My wife was wondering how other ladies felt about flying in these homebuilt aircraft

[wings05rv6a]

Hello ;
My wife and I were just laying in bed and talking about the airplane that we just finished. I have been flying my 40 hours off and want my wife, to be part off all the SMILE but I really do not know what to expect.
I have big plans with trips to the Bahamas, and Mexico.

My question is how do I handle this.?
My best friend has had some bad experiences over Mt Whitney and is cool to the thought off flying long distances.

Know I know that some of my friends had similar issues, how can I help her overcome these obstacles.
Any advice would help.

Thanks
Bob Wieczorek
RV6a slow Built 36 Hrs and counting

[flightlogic]

Some tips: Your enthusiasm may well over ride common sense. I have seen countless introduction flights that resulted in a newcomer never flying with joy again. Though... they may fly.
1. Go very early in the day.
2. Wait for the calmest day you can.
3. Make it short....
4. Gentle banks
5. Do NOT offer to let them try it....
6. Follow with flowers, candy... sex. Or, just a nice walk.
Repeat all of the above.
Repeat again.....
Offer to wash the dishes....

If you are very fortunate... you will have a life long flying partner.
(PS if any nausea results... stop.... ask a pharmacist about Meclezine.
over the counter... no drowsiness..... kills motion sickness very effectively)
Best of luck by the way.

[kjlpdx]

my wife enjoys taking care of the logistics during flight, writing down start times, radio frequencies, finding fuel with a restaurant, filling in the flight log book...it helps her to have a job that contributes towards our trip's safety. we have had x/c days where it was too turbulent to fly pleasantly and they ended before noon. my wife surprised me once by agreeing to sleep on a sofa in the FBO lobby when there wasn't a motel room to be found in WY. it's always an adventure with the right attitude. hopefully your wife will want to find out what adventures awaits her.

[N804RV]

I too, have a spouse that fully supports my airplane obsession, but yet is a little "cool" to the idea of flying with me.

Its totally my fault. I took her flying years ago in the Navy flying club's T-34B. The trip out to the quaint little coastal town was pleasant enough. But, full of lunch, and with the warm sun beating down through the canopy, my young bride got a bit airsick. I didn't do anything abrupt. And, I apologized profusely. But, that was pretty much it for her.

She has said that she would fly with me again. But, has yet to follow through. If she ever does. You can believe it'll be smooth air, early in the day. And, I'll be on my best behavior.

[bobmarkert]

Do not do ANYTHING that will make her sick or scared. My wife has been flying with me for 30+ years. Recently we were up in a Citabria. I asked her if she wanted to see a spin. She she yes but I could tell she was concerned. I told her exactly what to expect. I then did a two turn spin. It was quiet for about 10 seconds and I asked her if she was ok.... Got the thumbs up. I asked her if she wanted to do another,... And she said yes...... I said no, maybe next time.
Know when to hold Em and know when to fold Em.

[pierre smith]

My wife became incredibly enthusiastic when I flew her to the coast of South Carolina in 35 minutes. She had been driving the trip in 2 hours and 45 minutes!

Take her to a place she really looks forward to, for lunch or an overnight and remind her of the shortness of the trip, compared to driving.

Best,

[wilddog]

Offer to fly her to visit her mother or if that won't work try sister,son or someplace she really wants to go and include a nice lunch in the trip. She will be amazed at the speed and ease of a 200-300 ml trip compared to driving.

[rzbill]

Years ago, when we were stuck in a traffic jam from **** on the south side of DC during a trip to take our son to college, my wife said "You need to finish your license". Obviously, the day we returned I was at the airport.

As you would expect, early flying was local sightseeing but since I grew up flying with my dad, cross country was never intimidating. I quickly moved to the level of trips that primarily benefited her such as visiting relatives.

It did not take but a few years for her to get tired of flying 40 year old rental junkers with poorly maintained interiors. The question came "Should we get our own plane"? I'll tell you, that was something I had been waiting/planning for since I was a kid. I explained about homebuilts and then the construction journey started.

So, in my case, when it came to flying the RV, my wife was already a flyer, however I have learned the RV experience is different. One, we fly a lot more. Two, having a hangar and being at it has invited a lot of interplay with other pilots that never occurred as a rental driver. My wife has made friends with other ladies, some of which are pilots with their own craft.

At dinner yesterday, I reminisced about a group of friends from the DC area that rode antique BMWs like mine. She said "That was an odd group of people". I replied " And our current pilot friends are different?" A smile and "No" was the reply.

[MikeyDale]

My wifes been flying with me for years but when I mentioned building an RV she wasnt to keen on the idea. She warmed up when I told her the 5 hr drive to see the grandkids would be an 1.25 hr flight! Of coarse she still dont understand why I didnt just buy a flying RV.

[MarkW]

My wife started to fly with me in a C172 but hated it at first. Gradually got better. Most our trips were to see the grandson and she saw the benefit to a 2.5 hour flight rather than a 6 hour drive. She gradually got better and now really enjoys a scenic flight or a nice destination. Oh and she likes the RV-9 much better than the C172. Better sight, faster and the seat is more comfortable. The other guys have also given very good suggestions.