Folks,
My apologies if this is in the wrong forum.
I had my first flying lesson today. My entire life I have wanted to be a pilot, and at 49, decided to try. I pretty much have read everything I can about airplanes, flying, etc. I joined AOPA, read the magazines, watch videos, pretty much anything an armchair pilot can do, I have done...
So with all of that, nothing prepared me for the real thing.
I was scared, not to the point of hysteria, but the motion, the bumps, the thought the plane would simply crash were very much present while flying. While I did enjoy getting some time on the controls, I was nervous, and not at all comfortable being in the air.
Is this normal? After I landed, I was happy to be on the ground, and felt sad, that maybe all I'm meant to be is an armchair pilot? While I hate that thought, I keep thinking I should have been over the moon excited, not scared. Is it normal for a student to feel this way? My head is still spinning, trying to remember all the things that one has to do and think about.
Did anyone you feel this way as a student? Did the bumps/turbulence eventually not bother you? Were you eventually able to relax and learn/enjoy yourself?
Appreciate any advice.
-B