Mark Scott EAA Chapter 27 Meriden, CT - Conducting Young Eagle Flights and Flying Ner vous Kids and Adults
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Conducting Young Eagle Flights
and
Flying Nervous Kids and Adults
Mark Scott
EAA Chapter 27
Meriden, CT
May 2019
Why This is an Important Subject Peoples’ experiences in our planes largely shape perceptions of our chapter and the airport We Want This: My God that was so much fun… What a great Pilot… He/She took such good care of me… What a great organization… I love this place!!!! Not This: What a horrible experience… It was like we were doing aerobatics up there… Never asked me if I was nervous or anything… A bunch of arrogant cowboys… An awful group, Mom, call the FAA!
Young Eagle Flights Amazingly, parents entrust their kids lives to a complete stranger flying an airplane. Young Eagles is a big reason the Airport and City look favorably on our Chapter. We need to ensure NO bad experiences!
Young Eagle Flight Requirements Pilot Sport pilot or better certificate Current medical certificate EAA member BFR in the preceding 24 months Currency; 3 takeoffs and landings in last 90 days in category, class, and type * Completed on line EAA Youth Protection training and background check Aircraft and Flight Completed Young Eagles registration form Aircraft in airworthy condition Liability insurance Adhere to all applicable Federal Air Rules (FARs) No landings at other airports No unusual attitudes, aerobatics, or formation flying * § 61.57 Recent flight experience
How I Conduct Flights • Meet and greet • Airplane orientation At each step I assess the • Preflight passenger’s mental and physical • Actual flight state and adjust accordingly • Post flight
Meet and Greet Once around the pattern, warm up plane and pilot Sign EAA form Ask Traci the kid’s age and enthusiasm level Enthusiastically meet kid and parents Ask if the child has flown in a small plane before. It indicates the type of flight you may have We have excellent curb appeal Offer personal information: how long you have been flying, how many kids you have flown,… Describe what is going to happen; • Walk to the plane, walk around, ~20 min flight, gentle maneuvers, maybe some bumps, you can fly if you want,… • If local see if you can fly over their house or school Time to Ascertain Enthusiasm or Nervousness.
Got a Nervous One?
Not Going to
Talk to the parents first Make it
Get the real scoop on what’s going on
Determine if mild encouragement or real care is needed Looks
18 OK
Some Strategies:
“Would you like your brother/sister to go first”
“We can turn around and come back ANY time”
Girls might prefer a woman pilot
“It only takes three minutes to get around the pattern”
36
Agree on a plan with kid and parents
You can ask what makes them nervous but it most likely
will be difficult for them to articulate such
Airplane Orientation
Parents come out to the plane too
Balance time against interest and kid backlog
Fundamental information for younger kids
More detailed information for older kids
Explain EXPERIMENTAL carefully if required
Pose for chapter photo
My Favorite items
Control surface functions, watch stick move when surfaces are moved
The “Where is the fuel?” question
Buckling up
Use a pillow for smaller kids
Show them buckle and door operation (required)
The “obligatory” head set on picture for the parents
Parents escorted back to building
Preflight
As you buckle up, another “enthusiasm” check
Ask simple questions, get them talking,
Reactions indicate their state
Look for physical signs of over enthusiasm (Grabbing the stick, excessive talking)
or fear (hyperventilation, shaking, inability to speak,…)
If nervous;
Speak encouragingly
Reiterate the three minute plan
Reiterate we can come back anytime
Check passenger again after engine start
Same strategies if required
Wave to parents as you taxi by
Taxi and Run Up Taxi Explain how the plane is taxied using your feet Explain talk on the radio “No control tower?” Point out other planes around flying kids No negative comments about other pilots actions Run Up Explain why we do a run up Explain why the engine noise changes with a mag check If old enough have them hold the stick on run up and/or read checklist Establish your route; where to go, what to point out, know emergency landing areas Last “enthusiasm check” before takeoff Use same nervous person strategies as before Taxi back if it is not going to go well
Actual Flight Takeoff Fly the plane no matter what happens! When able, talk to your passenger Determine if your route needs to be altered Cruise Keep them talking Good points of interest; Quarries, LI Sound, Meriden Mountain. Mt Southington, Powder ridge Lyman Orchards corn maze, CT River, Hartford,… About 5 to 10 min into flight I ask if they want to fly If No, continue sightseeing, take pictures If somewhat nervous point out you are still close to the airport.
Kids at the Controls Taking the controls is an unforgettable and possibly scary experience Show how the plane flies itself “Look, no hands!” Assure them “Nothing bad can happen, you can’t crash the plane” Stick pressures, no rapid movements First they follow you through on the controls in gentle turns If tall enough show them the “fingers over the cowl” attitude trim method Let them fly, lots of encouragement and complements, no matter how poorly they fly! Explain instruments to older kids, however most kids are overwhelmed by the flight
Return and Landing If good enough have them fly back to the airport area Fly the plane, use your same routine Explain how you enter the pattern, have them look for other airplanes By this time your passenger is relaxed enough, no need for constant attention No negative comments about your approach, landing, or other pilots
Post Flight Always ask your passenger how they liked it. Tell them how well they did, regardless You unbuckle first, then help them If able walk around to help them out If not (Pipers) make sure they stay right next to the plane upon exit Escort them to building and parents Tell the parents how it went, they love to hear about the flight Sign certificate, provide picture, sign their log book Explain the Sporty’s ground school link Tell them to tell all their friends about EAA Young Eagle Flights!
Adult Flights • Meet and greet
• Plane orientation
Conduct exactly as a • Preflight
Young Eagle flight! • Actual flight
• Post flight
Use same nervous person
strategies with adults
However, adult anxiety is
more deeply rooted.
Additional more sophisticated
strategies may be required.
https://www.opodo.co.uk/blog/tips-to-keep-calm-while-flying/Adult Flights – Additional Strategies Pick a smooth day. One hour before sunset is usually a good time. Sit in plane unbelted prior to flight for 5 minutes or more. Talk about the upcoming flight or anything else that seems appropriate. The goal is to get your passenger comfortable in the airplane. If very anxious you can taxi around the airport for a bit. Maybe make the first flight only around the pattern. Rational explanations on safety statistics, airplane strength, your flight experience, and other facts work better with adults.
An Airplane Ride can be Life Altering • The Impact can be Huge • Over 20,000 adults younger than 40 can trace their aviation endeavors to YE flights, about 1% of all YE flights (EAA web site)
Have a flight plan and a people plan
Always stay positive and confident
Never push a potentially bad situation
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