Tips on being ahead of the airplane?
Posted by SirAadiG@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 11 comments
I currently have 30 hours and I feel like I suck. I keep failing my lessons and need some tips please. I live in AZ where turbulence keeps bumping me away from my altitude, I’m always pulling power too late or pitching down and causing excessive speed. It takes forever for me to set up for maneuvers because I’m too busy trying to maintain my altitude and airspeed. I feel like I can’t fly at all and am losing hope and motivation. Any tips would be appreciated
BrtFrkwr@reddit
Always be ahead of your airplane. Behind is only turbulence and smoke.
mirassou3416@reddit
You can't fight the aircraft in turbulence or you can overstress the controls. Just ride the waves
firefoxUSSR@reddit
With gusty and turbulent flying, resist the urge to be precise on numbers like speed and altitude. Instead keep the airport within 100ft, then 50ft. And situational awareness, like heading or next waypoint are some to use those tracking skills.
AlexJamesFitz@reddit
Could easily be the case that you're fighting the bumps too much instead of riding them. Takes experience, talk to your CFI about that.
AirSorvete@reddit
This was my biggest failing. 'Fly the plane, don't let it fly you' is the phrase to remember.
I've been told it enough times lol.
TxAggieMike@reddit
This is a most excellent conversation to have with your instructor.
Please do so and report back.
ShootyLoots@reddit
Chair fly. Use verbal callouts for your memory items and when scanning your instruments. Don't panic. Understand what actions you can take to give yourself more time if youre behind (360s, slow down, use AP, tell ATC you need a second) Never stop flying the plane! Off your intended altitude? Get back to it. Same with speed and heading. Resignation is a deadly pilot attitude.
You only have 30 hours. Don't be so hard on yourself and keep improving.
Have you solo'd yet? My authority over the plane and consistently increased dramatically after my first solo and improved with each solo flight.
SirAadiG@reddit (OP)
I have not, thank you for the advice
ShootyLoots@reddit
Depending on your goals in aviation, you are going to be learning new and difficult things for a while. That's okay and expected.
Talk with your CFI and work with them. Talk to other CFIs at your school. See if your CFI would be comfortable sending you up with a different instructor and then debriefing all three of you together.
At cruise, small adjustments are king.
During maneuvers, the entire point is to prove you can manage all the forces at play. That takes time. Keep at it
JumboTrijet@reddit
What does your CFI say? Perhaps some more slow flight in straight and level, turns, climbing and descending turns at various power settings.
As with any endeavor, there WILL always be setbacks. You just have to keep getting back on the horse.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
I currently have 30 hours and I feel like I suck. I keep failing my lessons and need some tips please. I live in AZ where turbulence keeps bumping me away from my altitude, I’m always pulling power too late or pitching down and causing excessive speed. It takes forever for me to set up for maneuvers because I’m too busy trying to maintain my altitude and airspeed. I feel like I can’t fly at all and am losing hope and motivation. Any tips would be appreciated
Please downvote this comment until it collapses.
Questions about this comment? Please see this wiki post before contacting the mods.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. If you have any questions, please contact the mods of this subreddit.