First Solo's...when was yours and what in?

[tiger26isfinals]

Hi all,

Was having a chat in the crew room the other day about first solos. Just wondered when and what in other peoples were...and any memories from them.

Cheers

Tiger

[airborne_artist]

First solo - C-150 at Leavesden, as we were not allowed to do solo circuits at Luton - I had an RAF flying scholarship at Luton Flying Club in Aug 1977.

First Mil solo - Chipmunk WD374 (http://photos.airliners.net/photos/middle/8/8/4/0831488.jpg) at Roborough 20 Nov 78 - just one solo circuit, FHT in the pm.

First RW solo - Gazelle XW861 (http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/GImages/G-BZFJ002.jpg) from CU, but at Predannack 14 Jan 80

[Flashdance9]

Solo in a tutor with the University Air Squadron. Just after one landed in a field in Whiltshire.

I believe i was the last person to fly (well, for only 4 mins) a tutor prior to the fleet grounding in 2004. Fortunately my prop didnt fall to bits. :eek:

[BEagle]

First gliding solo - T21 Sedbergh at Merryfield with the RAF GSA in 1967.

First solo - C-150 at Cranfield - I had an RAF Scholarship at the Bedfordshire School of Flying in Mar 1968.

First Mil solo - Chipmunk at White Waltham in Feb 69 - just one circuit.

[FCWhippingBoy]

June 1992 - Grob 109 Vigilant - RAF Linton on Ouse :eek:

[Antelope]

Viking glider with the ATC aged 16 at what used to be Catterick (I think it's called Marne Barracks and belongs to the Army now who appear to have built all manner of things on the airfield / runway).

Ant

[brickhistory]

C-152, age 16, Baldwin County Airport, Georgia, 1980.

[Tarnished]

Just checked my log book to find it is exactly 29 years ago tomorrow! UAS Bulldog, canopy slid open as I applied full power! Instructor in the tower never spotted it though! Never told until now.

[windriver]

with the ATC aged 16 at what used to be Catterick )

Snap.. but in a Slingsby Sedbergh T21

[teeteringhead]

Glider solo at Swanton Morely (sp?) Summer 1965

FW first solo on Chipmunk WG 308 at Rufforth 19th August 1968

Rotary first solo on Sioux XV 311 at Ternhill 5th November 1969

.... ain't logbooks wonderful ......:)

[Legalapproach]

21.7.80 Bulldog XX628 St Mawgan:D

[AllTrimDoubt]

Chippie, Roborough...solo on Fri 13th!! :eek:

[enicalyth]

Chipmunk, EUAS, RAF Turnhouse, nineteen-sixty-something.

[neilmac]

Only for my PPL 1992 C150 at Shipdam Norfolk ex WW2 USAF base

[nutcracker43]

First solos:

1 st solo ever - Piper cub 1964
1st Mil solo - JP Mk 3 - Oct 65
1st Heli Sol - B47G4 - Oct 66

Perfect memories of them all...wonderful days!

NC43

[Up & Away]

1st solo ever- Sep1970 C172 Nairobi East Africa (PPL/A)
1st Mil solo - Sep 1972 JP Mk 3 (RAF) Topcliffe Yorks
1st Heli Sol - Apr 1976 Gazelle (RN) Culdrose Cornwall

[kokpit]

C172, 2001 at Dobbins AFB, Georgia.

[Impiger]

Chipmunk at Hamble in 1973 - SUAS; just the one circuit and the only Captain time I logged until many years later when:

First Solo Again in a Tutor (location and unit witheld to preserve anonimity) - went round three times trying to make a landing that I considered worth staying down from. Chief instructor was probably having a canary in the tower but I was enjoying myself!

[Lou Scannon]

Tiger Moth Birmingham Airport 1958 as part of my flying scholarship.
And the man who sent me solo, a retired Wg Cdr Eric Bradley AFC went solo himself in a Maurice Farman "pusher" in 1916 after 2 hours fifteen minutes "Dual".

It seems that every evening the groundcrew would collect all the bits of Farmans from around the airfield and re-assemble them into aircraft by the morning. The instructor stood on the wing clinging to the struts trying to shout above the noise of the engine.

