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H.P.
Guest
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 Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 12:44 pm Post subject: Getting used to choppy air |
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Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
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C J Campbell
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:26 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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"H.P." <466666 (AT) email (DOT) com> wrote
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've
conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and
control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been
half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
|
You have a good instructor. Many instructors will not take students up in
gusty conditions. Many students will not go. Your diligence in the face of
something that makes you so uncomfortable is commendable. Keep at it, and
you will eventually become accustomed to gusty winds.
Controlling the airplane in gusty conditions sometimes seems very difficult.
The things that help me are to make sure the airplane is trimmed properly;
the airplane should not change attitude just because I let go of the yoke.
From there I work on keeping very light pressure on the controls. Just two
fingertips and a thumb. The airplane is stable and will try to maintain a
constant straight and level attitude. Most of the trouble with control
difficulty in turbulence is not from the turbulence, but over-correction
from the pilot. You might find that the plane flies much better if you just
let go of the yoke completely!
Be sure to keep your aiming point as far distant as possible.
On the approach, keep your airspeed a little higher and don't use all your
flaps. Flying a little faster will keep the airplane stabilized on approach.
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Bob Noel
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:08 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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In article <%UOcd.6289$Lk3.1689 (AT) newssvr12 (DOT) news.prodigy.com>, "H.P."
<466666 (AT) email (DOT) com> wrote:
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't
seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've
conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and
control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this?
|
I don't know of any shortcuts. The only thing that helps me at
all is exposure. The more I fly in bumpy air, the less uncomfortable
it is.
good luck
--
Bob Noel
Seen on Kerry's campaign airplane: "the real deal"
oh yeah baby.
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Ron Natalie
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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H.P. wrote:
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor.
|
Practice. Smooth seas never makes a skillful sailor.
Actually, I am much better with turbulance these days. My wife tells
me it is inappropriate to go "whee" when flying commerically when we hit
a good downdraft.
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NW_PILOT
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:55 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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"H.P." <466666 (AT) email (DOT) com> wrote
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've
conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and
control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been
half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
|
If your getting sick the six-flags thing would be good but if not just go in
the air and tough it out.
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NW_PILOT
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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"Ron Natalie" <ron (AT) sensor (DOT) com> wrote
| Quote: | H.P. wrote:
Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much
so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor.
Practice. Smooth seas never makes a skillful sailor.
Actually, I am much better with turbulance these days. My wife tells
me it is inappropriate to go "whee" when flying commerically when we hit
a good downdraft.
|
inappropriate to go "whee"? Wonder what whee she's talking about?
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David B. Cole
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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"H.P." <466666 (AT) email (DOT) com> wrote
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
|
H.P.
I did my PPL during the early spring and summer here in NJ, which can
be a very turbulent time of year. I remember one day it was so windy
that it appeared the planes were lifting up against their tie-downs,
but we went up anyway and I am glad we did. On another lesson my
primary instructor wasn't available and I flew with another instructor
on a fairly turbulent day. He commented that I was more comfortable in
that level of turbulence than the majority of students he has seen,
due to the exposure by my primary CFI. But do I necessarily like
flying in it? Not at all. Shortly after getting my PPL I flew a XC
from Caldwell (CDW) to Allentown, PA (ABE). The terrain over the
route is fairly hilly and the winds at 3000' were 40 kts. What was I
thinking? I got bumped around so much that I couldn't wait to get
back home. But during the entire time I flew the plane and made power
and attitude adjustments as necessary.
Once you're solo you won't always be able determine when you're going
to run into turbulence until you're in it, and you won't have anyone
to turn the controls over to. That's why it's a good idea to deal
with it effectively now when you have your CFI next to you. Or if
you're flying solo and it does become too much, find an airport to put
down. I really don't think the rollercoaster is going to help much as
they're completely different experiences and sensations. With the
rollercoaster not only do you know you're attached to a track, but
from the very instant you set foot on it you know you're not going to
be in control and therefore the outcome is never in your hands.
Best of luck.
Dave
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ShawnD2112
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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HP,
Time in the air is about the only thing for it. That and figuring out that
a light aircraft is a bitch to trim in turbulence and just accepting the
fact that she's going to bounce all over the place and there's not a lot you
can really do about it. Don't fight each bump, but rather the trends. The
minor bumps will sort themselves out. But if she hits a bump and banks over
30 degrees or something like that, correct it. Eventually you'll get used
to it.
Shawn
"H.P." <466666 (AT) email (DOT) com> wrote
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've
conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and
control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been
half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
|
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| Back to top |
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Roger
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:07 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 11:58:13 -0700, "NW_PILOT" <N7676U (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
wrote:
| Quote: |
"Ron Natalie" <ron (AT) sensor (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:4173db07$0$28200$9a6e19ea (AT) news (DOT) newshosting.com...
H.P. wrote:
Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much
so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor.
Practice. Smooth seas never makes a skillful sailor.
Actually, I am much better with turbulance these days. My wife tells
me it is inappropriate to go "whee" when flying commerically when we hit
a good downdraft.
inappropriate to go "whee"? Wonder what whee she's talking about?
That was "whee", not whiz< ) |
At any rate, prior to my long cross country my instructor took me out
in weather bad enough to make me sick two days in a row.
On the long cross country a bunch of lake effect snow squalls popped
up (another case of no moving front) all around me. Instead of being
surprised and scared I just pulled the seat belt *tighter*, relaxed
and navigated out. I have no idea as to how many times I was 90
degreed in there but it was a bunch.
