What's wrong with me?....

J

JordanD

Here so I don’t get fined
I know I'm about to take some maaaaajor ripping from at least two of you for posting this ;) but I've got an issue lately that I need to talk about. I've. got about 120 hours and I've been flying for over 4 years I love it more than anything and have been pretty set on doing it for a career. But lately, for god knows what reason, I've been occasionally getting uneasy in the plane. It's like a sudden fear of heights that hits me sometimes, usually in cruise when I'm not really occupied with anything. It just seems like I get this really irrational fear of heights or fear that I'll get the urge to jump out sans parachute or something. I've always had a fear of heights with tall buildings and glass elevators and stuff but never really in planes so it's really strange to me. I can't really figure out where this is coming from. I really only noticed it get "bad" maybe a month ago in the 150 on a cross country. Again it's not like it's bad to the point where I can't do the job up there or I freak out and have to land, it just makes me a little uneasy sometimes, especially since it seems like it just came out of nowhere. Sometimes it hinders my enjoyment of the flight because I'm a little uneasy, but mostly I'm just so preoccupied with trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me and why I get this irrational fear sometimes. Maybe it's because when you're moving along at barely 90 knots in a 150 at 5500 there's no sensation of movement so it's like being in a skyscraper standing still? I dunno, either way, I just wanna be able to enjoy myself up there again. I love flying but I keep beating myself up for this when I'm on the ground that lately I haven't been as excited about it and it bothers me. I'm sorry for ranting to but I had to get it off my chest. You guys have no idea how hard it is talking about this to a bunch of fellow pilots but I feel a little better already just talking about it, regardless of what kind of replies I'm afraid of getting. ;)
 
JordanD said:
I know I'm about to take some maaaaajor ripping from at least two of you for posting this ;) but I've got an issue lately that I need to talk about. I've. got about 120 hours and I've been flying for over 4 years I love it more than anything and have been pretty set on doing it for a career. But lately, for god knows what reason, I've been occasionally getting uneasy in the plane. It's like a sudden fear of heights that hits me sometimes, usually in cruise when I'm not really occupied with anything. It just seems like I get this really irrational fear of heights or fear that I'll get the urge to jump out sans parachute or something. I've always had a fear of heights with tall buildings and glass elevators and stuff but never really in planes so it's really strange to me. I can't really figure out where this is coming from. I really only noticed it get "bad" maybe a month ago in the 150 on a cross country. Again it's not like it's bad to the point where I can't do the job up there or I freak out and have to land, it just makes me a little uneasy sometimes, especially since it seems like it just came out of nowhere. Sometimes it hinders my enjoyment of the flight because I'm a little uneasy, but mostly I'm just so preoccupied with trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me and why I get this irrational fear sometimes. Maybe it's because when you're moving along at barely 90 knots in a 150 at 5500 there's no sensation of movement so it's like being in a skyscraper standing still? I dunno, either way, I just wanna be able to enjoy myself up there again. I love flying but I keep beating myself up for this when I'm on the ground that lately I haven't been as excited about it and it bothers me. I'm sorry for ranting to but I had to get it off my chest. You guys have no idea how hard it is talking about this to a bunch of fellow pilots but I feel a little better already just talking about it, regardless of what kind of replies I'm afraid of getting. ;)
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Thats because your POS 150 is gonna pull an AFR447!

Nah, Jordan, im afraid of heights too, we all get that way. Maybe because you arent preoccupied with navigating or communicating, you let your mind wander and you think about the heights?
I dunno.

Maybe you can try what i do, hit on any controller that sounds remotely hot!

When does it happen? is it on hot days? bumpy days? when Errormark stresses you out?

one solution, fly, have fun, and get laid bud!
 
JordanD said:
I love it more than anything and have been pretty set on doing it for a career. But lately, for god knows what reason, I've been occasionally getting uneasy in the plane.
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Maybe it's your subconsious telling you to not go down the career path? I've been getting rather uneasy lately in the plane as well. It usually happens right after someone says, "So, you heard the latest?"
 
Only 90 knots? Try going backwards at 3500 feet (don't ever say that ND isn't windy :)).

I love heights, so I don't know, maybe just keep flying more often and it might go away. Could be just a temporary thing....
 
I had a C150 for 4 months and had a major realization as to its downsides. The airplane is down right scary. I was getting 60 knots GS per the GPS....I was almost standing still. It has no performance and gets behind the power curve pretty quick. I can get in a 172 and I feel totally comfortable, no issues at all.

NOW, having said that, the 150 is an amazing marvel of an airplane. It is build well and is an excellent trainer. There is nothing actually "wrong" with the plane other than it may qualify as a powered kite.

I think the issue you are having is because of the C150. I can't look over buildings either. Mind over matter buddy.
 
The human mind is a funny thing. I've had similar feelings occasionally.

For me, it didn't start until last year after I'd made several skydives. I started to get comfortable with, and actually enjoy the thought of bailing out of a plane. It was as though my perspective expanded--I saw that being confined inside a plane isn't the only option for being in the air, nor is it always the safest.

But the thing is, it's all psychological. I don't know what triggered the change in your case, but I suspect flying more often will make it fade away. 120 hours over the course of 4 years isn't very much flying in the whole scheme of things. By doing it more often your mind will grow accustomed to the sights and sounds of being in the air and after a while it won't be any different than sitting in your living room.

Or, if the feelings don't fade, you could always take up skydiving and see how that goes. I'm serious.
 
Two things: you have an irrational fear of paragraphs and you're bored.

Have mercy on your reading audience and use paragraphs.

