I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy or I don't
know what, luckily I have a great instructor " First Officer Roy
Madewell" of Sacramento, CA who has all of the confidence in me and is
very patient. He has directed me to this internet group for possibly
someone with the same problem. Thanks for any input.

First of all, I think it might help you if you understand right off the bat
that the ideal attitude for any pilot is one that involves a bit of "being a
bit on edge" when preparing for a flight. This is normal. This doesn't mean
fear. It means that you should be on the front edge of an acute state of
awareness that causes you to be thinking very seriously about a forthcoming
flight and the things pertaining to that flight.
No pilot worth the name goes out to the airport to climb into an airplane
totally at ease.
Flying, no matter how much fun, is a VERY serious business. It deserves a
totally professional and serious approach to what's involved by those
engaged in its practice.
Feeling a bit "on edge" as I've said, is normal. It makes you concentrate on
the little things that can make a flight either safe or unsafe if not dealt
with correctly.
I wouldn't worry all that much about feeling a bit of apprehension as you
contemplate a flight. I would be concerned however, if this apprehension was
simply felt and not understood properly.
I suggest you talk this over seriously with your instructor, a person you
obviously respect from what you have said in your post, and nail down the
depth and extent of any apprehensions you might have concerning flying.
I think you'll find that you are quite normal. It's my guess that if you
were not normal, your instructor would have addressed this with you already.
Try understanding what I have told you and relax a bit. Realize that its
normal to be concerned about flying because its serious business. See if
this helps any.
Feel free to let me know how things are going and if I can help you in any
way.
Dudley Henriques

"captainsj" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
> training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
> getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
> problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy or I don't
> know what, luckily I have a great instructor " First Officer Roy
> Madewell" of Sacramento, CA who has all of the confidence in me and is
> very patient. He has directed me to this internet group for possibly
> someone with the same problem. Thanks for any input.
>

The more you fly the more confidence you will get.
"Dudley Henriques" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> First of all, I think it might help you if you understand right off the
> bat that the ideal attitude for any pilot is one that involves a bit of
> "being a bit on edge" when preparing for a flight. This is normal. This
> doesn't mean fear. It means that you should be on the front edge of an
> acute state of awareness that causes you to be thinking very seriously
> about a forthcoming flight and the things pertaining to that flight.
> No pilot worth the name goes out to the airport to climb into an airplane
> totally at ease.
> Flying, no matter how much fun, is a VERY serious business. It deserves a
> totally professional and serious approach to what's involved by those
> engaged in its practice.
> Feeling a bit "on edge" as I've said, is normal. It makes you concentrate
> on the little things that can make a flight either safe or unsafe if not
> dealt with correctly.
> I wouldn't worry all that much about feeling a bit of apprehension as you
> contemplate a flight. I would be concerned however, if this apprehension
> was simply felt and not understood properly.
> I suggest you talk this over seriously with your instructor, a person you
> obviously respect from what you have said in your post, and nail down the
> depth and extent of any apprehensions you might have concerning flying.
> I think you'll find that you are quite normal. It's my guess that if you
> were not normal, your instructor would have addressed this with you
> already.
> Try understanding what I have told you and relax a bit. Realize that its
> normal to be concerned about flying because its serious business. See if
> this helps any.
> Feel free to let me know how things are going and if I can help you in any
> way.
> Dudley Henriques
>
> "captainsj" > wrote in message
> ups.com...
>>I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
>> training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
>> getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
>> problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
>> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
>> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy or I don't
>> know what, luckily I have a great instructor " First Officer Roy
>> Madewell" of Sacramento, CA who has all of the confidence in me and is
>> very patient. He has directed me to this internet group for possibly
>> someone with the same problem. Thanks for any input.
>>
>
>

"captainsj" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
> training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
> getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
> problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy or I don't
> know what, luckily I have a great instructor " First Officer Roy
> Madewell" of Sacramento, CA who has all of the confidence in me and is
> very patient. He has directed me to this internet group for possibly
> someone with the same problem. Thanks for any input.
>

Just do it! (really)

Mike

captainsj wrote:

> I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
> training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
> getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
> problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy or I don't
> know what, luckily I have a great instructor " First Officer Roy
> Madewell" of Sacramento, CA who has all of the confidence in me and is
> very patient. He has directed me to this internet group for possibly
> someone with the same problem. Thanks for any input.


