Exactly what I was thinking when Stef talk about the frustration of cancelling a flight for weather conditions and then see clear skies from the ground! That sentence helps me looking at the bright side :)
My instructor told me the same thing - it's a good lesson. And there are three things that are of no use to a pilot in an airplane: 1. Runway behind you. 2, Air above you. 3, Fuel in the fuel truck
@@simonmetcalf124 actually no - aircrafts dump fuel for many reasons. i heard if big airliners need to turn around and land, they will dump fuel (because it wasnt burned during 12h flight) so then can land safely (cuz of weight)
Self-doubt has been the biggest obstacle in my pilot training so far. Second guessing everything you do and wondering if you’re making the instructor next to you happy gets you caught up on the little things, and you can fall behind the aircraft so easily - leading to bigger mistakes and feeling completely flustered. I’ve got my final CPL flight test on Tuesday and only recently do I feel like I finally have my confidence and control back. I know what I’m supposed to do and I can only do my best. Wish me luck!
Good luck and remember what you learnt on Human Factors and Limitations - humans make 1 mistake out of 100-1000 repetitive tasks. So a little bit of self-doubt is always good :) there is no perfect flight. If you experience one, you probably overlooked something :) Just aim for a safe flight, with good airmanship, sound and conservative decisions and you will be fine.
99.9% agree. Great vid! About the not flying after a bad experience I don’t completely agree. If you don’t go back after that, you might not go back ever again. It tends to get bigger and bigger in your head. Alternatively you could go up with an instructor, especially so if you think the bad event happened due to pilot error.
That's great advice Coen. I've done that - gone up with an instructor after a bad flight, talked it through with them, and let them help me get back on track
Hi Coen! I´m Walter, from northern patagonia, Argentina. I agree with you in the way you should never permit the fear grow inside you. Horse riders say wen you fall from a horse, ride it immidiately after, otherwise your fear grows, and your self-confidence decreeses. Same case after a minor car accident. Fear is the worst friend of a pilot, but that dosen´t mean you should be wreckless. Cheers from Argentina! P.S: I appologiese for my english writing, since it isn´t my main lenguage, (it´spanish).
As a student pilot with just over 8 hours logged, i can say this video really speaks the truth. Paying for the PPL training is hard, I'm constantly wondering if I am "up to par" as a student, and at times I've considered just stopping. But then the next lesson comes and the sun is shining on that Piper and the sky is clear and I realize how incredibly unique a perspective we pilots get to see from above! Press on because it's worth it! Always keep learning new things while making the best choices for the situation!
You ever think about it from the bug's perspective? Holy Crap, where am I now? But yes I agree with you a bug in the cockpit on a long flight is one of the most annoying things ever.
Probably one of the best aviation videos I've seen in a while. You just mentioned everything that I encounter as a pilot: nervousness, motivation, tiredness etc. and it always helps to be reminded that you're not alone. As an aside, when I did my flight test the examiner said to me: "I'm going to look for two things out of you today. 1) You keep us safe. 2) You act as pilot in command. You do those two things and everything else will be fine"
That sounds like a pretty awesome examiner to me. I think all too often we hyper-focus on a list of specific things that an examiner can put a tick or cross next to, many of which we will never use in our flying career. But approaching an exam from the standpoint of safety and command decision making is an excellent approach. Thanks Wayne, appreciate you leaving that comment.
Everything you said is so true! I just got my pilot’s license at 93 hours and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and it was absolutely worth it! Keep flying, keep improving and never let anyone put you down!
EVERY SINGLE thing you talk about in this video is ME! I passed my PPL in 45.5 hours and I was incredibly lucky with the weather over a course of 10 months. I have days where the weather is marginal and I make a call to stay on the ground and then the weather clears. It makes me feel like I wish I just went flying. To hear you say I made the right call means a great deal. Listening to your views on all of these issues is so refreshing and makes me feel so much more positive about my flying and my journey whilst being a general aviation pilot. Stef, mate you are brilliant. Keep doing what you're doing and spreading this positive energy with your channel. It's seriously so refreshing. You are awesome!!! I hope to meet you one day! 👍👍👍👍👍
Hey John, thanks so much for this. It makes me so proud to get feedback like that, knowing these videos help fellow aviators so thanks for leaving that comment. I still have days now when I cancel a flight for weather only to see blue skies or winds dying down a little later. You can either accept your decision and do something else that day, or wait on the ground and see if the weather does get better later. What you can't do is live in regret for your decision, that gets you nowhere. There's no "unfair" or "not deserved" with marginal weather, there's just "fly" or "don't fly", the rest isn't worth focussing on. Thanks again, stef
@@StefanDrury Hey guys. I´m doing my PPL right now with only 6h on a C172. BUT, i´m a skydiver (1077 jumps and tandem-instructor) and i am a Base-Jumper. One time a really experienced base-jumper told me that he has not only log-book for his jumps he did, he also has one for the jumps he didn´t do. Where he was hiking up 6h in Norway, just to see thick fog on the exit-point. Only option not to to sleep on the mountain is walking down another 6h and call it a day. If you feel bad after cancelling a flight, think of that one or 10 base-jumpers that are maybe walking down right now in rain because weather changed quickly. Or file that flight into your new NON-done-fight-logbook ;) By the way Stefan: such great videos. I didn´t saw a lot, because i found you just recently. Loved the video where you went to Altenburg for lunch and the restaurant was closed. :D One of the sucks to be a pilot storys. With a car in Altenburg you have like 15 places to eat or more :D I live quite close there. Would love to meet you someday and maybe pull you out of the cockpit into freefall ;) but most pilots are so super super scared of skydiving. So please don´t be a normal pilot, jump with me ;)
John Malone avg time is 60-80hrs. I told people. If your serious on this. Do it. Don’t do a couple hours then wait a week or 2 cause if money. It will cost you 2x as much. And instructions here in California has skyrocketed
I have always wanted to get my private pilots licence, but I haven't, yet. Your videos have really helped to drive me to achieve this. Everytime I have been in the air, I have this feeling that I don't get anywhere else. calm, excitement, intensity and most of all appreciation of everything that it involves, from the care and love that the people in the aviation industry have and will always put out a helping hand. And then the incredible experience of the world around you. And just observing. So thank you! And keep making great videos! Hopefully soon, i will be up in the sky too!
I was literally about to write a comment on that if you are afraid of turbulence you should become a glider pilot to begin with. I fly a piston plane now and turbulence/updraft/downdraft/gust doesn't even provoke me. I just adapt and adjust the plane. As a glider pilot you really learn how to fly a plane without losing to much energy
Stef, you hit the nail on the head with your list of "annoyances" that bother us all as pilots. For me however, the worst part of being a pilot is losing a fellow pilot/friend in an aviation accident. That sucks. The longer we are members of the aviation community, the inevitability of losing friends is a certainty.
Thank you so much for this video. You said in the beginning “you want to keep your videos positive” but honestly this is something ALL student pilots need to hear. You tackled one of the most Important topics, which is what many student pilots don’t see, including myself.. We want the fun of being a pilot but not go through the stress and dedication it takes to get there. I myself felt a big slack of motivation lately due to some reasons, whether money or just simply lack of dedication, and your video honestly motivated me much more and makes me realize that all that I am feeling right now is normal, and once somebody normalizes these issues they can go further than they think.
It's nice to see another pilot being so positive and giving supportive advice instead of uppity criticism. While it's important to pay attention to constructive criticism, there are too many pilots out there who don't offer anything constructive or positive. Thanks for being one of those who does!
1:36 im a glider pilot, turbulence is normal in thermals in which you fly like 70% of the time so you get used to it, but at first you get scared by it because your basically flying on the knifes edge, 15kph slower and you might have a stall
Your right. It gives people a smile to be able to ride along in a small plane. Grateful for you taking us along with you all the time. Thanks Stefan. Keep up the great videos.
Couldn't echo your points on turbulence more. I used to fly gliders (sailplanes) a few years back, which literally use those pockets of warm, turbulent air in order to stay up. But despite my experience, whenever I've had turbulence on an airliner, as a passenger I absolutely hate it. It gives me sweaty palms and a racing heart. The one thing that keeps me from total panic is just remembering that modern aeroplanes can withstand a heck of a lot more force than what mother nature can throw at them, no matter how bad it can feel sometimes!
I live in the mountains of NH and to get anywhere you almost always have turbulence for at least 1/2 hour. Some days are better than others but there are days when it can be challenging.
Cracking video, Stefan. Good to hear you say all of that, a mate of mine is finding training a challenge, poor weather (cancelled lessons), self doubts, second guessing, over thinking, finance (all the usual). I'm going to make him watch your video - shared, in fact, as soon as I finish writing this.
Hi Stefan, Thanks, he and I have. I'll get him signed up LOL. I expect youve helped a lot of pilots with your openness and honesty - good on you! On the TV series 'The Aviators' I heard a renowned aeros pilot say that he took 4 years to get his PPL, his instructors scared him by constantly going on about 'if the 'plane crashes you have to do x,y & z' (which is partly what training is about). He qualified - still scared of flying to the point of panic (knowing that wasn't good for him as panic isn't a great go to response). From what I can tell he went up with an aerobatic pilot, learned aeros, and his fear just left him. Now he's a multi award winning champion! Sean D. Tucker.
