Struggling to Finish

17 Answers

1. 
   

   
   

   Lagmanbek on Sep 01, 2012

   Hey JG:

   Eric Little was a missionary from Scotland, you might have seen the movie “Chariots Of Fire” in the 1980’s. Go get it and view it if you need some encouragement: he said, “I feel God’s pleasure when I run.”

   Do you feel “God’s pleasure” when you fly? Do earthly problems seem to fade when you’re prepping, when you know a flight is coming, when you push the balls to the wall and feel the engine come to life? If “yes,” then press on. Anything worthwhile takes effort. Why -s-h-o-u-l-d- your pilot’s certificate be easy? What if Einstein had given up? What if the Wright brothers had given up? Yes, there are plenty of slow learners that hit a plateau and pressed on: thousands more hit the hurdle and give up.

   If you’re just trying to prove something to someone else, “I’m not stupid, I can do this thing,” drop it. Life is too short to spend it impressing everyone else. If you’re not really interested in soaring with the eagles, if it doesn’t light your fire (when you’re thinking clearly, that is, not when you’re in an emotional tizzy. We all have ’em.) then drop it. Find something where you “find God’s pleasure,” and pursue it with enthusiasm.

   Before you give up, meditate on the elation you’ll have after you’ve pressed through, after you’ve conquered the practical exam, when you’re holding that ticket that says, “i’m an eagle, i can go anywhere.” If that hurdle doesn’t excite you, then you’re probably smart in not wasting any more money.

   Something that has helped a lot of folks: if you’re doing the once/ or twice/week thing, it’s time for a different approach. If you’re trying to get over that last hurdle, take some vacation time and schedule an instructor for 10 days of two/day, every day. Make that your “final push” to get over this hurdle. That might be all you need.

   “Just one beggar telling another where to find bread.” You’re still responsible for your life and your decisions.

   Blue skies and fair winds!

   ~Lagmanbek

   +5 Votes 6 Votes  1 Votes

2. 
   

   
   

   Bill Trussell on Sep 01, 2012

   Congratulations on your achievements to date JG! I am struggling to find a reason behind your label as a “slow learner”. You have accomplished a great deal in your training over 11 months. You have learned a new language, familiarized yourself with new technologies and trained your body to ignore certain feelings while exercising muscles to do things that are not really natural to most. The trick now is to realize that no one can take away any of your experience in your log book and that bringing your performance up to FAA standards occurs at different rates for different people.

   I have seen others struggle with certain aspects of their performance in an aircraft and in some cases it boils down to one or two small things. One example was a person who had a great instructor but who struggled with landings. I flew with her once and reported back to her instructor that she was distracted during a key time in the landing phase by fixating on the airspeed indicator. Cover it up and her landings were fine. This is not unusual.

   I would suggest that you work with your instructor to diagnose your current performance and see if there are common elements that prevent you from moving off the plateau your are current on. Try to find more enjoyment and learn to relax while flying. You have soloed quite a bit by now and propbably have an idea what you like the most about flying. Do not worry so much about the time in your log book at this point. It is also helpful for some to find another instructor to get a second opinion on issues you might be experiencing. A simple fix for one element might provide you with a confidence boost to tackle other small issues which, when solved, might help you meet your goals in a very short time.

   Most importantly, experiences like yours would be helpful for others just starting out. Plan on finding a way to share your experiences with others. You are not now, nor will you be alone in your current situation. You can not quit during a flight when things are not quite going your way, so do not quit now.

   0 Votes 1 Votes  1 Votes

3. 
   

   
   

   tekkie79 on Sep 01, 2012

   Just remember – a private pilot license is not an indication of mastery. It is merely a license to continue learning.

   I have never met a private pilot (even myself) that could be considered a great pilot. Greatness comes from experience, not training, not books, and not theory.

   It also sounds like you are taking this way too seriously. The private license is not about precision and perfection. It is about proving you understand the basics and enough to keep yourself safe.

   Keep at it, don’t give up. It will be worth it.

   0 Votes 0 Votes  0 Votes

4. 
   

   
   

   Marc on Sep 01, 2012

   Everyone plateaus at some point. Go do some fin solo flying to build confidence. ID what you’re having trouble with- work on those with CFI.

   0 Votes 0 Votes  0 Votes

5. 
   

   
   

   David A Hatcher on Sep 01, 2012

   Let me plug in my crystal ball… Ahh yes there you are. When you finish your Private your gonna’ start working on your instrument then your multi-engine then your CFI. Learning in the flying profession is a never ending process.

   0 Votes 0 Votes  0 Votes

6. 
   

