An old guy finally learns to fly

Mike Smith

Mike Smith

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Prattville, Alabama
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Fresh Prince of PrattVegas
I have seen a few of these types of threads, so I thought I would try it too. The cliffs notes of my story are this. I have always wanted to learn to fly since I was a kid. Life happened and flying didn't. Fast forward to about three years ago I thought I was ready to finally start training, then life happened again. I have no regrets for the path I have taken or the time I have missed, life has been good.
Well, life has finally allowed me to start, this is my journal I suppose.

I had three options for training. A flight school at an airport with in class D, a small fbo with one instructor and a medium sized fbo with several instructors. I talked to the owner of the flight school who was a very nice guy. Had the option of three airplanes, a 152, 172 and a Cherokee 140. I went to visit the small fbo and talked to the instructor. After a short conversation I realized this was not the right fit. Lastly I called the medium fbo and they have me the names of two different instructors. I called a couple of pilot friends and asked their opinion, they said both were good, but one in particular loved to teach. I called him and we really hit it off on the phone. He is a retired military pilot and does some corporate and ferrying as well as instructing. He gave me some homework and we agreed to meet last Monday to talk and go fly.

June 30, I met my instructor at the airport at 630am. We sat and talked a few minutes about how and why an airplane flies. He asked me some questions about myself and why I wanted to learn to fly. He showed me around the fbo and how to use the computer to get the weather. Then we went out, preflight the plane and off we went. Oh, I am flying a PA 28-151. He showed me how to taxi and we took the long way to the runway while I practiced. He showed me how to do the pre take off checklist. Then we lined up and took off. I think he was letting me do most of it, but not all.

We flew out to the practice area while he explained to me how to use the horizon to stay straight and level and not fixate on the panel. A couple of times he put his hand over the panel and said " look outside ". When we got to the practice area he had me do some climbs and descents and several turns in both directions, they were steeper than standard turns, but not 45 degrees. Then we headed back. It was very hazy and I couldn't really make out the horizon. By the time we finished I was getting pretty queasy. It was also very hot! We flew the pattern and landed, he said " we " were flying, but it was mostly him. We parked and went inside. He gave me some homework and I left. As I was driving to work I questioned if I was really cut out for this. I felt bad physically and I didn't feel like I would catch on. But I came around. The next day he called and asked if I wanted to fly Thursday, I said yes but was thinking no.

July 2. I met my instructor at the airport at 630am again and we started by going over my homework. He had me study the different structures of the airplane and also the systems. We spent about 30 minutes going over that. We got the weather and headed outside. This time he demonstrated how to do a very thorough pre flight. He took extra time to not only tell me what I was looking for/at, but why. When we finished he said, " you are supposed to be leaving for work in 15 minutes, you want to wait and fly next time? " I asked him if we could just make one lap around the pattern, he said sure. He showed me how to use the radio and what called to make, it's an uncontrolled field. He had me do all the check lists, we lined up and took off. We made one lap around and he explains altitudes, the pattern flow rpm, flaps etc. We came around and landed and he had me get on the brakes and stop. He told me this is what a stop a go would be if we were going around again. I asked if we could, he smiled and said let's go! We wound up going around three times. I think he let me do most of the landing the second time cause it was bad...lol, the other two were greasers.

We went in and debriefed. I had had so much fun this time, it was awesome. I am on vacation next week, we are gonna fly three days next week. Tuesday will be power on and off stalls, steep turns and slow flight. I will probably get sick, but yesterday reminded me why I want to fly. It was actually a good thing that it got messed up because we were supposed to do the stalls and turns etc. I probably would have gotten sick and I don't know how I would have reacted with two bad ones in a row.

So, two lessons and 1.3 in the logbook. I hope to out 4-5 in there next week. I really like my instructor and the folks at the fbo seem pretty nice also. I am very excited to finally be flying. If my schedule and the weather hold out I intend to fly 2-3 Times per week. I know this long and I did it on my phone so it's probably full of typos, forgive me and I will try to edit on the computer later.
 
Mike, looking at your avatar you aren't even close to being an OLD guy. I'm 78 and after 49 yrs away from flying recently got my medical, renewed my PPL and checked out for solo. It is great and you won't regret it.


