Spousal checkride -- any suggestions?

"Eric Ross" wrote in message

I recently received my license and I am taking my somewhat nervous wife
up for the first time. I am aiming for a clear, reasonably smooth day.
Any suggestions for making this flight as positive as possible for her?

Tell her what to expect beforehand, and--this is what I've found most
helpful with skittish passengers--describe a little of what you're doing as
you're doing it. All you really have to do is think out loud. ie, "10
degrees of flaps, pitching for 70 knots...." or, during the runup, read the
checklist "to yourself" out loud. "flight instruments set, oil pressure and
temperate looks good..."

If a passenger is the curious sort, explain a couple of instruments..."this
instrument shows how many feet per minute we're descending." ... "This is a
standard-rate turn which means we will make a complete circle in exactly two
minutes."

People tend to "disasterize" if they don't know what's going on, and imagine
worst-case scenarios. Give their minds something to think about and their
anxiety will move further back into their thought processes.

-c