Dealing with anxiety before flying

[wtmurrell]

I am a PPL that has returned to flying after a 40 year absence. I've spent about 20 hrs with an instructor getting back into the air and passed my BFR. I love flying and desparately want to continue but I can't seem to get the nerve to fly on my own. Any thoughts or suggestions for coping for pushing through the anxiety I experience before flying? Has anyone had that sort of experience where they went through a period that you found it very panic inducing to try to fly and how did you get through it?

Thanks for your input.

[vaflier]

Try shooting 2 or 3 takeoffs and landings with your instructor and then have them get out and immediately do 2 or 3 more. Don't. Think about just go do it and you will be fine. It is not unusual to be aprehensive after a long period of no flying. Have you discussed this with your flight instructor ?, If not perhaps you should. He or she may have some helpful ideas. It's like your first solo, once you do it you will begin to relax as soon as you lift off. Good luck and happy flying.

[martymayes]

Have you always felt that way? I mean even 40 yrs ago?

When I flew in my youth, I thought nothing of the dangers. But then, I was invincible.

Somewhat different now. I understand things can go wrong and the consequences can be severe. Doesn't stop me from flying but I can see where it may be paralyzing to someone. If I don't feel I'm up to the task, I don't do it. If I feel there's too much risk, I find a way to manage it until I'm comfortable.

It's not fun if you don't enjoy it. Keep taking baby steps....you can always ask the instructor to keep you company.

[Floatsflyer]

I'm sorry to hear about the condition you have but you are very couageous for bringing it up in a public forum and asking for help.

What you are experiencing in general is so common, it affects millions and is not restricted by age or socio-economic status. Know that you are not alone. If you suffer from symtoms like anxiety attacks, panic attacks, obsessive worrisome thoughts, excessive self-conciouness or overwhelming fear, you may have an anxiety disorder(there are a number of types).

You should seek professional help beginning with your family doctor. If he/she rules out a medical cause you will need to discuss next steps. Such steps may be treatment with therapy such as cognitive behavioural and/or exposure therapies with someone licenced to practice such. These therapies can teach you how to control your anxiety and overcome your fear.

All the best, good luck!

[FloridaJohn]

You should seek professional help beginning with your family doctor. If he/she rules out a medical cause you will need to discuss next steps. Such steps may be treatment with therapy such as cognitive behavioural and/or exposure therapies with someone licenced to practice such. These therapies can teach you how to control your anxiety and overcome your fear.
Be very careful about this advice. Depending on how the therapist codes the diagnosis/appointment for the insurance company, it can bring an end to your third class medical. Your family doctor does not know about the implications of his/her diagnosis on your medical. If you are going to go down this road, check with an AME first to find out what should not be done before you see a doctor.

Mental health issues are not well understood by the FAA at this time.

[rawheels]

I felt some anxiety after receiving my tailwheel endorsement. We had used grass runways for the majority of the training, and of the few times we did hard surface work, one was a groundloop caused by a broken spring. So, the idea of ever landing a tailwheel aircraft on pavement by myself made me worry. I think 3 things were helpful:

1. Find a "safe zone". I'm based at a sod airport. So, I could do a lot of take-offs and landings in my "safe" area, and I really got to know the plane and how it handled and felt more confident in my ability. What type of flying could you do for a little while, where you would feel some confidence and could build your skills? Maybe it is No Wind conditions, or maybe you just need some time in a slower aircraft that you can think ahead of more easily.

2. Trust your instructor. At my next biannual, I went up with an instructor that had a tandem seat tailwheel aircraft so that I could get that experience. I was surprised when he took me directly to a hard surface runway with high winds. The first few landings were scary for me, but I noticed that I was able to do them without a problem. In fact, the instructor thought I did so well that we transitioned into training for some higher level maneuvers. The moral of the story is that my original instructor probably knew I was able (or he wouldn't have signed me off). Don't think you're invincible because of the sign-off, but trust that if your instructor thinks you're ready, they've thought it through.

3. Prove it to yourself. Unfortunately, in the end it is going to take just going up and doing it. After a few times, you'll either prove to yourself that you can or can't do it (but you know you can because you did it 40 years ago). As you build your time, you'll regain your confidence step by step.

[Wilfred]

A minor note...you mentioned 'passing your BFR' - well, it cannot be failed. There is no such thing as failing a BFR. You just take it and that's it.

[Dana]

A minor note...you mentioned 'passing your BFR' - well, it cannot be failed. There is no such thing as failing a BFR. You just take it and that's it.

