Have you ever flown a plane?

[Mattg]

No, I didn't accidentally leave out the word "on" from the thread title. Have you ever been a pilot, physically at the controls of a plane and flown it?

Obviously there are a few pilot contributors on this forum who have done or still do this for a living. But for everyone else, did you ever have this chance and if not, would you like to?

As a kid, this was a huge bucket list item for me and I was lucky enough to get this opportunity as a 17-year-old. I happened to meet a kind person who was a flying instructor and owned a light aircraft, and he offered to give me flying lessons out of a small airport in regional NSW - I would just need to pay for the fuel (which, mind you, was not cheap). I didn't go on to train as a professional pilot, but do remember the joy of being behind the controls of a plane for the first time and watching the world below.

If you've ever flown in a full-motion flight simulator, that could also count

 

[drron]

Briefly on 3 occasions. First December 1969 flying Solair from Gizo to Honiara. The pilot picked me to sit beside him. Maybe because I was the only one wearing shoes. Got me to take over for a few minutes and yes fantastic flying over those coral reefs. However I then took note of the instruments and noticed the fuel tanks were showing empty so pointed that out to him. Oh don't worry they have been showing that for 6 months. didn't actually reassure me. After he took it back asked if I would like a close up of a coral reef. I don't know what altitude we went to but the reef looked awfully close.

Second time in January 1971 when working as a resident at Dubbo Hospital and a GP at Nyngan who had is own plane took me up and started showing me what to do. Not nearly as exciting.

The third time was in the early 80's when I was President of the Maitland Show Society.. One of the Committee members was an instructor with the Rutherford Aero club. He offered to teach me to fly for free so I took him up on that. Had the first lesson and we were up for ~40 minutes. After 20 minutes he handed over to me and when I thought he was going to take over he said I'm going to get you to land it Ron. i will tell you what to do. actually didn't do such a bad job.
Two days later he saw me professionally. I asked what the problem was and he said I am nearly blind! He had severe glaucoma. I never did take the second lesson.

 

[The Flying Schwartz]

It was my dream as a young boy to learn to fly. I had to abandon commercial pilot training in the 1980s due to cost but I'm now on an RAAus Pilot Certificate with passenger and cross country endorsements.
I fly the club aircraft (Light Sports category) - we have two Sling 2 from South Africa and another on order. Monthly club flying competitions are a hoot.
Recreational pilot training is quite affordable and the ongoing costs aren't too onerous. Give it a shot!

 

[Happy Trails]

Does a glider count?
I did a five-day course back in the 80s.
On the Friday morning the instructor strapped a lead weight to his seat, slapped me on the back and sent me on my way.
I got it back down in one piece, but only then did I learn that the instructor was still half-pissed from the night before.
I was pleased to have done it, but didn't feel the urge to pursue it any further.

 

[ausfox]

Yes, it is a great feeling to successfully takeoff and then land.
Air is fluid so it cannot be relied on to be predictable particularly in light sports size aircraft.
I have sadly reached the end of my flying after many years as the brain and the reflexes start to lose their effectiveness.
I agree with Flying Swartz, give it a try.
Greatest experience you can have with your clothes on.

 

[tgh]

I did a five-day course back in the 80s.

..and went solo in 5 days… the mind boggles…….

Was this in Australia ….How many spin recoveries did you do ……

 

[Daver6]

A few times. Been handed the controls in a light aircraft with both my brother and cousin having pilot's licenses. I've also flown a glider, but not solo.

Biggest thing I've flown was a 747 classic. Well I use the term flown lightly. Back in the 80s flying to LAX from SYD via HNL my brother and I (I was 12 at the time) got to visit the coughpit during cruise. The captain let me sit in his seat and I held the controls while the FO banked the aircraft.

Finally I got to nail the landing at Kai Tak checkerboard approach in a 738. The FO might have been giving a little helpful advice. This was super fun

If you look closely my avatar here is in the captains seat of a QF 744 at SIN. Sadly, only after landing and everyone off the plane.

 

[Happy Trails]

I did a five-day course back in the 80s.

..and went solo in 5 days… the mind boggles…….

Was this in Australia ….How many spin recoveries did you do ……

No, it was in the UK.
It was the thirteenth flight - my lucky number.
Would have done spin and stall recovery on most of the preceding flights.

