th Jul 2012 at 20:23.
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I had the same problem as you when I started. I had flown FW for years prior to my 1st helicopter flight in 1982. My 1st flight scared me because there seemed to be nothing supporting this bubble in space...nothing. With a FW you can see the support. It went away after a few flights when I realized that I can control this bubble.
What you suffer from is a fear of falling, not a fear of heights (There is a difference) and all very normal. I think you need to fly more than 2/month. I tried parachute jumping when I was in my teens. I jumped 6 times over the course of 2 years. Result was I never got over being terrified (scared is normal so I hear) and the jumps were so infrequent and I thought of them so much I bypassed scared into be terrified. Maybe your flying is the same. Step up the pace and you will be fine.
Next step is to fly something a little more substantial. I think a Robbie would make me uneasy also.
What you suffer from is a fear of falling, not a fear of heights (There is a difference) and all very normal. I think you need to fly more than 2/month. I tried parachute jumping when I was in my teens. I jumped 6 times over the course of 2 years. Result was I never got over being terrified (scared is normal so I hear) and the jumps were so infrequent and I thought of them so much I bypassed scared into be terrified. Maybe your flying is the same. Step up the pace and you will be fine.
Next step is to fly something a little more substantial. I think a Robbie would make me uneasy also.
I think everyone experiences some kind of fear or anxiety during the course of their training and immediately after the flight test. I think you need to increase the frequency of your flying per month, though. I found that made a big difference for me when I felt anxiety during the initial period after my flight test.
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EH,
learn to fly gliders; You will be totally alone with controls and if you want to GO you must learn to do it on your own. Hope It's will help you.
Otherwise you may consider to quit flying. No shame, personal attitude regarding flying is "personal".
learn to fly gliders; You will be totally alone with controls and if you want to GO you must learn to do it on your own. Hope It's will help you.
Otherwise you may consider to quit flying. No shame, personal attitude regarding flying is "personal".