Wow, and I thought I was the only one.
I have been flying since the late 80's or so. I was a Sportsman Pattern Aerobatics Champion in 1996/1997 back in New Zealand.
I have flown everything from small sports planes to large aerobatic 3D aircraft and more reciently Jets.
Every time I bring a new plane to the field to maiden I still get the nerves and shakes. For me anyway, it seems like the longer I have something on the building board, the more I shake. It usually only lasts a couple of flights or so till I get to know the characteristics of the plane.
Also, If I have a misshap or scare on one flight I get the shakes at least for the first part of the next flight (No matter what plane I fly)
I posted the above info just to let you know that you don't have to be a beginner to get the shakes.

To minimise them, I have a routine I go thru for each and every flight.
Start up - Taxi out but hold short. I walk to the pilot area. I adjust my hat and sun glasses, flex the mussles in my legs, stretch out my arms and hands (Comments from the p-nut gallery say I look like a starfish when doing this), get ready to taxi out and take off by doing a quick once around the skies for full scale and check the wind sock, get comfortable, take off and have fun!
I know this sounds like a lotand takes a long time, but in reality only takes 2-5 seconds, and it helps relax me.
Anyway, it works for me!

George

If your hands shake sometimes for no reason, it could be a physical problem called "essential tremor" (the Germans, who are less polite, call it "senile tremor"). It usually starts when people are in their 50s or 60s. It's harmless but annoying. (Parkinson's disease, which causes similar tremors, is not harmless, so it's good to get it checked.) It can be controlled with beta blockers, for which
you need a prescription. I stumbled onto this by accident because I started taking a beta blocker for something else and was delighted to see the shaking much reduced. I had gotten to the point where I couldn't fly anything more interesting than a trainer without a transmitter tray to brace my right hand against. (The tray is a good idea in itself, too.) Beta blockers are sometimes prescribed for extreme cases of stage-fright, too.

One of the very best ways to overcome the shakes is to fly with acobber (buddy)who is very experienced. Ask him (or her) to stand with you. When you get into a predicament, your cbber will quietly say " Lift the nose a little, feed in a touch more power". His gentle voice is wonderful to calm your nerves and get you backon track. It is not a disgrace to ask for your cobber to stand by by you, it is using your brain! Pride has killed many RC planes, more than you can evercount. If all the "elite"members of your club see you with your cobber standing alongside with you, they wont knock you for it. Instead, they will admire your attitude and some of them will even wish theycould do the same if it was not for their stupid pride.
In the last ten yearsthe only plane I have flown with an engine has beena 36" span 049 powered two channel job and only 3 flights. Within the next few weeks I will be launching my newest 45 powered plane but I have to fly on my own. My cobber will be there to help me but hecannot fly at all. He will be my ground crew only.
When I fly, I imagine myself as being in the cockpitand flying from there. Every movement of the sticks is a deliberate move to make the plane conform to exactly what I want. I know if it's going to crash, it willdo so'cos of gross pilot error. I fly with extreme determination. Every manouvre is even forcefully carried out. However, all my flying is done within "Suviteril modo, fortiter en re!" which means, "An iron hand in a velvet glove". This is the way I fly and I love it. I will let you all know how the maiden flight goes when it's done.

Wedge

I hold my sticks between my forefinger and thumb so they don't slip off when I shake. But the other day I was flying in the cold and started Shivering and shaking...that was too much -the sticks were almost moving as fast as as a sewing machine. I got the plane down just as it got real bad, but that plane probably won't be back out till summer.-BW

Hi all,

I'm from the Heli forms. I echo your collective sentiments. I was flying the other morning and between the cold and my apparent problem below:

[link=http://www.youtube.com/b4566bb]Heli-Acrophobia[/link]: Pronunciation: \Həli-akrə-ˈf�-bē-ə/.noun: The exponential fear and sense of dread one gets when his/her tricked-out-Big Outdoor Lama waaaaaaay to high and is generally graduated by 10' increments.

I was shakin' like a leaf!


Rikybob



[link=http://www.youtube.com/b4566bb]Heli Cam[/link]

Maiden flights and the first few after are always a time of high anxiety and excess adrenaline for me...less so the first few flights of the season. There have been some great suggestions to lowering the stress level posted before and I will echo some of them for sure.

Preparation, Planning, and Practice are essential to the success of any endeavor:
Prep...Build your plane well and check it out thouroughly before ever taking it to the field...have a checklist and use it in your final preparations ie,)
CG slightly forward for maiden (and where have others found the sweetspot on the same a/c), control surfaces secure and clevises locked, servos secure and arms all have the screw in them, push rods secure, all wiring secure and battery checked out (not just charged) etc. etc. do it before you leave the house. Knowing the a/c is ready without having to second guess helps alot-lets you think about you and not the plane.