Jerry
 
Congrats on getting started! My husband finally got around to getting his PPL after over 30 years of wanting it. It has been so fun to watch him achieve his dream. Glad you are getting to do the same!
 
Way cool!!!

The Cherokees/Warriors are great airplanes to learn in. And it sounds like you've got a really good set up with instructor, plane, and FBO. From your write up, the instructor is doing a top job and not rushing or short cutting things.

Motion sickness is a normal thing, especially when your overheated and it's bumpy, or you're doing something that tumbles your gyro. Some advice is

Take a water bottle with you and stay hydrated.
Take a towel or washcloth and wet it down with your cold water to wipe your face or stash over your shoulders.
Point the air vent at your face. Not only will it help cool you, but the sensation of air going past as you move might trick your senses into "this is normal"
Don't psych yourself out. Focus on "I'm going to do the best slow flight in history", not, "ooooh, this is gonna make me sick"

Keep positive and have fun!!
 
Sounds just great! I also don't think you are all that old. What's that talk, '50 is the new 35' or so. Then there are the times we have an 18 Y/O trapped inside a 50 yr old body.

Study up on your own too, so you can get the most out of each lesson, look for 'free' opportunities. Like maybe contacts at the airport, just to increase your comfort level around all things aviation. That may include some of the simple stuff, like flight preparation, checking weather, aircraft pre-flighting etc..

It's a ways, but can you make it to Oshkosh this year for Airventure? Talk about a motivational boost. If not this year make it a point next year.

Strive for those mini goals, the 1st solo would be a biggie. Keep it up, before long you'll be shopping in Trade-A-Plane and selling that fancy SUV.:yes:
 
Congrats,your going to love it.Your never to old to start the adventure. Oh to be 50 again.
 
I can't lie, I feel like a kid again. It's a strange mix of excitement, anticipation and a little bit of fear. Similar to getting on the big roller coaster for the first time. I think about flying all the time. My wife will catch me zoning out, she laughs and asks me where I'm flying.
 
Great! After 2 false starts, I got mine in late 50s. I found lots of situps resolved airsickness problems for me. I think keeping the ticket is a great motivation for staying fit. It's all about quality of life.
 
mikeinbama said:
I can't lie, I feel like a kid again. It's a strange mix of excitement, anticipation and a little bit of fear. Similar to getting on the big roller coaster for the first time. I think about flying all the time. My wife will catch me zoning out, she laughs and asks me where I'm flying.
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Mike,

Keep up the good work, thanks for the inspiration!
 
Congratulations!!! I started in 1970 and stopped in 1972 and started again in 2008 and finished in December of that year at the age of 57. It was worth the wait. I'll bet you get over the queasiness part at some point. The PA28-151 is a nice plane.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Motion sickness is a normal thing, especially when your overheated and it's bumpy, or you're doing something that tumbles your gyro.
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It's also alleviated somewhat when you have the controls, which will be more often as your training progresses.
 
mikeinbama said:
I can't lie, I feel like a kid again. It's a strange mix of excitement, anticipation and a little bit of fear. Similar to getting on the big roller coaster for the first time. I think about flying all the time. My wife will catch me zoning out, she laughs and asks me where I'm flying.
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Its never to late to start. I started flying in 1975 (senior in high school) and was only able to pick it up again in March of this year. At 56, I fell like a kid again, and can't wait to head to the airport on the weekend. My advise is to enjoy the ride. Learn as much as you can, relax and have fun.
 
Well good, sounds like you're having fun. The key to everything flying, especially landing, is trim, trim, trim. Every time you want to speed up or slow down, you're going to retrim.
 
Soloed 1969......got my ticket in 1995.......flew up a storm while it was cheap(er)......the first PIC flight after you get your ticket will be one of the best days of your life.........
 
Congrats! Sounds like you've found a good match. Wish I could fly three times a week! The most I've been able to fit in is two per week, even though I'd love to do more. I think you'll learn faster than me if you can keep up that frequency.

Don't let airsickness stop you. I'm on my 10th training flight, and I probably lost a meal on eight of them. You won't be the first if that happens.
 