Yes and no... if the instructor's not satisfied, it's just logged as dual instruction, not a BFR.

[Floatsflyer]

Be very careful about this advice. Depending on how the therapist codes the diagnosis/appointment for the insurance company, it can bring an end to your third class medical. Your family doctor does not know about the implications of his/her diagnosis on your medical. If you are going to go down this road, check with an AME first to find out what should not be done before you see a doctor.

Mental health issues are not well understood by the FAA at this time.


Fair enough. But that leaves you with a bit of a dilemna. Is not dealing with the reality of a medical condition more or less important than the possibility of losing your class 3? What good is your class 3 if you can't solo?

[Bill Greenwood]

First of all, stop and think about it. This is the same thing, to a degree that a first time student pilot feels.
What was your recent flying like? If you are a student, you probably have dozens of patterns and as many landings before the CFI okd you to solo. AND WHO WAS DOING THIS FLYING? Most likely, if he was a good CFI, YOU WERE DOING ALL OF IT, 100% and he wasn't touching the controls at all.
If that is the case, then you know how to fly, you have been doing it. The only difference is without him there it will be quieter and probably smell better.
Flying a simple airplane in good weather is not very hard, almost anyone ought to be able to do it in 20 hours.

Of course you could go to a shrink, maybe get some drugs that would disqualify you from being a pilot and then you would have a reason not to fly.

[Aerco]

Some anxiety is NORMAL. You have been away from it for a long time, you doubt your abilities. It will all come back. A certain amount of anxiety can be healthy and keep you focused and on your toes. But if you go to medical person such as a psychiatrist, their first course of action is to prescribe some medication and you'll really screw up your medical renewal. Sorry If I offend any psychiatrists who might read this, but I speak from experience with close friends. A lot of these medications are VERY hard to come off from too. Not to mention the $150+ every couple of weeks to get your prescriptions renewed, which you'd be better off spending on flying, with a friend if necessary. Just get back into the environment.
After my first solo, I didn't really believe I could really do this. So every flight I took off and went around the pattern just once, landed and told myself; there you can do it - now go off and practice something else.

[Mike M]

I am a PPL that has returned to flying after a 40 year absence.

first off, what's a PPL? you don't have a license, you hold a CERTIFICATE that PROVES you met the requirements to aviate in the public domain without danger to others. proves. not guesses at. proves.

second, your instructor was milking a cash cow if you took 20 hours to get back in the saddle. heck 20 is enough to prove up on a sport pilot certificate!

third, if you laid off for forty years after your cert, you must be at least 57 yo. geez, guy, don't worry about proving yourself to others. either do it or don't, you don't need to prove anything any more.

now sign out, go out to the airport, and solo the darn thing. or go have a margarita. enjoy yourself! just don't do them in reverse order, ok?

[turtle]

I am a PPL that has returned to flying after a 40 year absence. I've spent about 20 hrs with an instructor getting back into the air and passed my BFR. I love flying and desparately want to continue but I can't seem to get the nerve to fly on my own. Any thoughts or suggestions for coping for pushing through the anxiety I experience before flying? Has anyone had that sort of experience where they went through a period that you found it very panic inducing to try to fly and how did you get through it?

Thanks for your input.
I'm curious. Does the other person have to be a pilot? I mean, does the anxiety come from you not having a safety net or from being alone?

[steveinindy]

I'm curious. Does the other person have to be a pilot? I mean, does the anxiety come from you not having a safety net or from being alone?

If he's having issues serious enough to keep him on the ground, the last thing I would recommend is taking along a non-pilot rated passenger just for company. As much as I often seem to be the "wet blanket" of the forum when it comes to safety side of things, think about what happens if he has a panic attack while flying and simply has his wife or another non-pilot along for the ride. Instead of one potential victim, you now have two.

I think we should be less concerned about his maintaining his medical and more concerned about whether he is actually fit to fly and his emotional well-being. I get butterflies before flying (regardless of the nature of the flight) but it's not sufficient enough to keep me on the ground. If the person in question actually has a serious enough anxiety disorder that it's making him more or less non-fuctional when it comes to flying, then he has no business flying. Sure we'd be losing one of our own, but I'd much rather have him alive than have to hear about him and his passenger(s) being removed from a smoking hole because he froze up at the controls. If pilots were better at grounding themselves (and at not trying to talk each other into stopping flying when something that impairs their fitness) when they are not healthy enough to fly, we probably wouldn't have the necessity for the medical certification system we now have in place due to the small number of crashes that are due to pilot incapacitation but that's a discussion for another thread.

