I love aviation, where else can you freak out, screw up or have a bad day, tell someone on the radio you need help, and get that help without any judgement.
Well done to the controller. Part of being a good instructor is having the intuition to know your student and whether he or she feels a student is truly ready to solo an aircraft. Given the tone of this student pilot's communications with ATC and her emotional state, it's quite likely this panic attack didn't come as a surprise to her CFI. The CFI didn't sound particularly reassuring on frequency to her student either. Honestly, I fault the CFI for letting her do this when she clearly wasn't ready.
"Ready" is a grey area. I had 20+ hours before my first solo and when the CFI got out of the plane I said to myself I'm definitely not ready for this. lol Of course I was. But certainly for this girl to react THIS badly to her solo, she clearly was not ready. It's still a fun talking point to debate, the idea of when to solo. My CFI asked me, what's the rush? He told me to just forget about it and focus on each flight as it comes, the solo will come eventually. My airport buddies all soloed at 8, 10 or 12 hours and were teasing me. The reason it's such a talking point, in my opinion, is the abandonment rate is extremely high. #1 reason being of course money, then you have time commitments etc. But the sooner the CFI can get you to solo, there's this idea that it shows the student they CAN do it and pushes them to keep going until they finish. It's not a bad strategy, but that's why you really need to listen to and get to know the student. Doing that helps to avoid situations like this scared girl. Not all CFIs give it that much thought I suppose. But the when to solo debate will never end, we're all quite different.
That instructor needs to be spoken to by the chief or owner of that school along with a FSDO inspector. She is lucky that nothing happened to that girl in the plane
Controller needs a raise!!!!! A++++ Ya know they can teach a lot of things, but they cant teach compassion, this guy made the pilot feel like he was sitting right next to her the entire time. So impressive!!!! Need more people like him
@@talreichert587 i do agree, she did not seem confident enough for her solo...hopefully after this experience, she gets more one on one time and continues her pursuit of aviation.
I knew a pilot when I was in the Air Force that had a fuel imbalance and panicked. He declared an emergency and when he came in for a landing the tower told him to go around. The pilot started arguing with the tower about how he needed to land immediately when the tower cut him off and yelled out 'YOUR GEAR IS STILL UP GO AROUND'. Pulled up with about 10 feet between the plane and the ground. And that was that. He was washed out of flight school and was transferred to a different AFSC. After I separated from the Air Force I got the idea to try to become a pilot myself. I went to a helicopter flight school and got my private license and was about 2/3 of my way through my commercial rating but I was struggling. I never felt comfortable flying and the idea of passengers relying on me to keep them alive was a bridge too far. I could have tried to force it but after some deep introspection I decided to walk away and go do something else. Now I'm a freight train locomotive engineer and I couldn't be happier.
This is humanity at its best; this video honestly made me tear up. It's someone facing their fears and pushing themselves to learn how to fly, a controller who knows the right thing to say to keep her aviating, and an instructor who got to know her enough to know what to say to get her down safely. It's the best of what we are, all on display here.
Great controller. Can't say the same for this instructor. To the student pilot - you did a great job and you're not alone. Many first-time pilots experience a wide range of emotions during early solo trips. Keep going! You recognized your emotions and concerns which is more than a lot of experienced pilots will ever do!
An excellent learning experience! However, this highlights an important topic: the mental state of single pilots. I've just finished writing an article on this topic, as it is something I witnessed first hand at the single-pilot Pt. 135 airline where I spent six years as a captain. At least one-third of the pilots we trained up, including some with 121 experience and some with previous 135 experience, completely lost it when they found themselves by themselves with a load of pax sitting behind them. Most of them made up silly excuses for quitting shortly after starting, a few admitted that they just couldn't handle it, and two had to be fired for doing something stupid. The featured video illustrates how the same pilot who performs competently when an instructor or other pilot is sitting next to them can completely fall apart when up there on their own. This is a topic which better minds than mine should investigate more thoroughly.
Sounds like a panic attack, especially when she said she "needs to get out" and can't 'think' or reply coherently. Thankfully the controller was great and supportive. P.S: And I know it's a panic attack because I'm a sufferer myself. When it strikes you just want to flee and run... You would feel very scared with a sinking feeling in your tummy... You also get a sense of "doom" or trapped feeling. You will also start hyperventilating and if you don't control your breathing you will feel dizzy and fainty; in rare cases, people fainted. Next thing you know, your mind also goes blank because of the adrenaline overload - your body feels cold, and your arms and legs go jelly. What I'm worried about is this female student may develop a panic disorder after this episode and she may just quit flying altogether... That's how it happens. Worse case yet, agoraphobia...
