Butterflies and flying... why so nervous?
 

Hey guys. I'm a 50-hour private pilot who just got his certificate in January. I'm about to go on my first flight since getting it, and I cant help but notice how I still feel a bit nervous before I go on a flight. Once im in the aircraft and off the ground, im fine. But leading up to it, i get the butterflies-in-my-stomach feeling. I've been around GA aircraft and the airline industry itself my entire life, so why in the world do I feel this way? What can I do to stop feeling like this? Is this an indication that I need to find a different career or stop flying altogether? A good pilot shouldn't be nervous, right? Input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Make sure your preflight prep is in order. You'll be fine.

It's a little strange when when you don't have that instructor to fall back on sitting next to you isn't it?

PilotPip is right, it does feel a little different without an instructor.

In my opinion what you are experiencing is common; it's a little different then hoping in a car to go down the block. By the way, what are you the most nervous about? Sometimes I got a little nervous about radios before I went up, but during my intermediate stage (50 hrs PIC cross country) I often flew to busy airports within class B airspace that it became a non issue, in fact I prefer class B now.

Soon enough you'll be so comfortable in a plane that it almost gets to the point where it feels as natural as driving to the grocery store. Just don't ever relax so much to the point that you are skipping things. Always do your checklists, and you should be fine.

Happy flying.

I don't think there's anything unusual about a 50-hour pilot being nervous before a flight. Especially if it's been a while since you've flown.

Do your planning, get a FSS briefing..... well, you know the drill. Relax and have fun.

Take this as an opportunity to make sure that you properly prepare for your flight in every aspect and to ensure yourself that you are not already falling vicitm to complacency. Many people might feel the other way after they have passed their checkride. Now they feel like they are ready to conquer the world - when if fact - it is even a more critical time because for the most part they are use to having that reasoned voice in the cockpit with them (the CFI I mean - not the angel and devil on your shoulders).

USMCFLYR

I still remember that feeling. There is something weird about climbing in the plane by yourself. Even as an instructor, I felt like I was missing something when we ferried planes for maintenance. Like everyone else said, do your routine, plan well, and enjoy the flight.

Thanks guys. The flight went really well. Granted it was just a few laps around the pattern and some crosswind landings, but I enjoyed myself. I took my father up. He's the one who first introduced me to flying back when he had his license and everything was current. If flying solo is an intence feeling imagine taking up your father, the one who showed you your first airplane when you were practically a month old! That was really intense!

I get nervous because the whole flying process seems so huge and unknown to me while im on the ground, you know? I know all the emergency procedures, but will i be able to remain calm when my life is actually at stake? If I want to fly into Orlando Intl. for a quick touch-and-go by my workplace what do I do? Do I call Orlando tower or Orlando approach first? What happens if I accidently stray into someones airspace for a minute or two then correct myself and fly back out? The Orlando area has a TON of airspace to worry about.

What it is, is that I still have so many questions. Im under the false pretence that I should know everything a 30,000 hour commercial pilot knows when Im a humble 50 hour private one. I know the rules, I know what to do. I think it's just a matter of applying them and actually doing it in the real world.

I'm glad you enjoyed your flight, I took my mother flying this past Sunday and my experience was a little different--I lost my radios after takeoff :eek:. But I was able to maintain cool and everything was OK. My mother didn't even know what had happened until we landed and I told her why the flight was so short.

In regards to your flight to MCO, I am not sure. I have never flown around the area, although I will eventually(my brother works at Disney World and I'd love to take him up next time i'm in the area). I fly around central Texas and from what I've heard the only way they'd let me do a touch and go at DFW is if it was 3-4 in the morning and the controler was feeling nice. Some airports may also charge a landing fee, I think at DFW if I were to land it could be pretty pricey(I bring this up only because I am not sure how busy MCO is, but I think a comparison to DFW may be more accurate than a comparison to Austins airport which is only class C). My advice to you would be to ask a CFI familiar with the area.