Mate, so much respect. Theres a reason they call you guys "creators". Putting time into creating content like this. Cheers. For me, between starting my PPL years ago, fear of failure lead me to stop flying. I used excuses like lack of money as reasons to stop instead of looking for options to continue. You've definitely inspired me with your laid back yet personable and relatable style, Stef and I'm restarting my PPL rotor in April. Thanks mate.
Hey Mark, that's amazing to hear, very humbling to think I could have a small part to play in you deciding to get back into your PPL again, congratulations on making that decision. We've all been there, I remember calling to cancel an aerobatics lesson saying my car had broken down because I was scared to get sick in the plane (it took me a long time to get used to aerobatics). But again it's great to hear you want to get back into it. Good luck with your PPL, keep us all updated, stef
Wise words and great advice as always! Turbulence is my number one worst thing about flying but you have to take the rough with the smooth - literally. I always try and rationalise why there is turbulence and keep busy with other cockpit tasks to distract me.
Absolutely the best flying video I’ve ever seen on TH-cam …thanks Stefan……its the same in NZ, I went through everything you mentioned during my pilot training-the money thing,self doubt,turbulence,imposter syndrome they were all there.I guess in the end it comes down to how much do you want it ?….because if you want it heaps(as we all who are bitten by the”flying bug” , do!!)then you can always find a way through!!
I was going to start flight training but my medication was preventing me and my flight instructor contacted a casa doctor but never got back to me so that really makes me sad.
Wow Stefan, you hit every issue I have had in the last year of training for my PPL. Turbulence was my first obstacle to overcome it still SUCKS!. Crosswinds suck. There are days that are perfect to fly that I just don’t motivated to give it my all. There have been crappy weather days that I canceled my flight early in the morning then it turned out to be beautiful weather in the afternoon while I stayed on the ground. Money, this is an expensive hobby/education. There are days that it is difficult to be a pilot. Thankfully there are many more days that it is an absolute pleasure to have the ability to soar like a bird. Thank you for putting up this video! I don’t feel quite as much a loser having some of the feelings I have had over the last year.
Hey Chuck, I'm really glad it helped. You're definitely not alone in feeling one or all of the things I speak about in this video, problem is many of us often don't talk about it at all. Thanks for watching and commenting, and I wish you all the best with your aviation journey, stef
4:00 It's funny you bring this up. I did my license with cadets, in a group of 16 people. We did it in a matter of 7 weeks over the summer. We finished with about 48 hours each. You are 100% correct. People around you can cause you a lot of pressure if you aren't doing as good as they are. Generally, pilots won't bug you about the sort of thing you talk about, at least in my experience, but there definetly is banter. But they are also valuable resources. Use them. They can mean the difference in you completing your goals over the course of your training and not.
Oh, the motivation thing. That's so me! I can recommend pairing up with somebody more experienced, grabbing a plane and going for an adventure. I've been halfway around Europe for two weeks at a time using this method. Twice. And I've loved every moment of these awesome experiences. Doesn't stop me from growing bored of flying to the same 10 airports over and over again.
Thanks for the good advice again Stefan. Every pilot should listen to you. Worst thing personally is the amount of administrative tasks that I have to go through. Europe is a nightmare for that. I have done my PPL (LAPL actually) in the UK and am now in Germany. I own a G-Reg airplane and want to work on my IR. You cannot imagine the amount of administrative burden I have to go through, and Brexit hasn't been helping in the process... Again thanks for motivating us for keeping on flying, we need a bit of a push sometimes to go further
I'm in my sixties and was self employed , I've had stuff that friends would say I should have kept because of its value today but out of every decision I have never regretted anything . You should never beat yourself up ,Leave that to the haters . Life is to short enjoy what ever it is you are doing . Mick Jagger was asked what he enjoyed most about his work … His reply was I don't know coz I've never worked a day in my life . Its all about prospective .
I've had a really rubish day once and it was on a day of perfect conditions! I had a tonne of stress on me due to school aircraft being delayed meaning I departed late and I pretty much rushed the flight. I got back late and made a couple of minor errors. Despite the flight itself going to plan being very easy due to good preflight planning, the whole day and flying experience was ruined due to undue pressures and stress. After saying that I learn't a great deal from that day and now even plan alternate shorter routes incase time is ever unexpectedly short again.
Survey flying can be hours and hours of punishing turbulence. When I started I was a navigator/camera operator. Huge aerial film cameras that looked through the floor. But film magazine changes had to be done in the dark so we carried a double layered heavy gage black cloth sack that we could pull right over our heads and around our waste and pull tight from the inside. We would reload new rolls of film inside the complete dark of the bag. But... it gets hot real fast. You can’t see anything, and the aircraft is turning orbits or figure eights and smashing around in turbulence while you have zero visual reference and sweating like a pig!!! It took everything I had as a human to not throw up in the bag or over every inch of the plane once I took it off.
What do I hate about flying? Other pilots in a busy CTAF aerodrome 😂 some just don't care to broadcast consistently and joining the circuit around 3 or 4 other aircraft (especially in a place like YPMQ where there's a Chinese flight school and you can barely understand their radio calls) stresses me out a decent amount.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! This video was very helpful to keep the eye on the prize. I am student pilot and I've been trying to schedule my dual cross-country. Weather, Time, Work, and ..money has been a pain in the a$$. Now I am getting close to renewing my Medical Certificate and I was really really hoping to complete my PPL before the Medical Certificate renewal date. Thanks for the inspirational video. I needed that.
I got my license at a 141 school, but when comparing its policies and procedures to other 141 schools, I was disturbed to find that the school I learned at was not exactly the cream of the crop. This hang heavy in my mind when I am flying in busy airspace or in bumpy weather. However, that isn't to say that I don't trust my training. Taking my family out to the airport only to have the winds pick up to 35 kts almost direct crosswind was a kick to the chest, but I felt proud to be able to make the no-fly call. We rescheduled. Stefan, you're right about the ups and downs of being a private pilot. And actually because of that I think that, when we eventually did go flying together, seeing the smile on the old man's face after pulling 0gs was all the more satisfying.
G’day Stef... another great vlog and every point very valid. I found that when I was a young pilot I would try to find any excuse to get airborne and would go out to the training are just for the fun of flying but as I got older and owned my own aircraft I tended to fly for a purpose and while I still enjoy the challenge of a smooth and comfortable flight I really relish the opportunities that happen at the destination like flying friends to an outback ball held near lake Eyre or flying to the Birdsville Races or a special concert somewhere which would taken far too long by road. The world becomes smaller and the opportunities become bigger when you fly!
I think we're quite similar in many ways. I definitely love flying for the feeling and enjoyment of being up in the air, but also the destination and what you can do 'as a result of' flying is really important to me nowadays too. Thanks, appreciate you leaving that comment J Bawden.
This is why I like this channel. Honesty. The worst thing about learning to fly in southern Ontario... weather. I've had 20-40 day gaps in training due to it and it sucks. I don't lack motivation, or funds (I'm blessed), but damn do the ceilings love to be low and the winds high. I'm supposed to fly today and the TAF says 270@15G25 OVC015. I fly a Cessna 152 which has a max crosswind velocity of 12kts. That TAF looks within limits for sure, but that ceiling means circuits only. I'd have one helluva time keeping it tight as a low time pilot. Not a great training day (I fully expect my CFI to text me those exact words in a few hours). My very first flight was very turbulent and it was the first time I got on the controls. I felt accomplished for keeping the aircraft relatively straight and level with zero prior real life experience, but yeah I'd definitely prefer a nice smooth day. We don't get those a ton here, so it's a nice treat when I get to 4000+ ft with the CFI and just let the plane fly itself. Got one of those a few months back and of course THAT was the day she decided to spin us. That was a jarring experience. As for self doubt, that has definitely happened. I had two flights in a row where I had major doubts in my abilities. I was making stupid mistakes (major radio mistakes I had never made before, not pulling enough power on approach, not correcting for crosswind. etc) and was super uncomfortable in the plane. It took a 40 day break (caused by Christmas, a COVID scare and weather) to sort that all out mentally. I came back to the cockpit with confidence and within 2 flights, my CFI told me I was ready for a pre solo prog. So yeah, there are things that suck but for the most part the rewards vastly outweigh the negative things. I guess that's why I keep pushing on. :)
AWESOME video. THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts and experiences. I'm a 59 years YOUNG student pilot. My last flight was my first solo,late February. Then COVID-19 hit and everything ground to a HALT! CAN'T wait to get my training back up to full speed. Really ENJOY your videos. From beautiful Thunder Bay Ontario Canada ... thanks eh. 👍😊👍
Thank you for making this video. I'm a new paramotor pilot and have been struggling with these same issues. Even though I don't fly a fixed-wing plane, your advise really helped.
I once had a severe thermal hit my right wing but not my left and it rolled us about 20degrees to the left before I could correct. It’s not like you can see and avoid turbulence 🤣
Alex Koch those sudden uneven thermals are killer man, haha. I think it’s just because turbulence makes you feel so helpless sometimes, because you don’t really have any control as to what the air is going to do next...