   
   

   perlgerl on Sep 01, 2012

   I understand the internal conflict you are feeling. Like you, I was a successful professional, who went to a small school with rigorous standards. I got a good mark on the written test, but took almost 200 hours and 18 months to finish. My instructors were just as frustrated as I was. In addition to my safety, they were concerned about the school’s reputation with the flight examiner.

   There’s a several things that could be going on:

   a) You’re a slow learner
   b) The instruction you are getting is not effective for you
   c) The school is aiming for perfection rather than competance

   Tell your instructor you’re discouraged and are considering quitting. Ask her/him
   – If she/he recommends you continue at this time.
   – A projected date of when she/he thinks you will be ready for the practical test, if you continue to progress at the current rate.
   – Anything you could do to learn faster (ie lessons more/less frequently, more/less dual, etc.)

   This information will demonstrate if the school is committed to helping you achieve your licence. It will give you a realistic picture of what you will need to finish. Then you can make an informed decision on how to proceed.

   One other idea … If possible, try a different instructor. If you currently have multiple instructors, try to stick to just one for consistency and continuity.

   Getting a pilot’s licence isn’t easy. You’re good enough to safely solo. I think you can finish it. It just might take longer than average.

   +2 Votes 2 Votes  0 Votes

7. 
   

   
   

   JG on Sep 01, 2012

   I appreciate all the helpful suggestions and advice, as I hadn’t thought of most of these. I really do enjoy flying, and wanted to learn just for the fun of being in the air. I suspect I’m over-thinking things and need to relax more when I’m in the cockpit, and it’s likely a combination of all of perlgerl’s points above (a,b,& c). I plan on having a candid discussion with my instructor and asking him to help me plan some concentrated dual instruction with concrete goals, and maybe get some input from the other instructors at my school. If I need to, I will change instructors/schools. Thanks for the advice. I will update this post with any progress I can make.
   JG

   +1 Votes 1 Votes  0 Votes

8. 
   

   
   

   Bob Watson on Sep 02, 2012

   Just another idea to throw onto the pile: Take a break, stop flying, and stay away from the airport for a while.

   I know that sounds counter-intuitive (and I don’t intend for it to sound mean), but I’ve found that sometimes when I’ve gotten wrapped around the axle (a.k.a. frustrated with and over-thinking a problem), that leaving the problem to do something else is exactly what I needed to clear my head of the frustration that came from hitting the plateau. (Personally, I find plateaus to be VERY frustrating and in flying that means very expensive). I’ll be honest and tell you that stopping and taking a break can be VERY HARD (It was for me, until I discovered how productive it could be), but it’s always been worthwhile.

   In your case, it sounds like this might be the best option. I say this because you don’t list any specific areas of difficulty. If, for example, you couldn’t flare at the right height, or couldn’t navigate using a compass, or hold altitude in a turn, those could be fixed in any number of ways. But you don’t list any specific problem which, to me, means:

   a) you’re fine, but you’re instructor/school is milking you (it can happen and how would you know without a 2nd opinion?)
   b) you need a different instructor because:
   1) they’re method of instruction doesn’t work for you (so you haven’t really learned anything well and you really are struggling)
   2) they’re not giving you the feedback you need to improve (so you don’t know what to do differently)

   but those have already been covered, so if those aren’t the case, I propose:
   c) you’re burned out and need to take a break.

   I realize that this might seem like quitting or giving up, but consider it more like falling back to regroup. Every time I’ve come back to a problem after a break, the solution was obvious and the problem was either easy to solve or no longer existed. Other times, while you’re mind is thinking about something else, you’ll have an “a-ha” moment when you figure it all out and you’ll know that you’re ready to go back. But that only comes by NOT concentrating on the problem. It’s like those magic 3-D pictures that you can only see when you look past the image.

   The good thing about keeping a log book is all your flights to date will still count towards your aeronautical experience requirements so when you come back, you’ll just need to work on your proficiency for the checkride. Consider this, you could, for example, spend another 50-100 hours of flight time being stuck on something (and build up even more negative feelings), or you could take a break and come back to spend 10 hours to polish things up for your checkride. I can’t say this will happen in your case, but it’s entirely possible.

   Good luck! The fact that you’re asking questions says to me that you’ll figure it out.

   +2 Votes 2 Votes  0 Votes

9. 
   

   
   

   n on Sep 02, 2012

   You might want to go up with another CFI and get his opinion on your abilities as a pilot.

   Aviation isnt like golf, where if you are really bad at it… maybe you hurl a ball into a window or two, in aviation if you are not good you die, others die and it brings unwanted media attention to the industry.

   I’ve had a few people who had fly with friends of mine, for a second opinion, as sometimes a CFIs teaching style wont mesh with a students learning style. Out of the people I have had do these flights, I’ve told two people so far that aviation is not for them, I hate doing that, but flying aint like softball where you cheer on the clumsy slow kid too, there are very real and very dire consequences to not being up to par here!