@@odom2142 Yeah, as much as I hate to say this (and seriously, out of pure concern)... She should NOT fly after this until she gets herself checked with a psychologist/therapist or has her instructor fly with her to certify she's okay. I mean, imagine had she fainted half-way or so fear-stricken to the extent she didn't know how to land the plane or went blank... It is a huge risk. Or imagine if she pilots a commercial plane solo and this happens. And once you experience a panic attack, there's a very likelihood it will happen again.
Nailed it - and it's part of the reason I chose to not try getting my pilot's license. I've had a history of them, and it took a LONG time to find ways to manage and prevent - but when they happen, man, it's like you become an animal. Pure base instincts. My flight response would go into overdrive and I'd find myself getting into my car just so I can drive as fast as possible on the highway or whatever back road I could find for the adrenaline dump. Then I almost immediately pass out for a couple hours, little post-adrenal nap. It's scary and terrible.
I think the student pilot needs to have a look in the mirror and decide if this is something she wants to do. No shame in giving up, flying is not for everyone
I was truly worried for the student pilot, amazing job by the controller, someone should probably take a look at the instructor for signing off on the solo.
Great job to the controller. I think everyone covered that very well. For the pilot, this could very easily have been her first panic attack, and until you have one, you really don't know how it'll affect you. The important thing is that she was able to get herself back under control and on the ground, and now the real work starts. I'm not as concerned about the panic attack as what followed, which seemed to be shame and a tendency to shut down, and those need to be addressed. Firstly, the shame is inappropriate. She had a scary situation and she reacted emotionally, which is a natural response. Until you've experienced it, again, you don't know what your reaction will be, and if she's never been in this position before, she had no way to anticipate her response. So, she got spooked, reacted emotionally, and (importantly) reached out for help. None of these things are shameful. Anyone, even experienced pilots, can have these reactions when out of their depths. If anything, there should be a sense of pride and relief that she was able to recover the situation and get back in the air (and eventually on the ground) safely. Which leads to point 2, which is that there was nothing to be morose about. Anyone can balk a landing, that's one of the reasons we have go-arounds. And that's what she did: she went around. Judging that things weren't right for a landing and successfully recovering from that is an accomplishment, especially as a relatively inexperienced student. You can't always stop a panic attack from coming on, especially without training in it. You can control what you do after. I hope she looks back on this, improves, and continues to fly. From my standpoint, she recovered from a potentially deadly situation and now has that experience to learn from to become better and better. She just has a little work to do in regards to handling shock/startle and recovering from that to be in a good headspace for flight.
The CFI needs to lose her certificate. I've turned a little over 100 people into pilots over my instructing career, and you could absolutely tell when your students were ready to solo or not. It was obvious when they were going to be nervous students, and you never, EVER, push them to solo. Train train train until they are absolutely confident. If they can not figure out a simple flight around the practice area or traffic pattern immediately before their first solo, without you saying a single word or holding their hands at all, then they are not ready, period.
It's possible she never fucked up like that before, so the instructor might never have seen this overblown stress reaction where she would behave like a scolded child too in her emotions to operate correctly. Though one of the first things I noticed is how sloppy her radio comms are. She doesn't do any readbacks, and she was so likely to make mistakes in her emotional state. She clearly wasn't taught well how to be on the radio.
@@happydan20 Of course her comms were sloppy. She was in a panic attack, IE fight or flight mode. The brain stops higher level exeutive functions. Comms are one of those. However she didn't freeze up, and tried to bring herself under control. Not calm, but at least back to semi-functional.
I feel for FYA, man…I had a brief panic attack during primary when I was on my student cross country. It was like, all of the sudden, my brain went “?!?!”, recognized that I was alone and that there was no quick way out of this situation if necessary. It’s difficult to explain…even moreso because I’m very even keeled, especially in dire situations. It hasn’t happened since but I know that feeling and it’s not fun. You just can’t allow it to dominate. I went on to get my license because I *refused* to let my brain take me there again, by sheer force of will…
Same as the hurdle awaiting those flying into IMC for the first time. Mental discipline is the key. Turn off those thoughts about what will happen if you mess up and concentrate on your scan: airspeed, altitude, heading, repeat.
Everyone was outstanding, and most importantly, the pilot maintained excellent communication. Many accidents occur due to a lack of effective communication and failure to request assistance from the ground.
