[smackeyacky]

I wanted to do this too and was in a financial position to start lessons. Had raced cars in the past, rebuilt cars, mechanically savvy, fiddled around a whole heap with flight simulars, got excited about it. Paid my money for the initial 3 flights.

First time up (in a Cessna) beautiful clear day, low wind. Once we had done the safety checks I was instructed to taxi the plane. It was about as complicated as a ride-on mower and the throttle pull I swear is identical. No problem.

Instructor took over and punted the plane into the air. I was terrified. As I've written here before, a Cessna is like a Volkswagen Bug that somebody has thrown into the air. They shudder and shake and dip and every tiny pocket of turbulence throws them around. I completed the lesson without conveying my terror, did the turns, was able to identify stuff on the ground. Instructor landed the Cessna and I thanked him and told him I wouldn't be back.

I bought a motorcycle instead. They feel safer.

[cwalv]

I remember feeling the same way the first time I went up in a small plane (Cessna 150). I had a tourist ride in a small helicopter later (R44) and it was so much smoother. But I was probably safer in the Cessna.

[generalizations]

> Instructor took over and punted the plane into the air.

Sounds like you told the instructor about your car-racing experience.