[Frank Giger]

First off, hats off for seeking in-depth training after being away from flying so long. And a nod for understanding that training is about skill and comfort, not time.

Second, on the issue at hand, I'd split the middle.

Fly with another pilot. Not necessarily a CFI, but a qualified pilot.

I'll agree with Steve that if you're not confident enough to fly solo you shouldn't. It's about personal minimums; some have very narrow minimums - as a low-hour pilot mine are very conservative and "wimpy" compared to most.

I don't care what anyone might say as I stand at the door to the ramp drinking coffee with my lower lip stuck out because the crosswind is too great, the ceiling too low, or any number of disagreeable events that keep me on the ground - it's my soft pink flesh on the line, not theirs!

Find a pilot "flight buddy." Treat it as a social requirement. "It's no fun to fly by myself." If you feel uncomfortable, offer to let the other guy land; trust me, 99.98% of us would rather be doing it ourselves when in the right seat.

If you get to where you're confident enough to go solo, fly a First Solo - two touch and goes and a full stop. The next time stay in the local area and do the same thing on return, keeping the flight down to about an hour.

I'd also suggest you have someone photograph one of your landings, solo or not. It's very instructive! I was kind of frowny after a series of touch-and-goes, as I thought my three pointers were less than where I wanted them to be; then I saw what a "crappy" landing really looked like:

1439

1440

1441

1442

1443

Not shabby at all - I was just being too harsh a judge.

Almost all of my flying has been in the local area practing basic stuff (ground reference, slow flight, turns and stuff) and pattern work in roughly hourly increments. So while I only have 45 hours total time, I have 250 landings - and still need more practice to get them where I want them.

This is for two reasons. First, renting a plane is expensive and an hour in the Champ is ten hours on the clock at work. I've got a wife, kid, and partially assembled aircraft at home and they all need to be fed on a regular basis. Second, straight and level flight is not where I need improvement; I pick one or two things to work on each flight and do them to build proficiency.

So even though I'm a fully qualified Sport Pilot (got my ticket in 28 hours) my actual flight performance profile fits more like a student's. The few grins I get from my peers on the ground make no never mind; I've earned every hour inked on the pages, and enjoyed almost every one of them.

Anyhow, don't put yourself in harm's way and don't beat yourself up. Accept limitations and adapt to them.

[Bob Meder]

first off, what's a PPL? you don't have a license, you hold a CERTIFICATE that PROVES you met the requirements to aviate in the public domain without danger to others. proves. not guesses at. proves.second, your instructor was milking a cash cow if you took 20 hours to get back in the saddle. heck 20 is enough to prove up on a sport pilot certificate!third, if you laid off for forty years after your cert, you must be at least 57 yo. geez, guy, don't worry about proving yourself to others. either do it or don't, you don't need to prove anything any more. now sign out, go out to the airport, and solo the darn thing. or go have a margarita. enjoy yourself! just don't do them in reverse order, ok?

Wait a second. I've done "long layoff " flight reviews. I'm also very much in a position where I don't need the money to instruct (my accountant has suggested that I would make money by not instructing). They can take up to 20 hours. Remember, unlike a new rating or certificate, there's only one signature required for the pilot to go out and exercise the maximum privileges of the certificate they possess. I don't sign any flight review unless both parties agree that the ground knowledge and flying was at least up to standard (FWIW, most of my flight reviews are in the neighborhood of two - three hours on the ground [of which I bill 80% to account for war stories], and 1.5 in the air, depending on the person's rating, goals, etc.).

Back to the point, I'm going to agree with Steveinindy - I'd rather lose an active pilot than a person. However, I don't think that needs to be the case here. I've seen this before; the way to handle this is directly.

To wtmurrell: Please see my PM. Yes, sometimes diving into the deep end, as it were, might work. Or, it can lead to anxiety that is so great that you'll walk away. My signature line below is a "serious witticism". It's meant as a reminder that if there's something your subconscious perceives as needing your attention, identify it and do something about it. A simple example would be if you're wondering if stopping for fuel might be a good idea, then don't agonize - do it. In your case, I'd venture that there's some unfinished business, in your mind, from the flight review that you got. Work with your instructor to identify that and put it to rest.

Note, this is an area where some CFI's are very uncomfortable, either due to lack of experience or because they're more focused on "nuts and bolts" issues. You might have to seek someone out that can help you work through this.

[FunInAviation]

I'm went through the same scenario as you. My wife is a retired medical research scientist and watches me like a hawk. She worked with doctors who taught doctors how to be doctors.

