Today I took a flight for 40mins in a Scottish Aviation Bulldog with a friend of mine who holds a PPL. He invited me along to fly with him as he knew that I had an interest in aviation and have thought about going for my PPL one day, once I am in a decent paying job after completing university. Aviation has always been a interest of mine, and especially over the last 2 years- this interest has developed due to the fact that I never went on an aircraft until only last year (when I was 21) because growing up my whole family were chicken-**** of flying (and laughably boats and rail too) and therefore there were no family holidays abroad. My families fear of flying only encouraged me to become fascinated with aviation. So, far since last year I have been on two flights (Estonia, Belfast) and one next month to Venice. Aviation is a big past-time of mine now, and I spend a lot of time plane-spotting, playing FSX, reading books on how to fly, and stuff like reading Airliner world etc.
So today was my third flight ever, or first outing in a general aviation/light aircraft. I found the aircraft to be sturdier than I expected it to be and did not think it was flimsy or un-smooth to fly in and had no doubts about the aircraft nor worries about safety. Take-offs, landings, climbing, descending and normal in flight turns were all fine and well. But, when we did a few manoeuvres such as two 360 degree steep-turns both left and right, I found myself rather uncomfortable with the g-force being pulled on me.
What I would like to know is:
– What were PPL holders/current students first thoughts on the effects of g-force upon first experience manoeuvres like steep-turns?
– Are you likely, with experience, to ignore the effects/get used to the effects of such g-force?
I am a bit disappointed in myself today for not being able to cope with such g-force (not that I was throwing up or freaking out, I merely voiced my discomfort with such manoeuvres so he stopped) after how excited I was to take to the skies.
It has not put me off my dream of learning to fly one day, nor has it dented my enthusiasm for aviation. I hope to go up in his aircraft again some time before the end of summer, and see if I can cope with the g-forces on a second try.
By: Dave Wilson - 27th June 2012 at 18:24
60 degrees of bank in a level turn is 2G. You won’t be pulling anymore than that on purpose in a light aircraft unless you are doing aeros.
By: Primate - 27th June 2012 at 18:20
Is it possible to over stress the airframe in a light aircraft by pulling to hard into a turn? Do they have any way of telling you how much G you are pulling?
Yes, although I don’t know everything about every light GA plane out there.
Some planes come with an accelerometer in the cockpit showing the G load / load factor. I think some types may have an indicator which is not visible to the pilot in flight, but rather meant for technicians.
You can also calculate it using the following formula, were n = load factor and AoB = angle of bank:
n = 1 / cosine AoB (this assumes that you’re making a level, coordinated turn)
You wouldn’t normally care much about this equation during a flight, though, but it can be nice to know.
By: AlanR - 27th June 2012 at 15:08
This reminds me of when I was in a Chipmunk as an ATC cadet, flying from
Marshall’s at Cambridge. The pilot put the aircraft in a tight turn and told me
to lift my arms. Which I couldn’t do.
Then when looping I got the greying out, followed by the blacking out for a
second or two. Strange sensation the first time it happens.
By: Rockhopper - 27th June 2012 at 14:04
Is it possible to over stress the airframe in a light aircraft by pulling to hard into a turn? Do they have any way of telling you how much G you are pulling?
By: Primate - 22nd June 2012 at 22:31
I’m sure! 🙂
Good memories. Nice controls and stability properties among other things, if I remember correctly. A nice change for me after spending some time in the Cirrus SR20.
By: TonyT - 22nd June 2012 at 17:23
But fun and a wild ride playing Exocets off Gib 😀
By: Primate - 22nd June 2012 at 12:19
My first intro was being told we will pull some see how you feel, if ok we will do some more, we went off straight and level gentle turn out to sea then pulled 6 plus into the vertical, he then said ok? That was my intro lol 6g… He figured pull a load and if i am ok then he need not worry..
Pretty hefty for an intro ride, if you ask me. 🙂
By: bazv - 21st June 2012 at 21:19
I agree with Moggy…it will be much better when you are ‘driving’.
Bulldogs are lovely little a/c
rgds baz
By: EGTC - 21st June 2012 at 21:12
You’ll be fine! You’ll get your flying stomach and head in time. It will come with more frequency in flights. The more you fly, the quicker you will get used to it 🙂 Also don’t worry if you feel abit sickly on your early flights as this is normal and expected. You eventually get used to it all and no longer notice it.
By: TonyT - 21st June 2012 at 15:41
My first intro was being told we will pull some see how you feel, if ok we will do some more, we went off straight and level gentle turn out to sea then pulled 6 plus into the vertical, he then said ok? That was my intro lol 6g… He figured pull a load and if i am ok then he need not worry…….you will get used to it, we had a Jag pilot used to throw up into his mask when looking over his shoulder pulling g, they put him in a centrifuge over a week or so and kept him repeatedly looking over his shoulder until his system got used to it and he stopped vomiting.
By: Primate - 21st June 2012 at 11:35
Fully agree with Moggy. You’ll get used to it and probably learn to enjoy it. 🙂
The Bulldog is a nice plane for airwork, in my opinion. You have lots of fun to look forward to.
Good luck and give it your best.
By: Moggy C - 21st June 2012 at 09:32
Don’t worry for a second. What you experienced is perfectly normal and, as you guessed, something you will quite quickly become accustomed to.
Also, as with all these things it is much better when you are doing the flying, rather than being the passenger.
Steep turns occur very early in the syllabus, as, when you are solo, you may at some point need to avoid another aircraft or 180 out of bad weather. And when you are set the exercise your concentration will be on keeping the altitude constant, so much so you’ll forget to notice the G at all.
Good luck with your plans.
Moggy
Sign In
June 20, 2012 at 11:47 pm