Before my first solo: "Do 3 touch and goes. OK, nice, just do a full stop landing next, I gotta pee. Drop me off at the FBO and do 3 more around the pattern. I dropped him off, taxied to the beginning of the runway, and took off as soon as cleared. Immediately 120 dB noise in the cockpit. I had forgotten to close and lock the cockpit door! Fortunately I had read in "Aviation Safety" magazine that this was not a major problem, so I continued climbing out while trying to figure out how to lock the door in flight. Got it eventually... Did 2 touch and goes, 3rd time suddenly got major wind gusts across the runway, so I had to use all my focus to land right side up (not a joke). Turning to final, Tower said, "Ready for the option." ??? What? What option? Nobody told me anything about any stinkin' option? At that point the wind had picked up even more speed and I had to focus on landing with a gusty crosswind. I remembered Aviation Rule #1: "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate." "Keep the right side up." / Know where you are." / "Talk to ATC if you can while taking care of the first two parts." Parked at the FBO, put on my best Joe Cool face, and strolled inside to get my recently purchased used tie from the Salvation Army cut in half, as was customary. Almost as much fun as my Instrument check ride, when I managed to stump the FAA inspector, and then had to deal with an undercaffeinated air traffic controller who sent me into the buzz saw of the nearby LAX traffic... Not a good place to be, with airline jets on approach went Zoom...Zoom...Zoom...Zoom..., except during rush hour with 4 parallel runways they were going Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom. I discreetly told the controller "076 crossing SMO 210 radial" (where the turn to final was 99.9999999999999999% of the time, except for my check ride. I saw large beads of nervous sweat on the inspector's forehead when I was following the weird route ATC had to give me to get back to the airport). A good day!
TO THE STUDENT----You did GREAT!!!! Seriously. I know it did not feel like it at the time, but you really did do very well. I hesitate to make any suggestions, but if it ever happens again, concentrating on slow gentle deep breathing can really help. A cop taught me this. 4 edges if a square ....2 seconds inhale, hold 2 seconds, 2 seconds exhale, 2 seconds hold, then repeat. Letting your lungs do their best possible job will really help in oxygenating the bloodstream, which in turn will help the body/brain functions. This was a learning experience, a test of sorts, and you passed with flying colors, no pun intended. Be proud.
The first time I soloed, I was shocked that I had no little voice in my head messing with me. I was certain that was going to happen but it didn't. This student wasn't so lucky. First solo is both terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. It is an unforgettable experience. When it is known that a student is having their first solo at a small airport like this, all the pilots sit and watch reliving it.
Does it sound like this person needs to be in the air? Sounds to me like the instructor needs to be revoked of any licensing. The person flying is obviously not ready, and putting herself and everyone on the ground at risk. Absolutely crazy...
Wow that was a very compassionate ATC! if that happened in New York they would’ve told her to get out of their airspace and find another landing strip!
Just had my first solo about a week ago. It is certainly stressful. I'm glad she had this controller. My controller was... Well, let's just say the pattern had a lot of other traffic that day and he was in no mood.
Brilliant controller! Even if the student will continue with aviation and become better and better, I presume she will be fall back in that passive and "crying for help" behaviour under higher work-load pressure. That's my experience in life in general and especially as a retired flight instructor.
@@jordanjoestar-turniptruck I agree to your point. What I want to point out is, that people with that behaviour like her are probably not suitable for jobs like being a pilot. But indeed it was positive that she communicated her situation.
@@SteepTurn you mean the behavior of people who have just realized too late that they are not properly trained to operate a vehicle that is now in midair, regardless of working with ATC to alert them of the situation and obeying instructions? Good thing pilots are going to be replaced by AI I guess, because I have only seen the most senior 1% of pilots not have at least a brief moment of panic when they lose complete situational awareness.
All the controllers do a great job; but there really needs to be SOME kind of recognition for these folks that literally 'save lives'. When she got quiet, I got the feeling that her head was back in the game - concentrating hard....and SHE MADE IT :) Yay!
I might be alone in my opinion that this student needs to have her solo endorsement rescinded until she can demonstrate a little better control of her emotions. Yes, the controller was fabulous, and the instructor was doing the best she could without direct communication with the student, but there is absolutely no guarantees that she would be so fortunate next time. I fully expected her to pitch up without adding power (she didn't seem to know how to read her RPMs and/or her airspeed) and stall on short final. This is not to say that she should not keep flying; just that she should not be alone in an airplane again until she has demonstrate significantly more resourcefulness and composure. Before you chirp at me, please remember that PIC stands for "Pilot in Command", and she didn't sound like she was even in command of her bladder during this circuit around the pattern.
Poor girl. I really hope she keeps flying. She realized she was in over her head and still maintained control. Honestly, that's some great pilot shit right there.
Air Traffic Controller more like Air Traffic Guardian! Literal lifesaver in the tower that day immediately helped that pilot stop her mental downward spiral
When I did my first solo I was fine, but when I did my first entire solo flight, as soon as I took off I was like "Why did I do that? Why?" Then when I got to our practice airport (we took off at KADS and flew to KTKI for landing practice) I was like "Oh well, it was a good life while it lasted!"
My first training flight many years ago, the instructor looked at me and said, in a very serious tone, that I was about to enter a world - flying - the can be amazingly fun and satisfying, but if not taken seriously, can kill me in a second. I always heeded that advice. Maybe this student should as well... She never should have been allowed to solo.
