How Do I Stop Shaking
 

First flight I always shake. Family reunions I shake , flying a plane I do not own, I shake.

This spring I will fly a new U Can Do 60 . And a plane I do not own. And my biggest problem is going to be staring me in the face. ( Quivering thumbs )

Am I alone with this problem ?

Is their any advice you could give me?

After 2 flights, I am back to my self again.<br type="_moz" />

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

a shot of whiskey did no-one any harm!.just relax dude.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

You never really stop shaking.. butterflys in the gut. Every time I go out, the first flight is always one of those. I just launch, orbit a while, do a few real basic maneuvers, and then, after a few minutes, I go for a landing.

Things seem to calm down after that first landing, ya know? But, you really never lose that. Some will say it goes away with experience, and confidence, but, it's always there, just a little bit. You never want to break your new plane.

CGr.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

CGR is spot on. Take the plane up nice and easy get a safe altitude and just do some basic flying around. If you have this apt for the shakes this bad you wouldn't break into a knife edge 2 ft off the deck and climb out. So take it easy on that first go round and get a landing in.

That being said, you don't want the shakes to go away. When they go away you will move to bigger, badder, meaner, faster to get them back. That rush is at the heart of the addiction that is R/C Aeromodeling. Guess how I know;)

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Oh, how true, Stang!! ;)

CGr.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Look at it this way....some of the Academy Award winners still throw up before acting a scene... Nervousness is NOT limited to r/c airplane flying. Rich

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

either drink more there or drink less the night before or see your Dr..tell him you have some anxiety issues and ask what he would recommend (they love that) tell him a friend at the flying field uses lorazipan...they love to give out pills....I get kneeknocking and twittery thumbs...Rog
but the others are right just float around a bit and bring it in for a slow landing..

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Just one bit of advice...........DO NOT DRINK AND FLY!!! It is against the AMA safety code and a bad idea. Like in real aviation.......8 hours from bottle to throttle.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

ES Control
I have raced vintage sports cars for many years. I still get nervous sitting on the grid, but I have developed techniques that do help me and might be of value to you:
1. Breathe! sounds silly, but taking long, deep breaths and slowly exhaling every few minutes helps settle me down
2. Develop a routine and stick to it. I always put on the gloves, helmet, etc. in the pits and, except for the shoulder belts, tighten the straps before going up to the grid. I do this every time without exception. No last minute changes, no "uh oh, I forgot.." moments
3. Decompress. Think about what muscles are tense and consciously try to get them to relax
4. Think. I remind myself that I can do this, and have for decades. I do belong here even though it is a crazy way to spend my time. Know that as soon as you actually get going ( for me it is the second the wheels actually start to move) the nerves go away and you'll be fine.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

All great advice.. except for the drink part.. but I believe that was a bit of levity.

It's all part of the hobby and good for the initial cautions and preparations for flight. It will make you more aware of pre-flight, then more cautions of not overdue'ing it when you start out on flying day. Perfectly normal, in other words.

It tends to lessen as the day goes buy, until you over-compensate for that to-severe coordinated turn, and it starts to head in the wrong direction or straight down.. then you correct it, breath, land it, and sit down... all perfectly normal.. all perfectly normal.. all perfectly normal... all.................. :D

CGr

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

I'll second all that. Good procedures are huge and its amazing how three deeeep breaths can calm you down as you taxi the plane out.

Another thing I find benificial also, thou maybe in an indirect way, is do your homework. Ive found that if I have to tinker on a plane at the field before I can fly it, I start wondering what else I forgot. So again procedure is helpful. If possible work on planes at home and fly at the field.

Cheers.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

I lost the shakes a long time ago and to tell the truth I really miss them, that's part of the fun. Then it happen this week, I took out my first three channel electric plane for the maiden flight and all those old feelings came rushing back to me, I had more fun then I have had in years!! Enjoy them as long as you can, when they left me I did have to go to bigger planes to find the feeling again. When I take up someone elses plane I go through it like it was my own and make sure all the controls are correct and there aren't any loose parts, check the CG to make sure it's where I like a plane on it's first flight. I want all the trims to be centered on the radio so I know I have enough trim if needed. I go through someone elses plane even better then I do my own and I'm very strict with myself on plane set up. Just enjoy the feeling. Funny, my hands never shook as much as my knees????:D

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Gene, those little planes are more demanding than the big ones arn't they. Isalvaged a foamy pattern, including ailerons, and set it to my son's, then when I got out there, we put it together and checked things out and took it out to the local field. One of the guys there took it up and after some balancing, I gave it a go. I couldn't believe how dumb I felt at the controls. I finally hollered out. "someone come thake this thing before I kill someone" Way more twitchy than my old 4*60. I'll stick with big for now. Talk about shaking.

The easy flying is good advise. I've found that when I screw up a landing approach or do something dumb, the shakes come back quickly. I put it up high and do some lazy figure 8"s to get thing settled down again and then go for the approach again. Of course, I can't tell now if it the shakes from nerves or old age that is getting to me. They are both about the same at times.

Don

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

I still get the jitters when flying season starts in the Spring for the first few flights. I get the jitters and my heart pounds hard when I maiden a new plane that I've put a lot of work and time into it.

And most of all, when I fly at a big events and about 1,000 people including "Big Shots from AMA" [:-]:D are watching me fly. But other than that my knees don't shake and my jitters stop all in between flying season.