Plan...know what you're going to do before you even crank, especially on maidens. Develop a maiden checkflight list and use it. Fly the plane out on the first take-off and don't let the adrenaline get the best of you for the worst outcome. don't just yank it into the air when your t/o roll goes awry-no one is impressed that you got into the air at a right angle to the runway in a 45* bank and 45* upline right over the pits. More respect is given when you know when to cut the throttle and try it again from start-you'll save many an a/c as well. Don't get cocky with it on the first outing just because it feels right. Thourough post flight first few times out-I use the same as my post build/pre-maiden list. At the field is great, someone else may see someting you miss but, Do it at home as well so you can concentrate.

Practice...This never ends, even when your plan is to take "ol' trusty" up and let loose! In other words fly and fly often! Simulator is great for keeping co-ordination through the off time and to get comfortable with new/complex manuevers or routines before comitting a real plane to it. First of the season I always take out the trainer...2 reasons- 1.) check it out for the kids or newbee friends after the off season in prep for the new, 2.) no stress first time out of the new season. then move throught he inventory going from the easiest to the squirreliest.

Been flying 20+ years and still like to have a "cobber" or trusted fellow accomplished 'buddy' at my side at any time, but particularly at maidens. No amount of stubborn pride can replace the time spent on a really nice plane. An extra set of eyes and ears can be very beneficial at spotting or hearing a potential problem before it gets too big as well...It's also nice to have a personal friend to slap you on the back with an understanding "that really sucks, man!!" if something does go tragically wrong.

I'm a strong believer in check lists and flights devoted to practicing one particular manuever with a specific plane. (must be the military aviation background). Doing repeated "precision oriented" t/o's and landings to a full stop, not just touch and goes, can do wonders for your confidence level all 'round....and spice it up a bit, set personal goals for it ie) centerline 'made' all the way out +/-18", perfect rectangle pattern, landing 1st 3rd of the field, lined up and on center, maintain center on roll out. (now do it rudder,elev,thrtl only-or simulated 'dead-stick' when a buddy calls it randomly through the flight routine) work a mental checklist through out and then use the practice to make every t/o and landing look like that. Once that gets really nice the rest just seems to fall into place.

it stress relief..that's what make it so fun....after acouple flights you stop..stress is gone so you can have a great day.....

Hi ES CONTROL,
I'm from the FE tunnel boat thread. I'm a shaker! Everytime before launch I shake. Also, before fishing I shake. It settles down after I settle down.
I don't mind at all, shows I'm nervous & excited. If I ever didn't shake, I'll probably give it all up.

Peter

Take an airplane with you that you have flown many times and fly it first. Fly the wings off it and do all the things that feel comfortable to you with it. Then fly the other plane and just go through the steps slowly. Take off and fly, get some altitude and trim the model and make some smooth passes up and down the runway out in front of you. Gradually work up to a loop then a roll. Then let your instinks take over. Remember to breath all the time. As long as the model is built well, ballanced and the radio is in good working order everything will go fine. IF it makes you feel better I have been flying all types of aircraft for 40 years and from time to time I still get the first flight shakes they just don't seem to last as long.

I've had that before too, mainly when I'm flying something high performance in front of an audience. I've gotten thumb shakes so bad that I could barely control the airplane, and had to immediatly send it skyward, throttle back, and just cruise aroun lazily at 300' until I could calm myself down. This was when I use to sporadically fly at the club field, and every now and then a gas seaplane from my boat. What has helped, is getting A LOT of practice. Even though I've been flying for over 20 years, I still picked up a sim, flew the heck out of it, picked up a Parkzone T-28, and continue to fly the wings off of it- almost daily in the spring/summer. Get something cheap and durable that you can really push to the edge of your abilities without fear of loss. Additionally, I've since trained myself to bring my right forefinger onto the right stick along with my thumb, to further stable my hand and flying. For a while I started using a neckstrap as well, but have since gone back to not using one. You might thing this sounds crazy, but don't forget basic physiological things your body needs, ample sleep, cut back on the caffeine before a flight, get some protein/fruit vegetables in before your maiden, and if possible go for a run or get some other kind of exercise in. It makes a difference!

hi..i started flying about 2 years ago.....i try to NEVER THINK about a crash and loosing my expensive planes...here is my first solo turbine flight with a new jet of mine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq169...e=channel_page

I like the RUSH! [&:]

Very Nice only flying 2 years you did awsome, I am just starting my 2nd year hope i can get that good after 2.
Nice
PoHeller

Shaking is a sign of how much fun you are having!!! I always shake on a maiden flight, until I start the take off roll,, then I clinch my b##t at least that is what me girl friend tells me..

HI HELD A TRACK record in super stock -drag racing-street raced motorcycles for 25 years FROZE IN MY BOOTS AND COULD NOT RESPOND AT ALL-THE FIRST TIME MY RC TRAINNER WAS COMING RIGHT AT ME - IN FRONT OF ME-HAD MY RC TRAINNER BY MY SIDE TO HELP-BUT NOTHING LIKE THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME -NOR HAS SINCE ,always a bit anxious about the first flight of a day .i have been flying for 20 years with an extremely high degree of success. there will always be something about those first flights of a new plane or one you have not flown in a good while , that will get your blood going-the hobby does have its very exciting momments FOR SURE !! ENJOY REGARDS TONY

I consider myself a great flyer and I shake on all my maidens, even if it is a cheap plane or one of my high priced planes. After I get use to that plane then my nerves calm down. Even when I have not flown for a while and just up and go out to the field sometimes I shake. I think it just comes with this hobby. Some people have is more less than others. Have fun its normal.

