Feeling More Positive

I think I needed time to get over my disappointment and to work things through. I have received encouragement from family, friends, and others who have responded to this blog. So, it looks like it could be motion sickness tablets, or wrist bracelets that work on acupuncture points. I need to keep trying.

Attitude helps too. I am not an advocate of "think positive and everything will work out OK", but you do have to have the right attitude. Sometimes, that takes an effort to change. I'm sure that you have heard the phrase "Choose your Attitude" and you really do have to do that - everyday. It does affect how your day plays out. I am an optimist by nature, but even I have to be real. And that is where I am right now, trying to keep in touch with reality.

On a more fun note - the Red Bull Air Race competition was in Longleat, UK, this weekend. Wow!! Some of those pilots were pulling nearly 12G!!!! How do they do it? AND NOT BE SICK!!! I wasn't able to go myself, but watched the TV coverage.

Disappointment

OK. So I did go flying on 6th August but again I was unwell. So, if anyone has any tips on how to get over this, then I would be grateful.

To be honest, at this moment in time, I don't know whether I want to continue, if I cam going to be ill each time. I'm spending a lot of money, and I am wondering if it is worth it.

Flying again tomorrow

Going to Blackbushe tomorrow for another flight in the Cessna. I will remember to eat something this time so that I don't have the misfortune of feeling unwell at any time. I do not want to find out that I get sick up there.

Riat 2006

Wow - what a day. Started driving at 5.30am and parked at 7.10am. Had to wait in the cold for the gates to open at 7.30am and then wandered in to our seated area and "set up camp". It was freezing but the clouds parted just as the flying started at 10am and we had blue sky all the way.

They call this the best Airshow in the world. I am sure that the Americans would disagree but no-one could doubt that the best of the best had turned up. There were trainer planes, World War II planes, Helicopters, and modern day airpower from F16 to F18 to Mig 29. And an Osprey flew in. Is it a plane? Is it a helicopter? You can call it what you like. It was pretty impressive.


What was the best display? It would be unfair to compare them but I was very impressed with the F18 and the Mig 29. Those pilots threw those birds around.

This really was an exceptional day and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Cessna 152

Sunday 18th June was the day I took my introductory flight in a Cessna 152 from Blackbushe Airfield, Surrey.

I was due to take off at around 12 noon but things got put back a little. I was incredibly anxious so didn't each much in the morning and I forgot to eat before I went up. It was a lovely warm day and the smell of aeroplane fuel seemed a little stronger than usual.
12.40pm came and I was given a briefing by my pilot, Steve Larkins, who said that he would let me do most of the flying (!) and our flight path would be to fly to my home town of Chesham, find my house and then fly back again. This was going to be great.
We arrived at our plane, where Steve gave me an overview of the controls. We started the engine and taxied to the runway, testing the engine as we went. Permission was given to take off and Steve took us down the runway. Once airbourne and on our flight path, he handed over the controls.
Steve talked me through what to do to keep the plane level, how to increase speed, increase altitude, bank left and right, how to trim the plane, and how to decrease speed and decrease altitude. We did all this and I saw my house!!
We turned from Chesham and headed back to Blackbushe. I saw the airfield laid out below us. It was at this point, I suddenly came over ill. I couldn't believe it. Steve took controls to bring us around the airfield and to line up while I proceeded to shove my head into a container. Fortunately, because I hadn't eaten, there was nothing there. I recovered enough to see us line up with the runway and land.
I was devastated. Why had I been ill? The only reason I can come up with is that the fuel fumes got onto my empty stomach. It took me a good hour to recover but I didn't feel good for the rest of the day.

So, what do I do now? At my husband's suggestion, I am going to book up another hour at Blackbushe but I am going to eat a light meal before I take off. I want to be certain that this is just a one off occurance. If it isn't, then I am going to be devastated, because I won't be able to complete my dream.

I'm going to phone the airfield again now.