We live in a time when all decisions are endlessly second-guessed. "I'm not flying today" can be a difficult decision, but as pilots we have to make decisions, and stick with them. You can't fly a plane in the subjunctive. I encountered severe turbulence once. I hit my head on the roof. I checked the plane carefully to make sure I hadn't hit something. Then I called in a PIREP.
I’m at the very end of my PPL training and I took a 6 year break in between. I find myself surrounded by pilots and instructors that always say “you should of done this” in any situation. Biggest thing I took away from this video is owning it and having the self confidence I’m making the right decisions and not to dwell on them. We all make mistakes and learn from them, but being confident in the decisions we do make is what matters the most I feel. Thanks for the awesome wisdom Mate!
Thank you for this video! This has been one of the most helpful videos I've seen about flying. Really appreciate it! "Too much turbulence? Just land and take a break! Don't be ashamed about that!" I really needed to hear something like that ... said the way you said it.
5:36 I once assessed (and had it verified) that the weather would improve significantly. So, started planning, preflighting, got the aircraft started, taxied out, took off… Only to find that between preflight and departure, a small newly formed front had rolled in, keeping me (as a PPL(A) without IR) at 600ft… So, dodging clouds (even in the circuit), on base I saw nothing, kept the HSI steady, turned final at heading 130, descended, and only at 400ft I found out that I was more or less OK aligned. Sweating all over, decided to NEVER EVER do this kind of planning again. And I haven’t.
This is a great video. Very sound advice for all of us who wish we were in your shoes and hope to be one day. Also applies metaphorically to many parts of life. Once you make a command decision, be proud that you made the decision and stuck to it. That's what you are supposed to do. Great job. Thanks for the encouragement Stefan!
I do have to say I appreciate your advice from the other day. Today I went out and it was a bit bumpy from turbulence and I was able to just keep flying. My instructor even commented it was great flying from me today since I was nailing all the elements of the lesson. I was finally not instrument locked and instead looking out the window while doing my ALAP checks. Guess it's one of those good days for flying.
Nailed it, Stefan. I'm just getting back to going through my RPL to PPL after having done 40 hours in Canada about 8 years ago then having to wait because flying's so much more expensive here. I can relate to so many of the points you make here, and I'm loving watching your videos. Thanks for making such great, relatable content!
Really great video that covers a lot of the buggaboo's of aviation - self doubt is a big one - for me, anyway. Your best advice was at 8:22 - "Talk to other people." CFI, Flight School Manager. Someone who is in aviation and understands what's going on. I didn't do that, and have lapsed too many years, for no real good reason. But... I'm motivated now to get back into the saddle/cockpit. My plan is to work towards the BFR, and then do an upset recovery program like EMT (Emergency Maneuver Training). Full on aerobatics can come later, but the first module (stalls, spins, spirals, intro to rolls, etc) I believe will inject back in that confidence you mentioned in your video.
Remember sometimes it’s not your fault if you feel inadequate or if you feel like your flying isn’t good enough. A lot of the times it’s bad instruction, which is a huge reason why a lot of would be pilots on the US quit flight school. Sometimes the schools only care about taking your money. Try finding a new flight instructor who genuinely wants you to do good or just move flight schools entirely.
Firstly, I LOVE Greece. Had a great week there last year, beautiful country, people and food (had about 300 Greek salads...). And thanks for watching ttclz, appreciate the feedback.
Great Video, Stef. Thanks! One bad thing about our passion is that CAVOK often means, “I don’t have time”. We all know the very infamous Monday-CAVOK and the Weekend-Marginal. Also, don’t having an own plane but charter as a flying club member, when the weather is great, everyone wants to fly and it’s difficult to get a plane. And another thing is sharing the experience. You mentioned taking someone with you and share. I wish I could do that. I could show more people or at least the loved ones why flying is so fascinating. I have this situation with several of my hobbies that I would love to take someone with me either in the plane or on the motorcycle, but..... Ok, to be honest, that are. It really the worst things of being a pilot. And bottom line the great things are sooooo much more then the bad things, aren’t they? Ha! And I absolutely feel you about the turbulence thing. Specially since I fly really really small two seated microlight planes. We are like leaves in the wind! Believe me. Not so much fun, sometimes ;-)
Stefan buddy, you are an absolute diamond bloke. We have all had those days about flying, and you know the old saying, better to be down here and wishing you were up there rather than the other way round. keep doing what you are as you motivate all of us especially when like me you are stuck on the ground with all this crappy weather out here in the UK.
Cheers Sean, yeah I like that phrase very much and tell myself that sometimes when I postpone a flight just to watch the weather open up after all. You’re right, better to watch the skies clear from the ground than watch them close in around you in the air.
My personal worst thing is the anxiety involved in a new airport and ground services. Where's the transient parking? Which FBO is good for GA? Who's gonna charge me a landing fee? Where can I just go pick up my friend? I get over this by just going there and asking people, but I get very anxious when planning flights with ground stops at new airports
As someone who lives in Sydney, doing flight training at Camden and been super obsessed with flying. The worst part for me has been mental health, in late 2018 did my last flight with a total of 25 flight hours before I was hit with a lot of problems. Fast forward to today and I still haven't gotten another minute in years. CASA is super strict with the medical but that's almost sorted (yay)! The biggest problem now is getting back into it as you see someone a little less interested at 16 or 17 with their RPL or PPL and I'm over here, 18 years old, super obsessed and haven't even done y solo.
I needed this video. I was just asking my pilot friends about how I seem more anxious about turbulence then them. They explained that after thousands of hours they just seem to get used to it. Thank you for vid..really helped to know it can be unnerving for all of us.
I remember many years ago on my PPL check flight there was a CASA dude also coming along to check on the instructor. The weather was rubbish and I said at the briefing if it wasn't for this test I wouldn't fly today and so I was allowed to stay on the ground and reschedule it.
Stefan, It's human nature, I'm not a pilot but I love driving. However, I do not love driving at might , through the mountains in torrential downpour or snow. That requires good lights and intense concentration. It does not, however, require the kind of training and the quality of equipment (planes) that flying does. So, usually you can pull over in a vehicle but obviously not in a plane. There will always be that fear factor, but the rewards of seeing the world from on high, with all those close up flaws minimized and being able to get their quicker,if needed, is a wonderful thing. The intellectual and emotional awards of flying carry over into your private life i8n a positive way. Cheers, Rik
Thank you Rik, I hope that's why most of us carry on and try and get through the bad times because the good times, like seeing the world up high or driving through mountains, is so very rewarding. Cheers, stef
For me it's the nerves when I'm flying alone. I have about 420 hours now and have my instrument rating which has been put to some good use. However, even though i've made it through some pretty hard IFR flights, I still feel a bit wound up even on sunny days. I feel bad that I'm always so relieved when I step out onto the wing afterward. I guess it's good that I fly a bit uptight. In my profession as an Anesthesiologist I was trained to always anticipate something going very wrong and have all the plans in my head as to how to correct those problems. I fly that way just almost convinced something is about to go sideways. I just wish it was a bit more relaxing but it is getting better!
So awesome to see this video. Thermals and turbulence gets exhausting. My instructor keeps telling me its not bad. So i really thought it was me. But, it really does beat the crao out of you. I was flying the other day trying to hold altitude and hit a thermal that pushed me up 400 feet, so i had to stop my checklist readjust then went back to my checklist and was descending. It was so annoying. Took twoce as long to do anything because i had to constantly check the instruments etc. Kept getting pushed off track. Trying to do the timing for dead reckoning. Today tho. Went up set altitude and direction held perfectly was able to do my checklists. Way more fun to fly in good weather. Anyways great video
Greetings from Austria - For us it is common to have the dry and strong down-slope winds in Austria over the alps, either from the north or the south, known as "Foehn Wind". In such conditions, you might have had in your video part in Austria, we usually try to avoid the alps due the strong turbulences. Best idea is to go high then, but usually above 10000ft. It can also get pretty serious and dangerous in some valleys with certain planes due to lack of enough power. In Austria we also have a dedicated part called "Introduction to the Alps" or basically just "mountain flying training" during private pilot training, where flying in the alps, the dangers, etc. are trained and also to be flown with an instructor. I usually avoid the Alps in windy or Foehn conditions, it is simply too bumpy and not worth taking the risk :-)
Another great video, true words, stunning views, really enjoyable! My motivation for the next flight did rise tremendously while pondering about your words! Thanks!
A down side for me as a PPL pilot is that none of my family get how much I love to fly. It's very hard for me to get them to come along as a passenger so I spend most of my non instructor flights by myself. I am working towards my CPL.
I come for the quality video and classy plane but I stay for the music. That 50's/60's bomgo/trumpt-fest at the end was wicked Stef! Oh - for anyone who gets airsick and is reading this - I get airsick too due to an inner ear problem. The solution is to relax and add more fuel (a.k.a flight time). If I don't fly for a while I just need to reaclimate myself and that might take a flight or two but what I found is as soon as I accepted I was going to be sick I stopped stressing about it and it turned out it started happening less too.