I asked her "What the h#$% is wrong with me? I used to love flying and now I'm filled with anxiety about flying alone." She told me that as men get older, their testosterone levels drop and that affects not only their sex drive, but their youthful aggressiveness. She said that when guys are young, they take chances (like getting married), driving cars like race car drivers and jumping off high places into unknown waters. After having been around my 16 year son, I have seen what she is talking about first hand. The stuff he does really scares me.

Then I asked "What do I do?". She responded with "Do you want to give up flying?". I replied with a resounding "NO!".

Then she said "Get your a$$ back up in that plane! Fly as much as you can with your friends until you feel that youthful urge to fly alone again. You have fallen off the horse and you need to get back on.".

What you are feeling is perfectly natural and you are exactly where you're supposed to be. Just think about how miserable you would be if someone told you couldn't fly anymore.

FLY, FLY, FLY!

[Mike M]

Wait a second. I've done "long layoff " flight reviews....some CFI's are very uncomfortable...might have to seek someone out that can help you work through this.

Bob, you and Frank and Smitty and Aerco gave wtmurrell some really good advice. i admit my stuff is a bit rough, but it was meant as "tough love". i've only been a CFI since '75 so i still have a lot to learn. that's why when a person i fly with hits a plateau, instead of dusting off the Dairymaster i acknowledge MY limits and get another instructor in the mix. sounds like you do the same.

wt, do what those guys said! go fly! have FUN!

or not. your choice.

[wtmurrell]

Of all the posts, this one best connects the dots for me. I don't think I need a shrink. On the whole, I'm a pretty well adjusted person.


I'm went through the same scenario as you. My wife is a retired medical research scientist and watches me like a hawk. She worked with doctors who taught doctors how to be doctors.

I asked her "What the h#$% is wrong with me? I used to love flying and now I'm filled with anxiety about flying alone." She told me that as men get older, their testosterone levels drop and that affects not only their sex drive, but their youthful aggressiveness. She said that when guys are young, they take chances (like getting married), driving cars like race car drivers and jumping off high places into unknown waters. After having been around my 16 year son, I have seen what she is talking about first hand. The stuff he does really scares me.

Then I asked "What do I do?". She responded with "Do you want to give up flying?". I replied with a resounding "NO!".

Then she said "Get your a$$ back up in that plane! Fly as much as you can with your friends until you feel that youthful urge to fly alone again. You have fallen off the horse and you need to get back on.".

What you are feeling is perfectly natural and you are exactly where you're supposed to be. Just think about how miserable you would be if someone told you couldn't fly anymore.

FLY, FLY, FLY!

[FloridaJohn]

Fair enough. But that leaves you with a bit of a dilemna. Is not dealing with the reality of a medical condition more or less important than the possibility of losing your class 3? What good is your class 3 if you can't solo?
Welcome to the Catch-22 that is the Third Class Medical. I haven't had any of these issues, but I read about others having these problems over on the AOPA board. It is scary how doctors trying to "do the right thing" effectively end a pilot's ability to fly without realizing it.

For example, a pilot goes to a psychiatrist about anxiety. The doctor wants to do the pilot a favor and "codes" his chart in a way that the pilot's insurance company will pay for the visit. Unfortunately, that "code" sends up red flags at the FAA, and the next thing you know the pilot is paying for a battery of psychological tests (out of his own pocket, insurance won't pay for this) to prove that he is safe to fly.

Or, the pilot goes to a psychiatrist about anxiety. The doctor prescribes an anti-anxiety drug for the pilot to take for a short time until his anxiety subsides. Unfortunately, that drug is on the FAA "no-fly" list, and the pilot can't get a third class medical anymore. Or has to pay a lot of money for unnecessary tests to prove that the need for the drug was only temporary.

Keep in mind two things when seeing a doctor. The FAA has a very antiquated view of mental health issues, so most treatments are going to raise a red flag to the FAA. The second thing the keep in mind when seeing any doctor, is that most doctors are unaware that the FAA has a list of drugs that are not allowed, and could possibly prescribe a drug that will end your flying. Many times there are acceptable substitutes on the list, but the doctor needs to be aware of what those are.

Having said all that, it is better for someone to be healthy than to fly. Still go to the doctor, and if the choice is take a medicine that will save your life or fly, take the medicine.

[rosiejerryrosie]

Fair enough. But that leaves you with a bit of a dilemna. Is not dealing with the reality of a medical condition more or less important than the possibility of losing your class 3? What good is your class 3 if you can't solo?

