New student- Look for confidence boost

CoolRunnings

CoolRunnings

Well-Known Member
Hello JC,

After lurking for a few months and making a terrible first post (didn't follow forum rules), I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm 27 and just beginning the process to obtain my PPL. Being a pilot has been a lifelong dream (growing up I wanted to be a fighter pilot but sports got in the way!) so I figured its time to get started before I have any serious life obligations. I've been working a 9-5 in finance and while I have learned a ton, the learning curve has started to level off and I'm not being challenged anymore. So if everything goes well I can continue to take my time obtaining my licenses with hopes of someday making a career out of it. If it doesn't work out, at least I've obtained a lifelong hobby. Being the age I am, I considered the ATP route. But at this point (personal preference), I just don't want to be in a ton of debt if things don't work out.

With regards to the confidence booster, last night I finished my third lesson (slow flight) and we practiced a second set of touch and goes. So far, straight and level, slow flight, and 30deg turns have all gone just fine. The problem is, my takeoffs and landings are REALLY bad. I know there is a controller from KCHD on here, and I'm sure he can attest to that! Anyway, I know I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself, especially because its only my second set of takeoffs and landings and we are practicing in hot/windy/bump weather, but I expect a lot from myself. My dad (who is an airbus pilot) recommends I should be flying earlier in the morning or later in the day, but is there anything else I should be thinking about? Am I worrying too much too early? Thanks for any input!
 
Hi!

Welcome to JC! An awesome place to learn, network and have fun! First off - congrats on starting your PPL, and working towards your dream. You certainly have the right attitude by not worrying about the career and the future as far as flying goes.

Like you, I was a late starter too. Almost 30, when I started my PPL. I think you are worrying too much about your landings - you are three (3) lessons in!! It takes time to master those. I got my PPL around 60 hours, and my landings are still not perfect. They are safe landings, but not as perfect as I want them to be. You nailed it - you are worrying too much too early.

Early morning and late flights do help - but, you have to be ready and learn to do all take offs, landings and flying in all kinds of weather/winds. Also, pay no attention to people who say - I solo'ed in 11 hours or 8 hours. Take your time, and have fun. I am sure you will be just fine.

Once again, welcome to JC - and do keep us posted on your progress.
 
What specifically is wrong with your landings? If it makes you feel any better, I had a few miserable landings yesterday on lesson 15. I don't know the order of things at your school, but I kind of doubt that you are expected to be able to master landings yet.
 
Welcome to jetcareers. I am also a student pilot and have learned a lot by reading on here. Don't put so much pressure on yourself, its your third lesson. I don't think anybody really expects you to be doing perfect takeoffs and landings after just a few lessons. If your airwork is going well, the landings will come in time. Have fun and enjoy it.
 
I learned to fly down here in the valley of the sun, too. And like you, I was a bit of a perfectionist when it came to my PPL training. It takes time to learn to land an airplane and you're going to make mistakes. If you beat yourself up for every mistake, you won't learn as much.

Also, flying early when it's smooth is a great suggestion. It takes a lot of small pitch and power changes that are very subtle when it's hot and gusty.

A few beginner tips are to relax your grip on the yoke, concentrate more on setting up a stable approach than how soft you actually touch down, and have fun. Welcome to JC. I hope that helps a bit.
 
Thank you for the responses!

Shiftace said:
Hi!

Welcome to JC! An awesome place to learn, network and have fun! First off - congrats on starting your PPL, and working towards your dream. You certainly have the right attitude by not worrying about the career and the future as far as flying goes.

Like you, I was a late starter too. Almost 30, when I started my PPL. I think you are worrying too much about your landings - you are three (3) lessons in!! It takes time to master those. I got my PPL around 60 hours, and my landings are still not perfect. They are safe landings, but not as perfect as I want them to be. You nailed it - you are worrying too much too early.

Early morning and late flights do help - but, you have to be ready and learn to do all take offs, landings and flying in all kinds of weather/winds. Also, pay no attention to people who say - I solo'ed in 11 hours or 8 hours. Take your time, and have fun. I am sure you will be just fine.

