Private Pilot Lessons

“He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

This quote is especially true to me. I’m a nervous pilot. And I think it stems from the fact that I’m not really in control. I’m struggling with the whole take control and maneuver thing as a student pilot. I am still extremely uncomfortable in taking the controls. That was evident on my flight yesterday, and my instructor, Matt, had to have a “come to jesus” chat with me, because I’m behind the learning curve than all his other students, and maybe flying isn’t for me… The problem is, the only way to overcome my issue with getting in that small aircraft, is just to keep doing it until I just accept the reality that it’s normal. But when your instructor isn’t willing to do that with you, it’s extremely disheartening.

I wasn’t a nervous student driver. In fact, I was a very confident, independent driver. And I’ve been doing that for 10 years. Sure, my first time on an interstate, I thought I would have a heart attack, but I brave DC traffic like a boss now! I’m confident I could do this whole flying thing with time. It’s not impossible, and I understand the fundamentals, I just can’t get past the Mentals (stupid brain!!).

So, as I work through my insecurities as a pilot, let me hear what advice you have! I could use some help convincing my brain that I can do this!!

Thanks readers, hope to hear from you!!

P.S. I took that picture at 0750 Thursday morning, and it was FREEZING. NoVa is nowhere close to the SoCal weather I’ve been hiding in the last 2.5 years haha!