I love this comment firstly for sharing that experience, thanks, but mostly for the appreciation of that track. I loved that piece of music, I think retro big band needs to feature more, I have the hair for it after all... thanks mate 👍
I've experienced all of these... and where I fly, turbulence is non-stop in summer. I've actually hit my head on the ceiling of a DA-40 (and my seat belt was tight) in turbulence - it does suck. I've had 5 hour flights where it was just constant too. Every pilot I know hates turbulence. It's become almost a myth that pilots don't mind or notice it. We definitely do, at every level. I guess the only difference between pilots and the general population is that we know it's usually not dangerous (though it can be, especially in GA), but it still sucks to fly through.
Ah a pilot who has the balls to discuss the bad stuff. Too many people let ego get in the way and only want to portray the perfect flying life. Always valuable talking about the things that you struggle with as a pilot👍🏼
I needed this today...bounced my first landing, followed by 2 go around and still managed to float and drift off centerline on the last one. It's hard to plan the next flight after a day like that
Great video Stefan, I also had some large gaps due to work and family commitments, but was lucky to have some great instructors and flying friends who kept me going!
Last week flew Colorado to California in a Cessna 172. Couldn’t start the engine due to cold weather in the morning for over an hour, finally got airborne and hit moderate turbulence including 20-30 degree wing lifts for two hours straight. Followed by a complete electrical failure and emergency diversion. Had to Uber two hours to get the rest of the way home. Aviation is humbling, and training pays off. These little planes can be a reality check. I fly a Citation XLS professionally but those old single engine pistons have a way about reminding you that shit eventually happens. It all just adds to the experience that makes each of us better pilots.
Hi there. I think turbulence is one of the most uncorfortable things for student pilots as it is for some experienced pilots to, until you realize that you have the tools to deal with it. As a CFII i don't make my students to fly in turbulent air until they are in their 5fth or 6th hour... But, in some point of the course, is an experience that you have to deal with just in case in the future or solo flight. "si dudas, no subas". Cheers.
"what am i doing up here? i shouldn't be here. i've no right to be here in the cockpit". those exact words go through my mind every time i nick a plane.
Excellent Stef, in the UK the worst thing about flying is the British weather! Flown once since beginning of December last year due to atrocious weather and waterlogged (grass) runways
Hey Marvin, yeah I can imagine. Having grown up there and flown there quite a few times now I can appreciate what it's like. Hope you get some clear spells now Spring is here for you.
Excellent video. I personally worry about the maintenance aspect of the planes that I would be flying at a flight training school. I started my training in a privately owned plane, one which I personally was involved in the annual inspection. I was able to so for myself the airworthyness of the aircraft that I was flying. That plane was sold by the owner who was no longer flying it, and I've been hesitant to start flying in the local school because it's hard to really see if the plane has been properly maintained with a pre-flight. Someday I'll have my own plane...but I'm sure it won't be anywhere near as nice as EYZ (really great cockpit shots in this video). Question...where are those mountains you were flying over at 6:26? Thanks for the great video.
hello Stefan! at around 2:39 when you were talking about disliking turbulence and what that could imply in a future aviation career, it made me a bit scared as I would love to be a pilot (the only job I find to be "not a job" if that makes sense? Although I'm still not sure if that's what I wanna do, but I don't like anything else haha) but strongly dislike turbulence! On a "serious" level, because whenever I'm flying commercially and hit turbulence I always get a little anxious and afraid we might get into severe turbulence, and the problem is that I fear I might never get used to it and this problem will prevent me from possibly becoming an airline pilot...
Great video Stef! You know, the more I watch your videos, the more I think of flying as a hobby only. A friend once told me that if you take something you love and make it into a job, you might start to hate doing it. Watching you, I really want to remain on your level of enthusiasm. Happy landings! 😉
it was always turbulence and motion sickness when I was in flight school, eventually it went away, but those first 5-10h really sucked Now it's ATC and CASA that are the bane of my existence (especially CASA)
The way my friends talk I thought I was the only one who hates flying in turbulence. Glad I'm not crazy! I remember my first flight for instrument training was the most turbulent flight I've ever experienced. Hit some HORRIBLE mountain wave turbulence. Definitely built my confidence in my flying abilities and makes most other turbulence I've flown a plane through seem more normal, but I still don't like it.
Just started IR(R), as weird as it sounds, one of the most satisfying moments was when I raised my hood for a second, to learn that I'm in solid IMC. My instructor told me at that point - 'You're doing it.' I was doing it. Felt like nothing in my flying life. Feel motivated to overcome all the regulatory confusion, outdated information and all the 'Welcome to aviation' bits that leave you clueless. Worth it. Worth it. Did I say it's worth it?
I like the fact that you made it a point to say " the battery ran out of your Apple pen that's why I am using a pencil". I flew with a guy one time that had started his flying career in his dad's company plane and received his training and ticket in that plane. Brand new Cessna Skylane. This thing was loaded with every option available. Glass cockpit and all. I don't know what idiot trained him or signed off on his ticket but he did not need to be the PIC. His flight plan was all electronic, everything on an ipad and we were flying VFR but I don't think he ever looked up over 10 seconds. 30 minutes into the flight we encountered a power fault in the aircraft and lost all instruments with the exception of a few manual instruments in the cockpit. He panicked and just froze. I have only about 20 hours toward my ticket and haven't even soloed yet. I have flown a 172, 150, Cherokee, Aero Commander, a Cub and a Luscombe. My flight instructor was retired Air Force, owned and operated an FBO and had a contract with GPS mapping companies. Plus I got to be friends of guys with planes so I lucked out. Anyway I announce I have the aircraft, I tried resets, no joy, I announced my situation and intention to surrounding ATC and pilots in the air, looked outside, turned us around and landed the plane at our home base of operations. If you are learning to fly make sure your instructor is top notch and teaches you to fly an old plane and also teaches all the manual procedures. Just fly the plane.
I finished my cpl in south africa and i really wish i watched this video before even starting my training, or while i was busy with my ppl.. very insightful and it reminds me a lot of my training 👍🏼 dont want to repeat the other comments but it is reassuring to hear your point of view on the cons of being a private pilot.
1. I hate turbulance in an aircraft on autopilot, I rather hand fly, so I don't feel so air sick. 2. You are qualified, keep current, fly within you ability and then you can really boost your self believe by taking a passenger and give them a good briefing and even let them have a little go at the controls. You will soon find out how much you know. 3. It is better to be on the ground wishing you are in the air than in the air wish you are on the ground, so if marginal I will only take off if the weather is forcast to improve and keep a keen eye on it, with a back up plan. 4. If you don't have the Mojo to fly, don't fly your self, see if you can hitch a ride with someone else. 5. If you are board flying local flights set challenges like improving your landing, like spot landing, talk to a friend or friends and go for a group fly to a field or even a new air field, so you can share the planning and have back up (espcially if you are fairly new / low hour pilot).
Always remember, it’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than being in the air wishing you were on the ground ;)
Yes! A good phrase for all pilots to remember.
Exactly what I was thinking when Stef talk about the frustration of cancelling a flight for weather conditions and then see clear skies from the ground! That sentence helps me looking at the bright side :)
Well said!
Yep.....
Yep, thats why I fly helicopters
Stefan talks to us like he's our friend. It's a personal experience watching these videos. 12/10
Agreed
12/10 is how I will rate things from now on. Thanks Paul, I give your comment 12/10.
Totally agree! 👍🏻
I completely agree
My dad told me.
“Better to be down here wishing you were up there than up there wishing you were down here.”
Miss ya dad.
Excellent advice, thanks Ash.
My instructor told me the same thing - it's a good lesson.
And there are three things that are of no use to a pilot in an airplane:
1. Runway behind you.
2, Air above you.
3, Fuel in the fuel truck
LimeyTX Kingsford Smith said the only time you have too much fuel onboard is when you are on fire
@@simonmetcalf124 actually no - aircrafts dump fuel for many reasons. i heard if big airliners need to turn around and land, they will dump fuel (because it wasnt burned during 12h flight) so then can land safely (cuz of weight)
LimeyTX I think you mean air below you
Self-doubt has been the biggest obstacle in my pilot training so far. Second guessing everything you do and wondering if you’re making the instructor next to you happy gets you caught up on the little things, and you can fall behind the aircraft so easily - leading to bigger mistakes and feeling completely flustered.
I’ve got my final CPL flight test on Tuesday and only recently do I feel like I finally have my confidence and control back. I know what I’m supposed to do and I can only do my best. Wish me luck!
Good luck! You'll smash it!
As with everything in life you must stay focused with a positive attitude , You have your confidence so luck has nothing to do with it .
Good luck and remember what you learnt on Human Factors and Limitations - humans make 1 mistake out of 100-1000 repetitive tasks. So a little bit of self-doubt is always good :) there is no perfect flight. If you experience one, you probably overlooked something :) Just aim for a safe flight, with good airmanship, sound and conservative decisions and you will be fine.
Good luck, sounds like you have it sussed!
Magánpilóta - Private Pilot N. Zoltán Sage advice!
99.9% agree. Great vid! About the not flying after a bad experience I don’t completely agree. If you don’t go back after that, you might not go back ever again. It tends to get bigger and bigger in your head. Alternatively you could go up with an instructor, especially so if you think the bad event happened due to pilot error.
Going up with an instructor after a bad flight is a really good suggestion. I'll upvote this comment so more people see it. Thanks Coen.
