Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

This forum has been developed to discuss aviation related topics.

Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, lilfssister, I WAS Birddog

niss
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 6745
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:54 pm
Location: I'm a CPL trapped in a PPL's Body.
Contact:

Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by niss »

I flew my 100th hr todY but found I am plagued with confidence issues since my scare with almost going off the runway.

Now I find I am holding my breath on take offs and getting really nervous during crosswind landings. I wouldn't say I was cocky or invincible before but then I had no concerns. I knew what I had to do and how to do it. I find now I feel every foot of runway that goes by on the take off and every gust on the landing.

I was up today and couldn't relax or enjoy the flight as my eyes were glued to the tach and oil and fuel gauges. I cut the flight shirt due to just a bad feeling. Eerything was fine but I just didn't feel good in the pit of my stomach.

Did anyone else have this sort if confidence crisis? How did you deal with it?
---------- ADS -----------
 
She’s built like a Steakhouse, but she handles like a Bistro.

Let's kick the tires, and light the fires.... SHIT! FIRE! EMERGENCY CHECKLIST!
User avatar
Bushav8er
Rank 8
Rank 8
Posts: 936
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:37 am
Location: Northern Can

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by Bushav8er »

Short answer - fly, which you are still doing. Maybe book an hour with an instructor again and do cross-winds. Just having them in the seat beside you will do wonders, and maybe shake of some dust.

Good luck with it, must be an awful feeling.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Randleman
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 317
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:01 pm

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by Randleman »

Don't worry man, I had the same issues, all the way to my 250 mark. Keep flying, and tell yourself you are a good pilot and are doing things right. The butterflies will go away. Especially after a scare it's okay to be nervous.

A flight with an instructor wouldn't be a bad idea either. Find an instructor somewhere and go for a flight with them. Do some maneuvers, and ask for feedback.

Keep it up man
---------- ADS -----------
 
xsbank
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 5655
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2004 4:00 pm
Location: "The Coast"

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by xsbank »

All good advice - a good scare is part of your education and not at all unusual. You should fly MORE - do as much as you can. If you analyse what happened to give you that scare, you have to realize that nothing really happened, you had the rudimentary skills to get yourself out of it and you explored some of the limits of your little aerodyne. All good stuff. Now get back out there and keep floggin' her, practise your maneuvers and get prepared for the next time you find a new limit.
---------- ADS -----------
 
"What's it doing now?"
"Fly low and slow and throttle back in the turns."
iflyforpie
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 8133
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:25 pm
Location: Winterfell...

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by iflyforpie »

I wouldn't think it is a confidence crisis as being more aware of your surroundings.

I had an incident happen to me around the 100 hr mark that kept me in check for a while. The loss of Carson's 172 at Apex recently could have been me in similar circumstances over the Myra Canyon Trestles eight years ago.

But in spite of this, I again found that I was taking greater risks up to the 1000 hour mark. You just get into routine, you know how to fly, know the plane, dealt with some scenarios, want to make an impression as a 'can do' pilot, and think you are hot sh!t.

I never had a specific scare (well, a few, but not related to my flying). I just decided I wanted to increase my margins a bit more and for the most part it didn't make a difference anyways.

There are no old bold pilots...
---------- ADS -----------
 
Geez did I say that....? Or just think it....?
SuperchargedRS
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1485
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:30 am
Location: the stars playground

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by SuperchargedRS »

Maybe go up with a instructor in a REALLY windy day on a small strip and do a bunch of TO/LDGs, work it out.
---------- ADS -----------
 
nimbostratus
Rank 3
Rank 3
Posts: 197
Joined: Tue May 30, 2006 9:08 am
Location: Calgary

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by nimbostratus »

Niss, whatever you do, don't watch these two videos...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ki8Ji4HQVU

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTVj_ZSw ... re=related

8) :mrgreen:


Nimbo
---------- ADS -----------
 
Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes!


"Man is least himself when he talks in his own person.
Give him a mask and he will tell the truth." -- Oscar Wilde
fish4life
Rank 10
Rank 10
Posts: 2528
Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2010 6:32 am

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by fish4life »

I'm with most of the posts if you get to the airport on a certain day and it feels like its out of your confidence level instead of going home and saying "well i'll wait for a better wx day" see if you can find an instructor to go up with you just to help build your confidence back up. They may even teach you a few tricks that were more advanced than they would have given a basic PPL student
---------- ADS -----------
 
loopa
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1500
Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:57 am

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by loopa »

All great advice!

