Taking newbies flying...

Me too. I used to have a sailplane, and you get used to constant turning,
often at high angles of bank. It never caused me any trouble. Until one day
when a friend offered me a ride in his Blanik two-place sailplane. After a
few minutes I thought I was gonna die, until I asked for the controls for a
minute. That allowed me to last long enough to get on the ground. I often
let newbies follow along or fly on straight and level flight. Just holding
the controls and making or following the small movements to stay straight
and level can help.

Here it is some 30 years later and the only time I've ever gotten
nauseated in an airplane since was riding in the back of an Arrow while
somebody else flew it. But I've never puked. There's a few times I
almost **** my pants but that's a different story.

Now, with newbies, I give my best airline ride. I figure any fool can
jerk an airplane around but it takes talent to be smooth. But I don't
explain everything in advance... I just do what needs to be done and
answer questions as they come up. I haven't lost a passenger yet or had
anybody refuse to ride with me a second time.

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 21:04:20 -0500, "LWG"
wrote:

Me too. I used to have a sailplane, and you get used to constant turning,
often at high angles of bank. It never caused me any trouble. Until one day
when a friend offered me a ride in his Blanik two-place sailplane. After a
few minutes I thought I was gonna die, until I asked for the controls for a
minute. That allowed me to last long enough to get on the ground. I often
let newbies follow along or fly on straight and level flight. Just holding
the controls and making or following the small movements to stay straight
and level can help.

I can do aerobatics, but I do not ride well:-)) Hanging onto the
controls does little to help. I have to be the one doing the maneuvers
for my sense of balance to be happy. Otherwise I can turn a beautiful
shade of green in a hurry.


Here it is some 30 years later and the only time I've ever gotten
nauseated in an airplane since was riding in the back of an Arrow while
somebody else flew it. But I've never puked. There's a few times I
almost **** my pants but that's a different story.

Now, with newbies, I give my best airline ride. I figure any fool can
jerk an airplane around but it takes talent to be smooth. But I don't
explain everything in advance... I just do what needs to be done and
answer questions as they come up. I haven't lost a passenger yet or had
anybody refuse to ride with me a second time.


Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com