Posted by Paul aaseltine @ 05:18 PM, December 18    
Hi Brady. As I mentioned in one of my earliest commments, I said that you will feel like you hit a wall and can't get past it. This is normal! As a matter of fact, one week before getting my pilot's license, my instructor quit and my confidence went out the door. What your instructor is saying is true. Trust him. You are doing fine, don't give up, I didn't and I know you can do it!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Chris Arvin @ 06:20 PM, December 18    
I wake-up at 3a flying...it's like my mind is replaying the last lesson or the upcoming one. I go through the manuevers and preview the sight pictures. If this were easy everyone would be a pilot! It is easy once you get it...you just spend your time in the barrow. Do not forget to smile and enjoy the journey...remember this is fun!! Hang in there buddy...

Posted by Dane @ 07:04 PM, December 18    
Brady,
Hang in there! I had a lot of days like that in my training, and they are part of the learning process for sure. Think of them as a test, and once you get past them you are a better, smarter pilot.
Your instructor's comment about your foot relaxing reminded me of that point in my training where I seemed to be resisting the single most important step for me to take in my training__taking control of the aircraft. It's a matter of confidence, and once you get it, everything is easier after that. You have to believe that you are in control, and not just reacting to what the plane and the wind are doing. To gain the confidence to accept that fact you have to learn what you need to do to control the aircraft, and you need to learn the coordination. Learning to switch to cross-control coordination near the ground was difficult for me, but once you get it, it is as natural as coordinated controls.
I took some tailwheel training in a Cub and that helped tremendously with coordination and aligning the plane properly. Sitting side-by-side it was always difficult for me to see whether I was lined up straight with the runway or not, as you mentioned in your video.
And, I'm sorry to say, the best way to learn how to handle crosswind landings and take-offs is to do it in a stronger wind. :)
Best of Luck!

Posted by Tammy @ 10:38 PM, December 18    
You do not appear to have a learning plateau at this time. Your awareness of the variables that make each landing different is in the process of growing.

BTW, when tuned to a tower controller, you can transmit "wind check" (just only those two words, no call sign needed) and the controller will say the wind direction and speed.

Posted by Roger - Pasco, Washington @ 12:20 AM, December 19    
I feel your pain, mine was right at about 8 hours. just keep going and in a lesson or two it will all come together.
Tell your instructor to quit doing the flaps for you, you need the distraction of having to do that two so it all comes natural when you solo.

Posted by Niels Andersen @ 05:58 AM, December 19    
You wrote "I felt as if I couldn't do anything right"(with respect to flying). I have my own theory about this, and I have discussed it with many student pilots. I think your judgment improves faster than your skill. At first you can't tell a bad traffic pattern and landing, for example, from a good one. Then your judgment improves, and you learn what they are supposed to look like, and you get to the point where you CAN tell a good one from a not-so-good one. Unfortunately, your skill level has not kept pace, so now when you fly a poor traffic pattern or make a not-so-perfect landing, you know! Your instructor has always known. Eventually your skill level improves to the point where your skill almost matches your judgment. Will you ever make a perfect flight? I haven't. I have gone many times as a safety pilot with a good friend while he practices instrument approaches and landings (in VFR conditions). We would go to a Tim Horton's afterwards for coffee and donuts (this is Canada), and we would debrief. He is an excellent pilot, but we can always find something, even if it is minor, that we would do differently the next time.

Posted by Joel Beyer @ 08:22 AM, December 19    
Brady, welcome to the wonderful world of learning to fly. I agree with the post above. You now know what it should look like and are struggling to make it perfect every time. Keep at it and things will get much better. On the video your landings actually look descent. One question, why does your instructor keep doing the flaps for you? I would just like to know. Keep up the good work.

Posted by Pete Aarsvold @ 09:18 AM, December 19    
Hi Brady.
The name of your blog is "Earning My Wings". This is what you are doing right now. You are earning it. If your blog was named "Gift of Wings", you would have reason to be discouraged. What happened to my gift? The best things in life are those things that are earned, not given. Learning to fly takes focus, dedication, perseverance and more. No one said it would be easy. Hang in there. After listening to your blog, I know that you will succeed.