Nobody but the instructor and student know how the training went up until that point. I know in my training my instructor was on the radio during the first few solo trips around the pattern and I think that's pretty common from what I've heard. So this might not have been the student's first solo. We don't know. She might have done fine before but got shaken up by a bounced landing or something. One thing she learned is that she can pull through even if something like this happens.
Great controller, panic would help nothing, and neither does yelling or condescending talk. Staying calm and building confidence in the pilot that's what he did!
And it got worse. It’s been a long time since my first solo, in a 152 as well. I’d done a couple of circuits with the instructor, who then suddenly got out on the taxiway and walked to the tower while I taxied alone to the holding point, ready for departure. That way if anything went wrong, he was right there with ATC. You never forget those few minutes, my anxiety was off the scale, but at least I was ready despite my lack of confidence.
Wow, she probably did some circuits with her instructor before being released for solo. One of many many things to NOT do in aviation is to pretend competency.
As a flight instructor we are tasked to constantly evaluate students and never allow such a dangerous situation to occur. I question a competent flight instructor's decision to allow such an unprepared student to solo. This student must seriously evaluate themselves and decide if aviation is something they want to continue to pursue. The controller did an excellent job, thanks ATC.
Great controller, instructor was not very helpful......poor baby, had a panic attack...........I hope she makes the right decision on whether or not to move forward.........whatever that may be.....
I don't think any instructor can foresee that a student might "choke' during a flight. She said she was doing good before. A panic attack can happen to anyone without any 'red flags' before hand.
@@Willard-tn8bh Agreed. So many of these comments are stupid. As someone who has experienced a panic attack in the past, they really do just hit you without warning. Funnily enough, what happens to Cougar in Top Gun is a great example of what that looks like in the air...
Just didn't have the confidence for solo. Different people need different amounts of instruction to get the skill and confidence. Instructor "booted her out of the nest" too soon.
CFI apparently made a bad decision signing this student off for solo when she didn't appear ready. What an awesome experience & video to learn from though! This will be a treasured possession when she gets her Private, Commercial, ATP & starts her career of flying!
I've been renting from this flight school for years, took me two seconds to know who this instructor is. She's excellent.. maybe try NOT judging a person's competence based on a few minutes of audio.
lol, ATC seemed much more compassionate than the instructor - she didn't make any personal connection to help ground (no pun intended) the student back to training or a shared experience and calm her down
@@leeclemens879 IMO Nothing about this was compassion. He treated her like a child to save her life. Compassion would've been her instructor telling her that she's got no business being a pilot and to go home.
Such a kind and compassionate controller
Canadian, eh?
This should have been at Newark. They would have been so kind to her.
The controller may have saved her life. Good work!
I love aviation, where else can you freak out, screw up or have a bad day, tell someone on the radio you need help, and get that help without any judgement.
Well done to the controller. Part of being a good instructor is having the intuition to know your student and whether he or she feels a student is truly ready to solo an aircraft. Given the tone of this student pilot's communications with ATC and her emotional state, it's quite likely this panic attack didn't come as a surprise to her CFI. The CFI didn't sound particularly reassuring on frequency to her student either. Honestly, I fault the CFI for letting her do this when she clearly wasn't ready.
"Ready" is a grey area. I had 20+ hours before my first solo and when the CFI got out of the plane I said to myself I'm definitely not ready for this. lol Of course I was. But certainly for this girl to react THIS badly to her solo, she clearly was not ready. It's still a fun talking point to debate, the idea of when to solo. My CFI asked me, what's the rush? He told me to just forget about it and focus on each flight as it comes, the solo will come eventually. My airport buddies all soloed at 8, 10 or 12 hours and were teasing me. The reason it's such a talking point, in my opinion, is the abandonment rate is extremely high. #1 reason being of course money, then you have time commitments etc. But the sooner the CFI can get you to solo, there's this idea that it shows the student they CAN do it and pushes them to keep going until they finish. It's not a bad strategy, but that's why you really need to listen to and get to know the student. Doing that helps to avoid situations like this scared girl. Not all CFIs give it that much thought I suppose. But the when to solo debate will never end, we're all quite different.
I thought the same thing. The instructor NEVER attempted to calm her down, the only one doing that was ATC.
I was thinking the same thing
The instructor almost sounded annoyed. Her tone already stressed me out
That instructor needs to be spoken to by the chief or owner of that school along with a FSDO inspector. She is lucky that nothing happened to that girl in the plane
Controller needs a raise!!!!! A++++ Ya know they can teach a lot of things, but they cant teach compassion, this guy made the pilot feel like he was sitting right next to her the entire time. So impressive!!!! Need more people like him
That raise should come from the instructor's pay, because an instructor who sent this pilot for a solo flight was not doing their job.
