HELP

petemoss · August 13th, 2004, 16:51

need advice, I am 47 and want to do something as a pro pilot. I have this problem, I have soloed a few mths ago and have not been back. My problem,I have this pre-flight anxiety thats so bad I cancel lessons and talk myself out of this. I still love flying, I love flying. When I am in the plane I am Fine, its just driving to the airport. What should I DO? does This happen to anyone else?

Ryan · August 13th, 2004, 17:03

hey,
I can sympathize with you somewhat. When I was in my first 2-3 months of training I would be kind of nervous when it came time to head out to the airport, I couldn't even try to explain what I felt like or why I was nervous. Same as you the second I got to the airport and started my pre-flight it was all business and I was fine. I don't really think that it is a fear of anything I guess it's just a common 'stage fright' scenerio kinda like stepping up to the plate in baseball, even though you've practiced relentlessly (as such in aviation) you still have some anxiety. I have heard of this type of anxiety so you're not alone, what I found to help me was to plan my whole routine; how I was going to drive to the airport, which area of the airport the plane is it, if it needs gas who will I call, pre-flight, taxi/run-up/take-off, where we are flying to, what will we do, how will we get back, landing .etc plus it's just a good habit to get into.

Hope all of that helps,
Ryan

naunga · August 13th, 2004, 17:03

Dude, I feel you're pain.

I've had two rather unpleasent experiences in my training so far: 1. On a solo flight I made a really crappy landing. Plane skidding every which way, felt like I was going to cartwheel back the ramp. 2. I...ummm...got a little ill on a flight during steep turns (granted the big geasy breakfast before the lesson didn't help matters).

So my lessons after that were very much not fun. I coped this way: 1. As far as the solo flying goes. I honestly decided that it was best to build my confidance back up with my CFI. My last lesson before I moved was an hour in the pattern. I can say, that after that hour I am more at ease now, and actually am looking forward to flying solo again. 2. The other issue, I got one of those Relief Bands. I can't say if it really works or if it's just a security blanket type thing, but it makes me feel better. I also got some sick sacks, just in case. It's all just a matter of feeling that if something does go wrong I can handle it.

The other thing that helped a lot was meditation. It sounds hokey, but I go through my flights the night before in my head. Also on the drive over I "get my head in the plane". Meaning I'm thinking about my pre-flight, I've already gotten my weather so I'm thinking about winds, I have an idea of what I'm working on so I know where my emergency landing areas are around the practice area etc. Basically I make sure that my brain is in the plane before my body is. Helps me a lot, because I know that if something happens, I'll come out on top.

My advice. Talk with your CFI about it. Tell him what's going on in your head, and don't give up. Everyone goes through something. I mean you're learning to do something that you're body isn't wired for. It'll subside, but you've got to keep getting back on the horse.

Keep posting here too. We'll keep you flying.

Naunga

Windchill · August 13th, 2004, 19:51

I feel your pain . . . I've had a few close calls to some nasty spills . . . and what I've found to help is keep renting the airplane for a half hour here and there, just working on pattern work, practicing landings . . . I did this for a week after being away from flying for awhile . . . and what it is, is the more often your in the plane the more comfortable you are with it.

clrd4takeoff · August 14th, 2004, 23:07

Petemoss,

I used to feel that way! I also used to cancel flights for this reason. I think it is just a fear of what might happen when you are up there and of what may go wrong with the flight.

This anxiety that you are feeling will soon pass. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Please don't let this keep you from flying!

When you get a chance, visit Sean Tucker's website. He is an airshow pilot who started flying aerobatics to conquer his fear of flying!

You are not alone! Just keep flying!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Sincerely,

T Leverett

August 13th, 2004, 16:51	#1
petemoss Newbie Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 24	HELP need advice, I am 47 and want to do something as a pro pilot. I have this problem, I have soloed a few mths ago and have not been back. My problem,I have this pre-flight anxiety thats so bad I cancel lessons and talk myself out of this. I still love flying, I love flying. When I am in the plane I am Fine, its just driving to the airport. What should I DO? does This happen to anyone else?

August 13th, 2004, 17:03	#2
Ryan Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: KFRG, Nu\' yark Posts: 234	Re: HELP hey, I can sympathize with you somewhat. When I was in my first 2-3 months of training I would be kind of nervous when it came time to head out to the airport, I couldn't even try to explain what I felt like or why I was nervous. Same as you the second I got to the airport and started my pre-flight it was all business and I was fine. I don't really think that it is a fear of anything I guess it's just a common 'stage fright' scenerio kinda like stepping up to the plate in baseball, even though you've practiced relentlessly (as such in aviation) you still have some anxiety. I have heard of this type of anxiety so you're not alone, what I found to help me was to plan my whole routine; how I was going to drive to the airport, which area of the airport the plane is it, if it needs gas who will I call, pre-flight, taxi/run-up/take-off, where we are flying to, what will we do, how will we get back, landing .etc plus it's just a good habit to get into. Hope all of that helps, Ryan

August 13th, 2004, 17:03	#3
naunga Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 981	Re: HELP Dude, I feel you're pain. I've had two rather unpleasent experiences in my training so far: 1. On a solo flight I made a really crappy landing. Plane skidding every which way, felt like I was going to cartwheel back the ramp. 2. I...ummm...got a little ill on a flight during steep turns (granted the big geasy breakfast before the lesson didn't help matters). So my lessons after that were very much not fun. I coped this way: 1. As far as the solo flying goes. I honestly decided that it was best to build my confidance back up with my CFI. My last lesson before I moved was an hour in the pattern. I can say, that after that hour I am more at ease now, and actually am looking forward to flying solo again. 2. The other issue, I got one of those Relief Bands. I can't say if it really works or if it's just a security blanket type thing, but it makes me feel better. I also got some sick sacks, just in case. It's all just a matter of feeling that if something does go wrong I can handle it. The other thing that helped a lot was meditation. It sounds hokey, but I go through my flights the night before in my head. Also on the drive over I "get my head in the plane". Meaning I'm thinking about my pre-flight, I've already gotten my weather so I'm thinking about winds, I have an idea of what I'm working on so I know where my emergency landing areas are around the practice area etc. Basically I make sure that my brain is in the plane before my body is. Helps me a lot, because I know that if something happens, I'll come out on top. My advice. Talk with your CFI about it. Tell him what's going on in your head, and don't give up. Everyone goes through something. I mean you're learning to do something that you're body isn't wired for. It'll subside, but you've got to keep getting back on the horse. Keep posting here too. We'll keep you flying. Naunga

August 13th, 2004, 19:51	#4
Windchill Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-Atlantic, KMRB Posts: 1,925	Re: HELP I feel your pain . . . I've had a few close calls to some nasty spills . . . and what I've found to help is keep renting the airplane for a half hour here and there, just working on pattern work, practicing landings . . . I did this for a week after being away from flying for awhile . . . and what it is, is the more often your in the plane the more comfortable you are with it.

August 14th, 2004, 23:07	#5
clrd4takeoff Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 71	Re: HELP Petemoss, I used to feel that way! I also used to cancel flights for this reason. I think it is just a fear of what might happen when you are up there and of what may go wrong with the flight. This anxiety that you are feeling will soon pass. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Please don't let this keep you from flying! When you get a chance, visit Sean Tucker's website. He is an airshow pilot who started flying aerobatics to conquer his fear of flying! You are not alone! Just keep flying!!!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Sincerely, T Leverett

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