First flight with unlicensed passenger

[tradford]

Since I just completed the Robinson Safety Course (a prerequisite for taking passengers where I fly), I was able to take my wife for a little sightseeing tour of Lake Lanier. We were in an R22 Beta II with the doors off, since it's over 90 degrees today. All of my maneuvers were nice and smooth - no banked turns or abrupt changes in airspeed or altitude. I could feel her nervousness as we were heading for pattern altitude on climb out, but she relaxed a bit shortly into the flight. I don't think she'll ever be quite the fan I am, but I've still got the daughter!

[Azhigher]

It has been my experience that flying a passenger in a 22 vs flying them in an astar or 130 produces very different results in terms of passenger experience and enjoyment.

 

It probably also helps flying with someone who has been flying for a while and has made a career out of it vs flying with someone who just qualified to take pax.

 

Moral of the story: Keep flying and they'll come around.

[Wally]

Announce prior to movement and maneuver, explain what's happening and why.

[Gomer Pylot]

My wife still doesn't quite believe I really know how to fly. She does not like flying with me, in an airplane or helicopter. I think it's more the size than me flying, but in any case she's never been comfortable, and likely won't be. 40 years is not enough time for her to get there, at least so far.

[WolftalonID]

I remember my first flight taking my wife up in a 22. She was wired tight for 30 minutes straight!! I made a horrid mistake that day of letting her feel safe and leaving the doors on. I about died with heat on our way home!! Lol.

 

Every bank she was grabbin for something to hold onto...I couldnt help it I laughed a few times...now she wont fly with me.

 

My boys however cant wait to get rides! Some love it some dont.

[aeroscout]

My instructor told me after I passed my ppl to put on my airline pilot hat. Make all the control inputs so smooth that my passenger wouldn't even realize the aircraft was moving.

[tradford]

Great experiences. I think my daughter (31) will get off on it. I could see her wanting to learn to fly. She was into Matchbox cars instead of Barbies and insisted on a manual transmission and turbo on her first car.

[cburg]

My Wife is NOT Evel Knievel...she said “If you ever scare me again, I’ll never fly with you.” - Jim Price in The Mooney Flyer

 

and

 

 

When you ask your spouse, “Who’s the best pilot you know?”
I hope the reply is, “You are honey . . . you are!” - Jim Price

 

[rotornut67]

My wife would never get in a plane with me, but she loves the helicopters. My daughters love either one.

[S9coldfire]

I took my wife up as my first passenger and she loved it and didn't seem nervous at all. Now I can't wait for my son to get old enough (9 months presently) to take up for a ride. The only concern I have now is that if he catches the addiction how to explain to him that he has to pay for his own flight training. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself.

[Sonic04GT]

I've seen very mixed opinions between tours and taking family/friends up, whether in the airplane or helicopter. Some say it was the ride of their life, and others don't have the desire to do it again. It really all depends. As the first reply stated, if it's a friend/family member, give it time and they come around. Experience does play a role.

 

I remember how my dad felt when I offered to take him up right after I passed my PPL helicopter checkride.