You know, the more you talk to more experienced pilot's, the more you hear how they wouldn't do so many things that they did as a low timer if they had the education and knowledge of today (5000 hours later).

You raising concern for things such a fuel gauges, and being concerned about xwind take off's are all good signs that you are taking flying a tad bit seriously than just fooling around. It seems to me that you're starting to think about factors a bit more which is a great sign for your overall development as a pilot!

As for being confident, try to understand what it is you're doing, because when you understand something, you have a far better grasp of where the safety margin lays in comparison to just winging it. I have a few friends down in the states who are and used to do flight training, and there used to be this big thing about instructors not teaching slips down there because they were too nervous. Only if they had known about the true aerodynamics that occur during a slip, they'd be quick to identify that a positive control slip doesn't encounter too many dangers!

Congrats on passing the 100 hour mark, and keep pounding away! 8)
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
KAG
Rank 11
Rank 11
Posts: 3619
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:24 pm

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by KAG »

Hey Niss, I'll go up with ya. It's been awhile since I've pounded on the mighty PA28-140, but I figure I might be able to pass along a few tricks.
---------- ADS -----------
 
The feet you step on today might be attached to the ass you're kissing tomorrow.
Chase lifestyle not metal.
life2fly
Rank 0
Rank 0
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:10 pm

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by life2fly »

Congratulations on 100hours.

It is a Great Feeling.

Next big one is 500 hours. Fly safe out there.

If in doubt, Do Not Go !!!
---------- ADS -----------
 
. ._
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 7374
Joined: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:50 pm
Location: Cowering in my little room because the Water Cooler is locked.
Contact:

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by . ._ »

I say pick a beautiful day to go flying. Bring the old lady up and get her to comfort you orally as you fly.

You won't be thinking anything bad at that point!!!!

(And by orally, I mean she can talk to you. :P Perverts! :mrgreen: )

Seriously, I have no advice. Good luck though.

-istp :smt023
---------- ADS -----------
 
flyinthebug
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1686
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:36 am
Location: CYPA

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by flyinthebug »

I cant believe all the GOOD advice you are receiving Niss. Id suggest following some of the ideas above. For me, it was at the 250 hr mark, 10 hours after I`d done my Multi/IFR..Ran into some bad weather between YXL and YQR in a PA23-250. It scared me so badly, I thought it was over for me. My flight instructor was also a close friend and he made me go flying with him the next day. We went under the hood and into actual IMC conditions and before you knew it, I was over it and carrying on with my career. My confidence was rebuilt after an hour with a good pilot showing me where and how I went wrong. Please just realize Niss, this is a VERY normal experience for a new pilot and you will bounce back from it. I think that the advice to grab your flight instructor, explain to him how you feel, and then go up and do a bunch of touch and gos with him is your best advice thus far. Find a crosswind and challenge yourself. You will feel that feeling of "security" with your instructor there to bail you out if things start to go south...and as its going south, your instructor will explain how to not let it get that way next time. I promise you that once you face this fear, it will have a very short shelf life. Its like the old saying about falling off a horse. Its no different with airplanes.

I applaud you Niss for sharing your experiences and asking for help where needed. Besides your outrageous tirades on here sometimes (Misc forum), you do seem to have your head screwed on right to be successful in this industry. Let us know how it goes! 8)

Fly safe all.
---------- ADS -----------
 
niss
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 6745
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 8:54 pm
Location: I'm a CPL trapped in a PPL's Body.
Contact:

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by niss »

flyinthebug wrote: I applaud you Niss for sharing your experiences and asking for help where needed. Besides your outrageous tirades on here sometimes (Misc forum), you do seem to have your head screwed on right to be successful in this industry. Let us know how it goes! 8)

Fly safe all.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice! And especially thanks to you FTB for differentiating my attitudes & personality. None of us may agree on anything politically etc, but at the end we are all part of a brotherhood/sisterhood of aviators and I am glad I can rely on people!