Here's a good one, LOL

I remember the day I first maidened a Warbird at my Club about 6 years ago. My knees started shaking, I could feel my heart thumping in my throat and my hands were all sweaty. It was so bad I asked the Vice who was standing next to me to take over for a few minutes until I got my composure back. :eek: Today I just fly and so far when ever I get the jitters real bad, I say a silent prayer and ask that I don't faint!

So yea, it's normal, LOL you're OK!


Pete

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

My little gasser, watter, is more of a hand full then a 40% stunt plane!! I had it set up for left stick rudder and kept right sticking for the ailerons, bad choice of sticks, no ailerons!!! I changed the controls to single stick on the right so it should be easier to control from now on. I flew all day yesterday but I needed a prop for the little guy. Why would that be??:) I'm sold on these little planes. Just beginning the build on the Dirty Birdy, templates first then glue!. Sure are a lot of blocks of wood to shape and sand in this Blue Jay kit!!! Looks like a fun build.;)

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

I used to get that feeling before flying a new plane but it really isn't an issue any more. I long ago accepted the fact that I WILL crash airplanes from time to time, and Inever fly anything I can AFFORD to crash. I am also a very careful builder and flyer. When you are confident you have done everything to make your plane safe and sound alot of the nerves tend to go away. I like feeling confident when i fly so I am glad I don't get nervous anymore, because for me it detracts from the joy of flying. I have no problem flying someones else's plane either. One thing I like to do when I have been out of flying forawhile is get out my Tower hobbies trainer. I have very little invested in it so if I destroyed it I wouldn't really care. I will take it out and run 5 or 6 tanks through it to reconnect my brain and my thumbs. I would rather dumb thumb my $80 Trainer than my $1000 aerobatic plane.

Take some deap breaths and have fun!! :D

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Campgems..........you are absolutely right about the little ones being more demanding than the big "real" ones. I'm a full scale pilot......not current but nonetheless a full scale pilot.........and I used to hear that all the time. Well, I got my real wings and it was much easier to fly the real thing than the little ones. Probably because you're sitting in the big ones and you have a feel for what is going on first hand. One of the guys in our club used to be.........before he retired........an airforce jet jock and finally when he got out, a 747 test pilot and he still ferries 747's all over the world. One day out at the field after he had crashed a P51, he said.........."hey, just because I can fly a 747 doesn't mean I can fly these things!! Of course now he has graduated to flying model jets, but still you are right in your statement.

Andy

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Sorry I made a thread where I said the drinking was a joke, but it didnt take...however anxiety can be helped with minor medication...I suffer from shy bladder syndrome myself and they help....surprisinly drinking does not!!..Rog

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Spend some time with a Pizza Box Flyer, that will loosen you up.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

You have to breath and fly the plane :D

I get that way on every first flight. Land and
look forward to the next flight.

Repeat with each aircraft through out the day.

Bob

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

I like to get to the field first so that I can get one or two flights in before someone else gets there to calm the nerves! Then by the time the others start getting there I know I have taken off and landed, Of course I will never get the great landings after they get there that I had before they arrived! Its natural we all go through it, And if its a maiden times 10

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

i shake like crazy when
i put a new kit up in the air (arf's not so much), spending so much time building it really gets my nerves going'
flying in a compition/someone elses really expensive plane
and when i almost crash or do something really stupid
or when something feels wrong and you dont know if you will be able to recoverit didnt rotate out like it usual

the worst was when i first put my rapture into a true flatspin, man that thing was so flat i was just watching it spin until i realized how close it was to the ground. i was still 75+ feet up but when i gave it opposite rudder it didnt rotate out like a regular stall spin, i flipped out, gave it some throttle and prayed. two feet above the ground it came out of the spin, that was the worst 15 seconds of terror i ever went through watching my plane spiral down...i felt hopeless. then i was stupid enough to try it again, this time w/ old fuel. when i throttled up it studdered and smashed into the ground, totally my fault, i felt so stupid. i repaired her and shes still flying better than ever.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Yes there is nothing worst then giving the plane imput from the radio and it does something diffrent! Only happen a couple times but scares the heck out of you!

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

Here are a few thoughts that helps with my nervousness. Fly your simulator, and maybe fly a small electric before you leave home to go to the field? Usually if I have not flown for quite a while, I just take up my trainer or a slower flying second bird and buzz around for the first few flights. That always does the trick for me and I find my nerves are so much better. They are very docile and really sets me in the mood and to top it off I don't lose a nice plane!

I see guys come out and fly some of their most advanced aircraft after not flying for a while. That makes no sense to me, but somehow they don't have pride if they come out with a docile bird. There are times this is a huge mistake! Sometimes they hit the dirt because they have not flown in a while. It isn't worth it to me. I would rather be made fun of than have to work on a crashed plane :D

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

You need to fly more to become more comfortable with your abilities. You might be flying too expensive of planes for yourself. This causes the stress of loosing the plane. Mostly, the shakes come from your excitement and adrenilan rush. We all shake at sometime or another. Good Luck!

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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-ˈfō-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]

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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!:D 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.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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.....

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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.

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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!

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

I like the RUSH! [&:]

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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..:D:D

RE: How Do I Stop Shaking
 

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