Dealing with guilt!

PPL Training

Dealing with guilt!

pilotnewbie 27/12/2009, 11:48 PM
hello.

im just looking for some advice on how peopel with kids cope with flying.

i really want to do this but have 3 young children who are very very close to me and i worry about it being dangerous. i know that people say your more likely to have a crash on the way to the airfield but i feel so guilty by thinking of doing it and putting my kids future in jeopardy in the event of a crash.

has anybody else gone through this?

Thanks

Re: Dealing with guilt!

Aviator|Chris 28/12/2009, 4:22 PM
Hi there,

I have a fiancée and a family (both sides) that I love very much!

I know exactly the feeling you have. The truth is you can lock yourself in a box your whole life and never experience anything or you can live each day to the max and show people that you love life. Many pilots have families and if life says your number is up, that's it, regardless of flying!

I think about that US WW2 Ace who fought in Pacific and 15+ kills and fought the entire war, only for his life to end in a car after the war was over.

Enjoy life and share it with everybody!

Re: Dealing with guilt!

pilotnewbie 30/12/2009, 1:13 PM
Hi,

thanks for the reply. i can see what your saying yes. i believe in fate too and for how i used to drive when i was 17 (like a prat) im sure i should have been killed 10 times over if i was destined to.

just worries me and hate the thought of people viewing me as selfish as i am putting my kids future at risk

cheers

Re: Dealing with guilt!

Aviator|Chris 31/12/2009, 1:24 PM
Kids are a commitment, Hobbies are commitments.

You can do more than one if you manage your time well and no neglect is occuring for each commitment!

Many people are good pilots and good parents, you just need to find out what works for you time-wise!

Re: Dealing with guilt!

pilotnewbie 31/12/2009, 4:47 PM
Hi Chris,

My boys (4 and 2) are very into aviation aswell and love nothing more than going to look at airplanes. My view is that once i obtain my ppl they can come with me for flights. Dividing time wont be an issue at all.

Im going to stop worrying now anyway as its pointless and fate has a ppl, airplane and many good days flying in store!!

Re: Dealing with guilt!

Aviator|Chris 01/01/2010, 12:18 PM

pilotnewbie wrote:
Hi Chris, My boys (4 and 2) are very into aviation aswell and love nothing more than going to look at airplanes. My view is that once i obtain my ppl they can come with me for flights. Dividing time wont be an issue at all. Im going to stop worrying now anyway as its pointless and fate has a ppl, airplane and many good days flying in store!!

Indeed - for me, earning my PPL will give the most pleasure when I can share my love of flight with somebody else. Somebody who may never have tried it before and may even be inspired to gain a PPL themselves.

Re: Dealing with guilt!

CFrost 11/01/2010, 6:04 PM
Hi,
I know it’s a bit late now and everything as Chris has put your mind at ease. However I would just like to say that I can’t think of any event that would occur that you would not be taught to cope with and deal with safely. Im sure someone may correct me, but as far as I have read the only accidents that end with people getting hurt is those where those involved have been negligent towards safe aviation practices e.g. exceeding weight balance, fuel minima, rotate speeds……

Anyway if a 17 year old feels confident to fly safely im sure you will begin to see that those statistics of car accidents against light aircraft accidents will start to make sense to you!

Have fun

Chris

Re: Dealing with guilt!

Aviator|Chris 11/01/2010, 6:24 PM

Hi Chris - Happy New Year!

Indeed - Joking asside I was driving to see my Instructor on Saturday in the snow, as I got close to the airfield the country lanes were pure ice, even doing 15-20mph I nearly lost it on the numerous hidden crests. Add to that a few idiots in a 7.5t truck that decided to repeatedly try drifting on the straight road whilst heading towards me and I start to feel even more urge to get back into the air.

Just waiting for the snow to clear and I'm getting myself back into the skies - I haven't learnt to be delicate with the brakes on landing yet - so using common sense I am avoiding lessons till then. Instead I am reading like a nutter to pass Air Law!

Re: Dealing with guilt!

CFrost 12/01/2010, 4:26 PM
Yeh, that exam is a meany. Glad to be back on the forum :), it doesn’t help when these nutters are driving like that when your on your driving lesson :p

Re: Dealing with guilt!

Aviator|Chris 12/01/2010, 5:58 PM

CFrost wrote:
Yeh, that exam is a meany. Glad to be back on the forum :), it doesn’t help when these nutters are driving like that when your on your driving lesson :p

I learnt to drive in the snow / ice, so i'm a tad more prepared but its still nasty and not to be taken lightly for sure!

Good fun on the quiet car park at work though! 8o)