Little wonder the students were sent solo as quickly as possible!:ok:

[Training Risky]

1st FW solo: one of Ted Girdler's C-152's at Manston, 2 Sep 1995. Most natural thing in the world, singing all the way round while imaging myself as a steely-eyed Harrier pilot in 5-6 years time....

1st RW solo: one of FBH's Squirrels at Ternhill, early 2001. Scariest 5 mins of my life, $hitting myself all the way round while imagining myself as a smoking hole in the Salop countryside.

[Testingtheseatlimit]

Swinderby, 1985, Chipmunk. A chap called Roger Cooper couldn't get 3 in a row from me, but on the 18th circuit, gave me the benefit of the doubt. One of the many aviation 'highs' I've experienced followed that - happened in a blink of an eye. And to top it all, following Spin Aeros (trip 35), I was so good, I was specially selected to be a Nav. Got 10hrs on my own by then though!!!

[brakedwell]

First solo Percival Provost OT492. March 2nd 1956. High Ercall, Shropshire.Not one of my best arrivals!
First Jet solo Vampire T.11 XH274. Nov 16th 1956. Swinderby, Lincs

[Daede1]

Katana DA20 at Glenrothes Airport (RAF Scholarship) in Sept 97.

Crappy circuit, had to do a five sided circuit to avoid flying over glenrothes.

[acw350]

Mine was in the good old faithful Vigilant many years ago at a place where i am sure not many people have been solo. Ballykelly in the Northwest of Northern Ireland. It is still a Army base at the moment but the RAF i think still have a small detachment up there for the odd puma that pops in. Oh yes my collegue ACW349 is the only other who i know went solo there before he starts braggin about it too.

But never rembering the 1st solo, what about the chance of going solo again , its a rareity in this organisation where we as instructors go solo without someone being there with us. Even now with a ATPL still no sniff of being by myself. Oh well i could of course pay money and hire a spam cam but wheres the joy in that. Someone send me solo, just for a change.

Safe flying

[Roland Pulfrew]

Unpowered - Kirby Cadet T3 (?) RMB Arbroath 1980
Powered - JP3 RAF Elvington 1984 - a bit of a step up from my 'first solo' but I still remember both clearly!!:D

[ACW418]

1st Solo Glider T31 at RAF Sealand 1 Apr '61 XA311
1st Solo power Auster Sywell 23 Apr '62 G-AJRB ATC Flying Scholarship
1st Solo Mil Jet Provost Mk3 Wymeswold 22 Mar '63 XM386

Never noticed before that I first soloed on 1st April. Should have taken the hint.

ACW

[NutherA2]

First solo 31st July 1954, CCF Flying Scholarship at Southend, Tiger Moth; clearest recollection ~ just like all the books say the vacant seat in front made for a much better view.:sad:
After the Provost/Vampire courses, another significant first solo was two years later in the Hunter F1 at Pembrey; no preceding dual (no T7 yet).Can't remember much of it, the aeroplane was a bit quick after the Vampire, but the flight was the best 20th birthday present I got by a long way.
:ok:

[Hueymeister]

1985 Venture Glider at Swanton Morley....aged 15 (got my date of birth wrong on the Air Cadet application, honest gov)
1987 C152 at Anglia Flight Training at Norwich - Flying Scholarship
1989 JP5A at Barkston Heath - scary moment - the Bloodhound Missiles followed me around the circuit!
1990 Gazelle at Strawberry
1992 Chippie at 5 AEF
2000 Tutor at 5 AEF
2006 Squirrel at Strawberry - very weird feeling doing engine offs on your own!

[scottyhs]

First solo in anything, was 2 years ago aged 16 and 15 days in a viking glider down at ACCGS Syerston!

First "real" solo (sorry to all the glider fans) lol was in a grob 115d2 "heron" (civvy version of the tutor) at Dundee airport with Tayside aviation on my 17th birthday, was a birthday i will never forget!

[spekesoftly]

1st gliding solo - Sedbergh with 631 GS, RAF Sealand 1966.

1st solo piston - Chipmunk T10 with PFS, RAF Church Fenton, April 1969.