I am a mental health 'professional' (retired) and I'd be careful about seeing a shrink about this problem. First, if pre-flight is the only time the anxious feelings occur, it is probably a situational thing, and not an "anxiety disorder" requiring professional intervention. Secondly, it is very important to assess the severity of the 'anxiety'. Feeling a bit anxious about getting in an airplane is no where nearly as serious as an anxiety that produces immobility, hyperventillation and panic. (there has been a lot of mention about panic attacks in this thread - but I did not get that 'flavor' from the OP's description of his problem). Thirdly, we need to consider the possible results of having a diagnosis (valid or invalid) on record. I, in my early years of flying, experienced what I think is a similar reaction. I wanted to learn to fly, but I found myself, while driving to the airport, watching the flags and tree limbs, hoping that the wind would be too strong to fly that day. What helped me the most was to really, really concentrate on doing a GOOD pre-flight. The concentration took my mind off my anxiety, and once the engine was turning, I was "ready to go". There are some very good sugestions offered in this thread, but, I don't think seeking professional help, at this point, is one of them. Good luck and let us know how you make out....

[Bugs66]

Of all the posts, this one best connects the dots for me. I don't think I need a shrink. On the whole, I'm a pretty well adjusted person.

Yep, get back on the horse. Fly, and fly often! If you do it should be no more anxiety than taking your bicycle out for a ride.

[Bob Meder]

Bob, you and Frank and Smitty and Aerco gave wtmurrell some really good advice. i admit my stuff is a bit rough, but it was meant as "tough love". i've only been a CFI since '75 so i still have a lot to learn. that's why when a person i fly with hits a plateau, instead of dusting off the Dairymaster i acknowledge MY limits and get another instructor in the mix. sounds like you do the same.

wt, do what those guys said! go fly! have FUN!

or not. your choice.

Well, I've only been CFI-ing since 2001, so I don't have your experience. I have been supervising and managing people for 33 years, though, and the issues are often similar. I'm one the guys that people send anxious pilots to in the areas where I instruct. Yes, if I can't help them, I find someone else to help me, but I'm not at all uncomfortable with working with someone to get between their ears.

My problem is with the CFI's that think this is a purely mechanical skill and have no empathy whatsoever with what's going on with the pilot. Just flying by itself won't necessarily fix the issue. However, most issues are easily resolved once you figure out what's going on. Sometimes, it's finding out that the monster under the bed is merely a dust bunny. Sometimes, the "monster" is real, but the pilot hasn't been given the tools to deal with it. In any case, the most important thing is identifying the issue(s) and dealing with it (them). (I'm sure jerryrosie will understand and help articulate what I'm trying to express - I have a BA in psychology, which leaves me a bit inadequate in explaining my intuition).

In my own case, I hated forward slips to a landing way back when. I was worried about a cross-controlled stall close to the ground, although I never articulated it to myself. During a session with a wise old CFI, he kept asking until I finally said that, instead of "I'm uncomfortable with them". After that, we were able to sort them out, both from an aerodynamic and, with knowledge gained, the psychological standpoint.

[Bill Greenwood]

For me, flying is a relaxing thing, it is like therapy itself and takes away, at least for a time the stresses of much of life, like when the stock market drops, or we are in a new pre war state somewhere overseas, or the news is full of horrible events like child abuse.

Of course, the easy and fun part of flying is when all the elements are right. You would not go out on a day with gusty winds or low visibility or an airplane with serious problems when you are either a student or a pilot just getting back into flying after a lay off.
But 20 hours is a lot of instruction and most people can certainly solo safely in that time, even starting from scratch with no previous training. If not, then something may be wrong with the way is going, or else the CFI has a big mortgage to pay,and you are a source of funds. I did my solo after about 12 hours in a Piper Cherokee 140, and certainly had no trouble. I got my license in 43 hours. By the way, I don't see that is makes any significant difference whether you call it a license or a certificate or a rating. If you have it you are a pilot.
The mental part of being a private pilot is not very hard, the written test is about the equivalent difficulty of a jr high school math course, not big deal , but still takes some learning. After all the FAA gives out all the test questions, verbatim, you just have to learn them. And a mere 70 is passing. Frankly, I think they ought to make the questions a little easier, plain and simple wording, but require an 80 to pass. If you only get 70, then there is almost 1/3 of the info that you don't know. Some of it is minutia (sp) but some is important. Why not learn it all?
The basic flying is some skills, but a lot about just following safe procedures with good judgement, just like using your checklists before takeoff and landing, checking the weather, etc.
Most of it is not something that requires great reflexes or coordnation. It's not like a batter hitting a big league slider or returning a 100 mph serve in tennis or skiing on a race course.
Really is some ways, flying is much like driving. If you fly to OSH , there is going to be a large part of the time when you are just in level cruise and don't need to change or react to much. If you were to drive from say one side of Houston or Chicago to the other side, think of all the other traffic and signs and turns and stops and starts that you'd have to react to.
Just basic flying in good weather is not that hard.
And what does the CFI that gave you the 20 hours say about your ability? Are you good or do you have some major weaknesses? If he says you are competent, go fly!

