Piloting other people's airplanes...

[Frank Giger]

It may be weird, but I am really hesitant when in someone else's airplane and they say "you want to fly her?"

It's not that I'm afraid to bend their bird or be lack-luster as a pilot, I just don't like stepping into an unfamiliar aircraft and grabbing the controls.

Then again, when I'm PIC in a two seater, I don't offer the controls to the pilot rated passenger, so I guess the books are square on that.

Maybe if I were a regular in someone else's aircraft and was familiar with everything I'd think differently, but on the "one off" flight I'm happy just to follow along on the controls or enjoy the flight.

Am I alone in this?

[Kyle Boatright]

Am I alone in this?

It absolutely is weird. I do it too.

I do not want to just take the controls in your airplane. Before I do that, I want to know exactly what every button and knob does, the V speeds, and every other pertinent fact of how to operate the aircraft. Just taking the controls isn't something I like to do.

[DaleB]

Really? I let seven year old kids try their hand with mine. Kyle, if you're borrowing my plane you'll need to know all the buttons and knobs, but if we're toodling along on a burger run and I offer you the controls it's not like I'm going to step out or anything.

[FlyingRon]

Unless I'm going to have to land it, sure, there's usually nothing tremendous to taking the controls for a minute. For takeoff and landing, I'd want to spend a few minutes reviewing the speeds and procedures.

The last person I let fly the Navion (even land it) was Snowbird 10.

[Kyle Boatright]

Really? I let seven year old kids try their hand with mine. Kyle, if you're borrowing my plane you'll need to know all the buttons and knobs, but if we're toodling along on a burger run and I offer you the controls it's not like I'm going to step out or anything.

You're not gonna make me defend the indefensible, are you? ;-)

[1600vw]

What if you only fly single seat? Would you offer your airplane to someone if it's only a single seat. I have let others fly mine, but not just anyone. I have many video's of others flying my airplane while I stand on the ground watching and filming. But again not just anyone gets to fly my airplane.

[DaleB]

You're not gonna make me defend the indefensible, are you? ;-)
Heavens no! I may offer but I'm not going to insist. If someone doesn't feel like flying, it's their choice. Likewise I don't expect to be offered the controls in someone else's plane, but I won't turn it down either.

[ssmdive]

It may be weird, but I am really hesitant when in someone else's airplane and they say "you want to fly her?"

Then just say, "No thank you". I however like to fly other aircraft and like to let people fly mine. I have taken many people up who were not even pilots and let them loop and roll an aircraft.


It's not that I'm afraid to bend their bird or be lack-luster as a pilot, I just don't like stepping into an unfamiliar aircraft and grabbing the controls.

Then just say, "No thank you."


Then again, when I'm PIC in a two seater, I don't offer the controls to the pilot rated passenger, so I guess the books are square on that.

Your aircraft, your call. I look back to when I was an airport kid and a guy took me up in his L19 bird dog. He let me fly the plane - I am a pilot today in part because of his showing some snot nosed kid that he can fly. I met another man years later and he had a 1928 Ford Model A, he saw me looking at it and asked me if I wanted to drive it. He told me that when he bought it that he decided right then and there that if anyone showed interest in the car he would share it with him. I have that same attitude with my aircraft. I have let many people loop and roll a plane for the first time.

I will never be able to afford all the planes I want to fly. So when someone offers me the controls, I take them. And not everyone will be able to afford the planes I have, so when someone shows any interest, I let them fly.

I always offer - I rarely turn down the opportunity.

[Bill Greenwood]

If you love flying or an airplane, why not share that when you have another person with you, whether they are a pilot or not. Airplanes arent hard to fly, as for just making a turn or two or simple climb or descend a bit. If they were, no one could ever be a CFI or sales demo pilot and let others fly.
Everyone has their own way of thinking, but I dont feel like flying should be hard and only reserved for those of us who have a pilot cert and pretend to be some kind of diety who is priviledged to actually touch the controls, unlike the great unwashed masses.
I have always let everyone who flies with me take the controls when I can , just to get the feel and know they have flown. Even those who are not pilots and may be reluctant. I just tell them to hold the yoke for a minute while I look at the map or that flying is part of the ride. This includes kids that I have flown as part of Young Eagles. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYONE AFTER WE LANDED, SAY THAT THEY REGRETTED BEING ABLE TO FLY THE PLANE. I had one young Hispanic boy about 11, reluctant to take the controls since he had never been in a plane. After we landed he stood up on the wing walk, put his hands over his head like that scene in the Rocky I movie and to his Dad, "I flew the plane", He was so excited, made my day. And he came back next time we had Young Eagles.

