Question

H

Houie

New Member
Hello everyone, I am pretty much obsessed and in love with Aviation. All I want to do is be around planes. Im pretty young right now and I am hopefully going to start my PPL next year. There is only one problem, I am afraid of heights.

I have only been on one discovery ride in a Cessna 172 and I was pretty freaking scared when it got a tiny bit bumpy. That I think I will defiantly get over after I do it more and more. But I have been watching to much youtube lately and Ive seen some stall/spin recovery videos and that... well that I would not be able to stand.

I hate roller coasters, yet I love water slides. I just dont like the G-Forces I guess ha. I am just wondering what I should do, and is stall recovery a must do in PPL, Instrument, or Commerical?

Thanks guys,
Houston.

Also, I apologize if this in the wrong section!
 
Many of us (myself included) are scared of heights. In fact I think The Man himself, Doug Taylor, may have admitted to having that phobia.

I also hate roller coasters.

Hasn't held me up yet in my flying.

The key issue is control. When I'm flying the airplane, even if it's in a stall or spin, I'm ostensibly in control, and I can handle the views and the g-forces and all.

As far as the heights, well, the cockpit is kind of like my safe place and the fact that I'm a mile above the earth doesn't bother me.
 
Hi Houie,

Its normal to feel nervous in a small airplane if you aren't used to them. What ordinarily might now affect a larger aircraft, you will likely feel in a smaller General Aviation aircraft. My uncle was afraid of heights, and spent several years flying E-2 Hawkeyes in the Navy, and is now a Captain on the B757/767 at American, with 25 years under his belt there so it certainly isn't anything that will keep you down, per se. As Roger said, being in control might make a difference as well.

Yes, stalls are a must during your training but odds are you will do so many of them that you will become accustomed to the feeling. If/when you start to fly, let your CFI know about these concerns and see if they are willing to work with you on them. I usually ask new students what their concerns are, and try and talk to them about them before we fly, so I am aware of what I might want to steer clear of for the first few hours.

Flying is just like any other task that is not terribly natural to humans, if you study hard enough and practice, you can get to be very good at it. Good luck, and enjoy it!

Also, read the rest of these forums so you know what you are getting into. Flying isn't as lucrative or potentially rewarding as it once was, and you will likely encounter nay-sayers and at some point get discouraged. If this is truly what you want to do, however, stick with it and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
 
etflies said:
Hi Houie,

Its normal to feel nervous in a small airplane if you aren't used to them. What ordinarily might now affect a larger aircraft, you will likely feel in a smaller General Aviation aircraft. My uncle was afraid of heights, and spent several years flying E-2 Hawkeyes in the Navy, and is now a Captain on the B757/767 at American, with 25 years under his belt there so it certainly isn't anything that will keep you down, per se. As Roger said, being in control might make a difference as well.

Yes, stalls are a must during your training but odds are you will do so many of them that you will become accustomed to the feeling. If/when you start to fly, let your CFI know about these concerns and see if they are willing to work with you on them. I usually ask new students what their concerns are, and try and talk to them about them before we fly, so I am aware of what I might want to steer clear of for the first few hours.

Flying is just like any other task that is not terribly natural to humans, if you study hard enough and practice, you can get to be very good at it. Good luck, and enjoy it!

Also, read the rest of these forums so you know what you are getting into. Flying isn't as lucrative or potentially rewarding as it once was, and you will likely encounter nay-sayers and at some point get discouraged. If this is truly what you want to do, however, stick with it and don't let anybody tell you otherwise.
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I understand totally, i constantly think to myself maybe becoming a pilot is just not my thing. But its like im addicted but then when I think of stalling it makes me terrified.
 
There were several occasions during my first 10 hours that I felt like quitting due to my own fear and nervousness with heights/turbulence, etc. My palms would be so sweaty, I'd have to wipe them off every minute or two. But I tried my best to fight through the nerves since people told me they'd eventually go away.

After about 20 hours, I think I just started growing accustomed to it. I didn't think about it as much - I was too focused on controlling the aircraft. I'm still not a huge fan of power off stalls (don't like waiting for the bottom to drop out), but even they get better with repetition.

This being said, I flew back seat with a buddy while he and his instructor were practicing unusual attitudes. Something about not being in control did kinda freak the bejesus out of me. I mean I was fine, but it wasn't exactly an enjoyable ride for me.

Right now I'm dealing with the nerves that come from being bounced around inside the clouds.

I guess my point is, it's natural - and eventually it gets better.
 
To the OP. I'm also afraid of heights. If there's a ladder involved in a job I'm doing...I find someone else. I can't stand being on a ladder. But put me in a plane at any altitude, and I'm fine. If its something you're really going to love doing, I think you'll look passed the heights aspect and just enjoy the flying.
 