 

[TomVexille]

Yes, had aviation courses at my high school and logged about 20 hours in a 172

 

[jb747]

Finally I got to nail the landing at Kai Tak checkerboard approach in a 738. The FO might have been giving a little helpful advice.

You shouldn’t be flying with two hands. One should be on the thrust levers. Turned a bit too early. Turn at the first crossbar, and about 18 degrees AoB. Vary the bank angle if there was wind, but not the start point.

 

[33kft]

Yes, I got my GFPT (allowed me to fly around the aerodrome) and was training for my PPL in a Cessna 152 at Bankstown Airport. I loved it and I should have carried on but it was not long after Sep 11 2001 and my instructor who was from the UK had to return home, I lost my regular training slots so I eventually gave it away. I did really enjoy the experience but I am too old and busy now to take up flying again.

 

[SYD]

If you've ever flown in a full-motion flight simulator, that could also count

Tick. Jet, prop and rotary. Don’t remember getting the RW off the ground!

Actually managed to land the prop (with help from a third hand).

 

[ausfox]

You shouldn’t be flying with two hands. One should be on the thrust levers. Turned a bit too early. Turn at the first crossbar, and about 18 degrees AoB. Vary the bank angle if there was wind, but not the start point.

Kai Tek was often spooky as a passenger. The beacons guiding aircraft were extensive and clear to use. I didn’t pilot into Kai Tek.

 

[clifford]

I have done about 30 hours of flying training on Cessna 152/172 aircraft at CBR airport, courtesy of the Federal Govt (I was in a position where I was able to access a scheme which provided training to PPL standard, with only a 10% contribution from the participant). I could have gone on the complete the PPL, but family circumstances intervened.

I must admit that I was surprised and a bit concerned when the instructor (a great bloke) said after landing on my 9th lesson that he would be getting out and I would be doing a circuit on my own. With some trepidation I took the aircraft around the circuit and landed with a bit of a bump, but otherwise all was good.

Now I will have no hesitation when flying as a passenger in a commercial aircraft to jump up and offer to fly the aircraft when both pilots are incapacitated (!).

 

[jb747]

Now I will have no hesitation when flying as a passenger in a commercial aircraft to jump up and offer to fly the aircraft when both pilots are incapacitated (!).

Well, if you get the chance, make sure you do a couple of circuits. Don't want to waste the opportunity.

 

[craven morehead]

@Cessna 180

 

[Matt_01]

I was allowed to have a go at flying a PC9 and Macchi jet (not the takeoff and landing part) also have had a go at controlling a glider. Many years ago I had the opportunity to play in the F18 simulator and a few years ago the QF 767 simulator (a P1 invite).

 

[kookaburra75]

I did a five-day course back in the 80s.

..and went solo in 5 days… the mind boggles…….

Was this in Australia ….How many spin recoveries did you do ……

That's about right, if you were on a full time course. Four flights a day, for five days would cover everything you need. In gliding, it's the number of flights (or more to the point landings), rather than the number of hours that count.

I started gliding at the Gliding Club of Victoria at Benalla in the mid 70s, starting off with a Air Training Corps camp, and then continuing on my own. I did a little bit of power flying, but stuck with the gliding as I could afford it, as I was still at school. I progressed to be an instructor at 18, and spent a lot of time in the back seat getting people up to the right level of skills and experience in different conditions, before sending them off solo after a discussion with the senior instructor on the day. That was most nerve wracking part, watching your pupil join the circuit and then land at the end of their first solo flight.

As I moved around with work over the years, I flew gliders in different parts of Australia and the world. I would recommend it to anyone as a relaxing way of flying - no noisy thing up front that inevitably goes wrong.

 

[jb747]

When I first did some flying it was to the restricted licence level with the Canberra aero club. I flew every day before or after work at DoD. Solo came up quickly, as I wasn’t wasting time having to relearn sequences done weeks ago.

 

[Mattg]

When I first did some flying it was to the restricted licence level with the Canberra aero club. I flew every day before or after work at DoD. Solo came up quickly, as I wasn’t wasting time having to relearn sequences done weeks ago.

@jb747 I'm not sure if you've already answered this elsewhere on AFF, but why did you originally decide to start learning to fly?