Being nervous about flying isn't a bad thing. Those who fly get
dangerous when they get too relaxed and over-confident. That's what
hapens with 100 - 250 hour pilots.

Channel the energy from your "lack of confidence" into a focus on
procedures and technique. Good planning and carefully laid out
cross-country routes with lots of obvious reference points will help
make your flight easier. Try flying the trip in your head a few times
before you ever get in the car to go to the airport. Then when you get
in the plane, its a matter of executing your plans.

If your flight instructor says your ready for the next step, have
confidence in his judgement.

"captainsj" wrote:
> But my problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the
> airport
> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy

It took me two years after I started flying to get over that feeling.
It will pass with experience.

--
Dan
C172RG at BFM

Very normal and typical experience you're having. I've only recently
become confident and more comfortable in my abilities. I've only got
about 130 hours, but I made a lot of effort to build my confidence by
flying lots of cross countries, taking an aerobatics course, dealing
with complex airspace, night flying, and flying in less than perfect wx
days.

Like Dudley said, I still feel an "edge" starting from when I get close
to the airport on the drive down until I start the engine. It helps me
concentrate on what needs to be done and makes me take things
seriously. But I'm also far more relaxed and at ease now than I was
even a couple of months ago.

The worst thing you can do is after your checkride is once a month
flyiing or just sticking around the local practice area. The more
experience you get, the more comfortable you will be.

BTW, you should check this link out:
http://www.rodmachado.com/Articles/Anxiety-Page.htm

>I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
> training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
> getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
> problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
> just doen't feel right..........

I don't believe you are feeling anything abnormal or unusual. After you
solo, you realize that EVERYTHING is in your hands -- literally -- and
that's enough to give anyone with a brain pause...

When this would happen to me, I knew it was time to feel the joy of flight
again. I would "sneak" over to Lake Michigan (from East Troy, WI), just to
say I did, and just to see that awesomely beautiful sight from the air. My
spirits would soar, and suddenly every bit of anxiety was gone, as I felt
the plane become one with my thoughts.

After that, it was almost a Zen-like experience, where I could feel like
banking *that* way, or maybe pulling up into a power-off stall -- all good
practice, by the way -- until my hour was up and I had to return to the
airport.

In this state of mind, carving around the pattern like the plane was on
rails, an extension of my thoughts and motions, would usually result in a
good landing...and I would go off to work whistling all day.

Don't worry. You'll get over this!
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Lessons aren't like real flying -- even when you're flying solo, you're
still flying to please/impress/not-disappoint someone else, not
yourself. I suggest that you grit your teeth and just get over the
final hump of the PPL (think of it like lying in a dentist's chair),
then plan some medium-length (~300 mile one-way) day trips to new
airports just for yourself, to see if you actually like flying for its
own sake. At first you'll still be trying to please an invisible
instructor sitting beside you, but that will fade.

When you write "my plane", do you mean the plane you've rented, or are
you already an owner?


All the best,


David

I know and remember that feeling all too well. I used to repeatedly
ask my instructor how long it was going to take, where I would
experience that "just like jumping in the car" feeling... I feel very
comfortable now (nearly 300 hours).

I think checklists and staying ahead of the plane are critical to a
stress-free flight!

As an owner, I have tried, in the past to run through my checklists by
memory... The problem is... Flying once a weekend or every other
weekend isn't conducive to good memorization! I have found myself
cruising around locally, long before I realized that I didn't turn my
transponder on, or I forgot the alt static air check, or... The
realization of forgetting something puts you in an immediate mindset of
being behind the plane, and it feels like constant catch-up from that
point on.