[malexander]

I offer the controls to everyone I take for a ride. Pilot or not.
The best, most rewarding thing about being a pilot is being able to share the passion with others.

AND, I'll gladly take the controls of anyone's airplane who offers it to me.

I too have had young eagles exit the plane and run up to their parent(s) telling them "he let me fly the airplane".

[bigdog]

There are all different levels of comfort. I don't hesitate to offer the controls to my front seat pax, pilot or not. Some do, some don't. On the other hand I'm tentative when taking the controls of another probably because I so seldom fly in other planes. The really weird feeling is someone else flying left seat. I've got a friend who's plane has been down for an extended period. I helped him get current in mine and let him use it for his BFR. It was weird when I switched to the right seat and weirder still seeing my plane fly without me in it. I've also had a couple occasions to ride in my back seat and that's even more mind blowing. It ain't easy being a passenger.

[greentips]

I share. I have had any number of non-pilots take the controls, on first rides. Several I have mentored through private pilot certificates, and a few through instrument, commercial and helped them get their start on 135 ops. So, I think that flying is fun, it is easy to share, and once we break the mystique, we gain pilots, more educated laymen which is all good for aviation. When offered the controls, I fly, although I agree, that I'd really like to know a bit about the airplane before I land it. There's just something about slow flight that makes me more comfortable close to the ground. My wife is now a student pilot, so she gets the controls any time she wants.

It is really weird to see my airplane fly without me in it. In the 26 years I've owned it, I think that's happened twice. I did ride the the back seat with another pilot when a friend asked if he and wife (both pilots) could use mine to pick up his new (vintage) bird. I think that was the first and last time in the back seat. Of course when there are pilots there are hijinks. The two back seat pilots waited quietly for the front seat driver to fine tune the trim, then we hunched forward and waited. Of course the next step was to lean back. Took my friend about 4 cycles to figure it out. We were duly chastised.

[skier]

I share the controls with anyone in the right seat and am thrilled when they do the same for me. I've gotten to fly a few cool aircraft that way too: bonanza, jodel, and Pa-12. Why not let others fly? Planes pretty much fly themselves at cruising altitude. They aren't going to do any harm to the plane by making a few turns, climbing, and descending.

However, I know my limitations. I wouldn't try landing someone else's tailwheel airplane even if I had their permission. I have a tailwheel endorsement, but am not comfortable landing them.

[JimRice85]

I'll let others take the controls, especially on Young Eagles flights...and explain what the are doing. I'll take controls of another if they ask, especially if something I've never flown. However, if I don't fly from takeoff through landing, I don't consider that as having flown something.

I've been fortunate to have lots of people let me fly their airplanes, both with and without them along. I've flown 53 (I think, haven't checked lately) different make/models. I've only owned five. Glad other let me truly fly their airplanes. A good friend let me help fly off the Phase I hours on his S-1S Pitts a few years ago. IIRC, it had about 20 hours when he let me loose in it. My brother has also been dumb enough to turn me loose in his S-1S as well.

I also let others fly my planes, especially my Cub. It is kinda cool watching your own plane fly by.


Jim R
Collierville, TN

N7155H--1946 Piper J-3 Cub
N3368K--1946 Globe GC-1B Swift
N4WJ--1994 Van's RV-4

[Low Pass]

Someone working on a psychology degree should study this. Personally, I am very reluctant to borrow someone else's horse. And on the very rare occasion when I do, I am very careful to leave it just like I found it. But I know some people who eagerly borrow planes and fly them like they were stolen.

[Bill Greenwood]

Of course you would treat anyone's else's airplane with extra care, just as youd expect them to do yours.

[Gil]

As a CFI, I am frequently flying other people's airplanes, and I am happy to offer the controls of my plane to my passengers. Yes, you do want to be careful and respect the property of others. It also helps to have insurance for flying non-owned airplanes.