Well,

I am at St Arnaud at the moment, with the Van parked at the rear of an old pub which closed down many moons ago.  Called the Woolpack.

My daughter and her husband are renting the place and after helping them move in and errect a colour bond fence, they convinced me a should try flying.

I went with them to Horsham last Saturday, and went for an introductory flight in something that resembles a plane.  It was the Jabaroo 120. 

I went up in the air in this little buzz box, with duel controls and the instructor got me to fly the thing (a little) banking right and left etc but I think he was doing most of the flying . 

What I would like to know is how to get rid of the fear factor that rates 15 over 10.

Showing no fear (in the spirit of all Grey Nomads), but in actual fact scared sh**less, I fooled everyone but myself.   Going again this Sunday, but would like to know from experienced flyers out there, how to shed the fear factor. 

At this stage unsure whether or not I enjoyed it, if you get my drift.  By the time I had began to relax, we had landed.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Bilko, like you I am totally petrified with "heights"...... Even after having had occasion to swing under a Huey on a rope which I did not enjoy, nor did I enjoy jumping out of said Huey 10 metres above the Georges river....
But let me tell you way back in the 70's when I was young and charming we lived at Orange and 1 of the guys I worked with flew a Tiger Moth and he sort of illegally taught me to fly it, first flight was an absolute horrific experience then I started to enjoy it. Mind you a Tiger will take off and land more or less by itself in calm conditions.
When you get some confidence you will enjoy it but this does pose the question "did you win the lottery?" because that is why I failed to get a proper licence the costs were just over the top and to hire a plane to keep your hours up so that you keep your licence would cost a fortune these days - $300 an hour???

I have flown once only and never again shall I venture into the realm of the birds, if the window in the quantas short hop twin jet could open I would have been out of there not long after take off, I have bunjee jumped, been chased by crocs and a buffalo, rolled on by a runaway steer and hit by a car, attacked by a big red and run over by an emu, thrown out of a bullcatcher up in the kimberleys, had a puddle jumper fall off a jack and trapped me under on the strezlecki for four hours but I have never been so scared in all my days as when that bloody thing roared off the runway heading for Tasiie and never so pleased as when it touched down, the flying in between was not so bad have a look in row 18 seat 2 I bet the clawmarks are still there, never, never, never, never again

It's a strange thing, this fear of flying.
There's nothing logical about it; it's by far the safest means of transporting oneself from one place to another; but I guess that it's the "un-naturalness" of it that get's most people.
I did basic flying training with the RAF before medical difficulties forced me out of it and worked as an Air Traffic Controller for 16 years in Melbourne and Perth before becoming seriously and chronically discombubulated with CFS/ME.
I get the horrors sitting in the front of a bus watching the suicidal antics of your average suburban motorcar operator ('driver' would indicate a degree of competence).
At least you know that your average airplane driver has studied, learned and applied the skills necessary to commit aviation and that he/she/it is regularly re-tested for competence.
That is not necessarily true of the 16 wheeler traveling towards you at a closing speed of 210 km/hr with the intention of avoiding direct contact by less than a metre separation.
No, I feel much safer and more comfortable in the air.

Well thanks Dave for your vote of confidence. That has helped me quite a lot Fear Factor has now risen above 15. Basil, how strange that good blokes like us have lived in Orange. In actual fact I was born and bred there, however do not hold that against me. I hope, as you did, gain confidence with time, (hope not too long ) as I think I may enjoy it. Flying over flat land suits me as these light planes tend to glide quite well. If I were to take lessons in the Blue Mountains (where I live) , there are not too many flat areas that I know of After 20 Hours flying @ $135 an hour, plus a fee to join a club $160 plus a further 5 hrs for a cross country endorsement, etc etc, you would be able to obtain a Recreational Licence for approx $3,500. What they call a RAAus Pilot Certificate. To hire a Buzz Box, say the Jabiroo 120, or the Jabiroo 230, the prices are $75 and $95 per tacho hour to members. So that aint too bad. Anyways, thanks for your words of wisdom ( I think). Will see what happens next Sunday. Again, thanks Dave (not), as I know exactly how you felt, me too

anytime Buddy, anytime, the only time I will consider going up again is when Basil lands his ultralight bomber in my backyard and we will go and terrorise some rangers with flowerbombs and buzz some old folks homes and piddle on parliament house from 1500 feet, see how that effects their "raft of choices"

What's so scary about flying? I first left the ground in a glider being launced by a winch, between Truro and Blancetown. I've been in light aircraft like Cessna 150 and 172, mustering choppers without the doors, and a bigger chopper out to an oil rig off Pt Lincoln. Then the jets around, over and across the country and the Tasman. I can't get enough. Just strap in and enjoy the buzz. That acceleration on take off is a high all on its own. Similar to driving a V8 on the track. Zoooooom! The things I've seen from the air have given me a great perspective on the country below. From Broome to Adelaide direct, banking to port over Whyalla to line up the Adelaide Airport. It's just magic from up there. Flying over the Bungle Bungles and the Wolf Creek Crater on the flight from Broome to Alice Springs. The bushfire scars and various stages of regrowth. The terrain, the tracks and roads. The 2 day mail trip out of Pt. Augusta to Boulia in far western Qld, over some of the most isolate country, to mining communities, little townships and stations. Over the channel country. Now that was wonderful, even if was through dust storms. It's a great way to survey the lay of the land for future trips. Sit back, strap in, hold on and make the most of a wonderful opportunity to see the land from a great height. Then go down on the ground and see it close up. It's just wonderful. Cheers Chris

I'm going to get an ultra light (as you may have read elsewhere) maybe doing by the seat of my pants but without having to use"public runways" which have even more fees attached to their use should make it cheaper plus I'd own the aircraft... I have this secret plan to be able to carry it dismantled on the roof of the Corromal...