@@talreichert587 i do agree, she did not seem confident enough for her solo...hopefully after this experience, she gets more one on one time and continues her pursuit of aviation.
This controller was excellent, thumbs up to him!
I knew a pilot when I was in the Air Force that had a fuel imbalance and panicked. He declared an emergency and when he came in for a landing the tower told him to go around. The pilot started arguing with the tower about how he needed to land immediately when the tower cut him off and yelled out 'YOUR GEAR IS STILL UP GO AROUND'. Pulled up with about 10 feet between the plane and the ground. And that was that. He was washed out of flight school and was transferred to a different AFSC.
After I separated from the Air Force I got the idea to try to become a pilot myself. I went to a helicopter flight school and got my private license and was about 2/3 of my way through my commercial rating but I was struggling. I never felt comfortable flying and the idea of passengers relying on me to keep them alive was a bridge too far. I could have tried to force it but after some deep introspection I decided to walk away and go do something else. Now I'm a freight train locomotive engineer and I couldn't be happier.
This is humanity at its best; this video honestly made me tear up. It's someone facing their fears and pushing themselves to learn how to fly, a controller who knows the right thing to say to keep her aviating, and an instructor who got to know her enough to know what to say to get her down safely. It's the best of what we are, all on display here.
I feel like I need to get out right now?First step would be long one.
Aw, she just needed a hug.
@@jiyushugi1085 which that instructor flatly refused to even acknowledge ANY of (the emotional piece...too bad)
Not in her case. Sounded below 1000 feet when she said it. No time to enjoy that ride down before it hurts.
"Don't worry, you're doing great."
"OPS1 and OPS2, FIRE, Ambulance! ROLL, ROLL, ROLL!!!"
Great controller. Can't say the same for this instructor. To the student pilot - you did a great job and you're not alone. Many first-time pilots experience a wide range of emotions during early solo trips. Keep going! You recognized your emotions and concerns which is more than a lot of experienced pilots will ever do!
An excellent learning experience!
However, this highlights an important topic: the mental state of single pilots. I've just finished writing an article on this topic, as it is something I witnessed first hand at the single-pilot Pt. 135 airline where I spent six years as a captain. At least one-third of the pilots we trained up, including some with 121 experience and some with previous 135 experience, completely lost it when they found themselves by themselves with a load of pax sitting behind them. Most of them made up silly excuses for quitting shortly after starting, a few admitted that they just couldn't handle it, and two had to be fired for doing something stupid.
The featured video illustrates how the same pilot who performs competently when an instructor or other pilot is sitting next to them can completely fall apart when up there on their own. This is a topic which better minds than mine should investigate more thoroughly.
Sounds like a panic attack, especially when she said she "needs to get out" and can't 'think' or reply coherently. Thankfully the controller was great and supportive.
P.S: And I know it's a panic attack because I'm a sufferer myself. When it strikes you just want to flee and run... You would feel very scared with a sinking feeling in your tummy... You also get a sense of "doom" or trapped feeling. You will also start hyperventilating and if you don't control your breathing you will feel dizzy and fainty; in rare cases, people fainted. Next thing you know, your mind also goes blank because of the adrenaline overload - your body feels cold, and your arms and legs go jelly. What I'm worried about is this female student may develop a panic disorder after this episode and she may just quit flying altogether... That's how it happens. Worse case yet, agoraphobia...
Hopefully you’re right and she decides to take piano lessons instead.
@@odom2142 Yeah, as much as I hate to say this (and seriously, out of pure concern)... She should NOT fly after this until she gets herself checked with a psychologist/therapist or has her instructor fly with her to certify she's okay.
I mean, imagine had she fainted half-way or so fear-stricken to the extent she didn't know how to land the plane or went blank... It is a huge risk. Or imagine if she pilots a commercial plane solo and this happens. And once you experience a panic attack, there's a very likelihood it will happen again.
Exactly, I have had panic attacks when I was a kid.
Nailed it - and it's part of the reason I chose to not try getting my pilot's license. I've had a history of them, and it took a LONG time to find ways to manage and prevent - but when they happen, man, it's like you become an animal. Pure base instincts. My flight response would go into overdrive and I'd find myself getting into my car just so I can drive as fast as possible on the highway or whatever back road I could find for the adrenaline dump.
Then I almost immediately pass out for a couple hours, little post-adrenal nap. It's scary and terrible.
I think the student pilot needs to have a look in the mirror and decide if this is something she wants to do. No shame in giving up, flying is not for everyone
This was torture. Good job by the controller.
understatement. Who hell is signing off on these?
HUGE props (no pun intended) to that controller!!!!! Well done sir!
I was truly worried for the student pilot, amazing job by the controller, someone should probably take a look at the instructor for signing off on the solo.
Great job to the controller. I think everyone covered that very well.
