# My first flying lesson is in 2 hours **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 25, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614 "2005-08-25T19:47:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Seren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Seren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/1 "2005-08-25T19:47:11Z")
And I’m getting more and more nervous. I studied what I was supposed to…but there’s just so much stuff to remember. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Mooney252](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7c8e57/32.png) [@Mooney252](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mooney252)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/2 "2005-08-25T20:06:51Z")
> [@](#): > > . . . there’s just so much stuff to remember. Just memorize those V speeds! I’ve been flying for 40 years and still forget which squawk code is 7500 and which one is 7700. Good luck! Flying is the gateway to excitement. Best regards, Mooney252 ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/3 "2005-08-25T20:22:36Z")
Relax! There is absolutely nothing you HAVE to remember before your very first lesson (besides don’t crash). Show up, pay attention, and have fun! Your CFI will make sure you learn what you need to learn, when you need to learn it. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/4 "2005-08-25T20:52:43Z")
Congratulations. I remember my first lesson well. It was one of the best days of my life. I even got to land the plane myself (probably should have logged two or three landings for that one). You don’t have to remember much book learning just yet. Just listen to your instructor and establish a good relationship. Your instructor won’t let you do anything to get both of you killed. A good instructor will let you scare yourself from time to time however. Be prepared to get overwhelmed with information. Everything will be new but you don’t have to learn it all at once. ---
**Author:** ![Figaro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ea666f/32.png) [@Figaro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Figaro)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/5 "2005-08-25T21:00:28Z")
Cool! I’m with the others here - don’t worry about it. At this stage of the game your job is to be open to new information and learning. You aren’t yet responsible for doing everything correctly, and you have an experienced pilot watching out for your safety. You don’t need to stress about your competency until it’s time to solo. Then you should take a good hard look at what you’ve learned, and how well you can apply it, since no one will be there to bail you out. Have a great time - learning to fly is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/6 "2005-08-25T21:20:14Z")
Things to remember: [ul][li]Relax.[/li][li]Remember: This is supposed to be _fun!_[/ul][/li] (I left off Rule No. One: Fly the airplane. The instructor will do this on the first lesson.) ---
**Author:** ![Seren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Seren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/7 "2005-08-26T00:42:02Z")
That really was a lot of fun. Scary a couple of times…especially when he let me land. (Certainly wasn’t expecting that on the first lesson 😛 ) He told me I did well, which is encouraging. He also said I need to look out of the window more. 😛 I spent almost the entire time watching the instruments. I just trust them more than me at this point I guess. I have a feeling I’ll be flying for the rest of my life now. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Seren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Seren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/8 "2005-08-26T00:43:15Z")
I forgot to say thanks :smack: It did help calm me down, reading the stuff you guys posted. So, thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/9 "2005-08-26T00:51:59Z")
> [@Seren](#): > > He also said I need to look out of the window more. 😛 I spent almost the entire time watching the instruments. I just trust them more than me at this point I guess. On my first lesson, my instructor said, “You play Flight Simulator don’t you”. I said “Yes”. He said, “I can tell. You spend all your time looking at the instruments. Start looking out the windshield.” Does that apply to you too? ---
**Author:** ![Seren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Seren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/10 "2005-08-26T01:00:20Z")
I haven’t actually played any flight simulators. I am awfully fond of Star Wars Tie Fighter though… So, I don’t know why I look at the instruments so much. Hopefully this means I’ll have an easier time getting my instrument rating when the time comes. 😃 (Oh yeah, I do happen to be short…5’4"… so maybe I just look at them cause they’re practically right in front of my face) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/11 "2005-08-26T01:06:11Z")
> [@Seren](#): > > He told me I did well, which is encouraging. He also said I need to look out of the window more. 😛 Before I submitted my last post, the first list item was ‘Remember to look outside of the airplane.’ But I deleted it. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/12 "2005-08-26T01:15:47Z")
I’m short, too - but I get yelled at sometimes for not looking _inside_. Use an extra seat cushion if you have to, but be sure you can see out as much as possible. So - when’s the next lesson? (Another one hooked… time to reel this’un in…:D) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/13 "2005-08-26T01:22:50Z")
Oh, and while there is a lot to learn, no one expects you to learn it all at once. Just nibble at it in bite-sized pieces and you’ll absorb it all, just like the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![Seren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Seren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/14 "2005-08-26T01:36:21Z")
Next lesson is next Wednesday. I can only afford one lesson a week ☹ I’ll definitely have to use an extra cushion next time. I could see out, but it required a lot of straining. > [@Broomstick](#): > > (Another one hooked… time to reel this’un in…) You’ve been doing a fine job of that already, with all your aiport stories. Remember? This is all your [fault](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=326676)😃 ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/15 "2005-08-26T07:21:37Z")
Happy flying… ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/16 "2005-08-26T07:57:35Z")
Just remember, your instruments are there to tell you what’s happening outside. When you can see outside, you don’t really need your instruments so much. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/17 "2005-08-26T08:06:39Z")
**Seren** \*I have a feeling I’ll be flying for the rest of my life now. \* Wow, your arms are going to get _really_ tired !!! (Oh come on - _somebody_ had to say it !!!) Seriously Seren, it’s good that your first lesson went well. I’m surprised too that the instructor made you land the plane in the first lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/18 "2005-08-26T12:17:05Z")
> [@Seren](#): > > Next lesson is next Wednesday. I can only afford one lesson a week ☹ I got my PPL doing just one lesson per week. It works out fine, though it does make the weeks go rather slow waiting for the next flight to come around. > [@](#): > > I’ll definitely have to use an extra cushion next time. I could see out, but it required a lot of straining. What type of aircraft are you flying? Did the instructor adjust the seat all the way up for you? It is quite important to find a comfortable seating position, remember it and go back to the same position every time you fly. Phone books make good seat adjustment devices, cushions are too soft and squidgy. You need one cushion on top of course. ---
**Author:** ![Seren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e19adc/32.png) [@Seren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/19 "2005-08-26T13:42:06Z")
I’m flying an older Cessna Skyhawk, from 1981. I’m not sure that the seat actually goes up… I’ll make sure to check next time. I did have to push it as far forward as it would go and I could just reach the peddles. (Do you have that problem too **Broomstick**?) My friends (who are all ~6ft tall guys) think it’s very funny and have suggested I invest in a pair of platform shoes. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614/20 "2005-08-26T13:50:14Z")
> [@Seren](#): > > I’m flying an older Cessna Skyhawk, from 1981. That’s actually fairly new for a GA aircraft. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-flying-lesson-is-in-2-hours/318614.md?page=2)