I will be giving my old instructor a shout and look to go up again. And Kag if you are ever available I would very much like to take you up on your offer!

Thanks again guys!
---------- ADS -----------
 
She’s built like a Steakhouse, but she handles like a Bistro.

Let's kick the tires, and light the fires.... SHIT! FIRE! EMERGENCY CHECKLIST!
User avatar
skat0r
Rank 4
Rank 4
Posts: 201
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:36 pm
Location: cyul

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by skat0r »

I'm on the same boat(or plane), i also have 100hrs and still have some scares, but i guess its normal and with time and experience it will go away. And i've heard its better to have a pilot who isnt 100% confident caus he will not do stupid things which causes crashes.
---------- ADS -----------
 
trey kule
Rank 11
Rank 11
Posts: 4766
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:09 pm

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by trey kule »

Here is some free advice. Probably worth what you are paying for it.

It seems that 100 is a magic number. Not only when you get a tt of 100, but when pilots hit about 100 on type. I have seen it over and over again in my career. Enough so that Captains have to do a reride in our company after 100 hours.

The reason. Not sure. It seems that one becomes to familiar with the plane and a bit overconfident in their abilities and starts to slacken off. The tell tale signs are sloppy radio work, not landing on the center of the runway, missing memory items,(hatches left unsecure, etc) poor walkaround ,,and not seeing the danger.

I am not convinced going up with an instructor is the answer as the majority of instructors simply dont have the experience to deal with this type of situation...Best to take a few moments in the evening and set yourself some standards...ie...I will consider a missed item on the walkaround, checklist etc, as a serious problem. Review all the runup procedures, and review the AFM. then go out and dont except anything from yourself but performance. Heading , Altitude, speed on approaches, take offs etc. Dont accept less than perfect from yourself and work to get it that way.. Go back to basics.

Do this and I think you will find youf flying suddenly will get much better with a lot fewer ...oopsies.

Having said all this, ooopsies happen to all of us...anybody who tells you diffeent is a liar.
Some of us got lucky. Some did not. The only thing you can do is not allow yourself slack.

Hope this helps.
---------- ADS -----------
 
Accident speculation:
Those that post don’t know. Those that know don’t post
flyinthebug
Rank (9)
Rank (9)
Posts: 1686
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:36 am
Location: CYPA

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by flyinthebug »

niss wrote:
flyinthebug wrote: I applaud you Niss for sharing your experiences and asking for help where needed. Besides your outrageous tirades on here sometimes (Misc forum), you do seem to have your head screwed on right to be successful in this industry. Let us know how it goes! 8)

Fly safe all.

Thanks to everyone for the great advice! And especially thanks to you FTB for differentiating my attitudes & personality. None of us may agree on anything politically etc, but at the end we are all part of a brotherhood/sisterhood of aviators and I am glad I can rely on people!

I will be giving my old instructor a shout and look to go up again. And Kag if you are ever available I would very much like to take you up on your offer!

Thanks again guys!

Well said Niss! :supz:
---------- ADS -----------
 
Just another canuck
Rank 10
Rank 10
Posts: 2083
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 6:21 am
Location: The Lake.

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by Just another canuck »

If the crosswinds are giving you trouble, just do it like KBA... :smt040

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwMlgc1saHs

Seriously, good on you Niss for seeking advice when most would not. :wink:
---------- ADS -----------
 
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.
altiplano
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 5683
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 2:24 pm

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by altiplano »

-
---------- ADS -----------
 
Last edited by altiplano on Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
JTF01
Rank 1
Rank 1
Posts: 49
Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2010 4:34 pm
Location: BC

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by JTF01 »

Hang in there my friend. Good things will come!
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
sez
Rank 1
Rank 1
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:14 pm

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by sez »

I used to have the same issues too, till the very near past. Actually I still have some but it doesn't affect my flying as it used to.
Fly with an experience instructor and during take off roll mess with the plane. Most likely you already know Cessnas are very forgiving. I am pretty sure it will help you overcome your issues. After I had those landings and t/o s, I can say that Crosswinds are my favourites. I really enjoy it now.
Don't let your groundless anxieties to ruin your day and joy. Enjoy your day.. It is all in your head.
---------- ADS -----------
 
