Scaring Yourself Into Additional Dual Instruction

Every pilot frightens themselves at least once, and the experiences often make us better aviators.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 10:23 AM ET

Verified

If you scare yourself in the airplane, ask your CFI for more dual instruction. [Courtesy: Wayman Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

A meticulous student pilot experienced fear during a solo flight due to perceived radio silence, unexpected turbulence, and an awkward slip maneuver, prompting him to seek additional dual instruction.
The instructor debriefed the pilot, confirming his use of the correct air-to-air frequency, explaining turbulence causes and safe handling, and providing practice for slips to build confidence in the maneuver.
This initially frightening experience served as a valuable learning opportunity, ultimately restoring the student's confidence and highlighting the importance of continuous learning and seeking dual instruction for all pilots, regardless of experience level.

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The student pilot was signed off for solo flight, and his next two flights were supposed to be short hops out to the practice area to work on learned maneuvers. He was known for his attention to detail, use of checklists, and meticulous preflight planning.

So imagine my surprise when after his second solo flight he asked for additional dual instruction. He had scared himself, he said, and was worried he had done something wrong.