[Frank Giger]

But 20 hours is a lot of instruction and most people can certainly solo safely in that time, even starting from scratch with no previous training. If not, then something may be wrong with the way is going, or else the CFI has a big mortgage to pay,and you are a source of funds. I did my solo after about 12 hours in a Piper Cherokee 140, and certainly had no trouble. I got my license in 43 hours. By the way, I don't see that is makes any significant difference whether you call it a license or a certificate or a rating. If you have it you are a pilot.

I'm going to chime in on this because of a really neat dressing down I got over the issue of time to solo and get the ticket.

We don't know the type of airspace the training was in.

I was kinda puffed up at making my solo in eight hours (two more than either my CFI or I anticipated; the bugaboo of real crosswinds raised their head and I needed the extra time) and getting my SPL in 28 (with three extra hours of solo time due to difficulties in getting the examiner up to our field) and my fantastic instructor put me down a peg or two.

At an uncontrolled airfield that has almost zero traffic one can really get some training done. We could do ten landings in an hour no sweat. We could exit the pattern, do something, enter the pattern, touch and go, exit the pattern, do something else, and then come back in again at will.

I really feel for the guys that have to learn in controlled airspace that has regular traffic.

[Bob Meder]

At an uncontrolled airfield that has almost zero traffic one can really get some training done. We could do ten landings in an hour no sweat. We could exit the pattern, do something, enter the pattern, touch and go, exit the pattern, do something else, and then come back in again at will.I really feel for the guys that have to learn in controlled airspace that has regular traffic.

Not trying to be argumentative, or take anything away from you, but I have to ask what does airspace has to do with it? I train folks at both towered and non-towered fields. Even with my policy (since 2004 or 2005) of not doing touch and goes, I can 9 or even 12 landings in an hour, depending on whether we make the landings taxi-backs or stop-and-goes. In fact, I sometimes get better utilization at a towered airport because the controllers will have the plane calling to taxi from the ramp taxi behind me to the runway; that way I'm not stuck behind someone doing their run-up.

As for leaving an entering the pattern, all I've ever had to do is tell the tower that we'd like to exit the pattern to come right back in to practice joining. Even in the days when Spirit of St. Louis was so busy that they had to split the tower and assign a frequency to the north runway, adding an extra controller to handle the traffic could I do that. In fact, I relished those days because I would ask if my student and I could alternate runways. It would get the student used to changing frequencies and dealing with multiple controllers in a benign environment without having to spend a lot of time going somewhere to do it.

So there are two things I've learned as a CFI regarding this: everything's a training opportunity if you do it right, and; people who learned to fly at towered airports seem to dislike non-towered ones and vice-versa.

[wtmurrell]

Since I started this whole business, I guess I need to clarify something. The 20 hrs of dual was my choice. My BFR was signed off well before then. It did take me about 9 hours. I don't feel as if I was taken or gouged by a CFI in any way. Several of the hours were being checked out in a few different aircraft including an Ercoupe I own. In all cases, the CFIs I've worked with since I returned (4 total) were all very sensitive to the cost. By the way, before you jump on the fact that I had 4 CFIs, just know that circumstances dictated the number. Unfortunately I don't have access to any of them any longer so I will need a 5th to when I need one again.

The CFIs I worked with were all great pilots but one thing I sensed was that they didn't exactly know what to do with an someone like me who had been away from flying for so long. I had never worn a headset in a cockpit...that is how long it had been. They were not advancing me with the purpose of getting me a rating or license and yet I probably needed to essentially start from scratch. It was clear from the start that I had experience flying but it isn't exactly like riding a bike as I soon found out. If I had it to do again, I would have had my CFI at the time do a supervised solo. I may still do that.

