Summer-time bumps..

[ThunderMonkey]

Ok so I'm an incredible whimp when it gets bumpy.

I'm finishing up my PPL in central Arkansas this month. I did the bulk of my hours in Florida during the summer a few years back. Got to where I had pretty good idea of where and when I would encounter unstable air.

Took ten years off and now I'm here in Ark. finishing up. I find it somewhat unnerving flying after mid-morning to dusk. I realize the airplane is not going to lose a wing, but still, kinda distracting. I imagine I'll get used to it as my CFI did.

Any pointers from the pros out there?
Thanks

Ray

[tgrayson]

Originally Posted by ThunderMonkey

I realize the airplane is not going to lose a wing, but still, kinda distracting.

There's a difference between your mind knowing something and your body knowing something. The activation of your fight-or-flight circuitry in your body is pretty much involuntary, but will likely diminish over time as the wings do remain attached.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by tgrayson

There's a difference between your mind knowing something and your body knowing something. The activation of your fight-or-flight circuitry in your body is pretty much involuntary, but will likely diminish over time as the wings do remain attached.

I fly plenty of guys who get nervous about the bumps. You just have to get used to them, realize they don't mean anything, and drive on.

I'm not sure if it helps or not, but I hope my indifference to them helps my students cope.

[Realms09]

You could look into soaring. You'll learn not only how to tolerate bumps, but also how to have fun in them.

[cmsuav8r]

I like flying with bumps and thermals. It makes the flights more interesting.

[brett529]

I fly in central Arkansas also. Early morining and late in the evening are the best way to avoid the "bumps". Where do you fly out of?

[BuickCFI]

bumps are just a way of life with GA or training.

[ThunderMonkey]

Originally Posted by brett529

I fly in central Arkansas also. Early morining and late in the evening are the best way to avoid the "bumps". Where do you fly out of?

I'm flying out of Sky Venture at Jonesboro.

Thanks for all the input. I kinda figured it was just one of those things one gets used to. I still had to ask, didn't know if you pro-types had a special god you payed homage to, ie. Thermose the god of convection and radiant heat...or maybe some secret elixir made of 100LL and cat urine or something.

Thanks again!

[ASpilot2be]

I used to be nervous about the bumps, still am alittle bit actually. Over time I have learned to have fun, especially the kick in the pants of thermals. You really get used to them when flying in mountain areas.