I'm drowning in new rateings

[5280high]

guys you have to help me...i started my private about 2 years ago and i received my liecense in jan. now i'm enrolled in an 141 school working on my inst and comm.

to be honest with you guys i feel like i'm not gonna pass the classes...i went out today with my instructor for my first flight. i was so new to the aircraft it wasn't even funny. i have a little experiance with flying i like to think...but today it was just like my abilitys went to crud...guys you have to give me some advice PLEASE is this natural??.... i mean where i use to fly i was so free and i did all operations safely....and now i have really tough instructor and i have him everyday of the week...

you guys have to give me some advice....is gettin my rateings so i can become a good and safe pilot gonna kill me...right now i feel like it is.... thanks for your time C-ya

 

[1900cpt]

Sounds like you might of been having "one of those days." How long since you last flew?? How tough is tough?? Is it more stingent than you are used to, or is he/she a "bastard"?

You are probably also nervous taking new classes...maybe information overload?? Hang in there, you probably had the same feelings when you were getting your private.

Also, sometimes a tough instructor can be good. Especially if you are used to being relaxed and not very structured....not saying this in a bad way either. Keep us informed and im sure there are plenty of people here that can and are willing to help.

1900cpt

 

[5280high]

the last time i flew was last thurs...before i went to this school i heard all these things about this one guy...that he was tough but also he would make you a good pilot...he made imediate observations about me and told me things to correct them...i think i may be overreacting....but this is the only time were i really dread going out to the airport...

i really hate the way i feel...its like all my life i have wanted to do this and i have waited to do this...at the airport were i worked me and a friend of mine use to sit around and talk about how we couldn't wait to get to a place were we are flying everyday...now that i'm here i feel that i can't make the grade...when a few weeks ago i felt i could take on the world...

i would go out and test myself..like cut the engine on myself in various places in the pattern no flap landings...stuff like that...

i hope there is hope for me i would really apreaite thoughts and memories of when you more experianced guys were in my spot...

thanks alot guys C-ya

 

[Rick1128]

I really wouldn't be too concerned right now. You are learning new things and new ways of doing things. You are also being held to higher standards. Plus you are trying to absorb a lot of new information. Instrument flying is not easy at first. The instruments are telling you one thing, your eyes something else and your body is telling you something totally different. Believe the instruments. Also slow down. Instrument flying is a lazy man's game. Make as little work for yourself as you can. In time you will learn gouges and shortcuts to reduce your workload. I will not mention some of them, as you really need to learn to whole program. When the do-do hits the fan, you will need to fall back on the basics.

 

[cpritchie5]

Training

It may have been a bad day. Change can also give you some bad days.

When i trained flow-throughs from Amercan Eagle at American Airlines they have been flying a certain way for many years many struggled because of the changees. If your instructor is tough in a manner that he yells at you then change instructors. If he is tough in a manner that he holds high standards then stay with him.

Craig

 

[bobbysamd]

141 Culture Shock

i went out today with my instructor for my first flight. . . .

Perhaps it being your first day and at a 141 school has something to do with it. It sounds like you learned how to fly in a less-structured environment. Now, you're in a structured environment. It's all part of the program. People who never set foot in an airplane until they began flying at their 141 school would have no idea what you're talking about because that's the only flying situtation they know.

Structure is what Part 141 is all about. It is, well . . . school, and all that school implies. I.e., studying, preparing, going to classes, taking tests, and your instructor expecting you to be prepared to fly. It also means receiving and accepting a critique of your performance. That's undoubtedly what your instructor gave you when he made the immediate observations of you and told you what you need to do to correct them. That's part of the learning and teaching process. Maybe you never really received a proper critique when you were learning how to fly and you were caught off-guard by the one that you received.

I think you just might be overreacting a little bit. Embrace the critique given to you by your instructor and use it. That's why he gave it to you. Work with your instructor. Get into the routine and accept the discipline. The higher you climb up the professional aviation ladder, the more structured it is and the more you need discipline to be successful. It all begins at your school.

Get with the program and you'll do fine. Good luck with your training.

 

[Tryful]

Hey man,

don't sweat it I'm currently attending a 141 school. My instructor is a very tough instructor I was shaking in my boots till I got to know the guy. OUTSTANDING instructor once I got to know him a little better and we have developed a good relationship. So I suggest you just relax and try to soak it up.

As for the info overload yup can't be overcome just try to keep up on your studies and oh yah study! Its my hobby other then flying, your gonna love the stage checks You'll be fine just keep your head about ya.

Tyler

 

[Flymach2]

Hi...

You'll probably get quite a few views on this issue....here's my 2 cents
worth.

As you are already aware, the 141 environment is fast paced and you're getting a huge amount of information thrown at you in a relatively short time. You'll probably hear the phrase, "feeding you with a firehose", a few times during your time at that school.

If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, you should be. Most who have been training at a local FBO at their own pace are surprised at the difference when they show up for class on the first day
of 141 training. Not unusual.

The only suggestions I can make are these:

First of all....don't slack off on studying. Utilize ALL available resources to help you understand the subject areas.

Spend your off time at the school as well in order to backseat flights with some fellow students. This can help you see some things that you may be able to use during your own flight. It can also help you see problem areas and you can work on them before you get in the airplane. Remember, the airplane is a
terrible classroom when you're at the controls...try to learn a technique in the sim and apply it in flight.