   Now you might be a great aviator just not speaking the same language with your CFI, or you might suck, or your CFI might suck, ether way get a totally fresh opinion and go from there!

   -1 Votes 1 Votes  2 Votes

10. 
    

    
    

    Jim MacKay on Sep 07, 2012

    JG
    Looks Like you are flying about once a week. Step it up to 2 or 3 times a week and I promise you will be ready in 3 or 3 weeks.

    good luck

    Jim

    +1 Votes 1 Votes  0 Votes

11. 
    

    
    

    JG on Nov 07, 2012

    Here’s an update: I just passed my PPL this week. The key was getting a new instructor who could work with me on the details of polishing up my maneuvers and, definitely, to fly more than once a week (like 3x a week). The examiner was even complimentary of my stabilized approaches, landings, and cockpit discipline, which I can hardly believe. The hardest part was simply not giving up. Now I am ready to keep learning, practicing, and enjoying it. I appreciate everyone’s comments and advice on all this.

    +9 Votes 9 Votes  0 Votes

12. 
    

    
    

    melody on May 06, 2013

    i stumbled onto this site while looking up “too stupid to get it” 🙁
    ive basically got my met,radio and nav exams left,
    and i am extremely slow, but when i look back the exams ive conquered i feel proud of
    myself. im not what one would call intelligent, i could barely manage math in highschool.
    i work so hard just to scrap that 75% pass mark,
    and i fail along the way too, all im trying to say is, its nice to know, out there in this world, is someone that feels the way i do, when i look around me everyone else gets it, and flies easily and sweeps through the exams. i have 4 months left to do these 3 exams, i should pass met this time (lol) because i really have been working hard at it, radio seems easier. i wanted to cry when i looked at my nav books, but i felt that way when i looked at aircraft technical etc. so i cant be that stupid…
    anyway people like us have to work harder than most to get things together, but its that hard work that makes all sweeter. 🙂
    your post inspires me that i too, can hopefully succeed..

    +3 Votes 3 Votes  0 Votes

13. 
    

    
    

    JG on May 08, 2013

    Melody,
    A lot of things have come easily to me in my life, but aviation was not one of them! I can definitely say that what matters to me is simply not giving up. It takes me longer to learn to most flying skills than others, but it does get easier. I have also found that I’m good at some maneuvers that others are not good at, but it’s because I have just practiced and practiced and practiced, and refuse to let it beat me. Getting my license and now other ratings have meant so much more to me now because it was so hard at first. If I can learn it, I think most anybody can! Just don’t give up.
    Jerry

    +2 Votes 2 Votes  0 Votes

14. 
    

    
    

    Donna on May 25, 2013

    JG,
    As a new learner (I have about 40 hours, and have not yet soloed), I would also classify myself as a slow learner in Aviation. Although I’ve always considered myself to be an intelligent person (I have a Master’s level education, for goodness’ sake!), flying has consistently challenged my own self beliefs. It has not come easy to me at all. I find myself constantly struggling to keep my eyes from glazing over, and my brain from shutting down, as my instructor provides ground school information. I read, and reread, and practice constantly. There have been many moments where I’ve thought, “I’m just not smart enough for this!” My CFI feels entirely different, and reminds me frequently to look at how far I’ve come, and praises my attitude towards safety. It’s just really great to hear that others have struggled with the same insecurities and fears about their own ability to actually achieve this monumental task. I try to avoid the blogs and message boards which seem to be brag boards, where everyone is competing to achieve solo flight in the fewest number of hours. Comparatively, I look brain dead! Thank you for being real.

    +4 Votes 4 Votes  0 Votes

15. 
    

    
    

    Tomas Nunez on Jan 26, 2014

    JG im a high time student pilot who is in the shoes that u were. Ur story inspires me not to give up. In the summer i plan to fly more often rather than once a week how I’ve been doing. I’ve solved in the pattern n practice areas by now. Thx.

    +2 Votes 2 Votes  0 Votes

16. 
    

    
    

    JG on Jan 26, 2014

    Tomas,
    I would encourage you not to give up. Fly 2 or 3 times a week if you can, and consider a different instructor to help you work on the elements that are challenging you. I needed a different instructor to help me finish my private license, and it took a lot of practice that involved more than once a week flying. For some of us, learning some of these skills is hard, but now about a year and a half after this first post of mine, I now have an aerobatic tailwheel plane of my own that I fly pretty well, regularly and safely — it just took a little while longer and some determination not to quit.
    Jerry

    +2 Votes 2 Votes  0 Votes

17. 
    

    
    

    psequeira on May 30, 2014

    Nothing is worse than a life lived with regret JG. Ask yourself that question. That sums it all!

    +1 Votes 1 Votes  0 Votes