Flying tense - relaxation techniques

[rotorrodent]

Forward and down, forward and down, forward and down....

 

 

Doing pickups and setdowns today for my first time. My instructor said the same thing, "forward and down!" I am instinctively doing the fixed wing thing, "aft cyclic, setdown, forward cyclic". (rather comical)

 

Forward & down....

[tattooed]

It seemed that I couldn't control that frakking beast.

 

Do I sense a BSG fan?

[tattooed]

OK, thought I'd give yah'll an update on my stage check.

 

Remember, I already had to reschedule it once after a BAAAAAD flight that really got into my head.

So, went in for my 2 hours of ground. It was tough, but I did fine. Nailed aerodynamics (at least I think I did), need to be faster with my emergency procedure responses. Otherwise, not a problem. Flight portion was cancelled due to wx. We reschedured for 4/1.

I felt much better going into it. Stage Check instructor weighs a noticeable amount more than my CFI....and it was VERY obvious on the pickup. Rather squirrely. Looking back I was also too tense. Got to my head. We went out and did some settling w/ power. He demo'd a quick response SWP..lots of fun!

Came back in to the pattern...nailing radio calls the entire way..he actually told me he was VERY impressed with my radio calls...which makes me proud because I had a tough time with them for awhile.

So, back into the patter. Normal approach...didn't like my angle...go around. Come back to it....completed it but too slow, and didn't hit my "spot".

Did some hover work, a bit shakey, normal T/O, TOTALLY botched ETL, so we agreed my had just isn't back...remember, only had 1 flight since my horrible one, and it was with a different instructor (8 DAYS AGO!!), and was strictly to get me back in the air and to try and pick out some things I am missing.

 

So, the Stage Check instructor and I agreed to discontinue the check, and try again after I had the opportunity to fly a few times with MY CFI, and relax. This is such a head game! I KNOW it is. No worries. Admittedly, I did feel about 2 inches tall and wanted to ball my eyes out as I walked shamefully back to dispatch...but I told myself it's ok, and hooked up with my stage check inst and my CFI, and they gave me an awesome pep talk. Both of these guys are incredible human beings, and knew exactly what to say.

 

I'm sorta mad that I was told by everyone to just "do it" and do my stage check, even though I knew I wasn't ready...that I knew my head isn't right. Yes, sometimes we need to be pushed into something we don't think we are ready for, but this time I was right. I don't regret it, but I do feel like a complete looser since I didn't even finish it. Oh well. try again. Everyone is in such a hurry to get me solo'ing. Frankly, I don't care. What I WANT to do is get my confidence back, and get back to where I am comfortable with my maneuvers. I'll solo when I am ready.

 

So, I have decided I'm at one of those nasty plateaus, that this is all a head game, and I will eventually get thru it.

I have a flight tomorrow with MY CFI (YAY, FINALLY! It's been nearly 2 weeks!!) and he said we can do whatever I want and have fun. I can hardly wait. I'm to tell my Stage Check Instr when I am ready, and he will make time for me. Gimme a few flights, get my confidence back up, and OK!

 

 

This is such and interesting thread.

Should change the title to "How my confidence got it's a$$ kicked in a helicopter bar brawl".

[Hovergirl]

Hey, sorry the stage check didn't go through. Eight days is a long time between flights at this stage even if everything has been going fine for you, without all the stress on top of everything. Hopefully now we'll have a good stretch of decent weather and you can get up there and have some fun. I remember being so nervous on my first check ride I went around, and around, and around I don't know how many times on my normal approach. Just taking check rides is a skill and something to get used to, no matter how much you try to mentally prepare yourself. One more thing to get used to, hopefully one more thing that's just going to get easier. Sounds like your instructor has the right idea, just have a flight or two to relax and have a little fun.

 

Remember, you're going to be flying for years -- a few more trips out so you can nail this and have a really good, safe first solo is just a question of doing it well. And don't ever feel like a loser -- you're only a loser if you refuse to learn when you make mistakes.

 

Be safe and have fun up there.

 

Laura

[mrjibbs]

Tattooed,

 

Not sure where in Oregon you are, but i have a solution to your stress, and if your a bigger dude like me it will shed a few LB's and help the old W&B too. If you are somewhat close to Beaverton, give this place a try for the first month rate.... http://www.bikramyogahallstreet.com/

 

Bikram yoga is an amazing stress reliver. It is rather expensive, but the first month is only $30 and i think it would be worth a shot.

 

Which school are you training at in Oregon?

[tattooed]

Tattooed,

 

Not sure where in Oregon you are, but i have a solution to your stress, and if your a bigger dude like me it will shed a few LB's and help the old W&B too. If you are somewhat close to Beaverton, give this place a try for the first month rate.... http://www.bikramyogahallstreet.com/

 

Bikram yoga is an amazing stress reliver. It is rather expensive, but the first month is only $30 and i think it would be worth a shot.

 

Which school are you training at in Oregon?

