The fear of flying...

[jshelton]

Just wondered how many of you have this experience related to flying your sailplanes. I'm the kind of person who loves to spend a lot of time and effort building my sailplane until I get it just right (can you say 'perfectionist'!). Of course, when you put so much time and energy into a plane you have a lot to lose if it crashes.

I have found over the years that a lot of time I don't fly because I'm afraid that unless the weather conditions (and everything else) are perfect I'm taking too much of a risk of crashing my 'perfect' sailplane. The unfortunate result of such constraints is that I would rarely fly and even then I was too nervous to really enjoy it. In recent years, I've 'progressed' to where I just accept that crashing is a risk in this hobby and I just need to accept it so that I can just enjoy flying. I think I'm finally at a point where I can just enjoy flying without getting too stressed over the risks of crashing a beautiful plane.

I'm just curious how other folks have dealt with this issue...

Jim

[jonferran]

I enjoy repairing and building almost as much as flying. I have also learned that most planes these days are built strong enough to handle the occasional bad landing or light crash. I have seen 3m $1000+ planes cartwheel down a hill, get picked up, checked out and thrown back out.

It also helps to realize that most crashes aren't going to completely demolish the plane, that's what nylon wing bolts are for. 8)

Fly often enough to keep your confidence level high so you can learn to avoid a potential crash.

Jon

[jshelton]

Thanks for the reply... Looks like you're a night owl like me. I agree that the key is to fly often enough to keep your confidence up. For me, the problem has been that due to chronic illness I have had a hard time flying on a consistent basis.

Ironically, that's what you need to get over the fear.

It's great to hear that others identify with issue. But make no mistake - I've never wavered from my belief that this is a wonderful hobby!!!

Jim

[AustinTatious]

well, I fall in the other end of this spectrum...

I do not partiularly like to build, unless I am experimenting and makign somthing Unique. I prefer to fly Foamies, or if not a foamy a pretty stron airplane that can take a beating.... IF the airplane isnt foam or tough, then you can bet it was Cheap, and already built... I know that in this hobby, if you Fly, it not IF you are gonna crash, its when. Knowing this I dont worry too much about crashing... I fly agressivly No matter what type of flying I am doing. I dont take TOO big of risk that would jsut be careless, but I have fun Flying and crashing occasionally. More often with a foamy on the Darkside. Thats what it is about, having fun. For me, that is pushing the airplane and myself to the limits and seeing some really cool aerial displays and Mishaps.

Cheers!
Austin

[Ollie]

Crash avoidance is not just a matter of when to fly but also a matter of selecting a conservative and stable design, a conservative tow hook location and trim adjustment. It is also knowing the plane's limits, selecting a plane appropriate to the conditions and allowing safety margin by not approaching the plane's or pilots limit's. Pilot judgement is the biggest factor in avoiding crashes. Fear interferes with the cool judgement necessary to get the most out of the flying experience.

[mastover]

Jonferran....even $1000 3m fiberglass planes break. This picture is of one that crashed this weekend at a contest I was at. The only plane that won't crash is the one that will never be flown.

I too have had the fear of flying a model plane...I've still got my first plane, a J-3 cub that took me 2 years to put together back in highschool. It was an antique kit when I bought it (plans called for cloth and dope covering which I used and a receiver with tubes!) I was so afraid of crashing it that I moved on to gliders as they were supposed to be slower and easier to learn with. After a couple crashes, it too went into storage. This Christmas I received a Zagi THL for Christmas. Between it's amazing stamina for my mistakes and MANY hours with FMS on my computer I got the confidence to finally fix my 2m glider and successfully make about 20 flights with it... so far with no damage. I'm now thinking of going up to 100" or perhaps 3m size....I'm hooked! But I doubt I'll ever fire up that Cub.

Mark Stover

[RyanPSU21]

I find I have a huge fear of flying new planes since I build everything. I find it doesn't go away for atleast the first 10 flights or so. Then I find that somewhere in the first 10 I usually have atleast a minor crash involving some damage that I need to fix. After that the plane is no-longer perfect in my mind so I loosen up a lot and am a lot less nervous flying it. So the moral is go break the tale off or dork a landing and break something small early on in the life of the plane.

[evan]

Get/build a foamie (Gentle Foamie, Defiant) since they have a low "tears factor" and learn how to fly it well. Know it's limits and recognize yours. Fly often and as much as possible and this will improve your skills and confidence. Move on to a better/more advanced plane and do the same thing again. Use common sense with regards to flying conditions and think of yourself as being inside the plane; ask yourself would you try this maneuver if you were in it? It's okay to LIKE a plane but not to LOVE it (sometimes they crash). If the plane is too valuable to you, keep it in the mantle and admire it until you get tired and realize that it was meant to fly. Practice, practice, practice, good equipment and common sense :)

[Soar_dude]

I agree with Evan get Foam to start with it is the least stressful way to fly, it crashes fix it with some 5 min epoxy and you are back in the air. The big pump I get out of flying is building. Then taking the most beautiful craft I have built and Launching it skyward and getting in some lift with it! There is no greater satisfaction having something you have labored on fly so well. Then dare I say it pride in knowing you have built the best flying sailplane around. You will never have the perfect conditions to fly it will always be something, to windy, to cold, to hot, to rainy,to cloudy, just get out there and fly! The more you fly the less you will feel constrained by the weather you be looking for those breezy days, or those finger numbing cold days just to so you can say you went flying in it! I used to wait for the perfect day but they never come, until I was out there flying then everyday was the perfect day because I was flying!

