Hello, I was recently deemed ready to graduate from the training hill so, because every time I thought about high altitude I would start to sweat, I decided to do a tandem as mental preparation. Unfortunately via the tandem I discovered I don’t seem to enjoy altitude that much. Would a solo likely feel roughly the same ? Trying to decide if I really want to try doing my first solo high flight or walk away :/ the hardest part would be the shame of feeling like a chicken but that’s preferable to many other potential outcomes I guess.

The tandem was smooth overall, but honestly didn’t feel good - we took off over some trees and I almost immediately started to feel a bit motion-sick due to some (light) turbulence, as well as that feeling of gravity pulling down on my shoes, if that makes sense.

The pilot later made a fast turn and that didn’t feel too good in my insides either.

I’m a bit bummed because flying on the training hill has been loads of fun! And I would like to successfully graduate. but, being so high up in the air, with noticeable wind vs the training hill’s low wind, didn’t feel comfortable at all and during the tandem my sole desire was to be back on solid ground. The altitude difference was 500-600m which I understand is considered small apparently but it felt like a lot.

I’m not sure what kind of altitude difference or slope flight instructors would normally use for a student’s first high flight; I realise this question is probably best directed towards my school. Which I plan to ask them of course. I am hoping it’d be a really gentle introduction. But I realise the school can’t pick a site like that just for me since it isn’t a private lesson.

All comments would be appreciated. Thanks! 🙂