Posted by Chris Moran @ 10:14 AM, December 19    
Hey, Brady don't beat yourself up over what you think are bad landings, there is a saying "any landing you can walk away from is a good one, if you can reuse the airplane it is an excelent one". I went through the same sort of frustration until one of my instructors said he wasn't trying to teach me perfect landings, he was trying to teach me safe landings, after that I realized I was putting unnecessary pressure on myself and I was flying alot better than I thought. By the way your landings do not look remotly unsafe. Don't let your perception of a landing get you frustrated as long as you can reuse the airplane after your landings you are making progress. Most any pilot will have a landing they don't think was so great now and then, it is just human nature. Thanks for the blog, I feel like I am learning all over again.

Posted by Ernest @ 01:30 PM, December 19    
Hang in there Brady! I've got your back... I am in the back seat on every one of your flights. From my view I think you are doing great and I am really proud of you. You are going to be a great pilot!

Posted by Ed @ 03:23 PM, December 19    
Watch the videos of Flights 9 & 10 again and notice how Jason gives you hints - more rudder, a bit of aileron, bring the stick back, etc.

On this flight, Jason is trying to get you to do all of the flying. Notice how, on the second approach, he doesn't suggest that you close the throttle, he waits as long as his patience can stand and then asks "Why's that power still in?"

He's trying to move you on from being told what to do to the stage where you are able to work out for yourself where things are going wrong and therefore what needs to be done. Putting his hands on the dash is symbolic, what Jason means by not helping out is that he's not telling you what to do.

That's the difference, that's why this flight seemed so much harder and why you feel like you are regressing. It will probably happen at similar key moments throughout your training.

One way to get through this is to read up and have a good book knowledge of what you are trying to do at each stage. That way you can mentally rehearse any situation and know what control inputs need to be made.

And then you just need practise, practise and lots more practise.

Posted by Ron H @ 05:14 PM, December 19    
Oh man, bad days ARE a part of the learning process. And this early in your training you'll find that the smallest things can throw you off. Maybe you didn't sleep well last night or are preoccupied by something else going on in your life. It doesn't take much at this stage and you really don't have all the tools yet to deal with every situation. Don't beat yourself up over some less than great landings. It all goes toward the experience you need to be able to do it on your own. Imagine if you never had a challenging landing during your training. You wouldn't know how to deal with adverse conditions when you're without an instructor. And remember what I told you in a previous post: There are three secrets to perfect landings but no one knows what they are.

Posted by Paul D @ 05:34 PM, December 19    
Brady, This is the first time I have viewed your blog and I cant believe what I have been missing. As of today I have 9.5 hours logged and your latest video could have been my flight today (snow included). When I was driving home from the airport beating myself up about the lesson I realized that as bad as it seemed to me I was infact able to analyze my own mistakes. I may have been behind the curve a little because the workload is increasing with each lesson but I was still able to see where I was going wrong. I am confident that this lesson will prove to be very valuable and I look forward to the next lesson. Can’t wait for your next!

Posted by Chris P. @ 08:52 PM, December 19    
Hey Brady and Jason ! I'm really enjoying this journey you too are taking here . Brady , your cross wind landings didn't appear to be that bad ,as far as picture perfect goes... Jim and / or Bonnie probably wouldn't choose them for the cover of the next Sport pilot magazine.... However , I think it's pretty safe to assume , if Jason thought they were that bad , he certainly wouldn't have his hands on the dash . Obviously , Jason is doing less and less in the cockpit and you're getting busier , you seem to be handing it very well... Do you feel a little "Rusty " sometimes between lessons ( Due to the lack of VFR weather around here lately )? I see a Solo in the VERY near future ! ( No pressure ! LOL ) Both of you keep up the great work ! I'm going to be looking for a sport pilot instructor very early in the new year ( hint , hint... JB...I'll even throw in some LaSures lunches LOL )
Merry Christmas !
Chris P.

Posted by Greg Hughes @ 09:07 PM, December 19    
Dude, been there! You're doing just fine. I had the same experience a month or two back and wrote about it. One commenter explained that your awareness is advancing a little faster than your skill, and I tend to agree - In retrospect that's what happened to me.

Your instructor is remarkably similar in style, wording, and instruction to mine (which makes me feel good about my instructor!). Having someone who's direct and applies the pressure but knows when to check your status (are you getting tired?) means you're going to get a little frustrated, but you're also going to get maximum growth benefit during your instruction.

