Right Seat: By sea or by air

We had prepared a few weeks for the maiden voyage. There were safety courses to take, required equipment to buy, boat ramps to be researched—and, of course, all the necessary extras to bring along. It had all come down to this moment. Would I sink—literally—or float? I’m proud to say there was no cause to call the insurance company, we successfully launched and retrieved the boat, and we arrived home that evening completely unscathed—expect maybe for my poor car’s clutch. But despite a day filled with sunny weather, a light breeze, and kids laughing, I was relieved to park the trailer that night and finally unwind.

Whether by sea or by air, launching on your first solo voyage can wreak havoc on your nerves. I only vaguely remember that feeling when I first started flying, probably because I was a pig-headed college kid who absolutely knew nothing could go wrong. But here at the dock, almost 20 years later and with much more to lose, the feeling came rushing in. I was tense the whole day, practically waiting for something to go wrong, and there was nothing I could do to stop the stress. Boating and flying have long shared everything from techniques to terms, but I was shocked at how similar each felt the first time in the preparation and execution.

Nerves can be a good thing. They heighten your sense of awareness, give you some warning that things may not be quite right, and no doubt they help to keep ego in check. They also come whether we like it or not, so you might as well embrace that tingly feeling in your gut. With time the feeling eases when you’re flying at your home airport in your favorite airplane with clear skies and calm winds. Then you plan to land at a big airport and the feeling comes back. Or the weather comes down and you really feel it. Each time you push out of your comfort zone, you’ll feel the nerves of inexperience again.

This month contributor Natalie Bingham Hoover writes on the idea of exploring life beyond the flight school in “Leaving the Nest,” beginning on page 38. She examines some of the common technical and practical areas that can trip up new pilots.

Two that she discusses—weather and maintenance issues—cause never-ending questions and consternation from even the most experienced pilots. Weather, in particular, can make the best ace feel like a cadet.

One thing you’ll realize early in your flying adventures is that it’s impossible to fully learn by sitting around worrying about the nerves. Much can be gained from reading and studying, but to truly learn and grow you must leave the nest and point skyward.

Email Editor Ian J. Twombly at [email protected]; Twitter: ijtwombly; and visit Flight Training on Facebook.