For the pilot, this could very easily have been her first panic attack, and until you have one, you really don't know how it'll affect you. The important thing is that she was able to get herself back under control and on the ground, and now the real work starts. I'm not as concerned about the panic attack as what followed, which seemed to be shame and a tendency to shut down, and those need to be addressed.
Firstly, the shame is inappropriate. She had a scary situation and she reacted emotionally, which is a natural response. Until you've experienced it, again, you don't know what your reaction will be, and if she's never been in this position before, she had no way to anticipate her response. So, she got spooked, reacted emotionally, and (importantly) reached out for help. None of these things are shameful. Anyone, even experienced pilots, can have these reactions when out of their depths. If anything, there should be a sense of pride and relief that she was able to recover the situation and get back in the air (and eventually on the ground) safely.
Which leads to point 2, which is that there was nothing to be morose about. Anyone can balk a landing, that's one of the reasons we have go-arounds. And that's what she did: she went around. Judging that things weren't right for a landing and successfully recovering from that is an accomplishment, especially as a relatively inexperienced student.
You can't always stop a panic attack from coming on, especially without training in it. You can control what you do after. I hope she looks back on this, improves, and continues to fly. From my standpoint, she recovered from a potentially deadly situation and now has that experience to learn from to become better and better. She just has a little work to do in regards to handling shock/startle and recovering from that to be in a good headspace for flight.
Wow. She did a great job pulling it off being so upset. I hope she is still flying. And she was so lucky to have that controller. He was so good.
The CFI needs to lose her certificate. I've turned a little over 100 people into pilots over my instructing career, and you could absolutely tell when your students were ready to solo or not. It was obvious when they were going to be nervous students, and you never, EVER, push them to solo. Train train train until they are absolutely confident. If they can not figure out a simple flight around the practice area or traffic pattern immediately before their first solo, without you saying a single word or holding their hands at all, then they are not ready, period.
It's possible she never fucked up like that before, so the instructor might never have seen this overblown stress reaction where she would behave like a scolded child too in her emotions to operate correctly. Though one of the first things I noticed is how sloppy her radio comms are. She doesn't do any readbacks, and she was so likely to make mistakes in her emotional state. She clearly wasn't taught well how to be on the radio.
@@happydan20 Of course her comms were sloppy. She was in a panic attack, IE fight or flight mode. The brain stops higher level exeutive functions. Comms are one of those. However she didn't freeze up, and tried to bring herself under control. Not calm, but at least back to semi-functional.
I agree, flying isn’t a charity case.
The controller was awesome.
I feel for FYA, man…I had a brief panic attack during primary when I was on my student cross country. It was like, all of the sudden, my brain went “?!?!”, recognized that I was alone and that there was no quick way out of this situation if necessary. It’s difficult to explain…even moreso because I’m very even keeled, especially in dire situations. It hasn’t happened since but I know that feeling and it’s not fun. You just can’t allow it to dominate. I went on to get my license because I *refused* to let my brain take me there again, by sheer force of will…
Same as the hurdle awaiting those flying into IMC for the first time. Mental discipline is the key. Turn off those thoughts about what will happen if you mess up and concentrate on your scan: airspeed, altitude, heading, repeat.
I had a similar situation.
Everyone was outstanding, and most importantly, the pilot maintained excellent communication. Many accidents occur due to a lack of effective communication and failure to request assistance from the ground.
Before my first solo: "Do 3 touch and goes. OK, nice, just do a full stop landing next, I gotta pee. Drop me off at the FBO and do 3 more around the pattern. I dropped him off, taxied to the beginning of the runway, and took off as soon as cleared. Immediately 120 dB noise in the cockpit. I had forgotten to close and lock the cockpit door!
Fortunately I had read in "Aviation Safety" magazine that this was not a major problem, so I continued climbing out while trying to figure out how to lock the door in flight. Got it eventually...
Did 2 touch and goes, 3rd time suddenly got major wind gusts across the runway, so I had to use all my focus to land right side up (not a joke).
Turning to final, Tower said, "Ready for the option." ??? What? What option? Nobody told me anything about any stinkin' option? At that point the wind had picked up even more speed and I had to focus on landing with a gusty crosswind. I remembered Aviation Rule #1: "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate."
"Keep the right side up." / Know where you are." / "Talk to ATC if you can while taking care of the first two parts."
Parked at the FBO, put on my best Joe Cool face, and strolled inside to get my recently purchased used tie from the Salvation Army cut in half, as was customary.
Almost as much fun as my Instrument check ride, when I managed to stump the FAA inspector, and then had to deal with an undercaffeinated air traffic controller who sent me into the buzz saw of the nearby LAX traffic... Not a good place to be, with airline jets on approach went Zoom...Zoom...Zoom...Zoom..., except during rush hour with 4 parallel runways they were going Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom-Zoom. I discreetly told the controller "076 crossing SMO 210 radial" (where the turn to final was 99.9999999999999999% of the time, except for my check ride.