That's great advice Coen. I've done that - gone up with an instructor after a bad flight, talked it through with them, and let them help me get back on track
Hi Coen! I´m Walter, from northern patagonia, Argentina. I agree with you in the way you should never permit the fear grow inside you. Horse riders say wen you fall from a horse, ride it immidiately after, otherwise your fear grows, and your self-confidence decreeses. Same case after a minor car accident. Fear is the worst friend of a pilot, but that dosen´t mean you should be wreckless. Cheers from Argentina! P.S: I appologiese for my english writing, since it isn´t my main lenguage, (it´spanish).
As a student pilot with just over 8 hours logged, i can say this video really speaks the truth. Paying for the PPL training is hard, I'm constantly wondering if I am "up to par" as a student, and at times I've considered just stopping. But then the next lesson comes and the sun is shining on that Piper and the sky is clear and I realize how incredibly unique a perspective we pilots get to see from above! Press on because it's worth it! Always keep learning new things while making the best choices for the situation!
2 year update?
Worst thing ever : that freaking fly or bug that gets stuck with you on your cross country flight, we all had it at some point
Yes, this! Should have been point number 6 🤣Remember that fly I took from Birdsville to Swan Hill last year, he never paid for his 4 hour flight...
You ever think about it from the bug's perspective? Holy Crap, where am I now? But yes I agree with you a bug in the cockpit on a long flight is one of the most annoying things ever.
Short length of vacuum cleaner hose. One end out the storm window... vac them out :D
That bloody fly, a 3hr flight and it only clung to my eyelids for takeoff and landing...
Probably one of the best aviation videos I've seen in a while. You just mentioned everything that I encounter as a pilot: nervousness, motivation, tiredness etc. and it always helps to be reminded that you're not alone. As an aside, when I did my flight test the examiner said to me:
"I'm going to look for two things out of you today.
1) You keep us safe.
2) You act as pilot in command.
You do those two things and everything else will be fine"
That sounds like a pretty awesome examiner to me. I think all too often we hyper-focus on a list of specific things that an examiner can put a tick or cross next to, many of which we will never use in our flying career. But approaching an exam from the standpoint of safety and command decision making is an excellent approach. Thanks Wayne, appreciate you leaving that comment.
Everything you said is so true! I just got my pilot’s license at 93 hours and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and it was absolutely worth it! Keep flying, keep improving and never let anyone put you down!
EVERY SINGLE thing you talk about in this video is ME! I passed my PPL in 45.5 hours and I was incredibly lucky with the weather over a course of 10 months. I have days where the weather is marginal and I make a call to stay on the ground and then the weather clears. It makes me feel like I wish I just went flying. To hear you say I made the right call means a great deal. Listening to your views on all of these issues is so refreshing and makes me feel so much more positive about my flying and my journey whilst being a general aviation pilot. Stef, mate you are brilliant. Keep doing what you're doing and spreading this positive energy with your channel. It's seriously so refreshing. You are awesome!!! I hope to meet you one day! 👍👍👍👍👍
Hey John, thanks so much for this. It makes me so proud to get feedback like that, knowing these videos help fellow aviators so thanks for leaving that comment. I still have days now when I cancel a flight for weather only to see blue skies or winds dying down a little later. You can either accept your decision and do something else that day, or wait on the ground and see if the weather does get better later. What you can't do is live in regret for your decision, that gets you nowhere. There's no "unfair" or "not deserved" with marginal weather, there's just "fly" or "don't fly", the rest isn't worth focussing on. Thanks again, stef
@@StefanDrury Hey guys. I´m doing my PPL right now with only 6h on a C172. BUT, i´m a skydiver (1077 jumps and tandem-instructor) and i am a Base-Jumper. One time a really experienced base-jumper told me that he has not only log-book for his jumps he did, he also has one for the jumps he didn´t do. Where he was hiking up 6h in Norway, just to see thick fog on the exit-point. Only option not to to sleep on the mountain is walking down another 6h and call it a day.
If you feel bad after cancelling a flight, think of that one or 10 base-jumpers that are maybe walking down right now in rain because weather changed quickly. Or file that flight into your new NON-done-fight-logbook ;)
By the way Stefan: such great videos. I didn´t saw a lot, because i found you just recently. Loved the video where you went to Altenburg for lunch and the restaurant was closed. :D One of the sucks to be a pilot storys. With a car in Altenburg you have like 15 places to eat or more :D I live quite close there.
Would love to meet you someday and maybe pull you out of the cockpit into freefall ;) but most pilots are so super super scared of skydiving. So please don´t be a normal pilot, jump with me ;)
John Malone avg time is 60-80hrs. I told people. If your serious on this. Do it. Don’t do a couple hours then wait a week or 2 cause if money. It will cost you 2x as much. And instructions here in California has skyrocketed
I have always wanted to get my private pilots licence, but I haven't, yet. Your videos have really helped to drive me to achieve this. Everytime I have been in the air, I have this feeling that I don't get anywhere else. calm, excitement, intensity and most of all appreciation of everything that it involves, from the care and love that the people in the aviation industry have and will always put out a helping hand. And then the incredible experience of the world around you. And just observing. So thank you! And keep making great videos! Hopefully soon, i will be up in the sky too!
Stef:
"First: EVERY Pilot will agree on this: turbulence sucks, if they say it doesn't, they are lying."
Glider pilots:
"Hold on a minute"🤔
Haha, yes I should get up in a glider one day so I can see the "other" side of thermals. Good point, sorry to all the glider pilots out there 😂
Stefan Drury Well, I would love to give you a taste of what it feels like when you fly through Germany on your trip this year😉
@@fsfaludi You can't spell wuss, but I can spell troll.
Glider pilots?
I'm pretty sure Stef wasn't talking about the clinically insane.
I was literally about to write a comment on that if you are afraid of turbulence you should become a glider pilot to begin with.
I fly a piston plane now and turbulence/updraft/downdraft/gust doesn't even provoke me. I just adapt and adjust the plane. As a glider pilot you really learn how to fly a plane without losing to much energy
Stef, you hit the nail on the head with your list of "annoyances" that bother us all as pilots. For me however, the worst part of being a pilot is losing a fellow pilot/friend in an aviation accident. That sucks. The longer we are members of the aviation community, the inevitability of losing friends is a certainty.
Thank you so much for this video. You said in the beginning “you want to keep your videos positive” but honestly this is something ALL student pilots need to hear. You tackled one of the most Important topics, which is what many student pilots don’t see, including myself.. We want the fun of being a pilot but not go through the stress and dedication it takes to get there. I myself felt a big slack of motivation lately due to some reasons, whether money or just simply lack of dedication, and your video honestly motivated me much more and makes me realize that all that I am feeling right now is normal, and once somebody normalizes these issues they can go further than they think.
It's nice to see another pilot being so positive and giving supportive advice instead of uppity criticism. While it's important to pay attention to constructive criticism, there are too many pilots out there who don't offer anything constructive or positive. Thanks for being one of those who does!
Years and years watching aviation videos and constantly having the bug to LEARN to fly. This was such an incredible video. Thank you
Thank you, Really good to hear someone else experience the same issues with $$$ , time & not feeling comfortable in the plane some days.
1:36 im a glider pilot, turbulence is normal in thermals in which you fly like 70% of the time so you get used to it, but at first you get scared by it because your basically flying on the knifes edge, 15kph slower and you might have a stall
Your right. It gives people a smile to be able to ride along in a small plane. Grateful for you taking us along with you all the time. Thanks Stefan. Keep up the great videos.
Cheers Eoin, I'm grateful for your time watching. Thanks.
Couldn't echo your points on turbulence more. I used to fly gliders (sailplanes) a few years back, which literally use those pockets of warm, turbulent air in order to stay up. But despite my experience, whenever I've had turbulence on an airliner, as a passenger I absolutely hate it. It gives me sweaty palms and a racing heart. The one thing that keeps me from total panic is just remembering that modern aeroplanes can withstand a heck of a lot more force than what mother nature can throw at them, no matter how bad it can feel sometimes!
I live in the mountains of NH and to get anywhere you almost always have turbulence for at least 1/2 hour. Some days are better than others but there are days when it can be challenging.
Cracking video, Stefan. Good to hear you say all of that, a mate of mine is finding training a challenge, poor weather (cancelled lessons), self doubts, second guessing, over thinking, finance (all the usual). I'm going to make him watch your video - shared, in fact, as soon as I finish writing this.
Thanks Muso, I appreciate you sharing the video and hope your mate finds a little comfort knowing they’re not alone. Cheers, stef
Hi Stefan, Thanks, he and I have. I'll get him signed up LOL.
I expect youve helped a lot of pilots with your openness and honesty - good on you!
On the TV series 'The Aviators' I heard a renowned aeros pilot say that he took 4 years to get his PPL, his instructors scared him by constantly going on about 'if the 'plane crashes you have to do x,y & z' (which is partly what training is about). He qualified - still scared of flying to the point of panic (knowing that wasn't good for him as panic isn't a great go to response). From what I can tell he went up with an aerobatic pilot, learned aeros, and his fear just left him. Now he's a multi award winning champion! Sean D. Tucker.