If you'd like to read my recent similar experiences in my training, here you go:

http://coordinatedflight.blogspot.com/2008/11/some-days-you-feel-like-failure-dealing.html

http://coordinatedflight.blogspot.com/2008/10/sometimes-it-best-just-to-call-it-day.html

http://coordinatedflight.blogspot.com/2008/10/windy-landings-and-oatmeal-brain-effect.html

I hope something in there might help. Feel free to contact me (or any other student or pilot) if you feel the need to discuss your experiences, as that's a great way to gain some perspective when it matters the most!

And remember, experiencing the "doing it wrong" parts of your training are what provide the opportunity to "get it right."

greg

Posted by Greg Hughes @ 09:12 PM, December 19    
Ah one more thing. When I have hot a couple of "plateaus" I went to the airport office and asked if I could spend 30 minutes or an hour here and there just sitting in the airplane and ground-flying it. It cost me nothing and now that you know how it feels to land in crosswinds and similar situations, it might do you some good to put your hands and feet on the controls and (literally) talk yourself through the process. I know it helped me to relax and get my brain around some of the mechanics.

Posted by Peter Pike @ 11:43 PM, December 19    
Brady as you can see from all these comments, the experience you're having is NOT uncommon! It was exactly the same for me, at exactly the same point in the process. Hang in there pal, we are all behind you!

Posted by C @ 08:21 PM, December 20    
Hi, I learnt over here in the UK and finished my training just recently.
From my experience there is DEFINENTLY stages where you feel like the aircraft is 10 steps ahead of you and you'll never catch up, but as said its all part of the learning experience. All I can say is keep at it and you will be wondering why you couldn't grasp not long from now!!

Happy Landings :)

Posted by Ray L @ 08:33 PM, December 20    
I've been watching your blog from day 1, but this is my first comment. I have 8 hours in my book and have experienced a lot of the same things. I have not hit a plateau yet, but I have beat myself up on a lot of mistakes (the perfectionist coming out in me). I read alot about how EAA and AOPA are working to get more people interested in flying, and after seeing your blog, I am convinced that this is the best PR EAA could put out to the public to inspire new pilots. Remember the saying, what do you call a doctor who finishes last in his class?, a doctor. You nor I are going to do everything perfect, but we will be pilots before long and we have the rest of our lives to learn and improve on those things that need improving. Keep up the good work!!

Posted by Dane @ 02:05 PM, December 22    
Brady,
I agree with the comment to get your instructor to stop putting the flaps up for you. The first time I saw him do that on your video I freaked__that's a recipe for disaster! You need to burn that step into your brain or it could lead to a very bad situation in the future.
Dane

Posted by James @ 03:07 PM, December 22    
I just got my Pilots Certificate on Oct. 3rd 2008 and I remember one day like yours when my instructor and I were flying in high winds with gusts. The plane felt all over the place and I was constantly correcting every second. Every landing got worse and worse as I felt I was getting further and further behind the airplane. After about the 6th landing I just had enough and loudly exclamed "I'm Done!" My instructor stated that we made great progress that day and I learned alot. I stated that I couldn't feel the airplane or what it was doing which makes me think I wasn't learning anything. Well the lesson learned was the many hours spent thinking about those landings and what I needed to do to fly the plane properly in gusty, cross winds. From that point on I worked the rudder with confidence telling the rudder what I wanted it to do instead of being timid. I also moved every control with whatever motion it takes to make the plane fly the course I wanted and not be at the mercy of the wind. I am not perfect yet as I realize I need time and practice to make it look as easy as those with many flight hours.

Keep going confidence will come with repretition.

Posted by James @ 03:18 PM, December 22    
I wanted to make a comment on what others are stating about your instructor raising the flaps for you after your landings. This is ok for instructing because he wants you to just concentrate on the current task and is trying not to let you get too overwhelmed. Just keep in mind that as you progress you need to complete all flight proceedures on your own to get those steps down as second nature. Let me give you an example of what I mean. I was getting close to taking my practical test and my instructor was going through all of the manuvours with me and as I did a perfect short field landing and was rolling down the runway he was puzzed and stated "That wasn't a complete short field landing." I was baffled as he explained that I left out raising the flaps to get the weight on the gear and applying heavy brakes to stop in the required distance. This was due to all the time of doing touch and goes and the instructors confidence in my skills. I had to go over all those manuvours multiple of times to ensure I got every step down to the last before going for my practical.