I saw large beads of nervous sweat on the inspector's forehead when I was following the weird route ATC had to give me to get back to the airport). A good day!
TO THE STUDENT----You did GREAT!!!! Seriously.
I know it did not feel like it at the time, but you really did do very well.
I hesitate to make any suggestions, but if it ever happens again, concentrating on slow gentle deep breathing can really help.
A cop taught me this. 4 edges if a square ....2 seconds inhale, hold 2 seconds, 2 seconds exhale, 2 seconds hold, then repeat. Letting your lungs do their best possible job will really help in oxygenating the bloodstream, which in turn will help the body/brain functions.
This was a learning experience, a test of sorts, and you passed with flying colors, no pun intended. Be proud.
The first time I soloed, I was shocked that I had no little voice in my head messing with me. I was certain that was going to happen but it didn't. This student wasn't so lucky. First solo is both terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. It is an unforgettable experience. When it is known that a student is having their first solo at a small airport like this, all the pilots sit and watch reliving it.
Does it sound like this person needs to be in the air? Sounds to me like the instructor needs to be revoked of any licensing. The person flying is obviously not ready, and putting herself and everyone on the ground at risk. Absolutely crazy...
Well done all around. The student, the tower and her instructor. What a team effort.
In all my years of flying, I've never been instructed to fly 000 degrees. But that controller did a Great job.
Wow that was a very compassionate ATC! if that happened in New York they would’ve told her to get out of their airspace and find another landing strip!
I've never heard a flight heading "000" before.
canadians are weird
That’s what I thought. But he probably felt this was better at indicating true birth to the student pilot than 360.
@@jwag82 Dunno, I only fly in the US
@@jwag82 True birth? What ever your auto correct was smoking at the time, it better share..
@@brenthendricks8182 I think it's north lol. B-I are right next to N-O
Just had my first solo about a week ago. It is certainly stressful. I'm glad she had this controller. My controller was... Well, let's just say the pattern had a lot of other traffic that day and he was in no mood.
KUDOS to ATC
The CFI should not have let her solo'ed with that level of anxiety. Kudos to the controller, he did a great job keeping things calm and under control.
Brilliant controller! Even if the student will continue with aviation and become better and better, I presume she will be fall back in that passive and "crying for help" behaviour under higher work-load pressure. That's my experience in life in general and especially as a retired flight instructor.
"Passive and crying for help behaviour", she was clearly having a panic attack.
I would take "crying for help" over an arrogant failure to communicate issues, any day and every day.
@@jordanjoestar-turniptruck I agree to your point. What I want to point out is, that people with that behaviour like her are probably not suitable for jobs like being a pilot. But indeed it was positive that she communicated her situation.
@@SteepTurn you mean the behavior of people who have just realized too late that they are not properly trained to operate a vehicle that is now in midair, regardless of working with ATC to alert them of the situation and obeying instructions? Good thing pilots are going to be replaced by AI I guess, because I have only seen the most senior 1% of pilots not have at least a brief moment of panic when they lose complete situational awareness.
Fantastic job for ATC
All the controllers do a great job; but there really needs to be SOME kind of recognition for these folks that literally 'save lives'.
When she got quiet, I got the feeling that her head was back in the game - concentrating hard....and SHE MADE IT :) Yay!
Now THERE is a great human being and an excellent controller as well.
Scary! Time to hang up the headset and try something less stressful...
Youbetcha.... Some folks are not meant to be pilots. Flying is inherently dangerous.
The controller between radio calls: "Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines".
Great job helping her in.
Good job by the controller to calm the pilot down.
Controller of the year definitely!
Jesus, my heart was in my throat listening to that, and I ran upstairs to hug my daughter.
I don't have a daughter, but hearing an incident with a little girl's voice sets off a primal urge to protect in anyone.
@@GWNorth-db8vn No kidding, right?
I might be alone in my opinion that this student needs to have her solo endorsement rescinded until she can demonstrate a little better control of her emotions. Yes, the controller was fabulous, and the instructor was doing the best she could without direct communication with the student, but there is absolutely no guarantees that she would be so fortunate next time. I fully expected her to pitch up without adding power (she didn't seem to know how to read her RPMs and/or her airspeed) and stall on short final.
This is not to say that she should not keep flying; just that she should not be alone in an airplane again until she has demonstrate significantly more resourcefulness and composure. Before you chirp at me, please remember that PIC stands for "Pilot in Command", and she didn't sound like she was even in command of her bladder during this circuit around the pattern.
Poor girl.
I really hope she keeps flying.
She realized she was in over her head and still maintained control.
Honestly, that's some great pilot shit right there.
This is what a panic attack sounds like from a pilot's seat. That controller was outstanding.