Mate, so much respect. Theres a reason they call you guys "creators". Putting time into creating content like this. Cheers.
For me, between starting my PPL years ago, fear of failure lead me to stop flying. I used excuses like lack of money as reasons to stop instead of looking for options to continue.
You've definitely inspired me with your laid back yet personable and relatable style, Stef and I'm restarting my PPL rotor in April.
Thanks mate.
Hey Mark, that's amazing to hear, very humbling to think I could have a small part to play in you deciding to get back into your PPL again, congratulations on making that decision. We've all been there, I remember calling to cancel an aerobatics lesson saying my car had broken down because I was scared to get sick in the plane (it took me a long time to get used to aerobatics).
But again it's great to hear you want to get back into it. Good luck with your PPL, keep us all updated, stef
Wise words and great advice as always! Turbulence is my number one worst thing about flying but you have to take the rough with the smooth - literally. I always try and rationalise why there is turbulence and keep busy with other cockpit tasks to distract me.
As a glider pilot, I absolutely love turbulence !
Absolutely the best flying video I’ve ever seen on TH-cam …thanks Stefan……its the same in NZ, I went through everything you mentioned during my pilot training-the money thing,self doubt,turbulence,imposter syndrome they were all there.I guess in the end it comes down to how much do you want it ?….because if you want it heaps(as we all who are bitten by the”flying bug” , do!!)then you can always find a way through!!
I was going to start flight training but my medication was preventing me and my flight instructor contacted a casa doctor but never got back to me so that really makes me sad.
Athanasius Casanova That can happen, keep plugging away, find another doctor!
I needed to hear this Stefan, especially the self-doubt part, thank you.
Wow Stefan, you hit every issue I have had in the last year of training for my PPL. Turbulence was my first obstacle to overcome it still SUCKS!. Crosswinds suck. There are days that are perfect to fly that I just don’t motivated to give it my all. There have been crappy weather days that I canceled my flight early in the morning then it turned out to be beautiful weather in the afternoon while I stayed on the ground. Money, this is an expensive hobby/education. There are days that it is difficult to be a pilot. Thankfully there are many more days that it is an absolute pleasure to have the ability to soar like a bird. Thank you for putting up this video! I don’t feel quite as much a loser having some of the feelings I have had over the last year.
Hey Chuck, I'm really glad it helped. You're definitely not alone in feeling one or all of the things I speak about in this video, problem is many of us often don't talk about it at all. Thanks for watching and commenting, and I wish you all the best with your aviation journey, stef
4:00 It's funny you bring this up. I did my license with cadets, in a group of 16 people. We did it in a matter of 7 weeks over the summer. We finished with about 48 hours each. You are 100% correct. People around you can cause you a lot of pressure if you aren't doing as good as they are. Generally, pilots won't bug you about the sort of thing you talk about, at least in my experience, but there definetly is banter. But they are also valuable resources. Use them. They can mean the difference in you completing your goals over the course of your training and not.
Oh, the motivation thing. That's so me!
I can recommend pairing up with somebody more experienced, grabbing a plane and going for an adventure. I've been halfway around Europe for two weeks at a time using this method. Twice. And I've loved every moment of these awesome experiences.
Doesn't stop me from growing bored of flying to the same 10 airports over and over again.
Thanks for the good advice again Stefan. Every pilot should listen to you. Worst thing personally is the amount of administrative tasks that I have to go through. Europe is a nightmare for that. I have done my PPL (LAPL actually) in the UK and am now in Germany. I own a G-Reg airplane and want to work on my IR. You cannot imagine the amount of administrative burden I have to go through, and Brexit hasn't been helping in the process... Again thanks for motivating us for keeping on flying, we need a bit of a push sometimes to go further
I'm in my sixties and was self employed , I've had stuff that friends would say I should have kept because of its value today but out of every decision I have never regretted anything . You should never beat yourself up ,Leave that to the haters . Life is to short enjoy what ever it is you are doing . Mick Jagger was asked what he enjoyed most about his work … His reply was I don't know coz I've never worked a day in my life . Its all about prospective .
I've had a really rubish day once and it was on a day of perfect conditions! I had a tonne of stress on me due to school aircraft being delayed meaning I departed late and I pretty much rushed the flight. I got back late and made a couple of minor errors. Despite the flight itself going to plan being very easy due to good preflight planning, the whole day and flying experience was ruined due to undue pressures and stress. After saying that I learn't a great deal from that day and now even plan alternate shorter routes incase time is ever unexpectedly short again.
Survey flying can be hours and hours of punishing turbulence.
When I started I was a navigator/camera operator. Huge aerial film cameras that looked through the floor. But film magazine changes had to be done in the dark so we carried a double layered heavy gage black cloth sack that we could pull right over our heads and around our waste and pull tight from the inside. We would reload new rolls of film inside the complete dark of the bag. But... it gets hot real fast. You can’t see anything, and the aircraft is turning orbits or figure eights and smashing around in turbulence while you have zero visual reference and sweating like a pig!!!
It took everything I had as a human to not throw up in the bag or over every inch of the plane once I took it off.
What do I hate about flying? Other pilots in a busy CTAF aerodrome 😂 some just don't care to broadcast consistently and joining the circuit around 3 or 4 other aircraft (especially in a place like YPMQ where there's a Chinese flight school and you can barely understand their radio calls) stresses me out a decent amount.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! This video was very helpful to keep the eye on the prize. I am student pilot and I've been trying to schedule my dual cross-country. Weather, Time, Work, and ..money has been a pain in the a$$. Now I am getting close to renewing my Medical Certificate and I was really really hoping to complete my PPL before the Medical Certificate renewal date. Thanks for the inspirational video. I needed that.
I got my license at a 141 school, but when comparing its policies and procedures to other 141 schools, I was disturbed to find that the school I learned at was not exactly the cream of the crop. This hang heavy in my mind when I am flying in busy airspace or in bumpy weather. However, that isn't to say that I don't trust my training. Taking my family out to the airport only to have the winds pick up to 35 kts almost direct crosswind was a kick to the chest, but I felt proud to be able to make the no-fly call. We rescheduled. Stefan, you're right about the ups and downs of being a private pilot. And actually because of that I think that, when we eventually did go flying together, seeing the smile on the old man's face after pulling 0gs was all the more satisfying.
G’day Stef... another great vlog and every point very valid. I found that when I was a young pilot I would try to find any excuse to get airborne and would go out to the training are just for the fun of flying but as I got older and owned my own aircraft I tended to fly for a purpose and while I still enjoy the challenge of a smooth and comfortable flight I really relish the opportunities that happen at the destination like flying friends to an outback ball held near lake Eyre or flying to the Birdsville Races or a special concert somewhere which would taken far too long by road. The world becomes smaller and the opportunities become bigger when you fly!
I think we're quite similar in many ways. I definitely love flying for the feeling and enjoyment of being up in the air, but also the destination and what you can do 'as a result of' flying is really important to me nowadays too. Thanks, appreciate you leaving that comment J Bawden.
This is why I like this channel. Honesty.
The worst thing about learning to fly in southern Ontario... weather. I've had 20-40 day gaps in training due to it and it sucks. I don't lack motivation, or funds (I'm blessed), but damn do the ceilings love to be low and the winds high. I'm supposed to fly today and the TAF says 270@15G25 OVC015. I fly a Cessna 152 which has a max crosswind velocity of 12kts. That TAF looks within limits for sure, but that ceiling means circuits only. I'd have one helluva time keeping it tight as a low time pilot. Not a great training day (I fully expect my CFI to text me those exact words in a few hours).
My very first flight was very turbulent and it was the first time I got on the controls. I felt accomplished for keeping the aircraft relatively straight and level with zero prior real life experience, but yeah I'd definitely prefer a nice smooth day. We don't get those a ton here, so it's a nice treat when I get to 4000+ ft with the CFI and just let the plane fly itself. Got one of those a few months back and of course THAT was the day she decided to spin us. That was a jarring experience.
As for self doubt, that has definitely happened. I had two flights in a row where I had major doubts in my abilities. I was making stupid mistakes (major radio mistakes I had never made before, not pulling enough power on approach, not correcting for crosswind. etc) and was super uncomfortable in the plane. It took a 40 day break (caused by Christmas, a COVID scare and weather) to sort that all out mentally. I came back to the cockpit with confidence and within 2 flights, my CFI told me I was ready for a pre solo prog.
So yeah, there are things that suck but for the most part the rewards vastly outweigh the negative things. I guess that's why I keep pushing on. :)
AWESOME video. THANK YOU for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
I'm a 59 years YOUNG student pilot. My last flight was my first solo,late February. Then COVID-19 hit and everything ground to a HALT! CAN'T wait to get my training back up to full speed.
Really ENJOY your videos.
From beautiful Thunder Bay Ontario Canada ... thanks eh. 👍😊👍
Thank you for making this video. I'm a new paramotor pilot and have been struggling with these same issues. Even though I don't fly a fixed-wing plane, your advise really helped.
I once had a severe thermal hit my right wing but not my left and it rolled us about 20degrees to the left before I could correct. It’s not like you can see and avoid turbulence 🤣
Alex Koch those sudden uneven thermals are killer man, haha. I think it’s just because turbulence makes you feel so helpless sometimes, because you don’t really have any control as to what the air is going to do next...