Once again, welcome to JC - and do keep us posted on your progress.
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One thing I will say is I've felt a little pressure to be someone "natural" at it because my dad and the time I've spent flying with him. However this is all from me and his advice was the same as yours: have fun and enjoy it.

exneophyte said:
What specifically is wrong with your landings? If it makes you feel any better, I had a few miserable landings yesterday on lesson 15. I don't know the order of things at your school, but I kind of doubt that you are expected to be able to master landings yet.
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Well our most recent session was at around 5:00 PM and I was having a really hard time staying straight and level throughout our flight. I'm assuming this was due to weather corrections. I also need to work on my trimming because at the end of the day my left hand was tired and sore. Good thing I like to deadlift! Downwind and base were OK but I had a hard time maintaning airspeed. Final was tough because the airplane felt like it was yawing right and I was really fighting it all the way down. It almost felt like we were inadverantly crabbing. I don't know the wind conditions at that specific time, but it was VRB05kts so it doesn't seem like it should have affected it so much. There were a few times I was close to stalling because I didn't pay attention to airspeed while I was trying to keep the airplane centered to the runway. And I'm having a really tough time determing the correct time to flare and how much input I need to make. I think a lot of this comes down to feel and practice and now I'm just annoyed that I have to be at work instead of out there doing it :). Anyways, by the time we touched down we were crooked and bouncing. At this point, I'm so flustered I'm forgetting I'm still in command and I need to keep the airplane straight on the runway. I really think I'm just overthinking things trying to be perfect but I feel bad for my instructor haha.

Shiner said:
I learned to fly down here in the valley of the sun, too. And like you, I was a bit of a perfectionist when it came to my PPL training. It takes time to learn to land an airplane and you're going to make mistakes. If you beat yourself up for every mistake, you won't learn as much.

Also, flying early when it's smooth is a great suggestion. It takes a lot of small pitch and power changes that are very subtle when it's hot and gusty.

A few beginner tips are to relax your grip on the yoke, concentrate more on setting up a stable approach than how soft you actually touch down, and have fun. Welcome to JC. I hope that helps a bit.
Click to expand...

I definitely noticed the difference from our first flight which was later in the evening when it was cooler to last night when it was hot as hell. On final I really was all over the place with my corrections, focusing on smooth light corrections but forgetting airspeed, etc.

Thanks for the greetings!
 
First of all, as a CFI, I wouldn't expect much out of a students landings on the third lesson. Also, I agree with the comments about flying before it gets too hot (You might have to wait until November...haha). With landings, super small corrections are important, and you need to see how making an input makes the airplane respond. Flying in turbulence makes it hard to know if you did something or it's just the weather. You'll pick it up eventually either way but you'll pick up the basics of landings faster in calm conditions.
 
I wasn't landing any planes on my 3rd lesson. Well, I was "trying" to land planes on my 3rd lesson. Things will click sometime in the next few lessons and you will get the hang of it. Just make sure you have a good instructor who will let you fly the plane and doesn't get nervous every time you touch the controls. I was older than you when I started out, but still started in a similar situation. You've got plenty of time. Just enjoy the experience and don't stress out when you run into walls. Nobody comes into aviation unscathed, and there will always be areas in which you have difficulty. Concentrate on those areas and practice until it becomes second nature. Good luck!
 
It's your third lesson. Don't worry about it, it will come in time. Hell, I still jack up landings in the 1900 every so often!
 
I really appreciate all the replies. I had a lesson cancelled this past weekend due to weather so I'm looking forward to getting after it tonight. I'll be sure to update! Also, is there a subforum specifically for logging our experiences?
 
CoolRunnings said:
I really appreciate all the replies. I had a lesson cancelled this past weekend due to weather so I'm looking forward to getting after it tonight. I'll be sure to update! Also, is there a subforum specifically for logging our experiences?
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There is a flight training subforum that you could possibly make a thread on to document your progress.

Welcome to JC and good luck with your training! Certainly try your best to not get flustered. Getting frustrated in an airplane is one of the worst things you can do for your flying performance. Over the course of all of my training I have found out that if you just keep a cool head, even while you are messing up, stuff will start clicking. It is actually pretty amazing how for an hour or two you may be struggling with something in particular but after a few hours of practice you can start to nail it with ease. Just keep your head up, ALWAYS stay positive, and you will be just fine.
 
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