Listen to your instructor. If you're not satisfied with what you're getting from that one....ask for another. Be prepared to give reasons why you want a change.

Try to listen to approach and tower frequencies on the ramp and get comfortable with the format and instructions that are given to pilots on IFR flight plans.

Don't ever forget why you're doing this! Don't forget to have fun while applying all you learn to be a safe and proficient pilot.

Bottom line is this....all that you are feeling right now is normal. Don't hesitate to ask for help. Keep at it and it gets much better.

Good luck...

 

[5280high]

today things went a little better for me...i'm still lacking a little on the operations of the aircraft i'm in...but i'm catching up on some things around the school...i have also started to meet new people in the program...

my instructor seems really impatiant with things that i'm not doing right...he doesn't yell at me but he will kindof give the smart off attitude when i have done something wrong...however when i do things right he tell me things like...ok the altitude looked good and the airspeed looked good...he told me today after the flight was over that i did a good job...and he told me things i need to inprove on...i beleive the guy is a good flight instrutor and he will make me better than i am b/c the high standerd he holds me to.if i can not have a nervious break down with all thats going on i think i might make it.

when i working on my private,yes the place was not congested and only one plane and i was usally the only person who had the plane booked...my instructor did a great job of teaching me safty and how to work the plane the way i wanted it to be....

i believe after today that i can make it here...its just gonna be tough for me and i want to thank all of you guys for helping me out...right now i believe if i can make it out of here then i'll be able to accomplish any other goal i might set for myself...


thanks again fellas and i'll C-ya

 

[bobbysamd]

141 flight training

See, it's already getting better!

Learn the routine and the culture. Every flight school has a particular culture. Absorb it and become part of the group. That will help you acclimate to the pace.

One other point. Learn your checklists and flows well. 141 schools place a great deal of emphasis on standardized procedures; the reason being is that standardization is key for advanced operations. You will find that things go easier and with less stress if you memorize even the normal procedures and flows. It goes without saying that you memorize immediate action items, bold face, and emergency procedures.

Doing "dry time," i.e., sitting in the aircraft on the ground and practicing moving levers and controls according to checklists and flows, will help you tremendously in memorizing and understanding procedures. In fact, the multiengine rating has more to do with procedures than flying the airplane. Get into the habit of getting your procedures down cold and you will really have helped yourself. Once more, preparation is vital to your success.

Once again, good luck with your training. You'll do fine if you apply yourself.

 

[herb]

I started off in a similiar way. I got my private at a relatively small uncontrolled airport. Then went to a 141 school for everything else. I remember feeling how you feel. Overwhelmed by a whole new system. ATC, new aircraft, different attitude, etc. In just a few days things started to fall into place. I think starting out at the small airport really helped in the end because it let me really concentrate on the basics of flying rather than worrying about ATC. Then when I had a little more experience, I became even more familiar with the structured program. My instructor was tough too. But I think I learned more because of it.
You're on the right track. Don't get discouraged.

 

[Riddle momma]

I have been there too.
I got my private in a small little airport, then moved on to a big 141 school. I had to go through a "standardization" class, in which basically I redid my private to their mold. To tell you the truth, I don't know how I got my private in the first place. It seemed like I knew nothing about flying. But I stuck through it. Unlike a lot of people who just quit and continued their flying at 61 schools, I took it as a challenge, and ussually put a request for the "hard" instructors. It was a tough time, but I feel it was definately worth it. Now I teach at a little airport, but hold my students to the standards of 141 schools. I really push them hard, especially the ones with an aviation carreer aspiration.

Good luck!
Marta

 

[bobbysamd]

Tough love

Good post.

So many students expect to be spoon-fed and coddled, and their instructors to be their buddies. Instructors should always strive to have a friendly relationship with their students, but anything closer to arm's length erodes the instructor-student relationship and the instructor's authority. Students don't understand that when their instructors demand performance their instructors are really doing them a favor. Moreover, although students will say otherwise, in reality they lose respect for their instructor if he/she lets them be his/her pal.

Keep up the good work.

 

[5280high]

man today it seemed like i couldn't do much right...we stayed in the pattern and did touch and go's all day...i'm still kindof stressed out about things...i really don't know if i can take the pressure much longer of this guy that i have teaching me how to fly...he is makeing me better but its like no matter what u can bet i'm gonna get slammed for something i do or didn't do...

maybe its just me maybe he is tired of a screw up doing stuff wrong...i'm hanging in here but its one hell of a learning curve that i'm going through...

the only question i have now is...will i ever stop being yelled at...i'm really fustrated with knowing that no matter what i do i'm gonna proably get a reprimand i dunno...I WILL NOT GIVE UP...

 

[Riddle momma]

As good as it is having a tough instructor, one that makes you dread the time you have to fly is not a good instructor. Yes they do teach a lot, but think how much more you could learn if each time you had a flight, you actually looked forward to it. Better yet, if you did the maneuver right because you wanted to do it for yourself, not so your instructor wouldn't yell at you.
I think you should consider changing instructors. Flying is fun, and it is your instructor's job to make it so.

Cheer up.