So be diligent and ensure you complete all the manuvours to the last step to not become lazy with the instructor doing some of the work as I did. The instructor is there to help and his intention is not to mislead you but help you concentrate on the current skills to learn that moment. So while practicing manuvours at least a couple of times complete them all the way to the end of the steps to ensure you have them down.

Posted by Gary @ 04:26 PM, December 22    
Brady,

Hang in there. Flying is finding your way on a walk in the dark. When you have success you take longer walks. You are doing great.

Gary

Posted by Douglas @ 05:37 PM, December 22    
Every student pilot has had lessons where performance was less than we'd hoped for or expected, just as we all have good and not-so-good days. It's easy to get discouraged...just keep going. The more practice you get, the easier it is.
As you already know, flying the plane is the easy part. Landing is the most challenging, and most of the time we are harder on ourselves than we need to be.
You're doing great!

Posted by Jyrki Brusell @ 04:48 AM, December 23    
Excellent Blog :-)

I also want to learn to fly. Currently I only can afford Flight Simulator flying at my home (since here in Finland PPL is really expensive), but maybe some day :-)

Really interesting to watch your video blog :-)

Good luck and stay safe. And merry xmas and happy new year :-)

- Jyrki

Posted by Ken B @ 10:52 AM, December 23    
Brady,

Thanks for the ongoing blog, it is fun to watch the progress. I understand how frustrating it can be now, but the next one WILL be better. These learning plateaus are important, your instructor is absolutely right. I flew 2-3 times a week and found that after I took a I couple of days off, (usually because of frustration) I came back and did better than ever! I really was learning even when I was doing crummy! I soloed at around 9 hours and even hit a few plateaus when my instructor was not in cockpit, but he jumped in, brought me back to basics, and it all came right back. The learning never ends. You are doing great! Keep pressing on.

Posted by Dave @ 12:45 PM, December 23    
Been there done that. Not to long ago in my path to Private Pilot it felt as though everything I learned was gone. I could not bring it all together (mic fright, prelanding check lists and landings) lost there flow. It's a lot of information to pack into 1 hour with your CFI. It's amazing, not even 3 months out from getting my Private certificate, I love being a student more now than ever.

Posted by Richard Menz @ 08:53 PM, December 23    
I feel your pain. I am on lesson 12 and just experienced the same performance droop. I attribute a great share of this to the fact that my instructor is demanding more perfection and check ride precision.
I am taking a short break for the holidays and then hitting it hard in January. I think you will do great and have a terrific instructor. Looking forward to reading about your next flight.

Posted by Tim @ 02:19 PM, December 24    
This post applies to every one of your blog entries and videos - THANKS VERY MUCH! I go up this Saturday for my first flight in a very long time if the weather holds out here in Central Florida. I've soloed in a Cesna 182 back in the mid 1980s and had to cut short my training due to job transfers and lack of funds. The new Sport Pilot classification has got me excited about flying again knowing it is more obtainable with hopes I'll continue on to PPL eventually and hopefully instructor.

Watching your videos has brought back a lot of memories of the challenges I had when I was in training and has prepared me for my future training as well. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be sure to keep those cameras rolling when you solo and if allowable, your checkride (this would really be a major learning experience). Try to include your pre-solo flight prep work in your videos.

Keep up the great work. Let us know how you do on your written test and looking forward to the next entry.

Posted by Clayton @ 09:18 AM, December 25    
Hi Brady.As a fellow Wisconsin native I'm pulling for ya.This whole video blog is really cool.Keep up the good work and good luck.I would love to learn how to fly,but I'm a little scared of flying and heights.I know, I gotta get over it.anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.Keep flying!

Posted by Chris @ 10:52 PM, December 26    
Landings can be frustrating. Try looking all the way down to the end of the runway. Keep looking at the end of the runway. Hold the airplane off the runway and don't let it land. Eventually, you will touch down smoothly. I almost quit flying as a student pilot because landings were so difficult. I stayed with it and now I am a CFI. G

Posted by Tim Kline @ 12:14 PM, December 27    
Hang in there Brady, every student experiences the day when feet and hands are not connected to brain, seems to happen right before first solo flight. I was throughly disgusted with myself after it happened to me and would not go back to the airport for a week. After that my instructor limited my training for the next 3 sessions to 5 take offs and landings, no more no less. He told me when I had 15 in a row I would solo. He was right. 18 months ago I started training and just received my private certificate. Your doing just fine, keep at it. Thanks for making these video's it brings back many fond memories.