Just normal flying isnt scary to me at all. The only thing I hate is a stall. I just need some help getting over it. I honestly dont know what to do!
 
Houston,
I too am afraid of heights, dont get me near swings!

But, you will get used to stalls, they can be scary at first, but they become routine. Luckily i was never scared of stalls. Try to think that you are in control of them, and maybe you can feel as if they aren't so bad?

I dunno.

On i side note, i was flying an old 172 today and got bored and did some stalls. I haven't done any in about a month, and never in this airplane... i kinda freaked myself out on this ghetto a/c.

But, you recover, and it's fine.

also, if you fly 172's they will recover themselves if you just let go, be it a spin or stall! :D
 
Houie said:
Just normal flying isnt scary to me at all. The only thing I hate is a stall. I just need some help getting over it. I honestly dont know what to do!
Click to expand...

Don't feel bad. With exposure many people get used to them. If you trust aerodymanic theory, your instructor's abilities and your devoloping skills, you'll get through it. I know a bunch of people who are still weary of them (because they can't get over it completely) and they are CFI's. You do have to master recovering from them though. You will with practice.

Welcome to JC!
 
To the OP,

There are alot of us that are afraid of heights. Myself, it's not the height itself, it's the fall accompanied by the sudden stop at the end. I really don't like climbing a 15 foot high stair case with minimal railing that is usually a foot below and what feels like a foot away from the jet with my bags. Then climb another ladder to get to the flightdeck. On the other hand, we have a handful of guys that actually enjoy jumping out of airplanes.

In regards to the stalls: The airplane is a machine. In order to be a safe pilot, you need to make sure you can masterfully control the craft in all manner of situations. Does that mean you have to fly like a test pilot? No, of course not. However, you should be able to get the airplane out of a sticky situation safely.

The stall is not an area of flight you endeavor to get into except during training and proficiency. Think of it like this: If you are nervous and get all worked up into a panic each time you plan and execute a stall, how will you react if you inadvertently enter a stall unintentionally? Will it exacerbate the situation? Will you be so paralyzed in fear that you won't be able to recover safely?

I'd say attack the stalls in a very methodical approach, adding knowledge and confidence each time.

First, get a VERY deep theoretical knowledge of the stall. Get into the aerodynamics of it, what a stall really is. Don't go for the "wing stops producing lift" and that's all the explination you get.

Second, make sure you are very comfortable flying the airplane in the slow flight regime, as you ease into stalls.

Third, explore the stalls. Some airplanes you can actually fly around, safely in a stall. Try that.

It might take some time, but make sure you are very comfortable maintaining control of the aircraft.

Best of luck, and have fun out there!!
 
After a while you'll get to where the turbulence doesnt bother you, as others have said I had the same fears when I first started.

The heights never really bothered me however, I've found I have more of a problem with edges than heights. If I feel secure then its not a factor, however if I take a ride in an open cockpit airplane I could see myself being somewhat bothered.
 
While I am afraid of heights I certainly don't feel that flying. I hope you get started on your PPL soon!
 
I'm scared of heights too! I hate being in tall buildings. Can't stand looking out of a hi rise with floor to ceiling windows. I see a common thread in us pilots. After you have been in small a planes a bit, you get very used to the feeling and after a while you don't even think about it! If flying is what you really want to do, I guarantee that you won't even think about it and you will enjoy after a couple of flights. And once you start controlling the plane an actually are busy you will have no time to think about heights
 
In my midteens I used to fear roller coasters. One trip to an amusement park, however, I decided to at least try one of the crazy rides. The first go-round was a sensory overload - I had little idea of position and attitude. Then I rode it again and again ad naseum (no actual vomit) until I knew EXACTLY what was happening. Rather than frightening, everything was simply perceptual. I am spinning now - I am upside down now - in a sharp turn now - etc. What was emotional became logical.

One thing you might consider this summer is grabbing a season pass and a supportive friend. Force yourself to do the rides until you are flat out bored. It would be a cheap way of conquering your fear of acceleration and strange attitudes.

Remember, upside down is just another place to be :)
 
I can't stand roller coasters or rooftops but I love looking out the window of a tiny Cessna. It's all about control. I was deathly scared of doing my first few stalls but after a few more flights I got used to it and now I look forward to doing them. Just remember that even when the airplane is stalled, you're still in control.
 
+1 on being afraid of heights.

I HATE Ferris Wheels, rooftops, ledges, etc.

But I love roller coasters... Once we clear the hill and that whole chain business is over. I also love spins, stalls, and aerobatics.

So don't worry about it. As you can see, a lot of pilots are the same way.
 
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