Air Traffic Controller more like Air Traffic Guardian! Literal lifesaver in the tower that day immediately helped that pilot stop her mental downward spiral
I hope she sticks with it. We learn from mistakes and adversity.
When I did my first solo I was fine, but when I did my first entire solo flight, as soon as I took off I was like "Why did I do that? Why?" Then when I got to our practice airport (we took off at KADS and flew to KTKI for landing practice) I was like "Oh well, it was a good life while it lasted!"
And a CFI who will be having a chat with his FSDO.
My first training flight many years ago, the instructor looked at me and said, in a very serious tone, that I was about to enter a world - flying - the can be amazingly fun and satisfying, but if not taken seriously, can kill me in a second. I always heeded that advice. Maybe this student should as well... She never should have been allowed to solo.
Well done to the controller
Feel bad for them to be in that state of mind all of a sudden while flying. Wonder if they still fly though.
Nobody but the instructor and student know how the training went up until that point. I know in my training my instructor was on the radio during the first few solo trips around the pattern and I think that's pretty common from what I've heard. So this might not have been the student's first solo. We don't know. She might have done fine before but got shaken up by a bounced landing or something. One thing she learned is that she can pull through even if something like this happens.
Great controller, panic would help nothing, and neither does yelling or condescending talk. Staying calm and building confidence in the pilot that's what he did!
Oooof. that was hard to listen to.
And it got worse.
It’s been a long time since my first solo, in a 152 as well. I’d done a couple of circuits with the instructor, who then suddenly got out on the taxiway and walked to the tower while I taxied alone to the holding point, ready for departure. That way if anything went wrong, he was right there with ATC. You never forget those few minutes, my anxiety was off the scale, but at least I was ready despite my lack of confidence.
The internet is forever... Ugh... I feel for her.
Controller was first rate, pilot was told she'd be right seat in 737 in no time, CFI needs firing.
Awesomeness.
Wow, she probably did some circuits with her instructor before being released for solo. One of many many things to NOT do in aviation is to pretend competency.
As a flight instructor we are tasked to constantly evaluate students and never allow such a dangerous situation to occur. I question a competent flight instructor's decision to allow such an unprepared student to solo. This student must seriously evaluate themselves and decide if aviation is something they want to continue to pursue. The controller did an excellent job, thanks ATC.
Okay...
Its infuriating that she never repeats back any instruction given to her.
This is an old video eh? Saw this on another channel years ago....
Here you go detective 🏆
CFI should never be allowed to instruct anyone ever again. Clearly had no idea about her student's mental and emotional readiness.
Agreed, no business flying; maybe table tennis or bowling.
A bit quick to judge. I know this instructor.. been renting from this flight school for years. She's excellent.
Does the instructor get a bonus for every solo or is she hitting the boyfriend?
Lmao
Great controller, instructor was not very helpful......poor baby, had a panic attack...........I hope she makes the right decision on whether or not to move forward.........whatever that may be.....
Tower to Fox Yankee alpha. We like vanilla frosted jelly rolls. 😋😋😋
Poor girl.
Her instructor should lose his or her license.
She had no business being in the air. As a former flight instructor, I question the judgement of FYA's instructor for giving her the green light
I don't think any instructor can foresee that a student might "choke' during a flight. She said she was doing good before. A panic attack can happen to anyone without any 'red flags' before hand.
@@Willard-tn8bh
I think a CFI can, indeed, predict stuff like that…it’s just that some people are experts at masking such things.
@@Willard-tn8bh Agreed. So many of these comments are stupid. As someone who has experienced a panic attack in the past, they really do just hit you without warning. Funnily enough, what happens to Cougar in Top Gun is a great example of what that looks like in the air...
Maybe flying is not her best subject
Just didn't have the confidence for solo. Different people need different amounts of instruction to get the skill and confidence.
Instructor "booted her out of the nest" too soon.
This is months old!
CFI apparently made a bad decision signing this student off for solo when she didn't appear ready. What an awesome experience & video to learn from though! This will be a treasured possession when she gets her Private, Commercial, ATP & starts her career of flying!
Instructor is crap. Controller is heroic. Pilot is obviously capable, landed well, needs new instructor....
I've been renting from this flight school for years, took me two seconds to know who this instructor is. She's excellent.. maybe try NOT judging a person's competence based on a few minutes of audio.
What idiot left this child alone in a plane??
Pathetic- 😂
Girl power! 😅
OMG Tik Tok
Girl power
lol, ATC seemed much more compassionate than the instructor - she didn't make any personal connection to help ground (no pun intended) the student back to training or a shared experience and calm her down
@@leeclemens879 IMO Nothing about this was compassion. He treated her like a child to save her life. Compassion would've been her instructor telling her that she's got no business being a pilot and to go home.
Worthless 😂
Better watch that first step it’s a dossie
She’ll be fine