 

Oh, BTW, SOOO not a "bigger dude"

 

112# girly-girly.....well....maybe not so girly.

 

 

You are absolutely correct about Bikram yoga. I studied Bharatnatyam (South Indian Classical Dance) and even spent a month in India. I still study, but it's on old. I also study Middle Eastern dance, so yoga is an integral part of my fitness routine. I agree a formal class would be helpful...excellent idea. I live in Forest Grove, so Beaverton is a tad bit of a drive...45 minutes average. I have been slacking in my yoga...I know there is a studio here in FG...I should force myself to look into it.

 

 

Oh, and I had a great flight today. Definately a confidence builder. Still have work to do, but definately moving forward now.

[Witch]

Do I sense a BSG fan?

Frakking A!

 

Still can't wait for tomorrow. Bummer it's the last season. Felt the same when Farscape, Stargate, and Firefly ended.

 

Frak.

 

Later

[C.R.O.]

Oh, BTW, SOOO not a "bigger dude"

 

Ain't that the truth. Get any lighter, and we could glue some feathers to you and ya wouldn't need a helicopter to fly.

 

Glad you had a good flight today. You will get there.

 

Did you also go on the flight in the 300, and go up by PDX?

 

Conor

[Deepseadoc]

There have been a few occassion where my instructor said "Relax" when I didn't think I was tense.

 

Today was a one of those. Normal morning, good attitude, took off for another airport to do a manuever flight. I did 2 poor normal approaches in a row (a manuever that I have nailed down a long time ago). He said I was tense on the controls, and to relax. I SWEAR I was not tense. We did a steep approach and I paid attention to my body...seemed ok to me. Instructor said no, I'm tense.

 

I just don't get it. How can I be tense on the controls when I hold the cyclic with my thumb and forefinger....so no WAY can I "death grip" it. The collective I was barely supporting with my middle finger...maybe a bit of thumb to lower.

Pedals..well maybe. My feet sometimes don't listent to me, so I'll give him that.

 

Anyone else notice this "phenomenon"? I admit to having days when I KNOW I was tense, but the ones that I can't see it just baffle me.

So I tried a few relaxation techniques on the downwind....breathing deeply, clearning my mind. Seemed to work...I did an awesome steep approach, then my best running T/O ever (barely noticed the set-down...'sept for the grinding noise!).

 

 

Anyone have advise for relaxation techniques?

 

This is starting to irritate me. I want to be relaxed and not get lectured about being tense when I have no realization that I AM tense.

 

 

I was doing the same manuvers the other day with slop landings and i thought i was relaxed and when I got out of the helicopter the side of my knee's were sore, But i felt really relaxed on the pedals. I think it's only going to come with time and trying to be aware of what the body is doing.

[SquirrelFlight]

Got a relaxation question of a slightly different nature. Yesterday was my first cross country for commercial, and I found that after two hours of flying I had 1) a right foot and ankle that were sore, and 2) my back and right shoulder were sore from being slightly twisted to get the best hold on the cycle (in a R22 - I'm not that wide a guy, but apparently wide enough that I need a slight twist to stay relaxed on the t-bar).

 

For 1) I found that if I took my right foot off the pedal for a second to stretch it out on the floor seemed to take care of it.... temporarily, at least. For 2) though, I found that any attempt to roll my should or twist my back resulted in uncomfortable oscillations as the cyclic wobbled in my hand.

 

Is this something to just get used to, or does someone have any suggestions for dealing with this?

[tattooed]

Got a relaxation question of a slightly different nature. Yesterday was my first cross country for commercial, and I found that after two hours of flying I had 1) a right foot and ankle that were sore, and 2) my back and right shoulder were sore from being slightly twisted to get the best hold on the cycle (in a R22 - I'm not that wide a guy, but apparently wide enough that I need a slight twist to stay relaxed on the t-bar).

 

For 1) I found that if I took my right foot off the pedal for a second to stretch it out on the floor seemed to take care of it.... temporarily, at least. For 2) though, I found that any attempt to roll my should or twist my back resulted in uncomfortable oscillations as the cyclic wobbled in my hand.

 

Is this something to just get used to, or does someone have any suggestions for dealing with this?

 

 

I have the opposite problem....I am pretty tiny, and I have issues with reaches. We have quite a few different ships, and I have noticed there are some I like to fly and are comfortable, and some are difficult and downright PAINFUL to fly. I have been making a list for myself of which ones I like to fly, especially with a checkride coming up.

 

Some have shorter, taller Tbars, some have different buttons for th radios (I like the ones with the trigger style button to talk). Some slant in towards me, some point straight down. Some seem to be in my stomach, some are out at my knees. All have different effects on my body. Do you have options with ships? Have you noticed you feel different when you fly a different ship?

 

I even choose to buy a Robinson seat cushion because using various pads/pillows from the school was inconsistent and uncomfortable. I doubt your legs are anywhere near as short as mine, so for you the cushion won't do! LOL