Finally, I should qualify my feeling of "very comfortable" and suggest
that it shouldn't be confused with "complacent". I'm constantly
looking for that place to put er' down, in an emergency, and I'm
constantly keeping a scan of the environment outside (looking for
traffic), as well as the environment inside (engine performance).

Flying is always a mental workout, and it often leaves me feeling like
I could use a nap when I'm done. The feeling of, "just doesn't feel
right......", will definitely go away with experience.

Best of luck!
Todd

"Jay Honeck" > wrote
>
> In this state of mind, carving around the pattern like the plane was on
> rails, an extension of my thoughts and motions, would usually result in a
> good landing...and I would go off to work whistling all day.

I'll bet it left you wanting some cake, too! ;-)
--
Jim in NC

captainsj wrote:

> I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
> training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
> getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
> problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy or I don't
> know what, luckily I have a great instructor " First Officer Roy
> Madewell" of Sacramento, CA who has all of the confidence in me and is
> very patient. He has directed me to this internet group for possibly
> someone with the same problem. Thanks for any input.

Well how do you feel on those occasions when you overcome that gluey
resistance, and you go flying? Pretty good? That's the feeling to remember
when you are facing that inner reluctance to go. I mentioned this feeling
once, to a friend and she said,

"Oh please. Go! You know damned well you'll have a great time."

and she was right.

Gregg

"three-eight-hotel" > wrote

> As an owner, I have tried, in the past to run through my checklists by
> memory... The problem is... Flying once a weekend or every other
> weekend isn't conducive to good memorization!

I had always heard that memorizing all but the most basic lists is not a
good idea, because you want the definite challenge - confirmed bit going on,
with no possibility of leaving anything out, due to stress or workload.

What say ye all?
--
Jim in NC

"captainsj" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>I have flown for a couple of years on and off . I am to the point in my
> training that I have completed several local xc solo flights. I am
> getting ready to complete my solo xc"s and go for my checkride. But my
> problem is that it is very hard for me to just drive out to the airport
> that is only 2 mile from my office, get in my plane and go flying. It
> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy or I don't
> know what, luckily I have a great instructor " First Officer Roy
> Madewell" of Sacramento, CA who has all of the confidence in me and is
> very patient. He has directed me to this internet group for possibly
> someone with the same problem. Thanks for any input.
>

D00d, you say you've been dinking around for a couple year at this... So, it
doesn't sound like you get out real regular. So, each time you get to the
airport, it's still pretty new - at least in the sense that you haven't
really settled in. You might try and arrange to fly a few days in a row if
possible to help get in the groove.

Another thing is, I bet you have been real focused on getting the rating
when you do fly- it's been a while since you started - are you getting
"get-there-ites"?
Take some time out for some fun flying. Forget about hours, checkrides,
blah, blah, blah. Got a buddy with a ticket you can split the cost with? Go
somewhere just for the fun of it? Got a buddy with a taildragger? Anywhere
arund you can get some dual in a Citabria or something like that? Just for
the fun of it?

Good luck!

--
Geoff
the sea hawk at wow way d0t com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
Spell checking is left as an excercise for the reader.

On 12/12/2005 15:28, Morgans wrote:

> "three-eight-hotel" > wrote
>
>> As an owner, I have tried, in the past to run through my checklists by
>> memory... The problem is... Flying once a weekend or every other
>> weekend isn't conducive to good memorization!
>
> I had always heard that memorizing all but the most basic lists is not a
> good idea, because you want the definite challenge - confirmed bit going on,
> with no possibility of leaving anything out, due to stress or workload.
>
> What say ye all?

I had an Ultralight instructor that used to pressure me into running
through the checklist by memory (as in the pre-flight checklist, for
example). I was never comfortable doing that.

There are some cases when due to time, you need to do from memory - at
least initially, like during an engine failure.

I'll do my climb, cruise, descent, etc. checklists from memory, then
double check with the hard copy (just to make sure nothing was missed).
This way, while running down the memory checklist, I'm not moving
back and forth from panel to checklist to panel to checklist. It actually
makes it go much more smoothly, at least for me.