User avatar
dirtpoorflyr
Rank 1
Rank 1
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 6:28 am
Location: south of where I once was

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by dirtpoorflyr »

Hey Niss you have already started on the right track by asking for advice, it is all part of the learning curve.The scenario was explained to me as the 100 hour big bang and as already mentioned there are more experiences like this to come. There seems to be two levels of confidence, false confidence and true confidence. False confidence comes from not knowing what can happen, and true confidence is a result of knowing what can happen from experience. Experience is knowing you will never know everything.
Many seasoned pilots started as flight instructors and the evidence of that is clear in this post. The best instructors remember their own short comings and how they over come them.
I agree; book with your instructor and do some circuits on a small narrow runway. Have fun with it. I remember doing this exactly myself with my instructor, I think we both had fun that flight, and I learned a lot about the feel of an airplane and stick and rudder skills.
A little self reflection is OK, but get out there and fly. You will get your nerve back and you will be a better pilot for it.
---------- ADS -----------
 
I'd rather have my head in the clouds than stuck up my .........
Big Pistons Forever
Top Poster
Top Poster
Posts: 5927
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:17 pm
Location: West Coast

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by Big Pistons Forever »

niss wrote:I flew my 100th hr todY but found I am plagued with confidence issues since my scare with almost going off the runway.

Now I find I am holding my breath on take offs and getting really nervous during crosswind landings. I wouldn't say I was cocky or invincible before but then I had no concerns. I knew what I had to do and how to do it. I find now I feel every foot of runway that goes by on the take off and every gust on the landing.

I was up today and couldn't relax or enjoy the flight as my eyes were glued to the tach and oil and fuel gauges. I cut the flight shirt due to just a bad feeling. Eerything was fine but I just didn't feel good in the pit of my stomach.

Did anyone else have this sort if confidence crisis? How did you deal with it?
I went through the exact same issues. In my case it was around 125 hrs and was exacerbated by the fact that I was pursuing my undergraduate degree and
could only afford to fly 10 hrs a year. When I graduated I got a well paying job and shortly thereafter the flying club I rented from bought a Citabria. I immediately signed up for a tailwheel checkout and a concentrated course of hands and feet dual made a remarkable difference in both my skill and confidence.

my 02 cents

I think it is difficult to overcome confidence issues on your own that is why I recommend you get some dual and if you are going to be paying for an instructor you might as well learn new skills
---------- ADS -----------
 
ogc
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 317
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:52 am

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by ogc »

Hey Niss,

I just hit 130 hrs, and I had a nervous stretch from about 115 to 125.

Culminating in going up at night in 6 miles vis on a hazy evening.

I also think the airport you are flying out of probably has a little something to do with it. As I recall you are flying into and out fo Springwater, personally I have struggled with it myself, and Im sure almost runnign off it would have been very rattling.

My first landing there resulted in skidding a 172 down half of it, lesson learned.

I sure learned to appreciate the shorter runways there and making sure I get the damned plane down near the numbers. I stayed away from springwater for awhile. Maybe go do some circuits at lake simcoe might help with the confidence.
---------- ADS -----------
 
cessna 150
Rank 1
Rank 1
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:04 pm
Location: Brampton, Ontario

Re: Finally hit the 100 hr mark but.....

Post by cessna 150 »

istp wrote:I say pick a beautiful day to go flying. Bring the old lady up and get her to comfort you orally as you fly.

You won't be thinking anything bad at that point!!!!

(And by orally, I mean she can talk to you. :P Perverts! :mrgreen: )

Seriously, I have no advice. Good luck though.

-istp :smt023

^lol

on topic: hey I had the same problem I think ever since my third or fourth solo flight. I went to practice stalls and got myself into a spin and holy crap that was scary, I think for a few seconds I fiddled with every control and only then did I CALM DOWN AND REMEMBER THE CORRECT RECOVERY PROCEDURE! mind you this happened at like 50 hr mark or so. Ever since that day I hate practicing stalls and spins even thought I know the recovery procedure and everything, I still hate practicing them.

So my advice like many have pointed out is just fly and don't ever let panic take over because you have lost all your rational thinking when you let it take over.

Happy Flying!!!!
---------- ADS -----------
 
Post Reply

Return to “General Comments”