Guys:
For what it's worth. I have been out of the Hobby for over 18 years. I just came back in (July last year) Since that time I have bought an RV-8 (Hangar 9) and a Taylorcraft 20cc (Hangar 9). However for Christmas I got from my wife a trainer from Midwest. It is a 40 size and the guy she bought it from built it in 1994, he never flew it so I got to do the maiden on Christmas day. That said. I have flown my RV8 about 7 times but let someone else maiden it. (I have yet to solo this bird). I have been flying the trainer and I get the shakes on every flight just prior to flying. When I say shakes it is my hands and knees. What I have found that works for me is simply getting stick time in. Flying the trainer lately I find that I am not as anxious as I was previously and am getting more confident in my flying skills and my comfort level with the airplane is growing. I believe that once you realize that the airplane is not going to bite you and does not have any nasty habits you tend to calm down a bit. All that said the flying is awesome and the social club atmosphere help out at the local club field. Just my 2 cents worth.

I welcome any comments and tips for my Taylorcraft as well. I am about 90% done. I need to install the engine (Zenoah 20ei) and then gonna maiden.

[email protected]

I'm late to post... being into this for 4+ years now and I am proud how far I have come and after some of the first flights of the day, I see really how far I have to go!. I get very anxious and jittery. I am a guy who's hand is always rock steady, but heart beats though his chest. I have developed a system. I agree with everybody here. Breathe, go pee if you have to, don't rush, don't think of who ever is looking, and tune out the surroundings. Tell anybody who "overhelps" to back off, in a nice way and focus on what you CAN do. Take your time on pre flight, make sure radio is set correct ie: ailerons , left is left, up elevator is up, battery charged, etc. Example of my Saturday morning.. Take out old dependable, the Ugly stick and get a tank or two in, first few minutes, some simple patterns, then work up to advanced moves, then and only when I calm down , work up to another plane. I would never take up my P-51 first, or any other aircraft that is near and dear. All the guys at our field tend to do that.

The video below is my good friend Kevin 'HamBone' Hamilton on his turbo drag bike going 151-mph in the quarter mile (I shot and edited the video. Oh, and I race a 72-Nova... Nice to meet 'ya, Tony).

Kevin wanted to get into Rc flying, so I recommended an E-Flite Apprentice. I checked him out over a weekend and got him to where he was ready to take off on his own. His first ROG went well, but when he got airborne, he said, “Man! Now I gotta fly around a little until my hands stop shaking!”

Wait! What?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmMurHCcZdw

I still shake on my first flight of the day after 50 yrs. of flying.

thank you....everyone is telling me that the f18 super hornet is one of the most hard to fly plane .....so i built one over the last few months and im waiting now for nice wether
I THINK IM GONA SHAKE A LITTLE ON THAT ONE

Hi,
Less Caffeine ,,,, More EXPO On Radio , [sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=thumbs_up.gif][sm=regular_smile.gif] ...

Oh , I Get the Jitters too, From Take-off Till Shut-down in the pitts.. Just Remember To Breathe...

Later, good flying to you ,,
Mark K.

Hum a tune. It works wonders. Just make sure nobody hears you or they'll think you're some kind of freak.

Here's some suggestions you might try:

1. Command your body to be calm. You control it, it doesn't control you.
2. Pray to God he will give you peace.
3. Have a reserve airplane. It takes the fear of crashing away. This is why you're nervous, you don't want to crash.
4. Go to a health food store and get KAL Liquid Cal-Mag+ it's about $14. Take 1-2 tablespoons 10 min. before you fly.
It is a natural calcium/magnesium supplement, and it calms you down wonderfully well.
Stress (even "fun" stress) depletes your body of it's calcium and magnesium supplies. This will help restore balance.

BTW- Here's some other signs that your body is low on calcium/magnesium:

*sweaty palms
*twitching eyelids/muscles
*white streaks in your fingernails

You can also try B vitamins...they are great stress reducers!

Hope this helps!!
God Bless,
Michael

Hello

Once I am flying, I am fine - not a great pilot, but not shaking either.
BEFORE hand is the problem! On the way to the field, I am essentially terrified.

Ifind that once the plane is in the air, and down in piece after thefirst flight,  it all goes away, and the rest of the day goes bywithout a problem.

I think keeping a trainer flying at the beginning of each flying seasonis a great idea - better fly it, and be able to rely on it's stabilitythan go out an annihilate the project you have been working on allwinter!

Shakes are good - keeps you focusing on safety and final checks.