The bottom line for me is that checklists are good.

--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane
Sacramento, CA

"captainsj" > wrote:
> It
> just doen't feel right.......... I am just a little uneasy

I frequently experience the same feeling of apprehension, even though I just
bought my first plane. I think it comes from all the reading of safety
articles in magazines and on the web. I want to know what to do if an
emergency happens, and for some reason, thinking about what I would do to
handle a situation makes me get apprehensive.

It extends to the most ridiculous levels at times. When cold starting the
engine, I'm thinking "OK, you're going to have a failed start and that raw
fuel is going to ignite in the intake. The battery will probably die and
then I'll have to jump out of the plane and put the fire out." I now take
the approach of not buckling up until after the engine is started, and I
keep the fire extinguisher next to me until ready to taxi. Pretty extreme,
right?

Anyway, even though I am thinking things like this all the time while
flying, I continue to do it anyway because I really enjoy it. Eventually I
have backtaxied to the end of the runway, and there is nothing left to do
but put the throttle to the wall and launch!

When I was doing my PPL training there was a quote that was given to all the
students: "Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even
greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness,
incapacity, or neglect."

Basically, I think that feeling of uneasiness is just a healthy respect for
the nature of aviation.

Matt

As everyone else says, this is normal and you just need to find a way
to control it.

In my case, it gets worse the longer the interval since last flying.
The solution for me has been working methodically, thoughtfully, and
carefully through the preflight and the checklist. By the time I hit
the runway, I'm mentally ready to fly, and of course the post-flight
euphoria is worth every moment.

David Megginson wrote:
> Lessons aren't like real flying -- even when you're flying solo, you're
> still flying to please/impress/not-disappoint someone else, not
> yourself. I suggest that you grit your teeth and just get over the
> final hump of the PPL (think of it like lying in a dentist's chair),
> then plan some medium-length (~300 mile one-way) day trips to new
> airports just for yourself, to see if you actually like flying for its
> own sake. At first you'll still be trying to please an invisible
> instructor sitting beside you, but that will fade.
>
> When you write "my plane", do you mean the plane you've rented, or are
> you already an owner?
>
>
> All the best,
>
>
> David

Yeah, I am an owner, bought a 182. It's a lot of fun. Thanks for the
words.

three-eight-hotel wrote:
> I know and remember that feeling all too well. I used to repeatedly
> ask my instructor how long it was going to take, where I would
> experience that "just like jumping in the car" feeling... I feel very
> comfortable now (nearly 300 hours).
>
> I think checklists and staying ahead of the plane are critical to a
> stress-free flight!
>
> As an owner, I have tried, in the past to run through my checklists by
> memory... The problem is... Flying once a weekend or every other
> weekend isn't conducive to good memorization! I have found myself
> cruising around locally, long before I realized that I didn't turn my
> transponder on, or I forgot the alt static air check, or... The
> realization of forgetting something puts you in an immediate mindset of
> being behind the plane, and it feels like constant catch-up from that
> point on.
>
> Finally, I should qualify my feeling of "very comfortable" and suggest
> that it shouldn't be confused with "complacent". I'm constantly
> looking for that place to put er' down, in an emergency, and I'm
> constantly keeping a scan of the environment outside (looking for
> traffic), as well as the environment inside (engine performance).
>
> Flying is always a mental workout, and it often leaves me feeling like
> I could use a nap when I'm done. The feeling of, "just doesn't feel
> right......", will definitely go away with experience.
>
> Best of luck!
> Todd



Thanks for the words of encouragment. I am flying solo Monday and I'm
going tyo start chipping away at this and get it done. Talk to you
later,


sj

captainsj wrote:

> Yeah, I am an owner, bought a 182. It's a lot of fun. Thanks for the
> words.

>From everything I've heard, that's a great plane -- it has enough
performance to get you out of trouble sometimes, but not so much that
it gets you into new kinds of trouble.


All the best,


David