Dealing with the anxiety of the flight test phase?

[SabreFlyr]

Originally Posted by Auburntsts

Have you thought about taking advantage of the additional pilot program? Having an experienced pilot right there with you for a few hours may help you overcome your anxiety and help you get through some of the more labor intensive testing where a second set of eyes and hands are almost priceless.

What he said!

Also, have a very specific test card for each flight. I'd think enough to fill maybe 45 minutes to an hour. Be focused on the completion of those tasks but not to the point of tunnel vision. Be fully aware of all your systems. That should keep you busy enough to push your anxiety to the background...but you don't want it to go away all together; keep a healthy concern for what could go wrong.

Mind you, I say this without ever having done any type of test flying except post-maintenance. I haven't even driven a single rivet on a project of my own. I simply speak from a background of 36 years of corporate flying.

[Paul K]

Test cards for every flight! Keep them simple and the early flights short and very specific. I found I was so busy completing each task that I didn't have time to have anxiety. Many of the first flights only lasted a handful of minutes followed by hours of recording and calculating, then planning for the next card. I also flew each flight in my mind with my eyes closed until I didn't have to look at the card during the flight (but I did) and practiced systems flights in a powered up cockpit again until it was memorized.

With all that said, at about 10 hours, I took a flight for about a half hour without any porpoise and just about scared the hxxl out of myself realizing everything that could go wrong that I didn't have time to think of previously!

In the end, I had all the usual adjustments and resets that most have mentioned and didn't get that "strap it on" feeling until last year at about 200 hours. I am still cautious with every flight following advice from a friend who said "I love her but I know she will kill me in a second if I let her" Some day you will get that feeling of strapping her on and she will take you wherever you want her to go. That is a good day!

[lndwarrior]

Thank you so for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience. There are so many great suggestions in this thread.

I do use test cards on every flight and try and focus on the program. That does help but when I'm just flying I find I start worrying more.

Thanks again for all the great suggestions!

Gary

[BruceMe]

I had several issues early on in my testing. A couple fuel problems, cut brake line. This meant several "unplanned" landings and the cut brake line force my buddy (helping me fly the test phase) off the taxiway and into the weeds until he plane could coast to a stop.

I know exactly how you feel. The key is to get the demons out and get some hours behind you and get it solid (both the plane, then you). All well built airplanes reach a phase where they go long periods of no or low issues. Just push through and it will get there. The same plane is a joy now.

good luck and we're all with you.

[MikeyDale]

I had the same feelings and still do sometimes. As stated before, going thru the emergency procedures before every flight helped relax me. Also go up to a safe altitude and determine what your minimum altitude for a turn back to the airport in case of engine out. Pull that throttle to idle and practice the turn at a safe altitude. Before each takeoff, remind yourself of that turn back altitude. It will get better as you build trust in your plane.

[fixnflyguy]

After my 15 yr build of my RV-4 including building the engine,while having great confidence, I still knew the first flight and phase 1 would be interesting to say the least. Turns out, there were no surprises and because of the proven and tested VANS design, I didnt worry much about airframe issues. I used a headband mounted G0-Pro camera for several flights to capture all the instrument readings and my general scan process while I focused on flying the plane and learning the sight picture and attitudes...this was really cool to review and document actual readings from, as well as listen to my audio comments. I found that when it was time to leave the airport pattern/area, nothing was more comforting than a fellow wingman flying along to chat with and compare speeds, ect...You will be fine!

[dave4754]

Thanks to all who responded here. I am building an RV seven and fly Cessnas while building as well. I feel the same anxiety after not flying for a few months. These comments are so helpful in allowing me to accept anxiety as normal and live with them.

Thanks

[rgodsy]

Go practice in a 172 with an instructor. The Commercial maneuvers (Power off 180 and emergency decent) can give you confidence and the skills to get down quick and make a power off landing. If you get good at these at least you can remove some of the worry. When I practice the emergency decent we do so off the approach end of a small airport, spiral down keeping your distance to the runway a little high then slip and apply flags to touch down on the hash marks. With practice you can get really good at this. If you somehow lose your engine during test flying your RV you will have the skills and confidence to get back on the runway.
Bob

[Pmerems]

I have almost 350 hours and 6 yrs flying my RV-7A. I only had about 115 hrs total and that was 25 yrs prior to flying my RV-7A. I did transition train and got about 10 hrs in an RV before I flew mine.

My anxiety starts when I am driving to the airport and about 1 mile. Right after opening my hangar I visit the rest room. Similar to when you spook a bird in your yard and it lightens its load while taking off. Don?t know if many go through this but it happens every time I go flying in my RV. My anxiety level even increases when taking up a passenger.

However once I get down to business and do my preflight and get ready to start the engine, my anxiety drops to almost an unnoticeable level. Takeoffs, landings, slow flight, stalls, and higher performance maneuvers my anxiety increases and I am extremely focused on the task. I wouldn?t want it any other way.

I did have an immediate return to the airport incident (turned out to the a loose wing root gap seal slapping against the fuselage and making a racket). My anxiety level during the event wasn?t anywhere near as high as I would have thought. I was focused on the task of getting the plane back on the ground and then figuring out what was wrong.

The RV?s are designed well and the newer RV?s (7,8,9,10,12,14?s) are all match punched so there is very variation in the parts (not like the RV-4 and 6?s where you drilled most of the hole yourself). If you built the plane yourself you know the quality that is in it. If you bought the plane you most likely had it inspected by a knowledgeable person.

The control connections are very robust and can be easily inspected. So unless you over-G or over speed and exceed the operational limits of the design then you will be safe. Engine issues are what concerns me the most. However with proper maintenance and inspection I feel confident in my engine and fuel setup. I always tell my wife that as long as I maintain control during an engine failure we stand the best chance of surviving a landing.

So when your anxiety starts up while flying just remember you are one of the lucky pilots who can reap the rewards and joy of flying an RV.

[daddyman]

Originally Posted by lndwarrior

I am 6 hours into my flight test phase and am definitely struggling with the anxiety of everything that could go wrong.

For background - I have been flying for 25 years, have a little over 500 hours in Cessnas and have an instrument rating (though not current).

So far nothing really scary has happened with possible exception of finding a small engine compartment fuel leak AFTER a recent flight test.

Yesterday I flew for about an hour - at 5000 feet agl, right over top of my airport. Yet even with the altitude and proximity to home, my anxiety level continued to grow the longer I was up.

I did distract myself by doing the CAS tests but as soon as they were done I did a "how am I doing check?". I decided that my anxiety level was reaching my limit.

I wanted to stay up longer to get the 40 hours down, and the weather was beautiful, but I had just reached my stress limit. So, i reduced power and managed a decent landing.

I don't think I ever really considered how the flight test phase would affect me. I was so busy building and besides, not many people talk about this subject.

I presume the more I fly the easier this will get, but that doesn't really help me right now.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for dealing with the anxiety of flight testing?

TIA
Gary

Gary,
The previous 3 pages of suggestions are good ones, yet, I'm suggesting something very different.

There was a time when I did mostly test flying (as opposed to GA/Fun flying), and there were issues.

The loss of confidence is one of the most difficult things to get back.
It can be accomplished by experinceing a series of small successes.

Even Maverick in Top Gun had trouble engaging, although this is no joke.

I personally leaned on a GREAT instructor, Dave Austin out of Denton, TX.
You will find a guru.

My suggestion is a very personal one; look deep inside yourself and ask "what am I really afraid of".
You do not need to share that with anyone, yet, face it (perhaps with an RV instructor). Then, face it head on. Get it back.
Your plane will be fine.

Plan your flights.
Fly your plans.


Daddyman