I've had 45 degrees that wouldn't correct for a couple of seconds with full aileron, even at 500ft on final
We live in a time when all decisions are endlessly second-guessed. "I'm not flying today" can be a difficult decision, but as pilots we have to make decisions, and stick with them. You can't fly a plane in the subjunctive.
I encountered severe turbulence once. I hit my head on the roof. I checked the plane carefully to make sure I hadn't hit something. Then I called in a PIREP.
"You can't fly a plane in the subjunctive" is a great phrase. You should trademark that one Laura! Thanks as always, stef
As a noob in training I find the honesty in this video refreshing.
We were all new at one point. Thanks for watching and good luck with the rest of your training.
This is a wonderful video!! In flight school now, definitely saving and sharing this video with others!!
I’m at the very end of my PPL training and I took a 6 year break in between. I find myself surrounded by pilots and instructors that always say “you should of done this” in any situation. Biggest thing I took away from this video is owning it and having the self confidence I’m making the right decisions and not to dwell on them. We all make mistakes and learn from them, but being confident in the decisions we do make is what matters the most I feel. Thanks for the awesome wisdom Mate!
Thank you for this video! This has been one of the most helpful videos I've seen about flying. Really appreciate it! "Too much turbulence? Just land and take a break! Don't be ashamed about that!" I really needed to hear something like that ... said the way you said it.
5:36 I once assessed (and had it verified) that the weather would improve significantly. So, started planning, preflighting, got the aircraft started, taxied out, took off… Only to find that between preflight and departure, a small newly formed front had rolled in, keeping me (as a PPL(A) without IR) at 600ft… So, dodging clouds (even in the circuit), on base I saw nothing, kept the HSI steady, turned final at heading 130, descended, and only at 400ft I found out that I was more or less OK aligned. Sweating all over, decided to NEVER EVER do this kind of planning again. And I haven’t.
This is a great video. Very sound advice for all of us who wish we were in your shoes and hope to be one day. Also applies metaphorically to many parts of life. Once you make a command decision, be proud that you made the decision and stuck to it. That's what you are supposed to do. Great job. Thanks for the encouragement Stefan!
Your lush hair looks amazing. Also this was a great vid. People never talk about this prospective. And great suggestions. Thank you. 🙏
I do have to say I appreciate your advice from the other day. Today I went out and it was a bit bumpy from turbulence and I was able to just keep flying. My instructor even commented it was great flying from me today since I was nailing all the elements of the lesson. I was finally not instrument locked and instead looking out the window while doing my ALAP checks. Guess it's one of those good days for flying.
That’s great to hear Glenn, it’s always nice to recognise your own progress in your training. Great to hear you’re moving forwards.
Nailed it, Stefan. I'm just getting back to going through my RPL to PPL after having done 40 hours in Canada about 8 years ago then having to wait because flying's so much more expensive here. I can relate to so many of the points you make here, and I'm loving watching your videos. Thanks for making such great, relatable content!
Really great video that covers a lot of the buggaboo's of aviation - self doubt is a big one - for me, anyway.
Your best advice was at 8:22 - "Talk to other people." CFI, Flight School Manager. Someone who is in aviation and understands what's going on. I didn't do that, and have lapsed too many years, for no real good reason.
But... I'm motivated now to get back into the saddle/cockpit.
My plan is to work towards the BFR, and then do an upset recovery program like EMT (Emergency Maneuver Training). Full on aerobatics can come later, but the first module (stalls, spins, spirals, intro to rolls, etc) I believe will inject back in that confidence you mentioned in your video.
Dealing with the bureaucrats at the FAA, especially jumping through the hoops needed to get your medical approved.
Yeah Medicals and red tape can be a headache at times for sure, good point Niven, thanks.
Just got my medical back after 6 months of waiting on FAA.. Lost it due to sleep apnea 🤦🏼♂️
Remember sometimes it’s not your fault if you feel inadequate or if you feel like your flying isn’t good enough. A lot of the times it’s bad instruction, which is a huge reason why a lot of would be pilots on the US quit flight school. Sometimes the schools only care about taking your money. Try finding a new flight instructor who genuinely wants you to do good or just move flight schools entirely.
I really liked this video. Positive, concise and to the point. Thank you from Athens, Greece.
Firstly, I LOVE Greece. Had a great week there last year, beautiful country, people and food (had about 300 Greek salads...). And thanks for watching ttclz, appreciate the feedback.
Stefan Drury
There is also a Cirrus in Greece for you to see the Greek island ex-altis.
Great Video, Stef. Thanks!
One bad thing about our passion is that CAVOK often means, “I don’t have time”.
We all know the very infamous Monday-CAVOK and the Weekend-Marginal.
Also, don’t having an own plane but charter as a flying club member, when the weather is great, everyone wants to fly and it’s difficult to get a plane.
And another thing is sharing the experience. You mentioned taking someone with you and share. I wish I could do that. I could show more people or at least the loved ones why flying is so fascinating. I have this situation with several of my hobbies that I would love to take someone with me either in the plane or on the motorcycle, but.....
Ok, to be honest, that are. It really the worst things of being a pilot. And bottom line the great things are sooooo much more then the bad things, aren’t they?
Ha! And I absolutely feel you about the turbulence thing. Specially since I fly really really small two seated microlight planes. We are like leaves in the wind! Believe me. Not so much fun, sometimes ;-)
Stefan buddy, you are an absolute diamond bloke.
We have all had those days about flying, and you know the old saying,
better to be down here and wishing you were up there rather than the other way round.
keep doing what you are as you motivate all of us especially when like me you are stuck on the ground with all this crappy weather out here in the UK.
Cheers Sean, yeah I like that phrase very much and tell myself that sometimes when I postpone a flight just to watch the weather open up after all. You’re right, better to watch the skies clear from the ground than watch them close in around you in the air.
My personal worst thing is the anxiety involved in a new airport and ground services. Where's the transient parking? Which FBO is good for GA? Who's gonna charge me a landing fee? Where can I just go pick up my friend?
I get over this by just going there and asking people, but I get very anxious when planning flights with ground stops at new airports
To avoid turbulence you could climb 4000ft up, SOP from an ATR pilot. Usually fixes The issue.
As someone who lives in Sydney, doing flight training at Camden and been super obsessed with flying. The worst part for me has been mental health, in late 2018 did my last flight with a total of 25 flight hours before I was hit with a lot of problems. Fast forward to today and I still haven't gotten another minute in years. CASA is super strict with the medical but that's almost sorted (yay)! The biggest problem now is getting back into it as you see someone a little less interested at 16 or 17 with their RPL or PPL and I'm over here, 18 years old, super obsessed and haven't even done y solo.
I needed this video. I was just asking my pilot friends about how I seem more anxious about turbulence then them. They explained that after thousands of hours they just seem to get used to it. Thank you for vid..really helped to know it can be unnerving for all of us.
I remember many years ago on my PPL check flight there was a CASA dude also coming along to check on the instructor. The weather was rubbish and I said at the briefing if it wasn't for this test I wouldn't fly today and so I was allowed to stay on the ground and reschedule it.
Stefan,
It's human nature, I'm not a pilot but I love driving.
However, I do not love driving at might , through the mountains in torrential downpour or snow.
That requires good lights and intense concentration.
It does not, however, require the kind of training and the quality of equipment (planes)
that flying does.
So, usually you can pull over in a vehicle but obviously not in a plane.
There will always be that fear factor, but the rewards of seeing the world from on high, with all those close up flaws minimized and being able to get their quicker,if needed, is a wonderful thing.
The intellectual and emotional awards of flying carry over into your private life i8n a positive way.
Cheers,
Rik
Thank you Rik, I hope that's why most of us carry on and try and get through the bad times because the good times, like seeing the world up high or driving through mountains, is so very rewarding. Cheers, stef
You have a fabulous approach Stef.
For me it's the nerves when I'm flying alone. I have about 420 hours now and have my instrument rating which has been put to some good use. However, even though i've made it through some pretty hard IFR flights, I still feel a bit wound up even on sunny days. I feel bad that I'm always so relieved when I step out onto the wing afterward. I guess it's good that I fly a bit uptight. In my profession as an Anesthesiologist I was trained to always anticipate something going very wrong and have all the plans in my head as to how to correct those problems. I fly that way just almost convinced something is about to go sideways. I just wish it was a bit more relaxing but it is getting better!
So awesome to see this video. Thermals and turbulence gets exhausting. My instructor keeps telling me its not bad. So i really thought it was me. But, it really does beat the crao out of you. I was flying the other day trying to hold altitude and hit a thermal that pushed me up 400 feet, so i had to stop my checklist readjust then went back to my checklist and was descending. It was so annoying. Took twoce as long to do anything because i had to constantly check the instruments etc. Kept getting pushed off track. Trying to do the timing for dead reckoning. Today tho. Went up set altitude and direction held perfectly was able to do my checklists. Way more fun to fly in good weather. Anyways great video
Love your plane! The only thing I could think of that sucked was not being able to go all the time. But family and business take priority.