Tim

Posted by terry tyler @ 06:31 PM, December 28    
Ater many hours in a 150,172 182. Now iwas last flying a 206, and then a king air and then a lear 35&65. Dont worry it like ridding a bike , just get up and ride it. On final app. carb heat on ,gear down,flaps at 10 or20 deg. then slip the aircraft in to a 3 point landing. good luck terry

Posted by John @ 06:31 PM, December 29    
Brady,
I'm a 91 hour, 82 hours in the last 2 years, student pilot going for my Sport pilot flying out of Olympia, Wa. KOLM. I can't count the number of plateaues I went through. One day good the next would be so bad my instructor would look at me in wonder knowing that I could fly 107% better. I fly a Jabiru 250SP and it's one great plane, stalls real gentle. One thing my instructor told me is that every landing, if the wind is not coming down the runway, is a cross wind landing. Landings after that went from bad to passable, I mean the plane could be flown again after i got done with it.
I have flown and logged time in 4 planes. C-150, J3 Cub, that's a trip and a half, Tecnam Bravo, and the Jabiru.
Soloing. DON'T THINK ABOUT IT!!! Learn to fly better and as safe as you can. BE SAFE. The day will come, and as for me it took over 35+ years. One thing I remember thinking to myself as I taxied on to the active is " What am I doing here?" as I added power and started to roll down the runway. Did 3 T&G's, my instructor was looking on and liked 2 out of the 3 landings, and after parking at the FBO did a VICTORY leap.
Now I am prepareing for THE TEST. This is getting to me because of a few things, 1. GRM stink, 2. slips to a landing need work, 3. GRM, 4. spot landings within 400' and 200', 5. GRM.. Steep turns are cool!!!
I hope this helps you, FLY SAFE>

john

Posted by Mary Honeck @ 09:58 AM, January 02    
Ah yes, the dreaded plateau. I have never met a pilot that didn't hit a plateau where they couldn't do a good landing to save their soul (that's why you have an instructor sitting next to you). I finally told my instructor I wanted to sit back and watch him land. That showed me that I had my timing off - flairing too soon. I'ld like to say I've never had a slew of poor landing since getting my ticket, but that wouldn't be true.

Keep at it. It only gets better!!

Posted by Ernie @ 01:45 AM, January 04    
ur being too hard on urself. considering ur dealing with a crosswind, those werent bad landings, student or not. the area for improvement was that u werent able to recognize WHY you were doing what u were doing (e.g theres nothing wrong with landing with power, just know WHY u are, or know where ur rudder needs to be going), but those landings were okay. u should see the bouncers some high timers pull off :-)

Posted by Jon Hagopian @ 02:51 PM, January 05    
Ha, Sooo Familiar. Another thing is that high time pilots also have days like these. Great video and its helpful to hear from another that its a normal part of the experience. I'm in instrument training and still get lessons like that.

Posted by Brett @ 02:33 AM, January 07    
G'day mate, just checked out your video and that was me all over again just yesterday. I've done about 5 hours and racked up about 11 circuits yesterday. First few were really good then it went downhill as I was getting tired. Things picked up when we conducted flapless landings and then everything came to fruit when our last circuit was done because we had flap failure! I blame that on two heavy landings.

Keep up the good work, I'm about to check out the rest of your videos!

Cheers

Brett

Posted by robb tiller @ 02:09 PM, January 12    
i love what your doing love to use some of it on my web site

Posted by Frank J. @ 05:52 PM, January 12    
Nice video's

Posted by Flyingninja @ 08:22 PM, January 30    
Hey Brady, I'm going through this exact phase right now. I've had 13 hours of circuits and the thing that throws me off are the crosswind landings. Staying centred in crazy crosswinds is just frustrating when I'm coming in on final very well. Then the wind starts to throw me off. And the aileron/rudder inputs start to get weird. Very frustrating!
Hope you keep your videos coming.
All the best.
FN