Reluctant Pilot says it all...

[Guest reluctantpilot]

Hi everyone. I saw an advert for a Hangar in an 'Air Park' on North Stradbroke Island and googled the subject for more info. This is when I hit your website. Curious to find out more I registered... and here I am.

 

I confess I am a bit of a fraud however. I learned to fly in Maryborough (QLD) in a Tecnam Echo the year I turned 50. It was at the request of my enthusiastic pilot husband and I started off hugely reluctant as I was scared, claustrophobic and motion sick. Yeah, you guessed it, I got bit with the bug and ended up having a ball. I did go solo but not much further than that. I love to go up with my husband or my instructor but will never be a 'real' pilot.

 

I am so thrilled with what I learned and have urged several friends to 'have a go'. We have the best air strip here at Maryborough and I think we are all tremendously lucky to have this opportunity.

 

I wonder if anybody else started out as reluctant as I???

 

Luella

 

 

[turboplanner]

If they did, I hope they've enjoyed it as much as you.

 

This is an often neglected part of Recreational Aviation, and only a couple of weeks ago I talked an ex WW2 pilot into getting nack into the air with an Instructor in the right seat. He'd been worrying that he was too old to get a Pilot Certificate and fly by himself. This was he can fly with security to the degree of control he wants, whenever he wants.

 

 

[Guest reluctantpilot]

Introducing others to flying

 

Turboplanner,

 

Being a nervous pilot, my instructor's biggest hurdle was to get me not looking to him when something went wrong but having the confidence to fix it myself (Obviously hugely important before going solo) but I must admit to appreciating the 'security blanket' feeling. And as you say with the instructor there, an apprehensive trainee pilot can have as much or as little control as they can handle.

 

The best thing about introducing others to take flying lessons, is that I share their joy and excitement and I don't even have to fly to do it.

 

Luella

 

 

[turboplanner]

Your Instructor was on the right track if you intended going solo.

 

I was thinking about another group, who just want to fly an aircraft now and then, will never go solo for whatever reason - there's still room for them

 

 

[Guest reluctantpilot]

Going Solo

 

Turboplanner

 

Probably You could put me in that group. I DID go Solo which seems amazing to me now but probably won't again. But, as I said, I do love to fly with my husband or my instructor.

 

 

[farri]

Hi Luella and to the forum,

 

I would say to you," Give yourself a great big pat on the back".

 

You`ve had the courage to at least have a go and who knows? you may find that at some later stage you will want to go furthur.

 

From experience, I know that flying is a mixture of total ecstasy to total fear,the trick is to overcome the fear.

 

All the best,

 

Regards,

 

Frank.

 

 

[Guest reluctantpilot]

Fear of Flying

 

Thanks for your encouraging words Frank.

 

I used to be really scared flying in small aircraft but since learning to fly myself I really enjoy it and am no longer scared... and... the most awesome amazing thing is that I also used to get very motion sick but with the fear has gone my motion sickness. I would not have believed it. Initially I thought the motion sickness was gone because I thought I was in control of the aircraft but now I can have no control over the flying, and still sit back and still enjoy it. Amazing.

 

I see you have your own airstrip. That must be amazing!

 

Luella

 

 

[farri]

Luella,

 

Have a look at my blog on this forum and you`ll see some of our area.

 

Cheers,

 

Frank.

 

 

[Guest reluctantpilot]

Deeral

 

I looked up Deeral on Google Maps. Must be a lovely spot there between the mountains and the ocean. Are you near the Mulgrave River?

 

Luella