In regards to the airspace that you brought up, you can never be too safe when it comes to not busting airspace. I was flying once with a friend of mine around the Dallas area and he accidentally flew into Dallas Love's airspace shortly after departure, but it wasn't a big issue, the controller politely told him to turn to a heading to get him away, but from what I understand it could have ended a lot worse.

On my first flight into class B sans instructor I was flying into the same airport that he encountered his little problem so I made sure brief myself on the airspace regions in the area to prevent that from happening to me.

-Ajax

All too often this attitude is missing from newly minted pilots. This is one of the reasons the accident rates are so high.

This attitude, the desire to continue learning to make yourself more proficient and make sure every detail for every flight (even a simply trip around the pattern for touch and gos) will keep you alive and result in being a very good at your job if you plan on making a career of it.

AOPA throws the phrase "a good pilot is always learning" around a lot. It's a great phrase.

If you want to fly into Orlando's Class B just let me know. It's pretty straight forward however I doubt you could get an approach into MCO during the day. I flew out of SFB all the time and the only time we could even think about flying into MCO was after midnight when all the trans-atlantic flights had made it in. Good luck to you and by the way it is common to have the jitters as a brand new pilot. I think that if you didn't then something is wrong.

Maybe the butterflies are similar to a certain girl that you have feelings for. You're so in love with her, it makes you nervous just thinking about seeing her? Welcome to the love affair (?) of aviation!

Simple answer for you. It's normal, just be cautious, take your time, and enjoy the experience.

jsfboat, haha excilent metaphor man. Perhaps that's what it is! Nothing makes me more exited than climbing into the flight deck of an aircraft and taking it for a flight. And thanks for the kind words, guys. I love that AOPA phrase that I see on all the Flight Training magazines I get. Glad to hear the general concensus is that I dont have anything wrong with me! haha

Heckler45, Ive flowin into Orlando Class B while enroute to my checkride, but I would love to either overfly or shoot an approach into MCO one day. Id even go as far as wishing I could fly into work and park in a remote area next to the gates I work at, but in the post 9/11 world I doubt I could do that without at least going through serious hell (fees, paperwork, etc..). Perhaps you could PM me and walk me through the process you use to fly into MCO? That would be great. I'll probably speak to my CFI about it, too.

jsfboat has got it right...it is a love affair.
Also, it's a LICENSE TO LEARN. I never understood that till I got my private.
It's your ticket to get better and learn, learn, learn. It sounds like you do have a good attitude as well. Do your planning, do what you are supposed to
do and you'll be fine. I think what you are feeling is normal.

Papa T

I would start with KORL (Orlando Executive) or Sanford first. That way you can get an introduction to busy airspace. I doubt MCO is going to be very happy working in a 172 in the middle of the day.

You can just get Flight Following into the the airspace and they will keep you out of any Class B or other areas that you should stay clear of. Good luck!

Yea, i fly out of KORL so im very comfortable with their airspace. I probably wont bother with MCO during the day. I work there so I know theres pretty much always a flight or two on final for ATC to deal with. I enjoy flying around Orlando, theres just a ton of airspace to constantly be mindful of. The flight following works pretty well. Assuming I still have a source of income in the coming months, ill be looking forward to many flying adventures around Florida.

RmTrice -

If you get a chance you should really take a flight down and around the FL Keys. What a beautiful sight from the air!

USMCFLYR

I believe there's a medical term for this...called vaginitis. The good news: there's probably an OTC topical ointment readily available.:D Honestly, not sure why you feel this way, but my advice would be to fly more often! It will probably pass.

Approaches into MCO are not a huge issue in a 172.. they'll work you in ...generally they just tell you to firewall (if conditions permit) until you're over the numbers and land short for wake turb. ... even in a seneca they tell you to keep it at like 130-120 until very short final... I haven't flown there in a while but I do remember they give you DPs out of there (citrus or something) no big deal.