Oh how I love this kind of thread! I spent most of my life dreaming about flying, but didn't actually start training until age 53. I got my sport pilot certificate two years later and it was the best $$$$ (use your imagination and fill in the blank here, because I stopped counting long ago) I ever spent! Good for you Mike, and everyone else who understood that it's never too late to realize a dream, or to at least try. As the saying goes, we're far more likely to regret the things in life we didn't do than the things we did.
 
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My dad started at 67, and I started at 39. So late family history for starting to fly. I have not finished yet, my dad is waiting to take his IFR check ride, but unfortunately, his plane has had some issues and he had not done it yet. So go for it, GA needs pilots.
 
As an "old guy" (NOT), you obviously have other things going on in your life. My favorite thing about flying... it takes me to a place where you don't think about work, taxes, home projects, kids, or almost anything else, except flying. Staying alive and enjoying the freedom and views. The sense of accomplishment.

Enjoy!
 
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So wait...I'm not the only one who's bothered by the turbulence?! I thought I was just a big wuss. Thanks for the inspiration. Calling my CFI tomorrow! I gotta get back in the air!

:goofy:
 
I had a student who was a WWII airport weather observer who always wanted to fly. I started him sometime after his 70th birthday and while it took over 60 hours for him to solo, the grin on his face was worth the effort. Unfortunately, he never flew again.
 
Congratulations on getting started. Flying is a kick in the ass, ain't it?
 
petrolero said:
Congratulations on getting started. Flying is a kick in the ass, ain't it?
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Heck ya. I flew ~300 statue miles this weekend. That cuts off 100 miles from driving and over 3 hours time. I spent a whopping $12 more in gas than I would have driving it.
 
6:30 AM is a good time for lessons before it gets too hot. Its usually possible to outclimb the haze, heat and bumps here in the South but that requires going to 7-10,000 feet and not practical except on a longer flight (not a short lesson).

Haze, heat and bumps is annoying and I don't know any pilots who enjoy it. Just something you have to deal with for 10-15 minutes on the departure and arrival of each flight as you climb/descend out/in of mechanical turbulence.

For short local flights in the summer, I fly in the morning or evening when the sun is not as strong.
 
Oh forget it, you're way too old. You should just resign yourself to a steady diet of Metamucil, Viagra and daytime network programming while you watch your life slowly slide by.
 
steingar said:
Oh forget it, you're way too old. You should just resign yourself to a steady diet of Metamucil, Viagra and daytime network programming while you watch your life slowly slide by.
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I partake of neither of the three I will have you know! And it's too late, I'm hooked.
 
Lesson 3

Went for l my third lesson today. We are spending quite a bit of time on the ground pre and post flight, my choice, to really go over the things I am studying. Today we talked about more systems, pitot static and electrical also we went over pretty in depth, power on/off stalls, why and when they may occur and how to recover from them. MCA and why it is important. And lastly steep turns. We flew out to the west practice area today, it was very hazy again today but I was more aware of what to pick out for the horizon. We climbed to 2500 feet and got started.

First was steep turns. Many to the left, many to the right, I must have gotten pretty close because the last several turns, I hit my wake. Still working out how much to haul back on the yoke to keep their nose from dropping initially. Overall I was happy with them. Next were power off stalls. Piece of cake. My instructor demonstrated the first one. He just kept the nose up and the airplane just went, nose down, nose up. He would say, we are stalled, we are flying. Oh, these were clean. Then he demonstrated the proper way to recover. Now it's my turn, these are pretty benign and were no problem at all, i probably did 8-10. Next were power on stalls. Not a piece of cake. Again, Paul, my instructor demonstrated. The first one he did, he showed me what happens if you don't recover at the initial stall. Although it was a little unnerving, the airplane recovered itself, it just nosed over quickly and rolled to the right a bit, but it fly itself out. Then he demonstrated a proper recovery. You better be on top of your rudder. I did a few, I did ok, I don't really like them yet.

Last was slow flight. That's was so much fun! I don't know how long we did it, but at least 10-15 minutes. It was eye opening flying around that long with the horn blasting. Then we were done. We headed in and had an uneventful landing. I asked Paul later what percentage of the landing I did, he said about 98%, I'll take that. It was great day. Flying again tomorrow.
 