By the way I want everyone to know that I am going flying this weekend with a one of my partners weather permitting so I'm determined to get back up. What I gather from all the feedback is what I guess I already knew, I just need to get my a$$ in the plane and go. I've grown overly cautious in my old age and lost some of those male hormones referred to previously. Perhaps I should try the supplements they advertise on sports talk radio

Thanks for the supportive responses.

wtmurrell

[Bill Greenwood]

Wt , maybe this flying thing is not for you. There's lots of other activities that people like to do , golf, bowling, and where there is no real danger in failing.
Frankly, it sounds like you have somehow convinced yourself that for some reason, perhaps age, you are not good enough to fly and you are happy with that image of yourself. And you know yourself better than anyone else; maybe you really are not up to it. So be it. Nothing anyone else says can change what is inside your head anymore than someone telling me how good beets taste is going to make me like them. I am a terrible dancer even after taking lessons, and others telling me how easy it is.
About the only other thing I could suggest is to go out to an airport and watch other students make practice landings. If that doesn't give you the urge to want to do it yourself, then why bother?

And wearing a headset in a normal plane is about as vital as wearing a batting glove to play baseball, or a do rag to play football. A headset is nice especially in a noisy airplane, and at tower airports, but people flew for decades before they had radios, much less headsets. What kind of headset did Lindberg wear on the way to Paris? What kind do most glider pilots wear?

[Mike M]

GO FOR IT , WT! FAIR WINDS CLEAR SKIES, HAVE A BLAST WITH A BUDDY!


Wearing a headset in a normal plane is about as vital as wearing a batting glove to play baseball, or a do rag to play football. A headset is nice especially in a noisy airplane, and at tower airports, but people flew for decades before they had radios, much less headsets. What kind of headset did Lindberg wear on the way to Paris?

say again? couldn't quite hear you over my tinnitus.

[steveinindy]

I really feel for the guys that have to learn in controlled airspace that has regular traffic.

I'd much rather learn in controlled airspace than the other way around and not have that experience when I encounter a full traffic pattern.

[rosiejerryrosie]

Since I started this whole business, I guess I need to clarify something. The 20 hrs of dual was my choice. My BFR was signed off well before then. It did take me about 9 hours. I don't feel as if I was taken or gouged by a CFI in any way. Several of the hours were being checked out in a few different aircraft including an Ercoupe I own. wtmurrell

Well, you didn't say that in the first place. Since you own a Ercoupe, I really believe your anxiety will not be easy to overcome and will probably be very dangerous for you. You need to give up on your idea of flying and give your Ercoupe to me :D

[Joe LaMantia]

Nice try Jerry! Somehow this doesn't sound like "professional advice".

I actually responded to a thread Bill started with an emphasis on motivation, then discovered this one and suspect it's what started Bill's thread. I think most of us have had a few days when we've faced apprehension about flying. That's a good thing, maybe we haven't had a strong x-wind in awhile, or are going out in an "different" or unfamiliar airplane, or new equipment in an old "friend". The bottom line is just like when your instructor stepped out and said "do three touch & goes and come back to the ramp, it will climb a bit faster with just you on board", and you taxi our with that anxious smile on your face. That smile gets a lot bigger when you taxi back and get the log book signed. WT you got some great advice on this thread from a great example of what EAA and the aviation community is all about welcome back!

Joe
:cool:

[Wylbur]

... but I can't seem to get the nerve to fly on my own. Any thoughts or suggestions for coping for pushing through the anxiety I experience before flying? Has anyone had that sort of experience where they went through a period that you found it very panic inducing to try to fly and how did you get through it?

I have that problem now. I used to live in Ohio where I flew a PA28-180 (Cherokee C) between 100-120 hours a year.

When I moved to the DFW area, I sold the Cherokee and didn't fly much for 5 years.

I have gotten back into flying, am a part owner of a C77R (Cardinal RG) and a PA32-300 (Cherokee 6) and between them I fly about 50 hrs a year. I am current on instruments and have a recent BFR.

Let me make a long story short. The more I have flown, the less stress I have in flying.

Wanna good laugh? I was making commercials in a radio station at the age of 5. I really don't have stage fright. But boy do I have mike fright when I have to make that first call to ATC.

I'm flying from a towered airport on the west side of DFW. The more I fly (maybe 2 hours a month), the less mike fright I have, and the less apprehension I have with the planes.

You own the plane, you know the area. Go fly. Find a reason to take someone on a trip. But fly. The more you fly the more the rust will come off. And one day you will realize that you went out, preflighted the plane, got in and flew, came back and put it away and then you will suddenly realize that you forgot to be nerveous.