I think it's more a matter of just getting used to the turbulence and
having faith in the airplane as well as your abilities.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
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Mark Hansen
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 8:35 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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On 10/18/2004 05:44, H.P. wrote:
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
|
You've received a lot of great advice from others already. I would
just like to add my $0.02 here.
There are two things about turbulence that can be upsetting.
First is the feeling that the plane will simply tip over and fall
out of the sky. Of course we know this can't happen, but it takes
a little time before you "know" it - after that, they won't seem
as upsetting.
Second is your ability to manage the controls during the turbulence.
As your time increases, more of the control inputs will become
automatic, making the control much easier.
For a sense of this, watch your instructor control the plane. It
seems as though he's made a pack with the Devil, but actually, the
light touch on the controls is a result of not over-correcting when
a bump hits; and this will come in time for you as well.
When I was first training, I was training in a Quicksilver MX2
Ultralight. Now this is a plane that will follow every flow of
air out there. To help me get used to it, I planed flights at
alternating times of day: One in the morning when the air was
smooth, and one in the afternoon when the air was turbulent.
The result was a good combinations of weather which made it
easier for me to learn how to handle both types of conditions.
As a final word, bring up your concerns with your instructor.
He may decide to take you up in smooth air so you can see what
that's like.
Good luck and try not to get too discouraged.
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Roger
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:05 am Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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On Mon, 18 Oct 2004 11:58:13 -0700, "NW_PILOT" <N7676U (AT) gmail (DOT) com>
wrote:
Hmmm, I'm going to have to change my newsgroup server, or my copy of
Agent has a problem. I posted this 4:00 PM yesterday and it hadn't
show up yet. So here goes again...
| Quote: | "Ron Natalie" <ron (AT) sensor (DOT) com> wrote in message
news:4173db07$0$28200$9a6e19ea (AT) news (DOT) newshosting.com...
H.P. wrote:
Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much
so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor.
Practice. Smooth seas never makes a skillful sailor.
Actually, I am much better with turbulance these days. My wife tells
me it is inappropriate to go "whee" when flying commerically when we hit
a good downdraft.
inappropriate to go "whee"? Wonder what whee she's talking about?
That was "whee", not whiz<) |
At any rate, prior to my long cross country my instructor took me out
in weather bad enough to make me sick two days in a row.
On the long cross country a bunch of lake effect snow squalls popped
up (another case of no moving front) all around me. Instead of being
surprised and scared I just pulled the seat belt *tighter*, relaxed
and navigated out. I have no idea as to how many times I was 90
degreed in there but it was a bunch.
I think it's more a matter of just getting used to the turbulence and
having faith in the airplane as well as your abilities.
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com
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H.P.
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 6:38 am Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air: Thanks everyone! |
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Thanks all for the great advice!!
"H.P." <466666 (AT) email (DOT) com> wrote
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've
conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and
control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been
half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
|
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| Back to top |
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Euan Kilgour
Guest
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| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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[email]mrcole100 (AT) aol (DOT) com[/email] (David B. Cole) wrote in message news:<403fdf8.0410181058.662d3e99 (AT) posting (DOT) google.com>...
| Quote: | "H.P." <466666 (AT) email (DOT) com> wrote
Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and control
application further.
Any short-cut techniques on how to conquer this? I've been half-considering
taking a trip to a Six-Flags amusement park and spending the whole day on
the wickedest rollercoaster's they might have just to knock it out of my
system.
H.P.
I did my PPL during the early spring and summer here in NJ, which can
be a very turbulent time of year. I remember one day it was so windy
that it appeared the planes were lifting up against their tie-downs,
but we went up anyway and I am glad we did. On another lesson my
primary instructor wasn't available and I flew with another instructor
on a fairly turbulent day. He commented that I was more comfortable in
that level of turbulence than the majority of students he has seen,
due to the exposure by my primary CFI.
|
My first 5 or so lessons were all in pretty turbulent weather, and I
remember thinking that flying in small planes was always like that!
It made it quite hard for the CFI to get across to me that we were
actually flying straight and level when it certainly felt like we
weren't. <g>
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Journeyman
Guest
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| Posted: Sun Oct 24, 2004 3:27 pm Post subject: Re: Getting used to choppy air |
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In article <%UOcd.6289$Lk3.1689 (AT) newssvr12 (DOT) news.prodigy.com>, H.P. wrote:
| Quote: | Lately I've been flying in gusty winds. The feeling of being in a small
plane with wind gusts bouncing you around is unsettling to me, so much so
that I sometimes give up the controls to my instructor. I just can't seem
to control the plane and then the acrophobia sets in (which I've conquered
tremendously but not entirely over time) and clouds my thinking and control
application further.
|
Couple of things that haven't been said already.
I like to think of tubulence as equivalent to potholes in the road.
Relates to something much more familiar.
Learning to control the airplaine in turbulence is a lot like learning
how to steer a car down a highway. How much do you turn the wheel as
the road curves? You turn it "enough". You just know, hand-eye how
much is enough. How do you know? Practice. The more familiar you
become, the less alarming.
Beware of pilot-induced turbulence. Trainers by design are inherently
stable. So, you hit a bump, correct "this much", and go, "Excrement!
it's not working", then correct some more. By that time, your
correction is taking effect, and you've now overcorrected and overshoot,
so you have to (over-)correct again.
But don't let this advice prevent you from correcting enough. How
much is enough correction? You just know, with practice.
IOW, like others have said, there's no shortcut but if you keep at it,
you'll get used to it.
HTH,
Morris
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