Lesson 3 today. It was hot, it was hazy, and I don't think I did very well. More steep turns, more stalls, this time it was turning stalls. More slow flight. Yesterday slow flight was a blast, today, not so much. He added turns to 10 and 20 degrees in slow flight. I was struggling with the rudder today. On one of the right turning power on stalls, I found myself with the nose very low, rolling right and the ball deflected to the right. My brain just wouldn't work fast enough to figure it out. Then when we came in, we did one t & g, it was fine with a lot of help. He pretty much gave me the next lap with no help. The climb out was fine, but my turns were bad. Base to final I overshot a long way, he showed me what to do to get lined up without trying to horse it down. Then I just floated and ballooned halfway down the runway. I don't get it, yesterday was great, today was bad.
 
mikeinbama said:
Lesson 3 today. It was hot, it was hazy, and I don't think I did very well. More steep turns, more stalls, this time it was turning stalls. More slow flight. Yesterday slow flight was a blast, today, not so much. He added turns to 10 and 20 degrees in slow flight. I was struggling with the rudder today. On one of the right turning power on stalls, I found myself with the nose very low, rolling right and the ball deflected to the right. My brain just wouldn't work fast enough to figure it out. Then when we came in, we did one t & g, it was fine with a lot of help. He pretty much gave me the next lap with no help. The climb out was fine, but my turns were bad. Base to final I overshot a long way, he showed me what to do to get lined up without trying to horse it down. Then I just floated and ballooned halfway down the runway. I don't get it, yesterday was great, today was bad.
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Exactly how I felt at that stage. 45 min of flying was overwhelming... And I was 22 at the time! It *will* get easier soon.
 
I haven't updated in a while. I am at 8.1 hours and I think I am progressing pretty well. My instructor has been introducing new things each lesson. The last couple of flights have been to a towered field, I fly out of an uncontrolled field. We have gone there and worked on landings and radio work. He has mixed in simulated engine outs and has introduced new maneuvers like the side slip, s-turns and doing 360's in the pattern for spacing. I am really starting to have fun. The only issue that I have is that my medical was deferred. I have submitted all the information that the FAA wanted and I don't expect any trouble, however, it will probably be October before I get my certificate. So no soloing for me. I really don't mind, but it puts my training off schedule a little. My instructor tells me that I am doing really well and that I would probably solo in two or three more lessons if I could. So, we will just keep on keeping on. Next lesson is simulated instruments, not looking forward to that. He says we will probably start working on XC prep in about two weeks or so. I am looking forward to that.
 
This 59 year old is getting an IFR. I think this hobby is keeping my brain young! I don't notice any difference between learning now and when I was 17 getting a ppl.

Keep it up!
 
mikeinbama said:
I haven't updated in a while. I am at 8.1 hours and I think I am progressing pretty well. My instructor has been introducing new things each lesson. The last couple of flights have been to a towered field, I fly out of an uncontrolled field. We have gone there and worked on landings and radio work. He has mixed in simulated engine outs and has introduced new maneuvers like the side slip, s-turns and doing 360's in the pattern for spacing. I am really starting to have fun. The only issue that I have is that my medical was deferred. I have submitted all the information that the FAA wanted and I don't expect any trouble, however, it will probably be October before I get my certificate. So no soloing for me. I really don't mind, but it puts my training off schedule a little. My instructor tells me that I am doing really well and that I would probably solo in two or three more lessons if I could. So, we will just keep on keeping on. Next lesson is simulated instruments, not looking forward to that. He says we will probably start working on XC prep in about two weeks or so. I am looking forward to that.
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No worries, keep flying dual until it works out one way or the other. If you have conferred with Dr Bruce or a similarly competent AME and are confident it will issue, consider that you can do all your instrument training in that time as well if you want to do the extra work and do an extra 50 hrs of dual X/C which also contains your 40hrs IR training. You'll be flying **** hot by then. You might even get the FSDO to give you a free combo ride as they are looking into this type of combined program training. They may be interested in seeing how someone does who is a willing participant.
 
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