That's how it has worked for me. And I'm back up to 30-60 hours a year (which I were back to 100, but with this economy...)

Regards,
Steve

[rosiejerryrosie]

Nice try Jerry! Somehow this doesn't sound like "professional advice".

Joe
:cool:

You'll notice that I didn't charge for it either.....

[Eric Marsh]

This subject is of interest to me because while I'm relatively new to flying I've been playing with high performance toys for a long time now. I started drag racing motorcycles in 1973, I've done some motorcycle road racing (I have the scars to prove it), driven a dragster and other various activities. One of the things I learned many years ago is that while fear is normal succumbing to fear can be fatal.

I learned that in the early '70s when I was afraid to attempt a turn at too high a speed, so I crashed. It occurred to me that I had nothing to lose by trying it since I was going to crash if I didn't try it so the next time in that situation I went through the corner faster than I ever had before. Lesson learned. Now when I'm in a situation that I find uncomfortable I accept the fact that I'm nervous or frightened and focus on the task at hand. After a few times through the nerves go away.

Having said that I have had fears that I start to fixate on and that just makes them worse. Scuba diving in an overhead environment was one. When I first moved to Texas and started lake diving it really made me claustrophobic. So what I did was spent a few hours sitting in 70 feet of water with limited visibility and eventually it became less of a problem. In fact I took a wreck diving course where we had to "rescue" a body in an enclosed environment with about 2" of vis. I made it through the course just fine. But later it started to bother me again because I began thinking about it too much. Can't do that.

So having recognized that about myself while I can acknowledge the fear I also understand that it's not heathy to fixate on it. Ya just gotta work your way through it, get comfortable with it and eventually it will go away.

One of the reasons I decided to get into aviation is because I have a fear of heights. Sadly I'm still uncomfortable on a ladder but I'm pretty comfortable in an airplane. Go figure. So to recap I personally feel that it's healthy self honesty to acknowledge how I feel but then it's time to move beyond them and get on with things.

[gpinnell]

Be very careful about this advice. Depending on how the therapist codes the diagnosis/appointment for the insurance company, it can bring an end to your third class medical. Your family doctor does not know about the implications of his/her diagnosis on your medical. If you are going to go down this road, check with an AME first to find out what should not be done before you see a doctor.

Mental health issues are not well understood by the FAA at this time.

Not really a fair statement. Mental health issues are very well understood by the FAA including the many mishaps which have had mental health issues as a contributory issue. That being said pilots with brief, self limiting or mild mental health issues are routinely medically certified with the appropriate documentation.

I don't know too many pilots who have not had occasionally had anxiety over a flight. I know now days the more I am anxious over a flight the greater the probability I should not be doing it. I really believe in the "Better on the ground wishing........" phrase. Best of luck getting through it!

[FunInAviation]

I think I'm cured. My 73 year old flight instructor told me yesterday that "You're going flying today!". I retorted with "But the wind is 17 gusting to 23, and it's somewhat of a crosswind!" He replied with "All the much better, let's go!". He made me face my fear and showed me that I still had what it takes to fly, even in a cross wind. I must say that this episode really lit the fire for flying for me once again. I came away thinking "If I can handle this, I handle anything". Here's yesterday:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfZqyMZhCaM

[vaflier]

Absolutley fantastic!!!!!!!!, Sometimes we all need someone to show us what we really are capable of. Sounds like you have found a real gem of a flight instructor, hang on to him. May you have smooth sailing and many years of spreading your wings. Congratulations !!!!!!!.

[george r. garrison vaa 58]

Vaflier, I'm north of Salisbury Maryland, what do you fly? As for this thread, getting exposed to the aspects of flight and the conditions that exist is the name of the game. Don't jump out in the face of danger, but get involved with the current conditions of most days and you will be just fine.

[Frank Giger]

Hurray for our team!

Congrats and happy landings!

[rosiejerryrosie]

We knew you could do it! Now comply with the prime directive -- HAVE FUN!!

[Joe LaMantia]

The next step is to acquire the "need" to fly in order to maintain what some of us call "mental health". I have logged "mental health flight" in the comments section of my log book on more than one occasion, when the weather was CAVU and I needed to "de-compress" from stress!

Nice Job!

Joe
:cool:

[wtmurrell]

For those of you who have posted sincere advice and support on this thread, I (again) want to thank you. For people like Smitty who just want to have fun with it, well, its a free country. I am still grappling with the issue. I'm not cured as Smitty implies. I'll get there.

WTMURRELL