Hi Sarge,dont ever get over the fright of flying if you want to stay up there.Fear is the best keep you on your toes pill you can take.You will have heaps of fun learning on a forgiving a/c.better stop now they want to close the hanger doors.Always remember"Fly Navy".but dont trust the Navy,they keep moving the airfields..........carriers.Cheers.Ibbo.

Maintain that fear factor and you will be Okay , There is no such thing as an old bold pilot . The basic difference between a crash and a landing is the measure of control you exercise over events as they happen . There is no shame in going around if you stuff up the approach it better than the option of heading towards the point of no return, at which point Sh##s really become trumps . Fixed wing was never my forte as my RAAF instructors will testify but Rotary Wing is a different story it was my natural flare as they say . As a remote area fishermen I find that a rotary wing is more in keeping with my sport while been demanding to fly they are pleasure to drive

Hi Wombat.how different folk are when it comes to very different flying modes.My one and only introduction to choppers was on the Dragonfly.What made me decide to stay with the fixed wing variety was a demo of an Autoratative landing.Enough said.Cheers.Ibbo.

Now there's a thrill I can well remember, with a full load and the fan power is reduced to near bugger all not by my choice and nothing but bloody big trees and very angry people on the ground. One of lifes little experiences that enrich us so much.

Well I am totally convinced, or not, to have another go.

This Sunday I will head to Horsham and try again.  SH*** will be trumps again, but I will attempt to live up to the reputation of the Grey Nomads, and if at 1st you do not succeed, give up and do not make a fool of yourself

I guess if the instructor is game enough at 58 years of age, who am I to argue being a year or two older

I will take all of the advise given on this forum, by many well informed learned gentleman (said with tongue in cheek) and stay apprehensive, but attempt to lose some of the fear factor.  Like how hard can it be he he he.

Never too old, is my motto, but then again I am apt to change my mind on that.

Once again, many thanks for all the advise given, but after Sunday I may have to conceed (which hurts)and is never easy, that Dave may be correct 

Take care and stay well.

Hi Sarge.Mate at 58 years old I dont think that the instructor would be all that experienced.One thing to look out for is if he wears dark glasses,has a white stick and a bloody big Labrador dog with him.These younger types always have whisky breath,pre flight medicine.One other thing to watch for is that if he is wearing a rabbit on a chain around his neck instead of the traditional one rabbits foot,well Sarge.dont go mate.I hope that I have made you feel at ease,have a nice flight.CheersIbbo.

sgntbilko wrote:

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Well I am totally convinced, or not, to have another go.

This Sunday I will head to Horsham and try again.  SH*** will be trumps again, but I will attempt to live up to the reputation of the Grey Nomads, and if at 1st you do not succeed, give up and do not make a fool of yourself

I guess if the instructor is game enough at 58 years of age, who am I to argue being a year or two older

I will take all of the advise given on this forum, by many well informed learned gentleman (said with tongue in cheek) and stay apprehensive, but attempt to lose some of the fear factor.  Like how hard can it be he he he.

Never too old, is my motto, but then again I am apt to change my mind on that.

Once again, many thanks for all the advise given, but after Sunday I may have to conceed (which hurts)and is never easy, that Dave may be correct 

Take care and stay well.

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The other motto. "If  at first you don't succeed skydiving is not for you"

You go for it  it's safer than driving

 

Well Bilko, when you've mastered flying what then? Flying is the easy bit, landing without incident is the killer....
After you have learn't to fly why not take an introductory tram driving course? Driving a tram in Melbourne peak hours is far more stressfull than flying, at least with flying you have some directional control where as with a tram you can only stop or start....You can't dodge idiots and if the rails are wet it's like iceskating....

The next step up from flying is bungee jumping if that doesn't make you change your nickers then you certainly need laxatives

sgntbilko wrote:

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I went with them to Horsham last Saturday, and went for an introductory flight in something that resembles a plane.  It was the Jabaroo 120. 

Going again this Sunday, but would like to know from experienced flyers out there, how to shed the fear factor. 

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

---

Gidday;

I can help answer this one, as once upon a time I was going for my PPL.
The Jabiru's are a nice little plane, and are becoming increasingly popular in the pilot training arena.

The fear factor - The only real way to get over that is to keep going up, if after 3 or 5 flights you're still not comfortable then flying may not be for you. Most people are usually pretty nervous the first few times.

 

Are you scared of flying or water?

Now is this flying or skiing?

Stable aircraft, still air and steady hands. What more do you need? Water in the fuel lines? W-h-o-o-o-p-p-s! You'd have to have a lot of faith in your ground crew to carry out that kind of stunt. Lovely pics, Granny.