Greetings from Austria - For us it is common to have the dry and strong down-slope winds in Austria over the alps, either from the north or the south, known as "Foehn Wind". In such conditions, you might have had in your video part in Austria, we usually try to avoid the alps due the strong turbulences. Best idea is to go high then, but usually above 10000ft. It can also get pretty serious and dangerous in some valleys with certain planes due to lack of enough power. In Austria we also have a dedicated part called "Introduction to the Alps" or basically just "mountain flying training" during private pilot training, where flying in the alps, the dangers, etc. are trained and also to be flown with an instructor.
I usually avoid the Alps in windy or Foehn conditions, it is simply too bumpy and not worth taking the risk :-)
Awesome vid Stefan 😀
Another great video, true words, stunning views, really enjoyable! My motivation for the next flight did rise tremendously while pondering about your words! Thanks!
A down side for me as a PPL pilot is that none of my family get how much I love to fly. It's very hard for me to get them to come along as a passenger so I spend most of my non instructor flights by myself. I am working towards my CPL.
I come for the quality video and classy plane but I stay for the music. That 50's/60's bomgo/trumpt-fest at the end was wicked Stef! Oh - for anyone who gets airsick and is reading this - I get airsick too due to an inner ear problem. The solution is to relax and add more fuel (a.k.a flight time). If I don't fly for a while I just need to reaclimate myself and that might take a flight or two but what I found is as soon as I accepted I was going to be sick I stopped stressing about it and it turned out it started happening less too.
I love this comment firstly for sharing that experience, thanks, but mostly for the appreciation of that track. I loved that piece of music, I think retro big band needs to feature more, I have the hair for it after all... thanks mate 👍
Great vid
I tracked you going up there on Flightradar24. I still want you to fly out to lillydale airport. Great Vid
Thanks JG, funny I generally track right over Lilydale on these IFR flights in and out of Melbourne. One day I should touch down there.
I'm still waiting for the Mildura trip, it's always swann Hill haha
@@StefanDrury I'm training at Lilydale - would be lovely to see you there someday Stef! Thank you for your vids!
I've experienced all of these... and where I fly, turbulence is non-stop in summer. I've actually hit my head on the ceiling of a DA-40 (and my seat belt was tight) in turbulence - it does suck. I've had 5 hour flights where it was just constant too. Every pilot I know hates turbulence. It's become almost a myth that pilots don't mind or notice it. We definitely do, at every level. I guess the only difference between pilots and the general population is that we know it's usually not dangerous (though it can be, especially in GA), but it still sucks to fly through.
Ah a pilot who has the balls to discuss the bad stuff. Too many people let ego get in the way and only want to portray the perfect flying life. Always valuable talking about the things that you struggle with as a pilot👍🏼
Used to work low level survey for over 2 years. Constant turbulence is ridiculously fatiguing!
Great clip Stefan. Love your channel.
Thank you for this. I needed to hear some of this.
I needed this today...bounced my first landing, followed by 2 go around and still managed to float and drift off centerline on the last one. It's hard to plan the next flight after a day like that
Great video Stefan, I also had some large gaps due to work and family commitments, but was lucky to have some great instructors and flying friends who kept me going!
Last week flew Colorado to California in a Cessna 172. Couldn’t start the engine due to cold weather in the morning for over an hour, finally got airborne and hit moderate turbulence including 20-30 degree wing lifts for two hours straight. Followed by a complete electrical failure and emergency diversion. Had to Uber two hours to get the rest of the way home. Aviation is humbling, and training pays off. These little planes can be a reality check. I fly a Citation XLS professionally but those old single engine pistons have a way about reminding you that shit eventually happens. It all just adds to the experience that makes each of us better pilots.
Hi there. I think turbulence is one of the most uncorfortable things for student pilots as it is for some experienced pilots to, until you realize that you have the tools to deal with it. As a CFII i don't make my students to fly in turbulent air until they are in their 5fth or 6th hour... But, in some point of the course, is an experience that you have to deal with just in case in the future or solo flight. "si dudas, no subas".
Cheers.
"what am i doing up here? i shouldn't be here. i've no right to be here in the cockpit".
those exact words go through my mind every time i nick a plane.
Excellent Stef, in the UK the worst thing about flying is the British weather! Flown once since beginning of December last year due to atrocious weather and waterlogged (grass) runways
Hey Marvin, yeah I can imagine. Having grown up there and flown there quite a few times now I can appreciate what it's like. Hope you get some clear spells now Spring is here for you.
Excellent video. I personally worry about the maintenance aspect of the planes that I would be flying at a flight training school. I started my training in a privately owned plane, one which I personally was involved in the annual inspection. I was able to so for myself the airworthyness of the aircraft that I was flying. That plane was sold by the owner who was no longer flying it, and I've been hesitant to start flying in the local school because it's hard to really see if the plane has been properly maintained with a pre-flight. Someday I'll have my own plane...but I'm sure it won't be anywhere near as nice as EYZ (really great cockpit shots in this video). Question...where are those mountains you were flying over at 6:26? Thanks for the great video.
Some very good advice mate. Tks for the vid.
hello Stefan! at around 2:39 when you were talking about disliking turbulence and what that could imply in a future aviation career, it made me a bit scared as I would love to be a pilot (the only job I find to be "not a job" if that makes sense? Although I'm still not sure if that's what I wanna do, but I don't like anything else haha) but strongly dislike turbulence! On a "serious" level, because whenever I'm flying commercially and hit turbulence I always get a little anxious and afraid we might get into severe turbulence, and the problem is that I fear I might never get used to it and this problem will prevent me from possibly becoming an airline pilot...
Great video Stef! You know, the more I watch your videos, the more I think of flying as a hobby only. A friend once told me that if you take something you love and make it into a job, you might start to hate doing it. Watching you, I really want to remain on your level of enthusiasm. Happy landings! 😉
Yep, like listening to a good mate, thanks for the honesty Stefan
We're all aviation family here, I love having the opportunity to talk with you all. Cheers Michael.
it was always turbulence and motion sickness when I was in flight school, eventually it went away, but those first 5-10h really sucked
Now it's ATC and CASA that are the bane of my existence (especially CASA)
The way my friends talk I thought I was the only one who hates flying in turbulence. Glad I'm not crazy! I remember my first flight for instrument training was the most turbulent flight I've ever experienced. Hit some HORRIBLE mountain wave turbulence. Definitely built my confidence in my flying abilities and makes most other turbulence I've flown a plane through seem more normal, but I still don't like it.
What a great video for someone like myself looking to get into flying. Thanks bud. 👍
The interior of you plane is well smart. 👍
Just started IR(R), as weird as it sounds, one of the most satisfying moments was when I raised my hood for a second, to learn that I'm in solid IMC. My instructor told me at that point - 'You're doing it.' I was doing it. Felt like nothing in my flying life. Feel motivated to overcome all the regulatory confusion, outdated information and all the 'Welcome to aviation' bits that leave you clueless. Worth it. Worth it. Did I say it's worth it?
Thanks for this! I have experienced self doubt and it was helpful hearing that it is part of the Journey.
I like the fact that you made it a point to say " the battery ran out of your Apple pen that's why I am using a pencil". I flew with a guy one time that had started his flying career in his dad's company plane and received his training and ticket in that plane. Brand new Cessna Skylane. This thing was loaded with every option available. Glass cockpit and all. I don't know what idiot trained him or signed off on his ticket but he did not need to be the PIC. His flight plan was all electronic, everything on an ipad and we were flying VFR but I don't think he ever looked up over 10 seconds. 30 minutes into the flight we encountered a power fault in the aircraft and lost all instruments with the exception of a few manual instruments in the cockpit. He panicked and just froze. I have only about 20 hours toward my ticket and haven't even soloed yet. I have flown a 172, 150, Cherokee, Aero Commander, a Cub and a Luscombe. My flight instructor was retired Air Force, owned and operated an FBO and had a contract with GPS mapping companies. Plus I got to be friends of guys with planes so I lucked out. Anyway I announce I have the aircraft, I tried resets, no joy, I announced my situation and intention to surrounding ATC and pilots in the air, looked outside, turned us around and landed the plane at our home base of operations. If you are learning to fly make sure your instructor is top notch and teaches you to fly an old plane and also teaches all the manual procedures. Just fly the plane.
I finished my cpl in south africa and i really wish i watched this video before even starting my training, or while i was busy with my ppl.. very insightful and it reminds me a lot of my training 👍🏼 dont want to repeat the other comments but it is reassuring to hear your point of view on the cons of being a private pilot.
Loved this video Stefan!
1. I hate turbulance in an aircraft on autopilot, I rather hand fly, so I don't feel so air sick.
2. You are qualified, keep current, fly within you ability and then you can really boost your self believe by taking a passenger and give them a good briefing and even let them have a little go at the controls. You will soon find out how much you know.
3. It is better to be on the ground wishing you are in the air than in the air wish you are on the ground, so if marginal I will only take off if the weather is forcast to improve and keep a keen eye on it, with a back up plan.
4. If you don't have the Mojo to fly, don't fly your self, see if you can hitch a ride with someone else.
5. If you are board flying local flights set challenges like improving your landing, like spot landing, talk to a friend or friends and go for a group fly to a field or even a new air field, so you can share the planning and have back up (espcially if you are fairly new / low hour pilot).