Get going on acquiring additional ratings, make some long cross countries, or get into a more advance aircraft. Doing all three is the best option.
 
Jordan, Thanks for sharing your issue with us. That is actually cool to do. You are NOT the only person to have those thoughts! Early in my training I even had simuliar thoughts. It's not uncommon. As a cfi I have come across others who have had the same.
Don't worry about about! It will pass. The more you fly, the more comfortable you will become. The next time it happens, do your best to get your mind busy again. pull out your e6b and do some calculations, carry some music if you are in an area you can listen. keep your scan going, dont look straight down, keeping your scan going will keep your eyes up, and your mind busy.
By the way, just ignore the stupid usless post, its freakin forum not a n eNGlish class.,lk;and just ingnore the rude smart*$$ comments
There are a lot of good people here who will help. the ignore feture works great on some of the others!
 
Jordan, I too had feelings like that awhile ago. Give it a few more hours and you'll feel a lot more comfortable.
 
Thanks a ton guys. Like I said it kinda just hit me. I imagine leaning on the door of a 150 and having it pop open didn't help. I still only manage about 1 flight a week, 2 if I'm lucky so hopefully with more flights this little phase will pass.
 
JordanD said:
Thanks a ton guys. Like I said it kinda just hit me. I imagine leaning on the door of a 150 and having it pop open didn't help.
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It might help your fear if you went and flew around in an aircraft without doors, or open cockpit, or at least open the windows and stick your head out, or something.

Not meaning to talk about skydiving too much, but it's taught me that a person has to *work* to get out of an aircraft in flight. I would say there is absolutely zero chance of just "falling out" of a regular Cessna if the door pops open. There is so much wind pressure holding the door in place, not to mention the same wind will hold your body inside if there is no door there. Even in the jump plane with the door wide open (swings open vertically, against the wing), a person can be kneeling three inches from the edge and stay inside during turns, climbs, slips, skids, you name it, without any special effort.
 
jrh said:
It might help your fear if you went and flew around in an aircraft without doors, or open cockpit, or at least open the windows and stick your head out, or something.

Not meaning to talk about skydiving too much, but it's taught me that a person has to *work* to get out of an aircraft in flight. I would say there is absolutely zero chance of just "falling out" of a regular Cessna if the door pops open. There is so much wind pressure holding the door in place, not to mention the same wind will hold your body inside if there is no door there. Even in the jump plane with the door wide open (swings open vertically, against the wing), a person can be kneeling three inches from the edge and stay inside during turns, climbs, slips, skids, you name it, without any special effort.
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Heh, I've always thought it'd be bad-a to be riding along in a Huey with the doors off hanging out the side. Even before this weird spell hit that picture of Paul Bowen (aerial photographer I'm sure most of you know) with his feet dangling out of a B-25 10,000 feet up scared the bejesus out of me. Wish I could find the pic online.
 
Now that I'm getting some actual under my belt, I can admit that turbulence in IMC is scaring the bejesus out of me. It's like being stuck in an elevator while someone shakes it. I assume it goes away in time, though.
 
JordanD said:
I know I'm about to take some maaaaajor ripping from at least two of you for posting this ;) but I've got an issue lately that I need to talk about. I've. got about 120 hours and I've been flying for over 4 years I love it more than anything and have been pretty set on doing it for a career. But lately, for god knows what reason, I've been occasionally getting uneasy in the plane. It's like a sudden fear of heights that hits me sometimes, usually in cruise when I'm not really occupied with anything. It just seems like I get this really irrational fear of heights or fear that I'll get the urge to jump out sans parachute or something. I've always had a fear of heights with tall buildings and glass elevators and stuff but never really in planes so it's really strange to me. I can't really figure out where this is coming from. I really only noticed it get "bad" maybe a month ago in the 150 on a cross country. Again it's not like it's bad to the point where I can't do the job up there or I freak out and have to land, it just makes me a little uneasy sometimes, especially since it seems like it just came out of nowhere. Sometimes it hinders my enjoyment of the flight because I'm a little uneasy, but mostly I'm just so preoccupied with trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with me and why I get this irrational fear sometimes. Maybe it's because when you're moving along at barely 90 knots in a 150 at 5500 there's no sensation of movement so it's like being in a skyscraper standing still? I dunno, either way, I just wanna be able to enjoy myself up there again. I love flying but I keep beating myself up for this when I'm on the ground that lately I haven't been as excited about it and it bothers me. I'm sorry for ranting to but I had to get it off my chest. You guys have no idea how hard it is talking about this to a bunch of fellow pilots but I feel a little better already just talking about it, regardless of what kind of replies I'm afraid of getting. ;)
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I'm the same way. I can't even walk near the edge of the railing on the second floor of the mall, but I can get in a plane and look straight down without a problem. (Except I did get alittle scared on my last flight, but I don't think I would have been scared if I hadn't actually had the controls.)
 
Murdoughnut said:
Hopefully I will in a week or two. I'm just waiting for my ride to get back home, and then get out of annual.
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I got much more comfortable during my instrument training (actually on my instrument ride). But, after 35 hours, it was actually weird approaching a C airspace or any terrain, etc, with the foggles off afterwards for about 5 hours (commercial time building). After my instrument and after flying by myself for 5-10 hours during my commercial time building, I could finally feel much more relaxed...Just bear with it, the day will come....but never feel totally unafraid, bad things will happen
 
jrh said:
It might help your fear if you went and flew around in an aircraft without doors, or open cockpit, or at least open the windows and stick your head out, or something.
.
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Or go up with an instructor and do some aerobatics. That will knock the fear right out of you.
 
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