Is this a 'normal' feeling ?

J

Joel

New Member
Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

Hey all,

Glad to be able to post here finally.. :-)


I have a question for some of you
fellow pilots.

I recently started flying (private pilot) and
I only have logged like 3 hours..lol.

Is it a normal feeling to be 'nervous', not scared when
your up there ?

It's not easy to explain, I guess its like driving a car
for this first time if thats a good analogy.

Perhaps not knowing everything about flying is
causing this feeling. When I land, I cannot wait to get
back up and when I am up, I do as I am instructed and
perform well but this 'nervous' feeling is driving me
crazy.

Any thoughts would be great to hear..

Thanks,

Joel
31 y/o
Spokane,WA.
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

That's real normal man. I get that when I havn't flown in a while, too. Whenever I'm on a checkride I get that. It's normal, just don't let it run you and you'll be fine. It'll also go away with time.
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

Just keep flying. You'll get used to it pretty quickly. Chuck Yeager used to get airsick.

James
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

Thanks.. I was hoping it was 'normal'

My good friend from high school is a Capt. /Com Air
and I don't dare ask him...lol

He has been flying since we were 16 y/o and
he couldn't remember that far back if his life
depended on it.
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

Lord yes, Joel! Totally normal. When I was working on my PPL, I posted almost the exact same question. Don't worry about it. You're normal. (so far as we know.
wink.gif
).
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

It's normal. You're doing something brand new, something that you have no experience at. Just keep calm, learn, and you'll be fine.
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

Just don't think about how high you are and that there is only a thin sheet of metal between you and the great expanse.

Seriously, I used to get nervous doing steep turns. I kept imagining that the wings were going to snap off. That feeling goes away with time. Keep at it.
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

I dealt with feeling like that too. It will last only for a few more hours and then you will start to feel comfortable in the air for a while. And as John said, it will come back every once and a while when you are doing something new. Don't worry too much about it as it is part of the learning process.

Ethan
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

A little bit of nervousness is fine--desireable, even--it'll keep you on your toes. In fact, you never want to get too comfortable and let your guard down, cuz that's when the aircraft will bite you. I dunno why Sporty's stopped selling 'em, but they used to sell a placque with a famous old aviation quote:

"Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater extent than the sea, it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity, or neglect."

The moment you get fat, dumb and happy in an airplane is the moment you'll get careless or neglect something. "Not good, Mav."
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

[ QUOTE ]
Seriously, I used to get nervous doing steep turns. I kept imagining that the wings were going to snap off. That feeling goes away with time.

[/ QUOTE ]

At the very latest that feeling makes way for one of terror when the wings DO snap off!
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

I'm just starting out working for my PPL. And everytime I get into the plane I start to shake. I shake and I have the "Bubble Gut" all the way to the runway!!! Then when he asks me to take-off, I am calm, and remain that way for the rest of the flight! It's really weird, but I am getting use to that weird feeling. So I suppose it's normal
cool.gif
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

To be perfectly honest, I was scared •LESS my first 8 lessons. I was just thinking, "what if I maneuver this thing the wrong way, will I die?" I distinctly remember the 9th lesson because it was the first one in which I wasn't scared to death! Now I'm just as relaxed in an airplane as when I'm sitting home watching TV. I don't even get a rush anymore from it.
 
Re: Is this a \'normal\' feeling ?

I feel alot better reading what many of you have shared.

I love flying on big jets, love airports and the smell
of Jet A makes me excited..lol

I worked at an airport restaurant when I was 17
so that I could see the planes all day long, I even
worked for NASA as a Police Officer in the past so I can
hang out at an airfield all day and night..lol

So for me to feel 'odd' while flying/learning was
abit stressful in itself.

I said to myself when I was 18, I will be a Police Officer and
an Airline Pilot, I have done one already and I am determined
to do the other within 2 years or so.

I read the entire Jeppesen Private Pilot Training Manual, in about 10 days.. my instructor was impressed..lol

I took a flight from GEG - SNA so that I had quiet
time to read, I clocked in about 7 hours of reading during
my few days in South. Calif.

Oh well, enought about me..lol

I have had 2 lessons in the air, I guess a few more
to go and then I should feel better up there :-)
 
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