Soar Dude

[jshelton]

It's great to hear how others deal with this aspect of our hobby. I think the main purpose of my post was to encourage others to get out and fly who may have been holding back because they were fearful of breaking their 'perfect' plane.

I've taken one of the approaches suggested - I have a simple rudder/elevator easy-handling plane that has a tough fuse and sheeted wings (Art Hobby Universal 1.5e). This is a great 'warm-up' plane that I still feel comfortable flying in marginal conditions. I also find that because I'm detail-oriented and I don't take short-cuts, I almost never have any mechanical issues with my planes.

What I have observed with many people is that they are so consumed with work, family responsibilities, etc. that they only get a chance to fly once every month or so. So it's like they are constantly starting over every time they fly. Thus, their flying sessions tend to more nerve-wracking than relaxing. After a while they start to see flying as more of a stressful experience than the fun hobby it is when you participate on a regular basis.

Jim

[gasbag]

ryan ps21

I hear that. Break that virgin in early! I just usually leave something un finished on the first few flights, like an un painted fuse, or some other nonessential detail. That way if I biff it I didn't waste all that time making it purty. ;)

[elfwreck]

Hey now,
I think it's part of the beauty of this hobby/sport that the models are so efemeral. I know all of my planes are Doomed from day one. I've lost a few on the maiden and others are still here after thirty years. Eh, "it's just life" as my eight year old says...
RobII

[nuevo]

jshelton,

It's kind of been said above. To summarize:

buy an EPP foamie. They can take crashes from 300'. I've done it. You can fly and land with no fear of damaging the airframe. Servo gears are another matter. :D
buy anything ARF. While sometimes not as strong, the only investment you have in it is from your wallet. Very little time, thus little emotional investment.


I perceive the emotional investment is why you fear crashing.

[Antonsoarer]

Managing the crash... a proposal/philosophy:
Every crash should be viewed as one more on the road to no more! What I mean, if that doesn't make sense is; that every crash or incident is just another lesson that should result in an improvement in your flying and skills and enjoyment.

I still get slightly nervous on some maiden flights but that's over in about 2 minutes :)

The best way to avoid crashes is to be tough on yourself. Try introducing periods of extreme self control during the usual fun and madness most of us indulge in.

I have posted something about this in another thread which was about improving your flying and reducing the chances of a crash..

Here is my post on the subject...

Toygeek, if you are trying to improve your skills consider this technique. If you fly inland sites where the air isn't often smooth (unlike most good coastal sites) then give this a try.

One of the things I noticed early on in my flying was that on a good site you could do almost anything anywhere (as Ian states 'not much you can't do'). What I also noticed is that many flyers did just this (for hours) but if they got into trouble or conditions or site weren’t perfect it often ended in tragedy despite many apparent hours of flying experience.

One of several techniques I have used to good affect (as have other flyers) is to occasionally introduce some structure into your flying (best done between bouts of slope madness).

The simplest and most effective technique is to decide on a big pattern/route and fly it as accurately as you can, sounds easy and boring hey? No-way, if the lift is variable and there are thermals coming through and you are doing it correctly all that should change is the speed of your model and the direction you choose. The height, the direction and lateral attitude should remain on-track/constant; your thumb/eye/brain interface however will be working overtime!

I sometimes use the line of the horizon or shape of a distant hill or cloud shape as guidance especially when the air is smooth and not particularly challenging. Try this and combine long distance runs with close in stuff including nearby terrain following. Convert big lift into speed and try to smooth out turbulence, make sure you link it all together and then take a break to allow it to sink in.

You may ask 'what's the point!'. Well when you do let go and go mad you can do amazing stuff under almost any conditions and have a lot more fun at any site. You will also get to know a site and model a lot quicker because the feedback loop is so rigorous. I do this with every new design/site combo.

Tony.

[BigShark]

Take a VERY small flask of whiskey with you those first few flights till you put the first ding in it. After that it's Katie-bar-the-door. I tend to baby my birds on those first few flights. Perfect weather, little wind, etc. After the grass stains and slices up the covering on the bottom and they no longer look like a magazine ad, the real flying begins...

[colin wavell]

When I started flying I crashed almost every time out. I then had lots of help with launchings and landings so I could get lots of stick time when least vunerable. Most crashes occure on launching or landing. Then when i had lots of stick time I tried launches and landings with an experienced flyer on my shoulder. But what really helped was a winter of combat flying, just for fun, in gale force conditions, on inland slopes,with three or four other mates with an almost indestructable foamie wing. I noticed how the experienced flyers got out of trouble....quick reactions...so quick they are instinctive...if you are going to crash there is no time to think. If you think its too late! Combat flying developes these skills and instincts. Now when I fly my precious crunchies, that before I felt so scared to break, I am so much more confident in my ability to get out of trouble. Also its good to get real about the fear. In the last three years I have had lots of minor crashes but never had to take a plane home in a bin bag. In fact I still have all the 8 planes I ever made and they are all flyable! One tip If you get holes in the covering of a built up plane stick a contrasting colour star over the hole. You end up with a nice record of all those minor misshaps and a pretty plane.
Colin

[colin wavell]

Here's a picture of the wing my first two metre trainer with most of its scars covered with stars. It still flys after numerous crashes. I keep it as a reminder of how things have improved. It was a long slow process as I was 50 plus when I started flying and those kind of skills are much harder to learn when you are older. I couldn't get rid of this plane even if I never fly it again....we went a long way together! :)