1st jet solo - JP Mk3 with 1FTS, RAF Elvington, July 1969.

1st multi solo - Varsity T1 with 5FTS, RAF Oakington, August 1970.

[scroggs]

Sometime in late 1977, in a JP3A at RAF Elvington.

[brit bus driver]

Summer 1987 - C-152 on Flying Scholarship at Cambridge.....trundled off without clearance towards Skyvan-type thing on main runway....fortunately stopped in time...turn around and try again Bloggs!

JP5 - 1990 - Cranwell...fortunately slightly less traumatic (though probably not for QFI watching me!)

Jetstream - 1991 - Finningley....oh look, you can get Radio 1 on this thing...negative g anyone?

[Tombstone]

Viking glider with the ATC aged 16 at what used to be Catterick (I think it's called Marne Barracks and belongs to the Army now who appear to have built all manner of things on the airfield / runway).

Ant

Ditto, 1st Glider at Catterick in er, 1989. Some fat WO decided to let me go solo 10 minutes before dusk. I remember reaching 500ft on the winch and thinking, "fook this, I can hardly make out the ground" before pulling the yellow knob and doing a swift circuit! :{

1st Mil Solo: Chippie, Swinderby 1992. Fantastic flight bar the ending. Bounced slightly (lots) on landing which would have been no big deal had there not ben a passing out parade going on at the time. We were forced to fly through most of the parade due to having to play catch up after a week of typically Lincoln style fog/rain! :oh:

[Tim Mills]

Never hacked landing a Tiger Moth at FTS Wittering, 1949; luckily selected for The Towers, so finally managed in a Prentice at Digby, 20 Jan 50. Have managed in a Tiger since!

Would love to say that my final solo was in Spitfire MkII, delivery from Bovingdon to Coltishall, via Cranwell, 5 Apr 68, but did fly Pitts and things since!

Sympathise with acw350 regarding ATPL and flying solo; final flight in charge of anything, Falcon 20, Edinburgh to LHR, 5 Dec 89.

Sorry about all that, came over all nostalgic!

[Captain Sand Dune]

16 April 1985 in CT4A 043 at RAAF (not now though :{ ) Point Cook.
Hey, that's 21 years ago to the day!!!

[ScorchedSue]

First mil - 1979 - Musketeer
First Jet - 1979 - Tutor

[chevvron]

First solo in anything: T Mk 3 XA305, 613 GS RAF Halton Oct '64, one month after my 16th birthday.
First powered: C150 G-ATKF, Marshalls Cambridge, Nov '71

[Dr Schlong]

Church Fenton: Friday the 13th, Helmet number 13 - had to have parachute 13 as well! :rolleyes:

Got back in one piece though! :ok:

[airborne_artist]

16 April 1985 in CT4A 043 at RAAF (not now though ) Point Cook.
Hey, that's 21 years ago to the day!!!
It's still March in the N hemisphere - didn't realise Oz was a month and 11 hours ahead of GMT?

[Wycombe]

23/11/91, PA28-140 G-AYJR, RAF Brize Norton.

Sadly, the guy who sent me off is no longer around to thank :(

[delta96]

Alon Aircoupe, Biggin Hill (Surrey & Kent Flying Club) flying scholarship.
23/7/69, two days after Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon and just as proud.

[Overtorque]

1987 in a Cessna 172 G-RUIA at Humberside Airport. Sent solo by the inimitable Glen Stewart (RIP), Soloflight Aviation.

[Dan Winterland]

Hey Roland, ditto! First solo in a Slingsby T31 WT919 on 11 Apr 80 at RMAS Condor, Arbroath. Sent by Lovat Fraser. We have more than just our good looks and svelte physique in common!

First power solo, Chipmunk WK633 at Swinderby on 10 Jul 85 when Uncle Ted decided I was far too dangerous to fly with. I enjoyed it so much, I went back there as an instructor.

[ACW599]

Ah, de Havilland . . . Chipmunk T10 WZ862 at UWAS, RAF St Athan, 4 Mar 73. Sent by the late, great Steve Holding, may he rest in peace.

[Thud_and_Blunder]

7 Feb 1977 after using all the course flex available - 1FTS JP3A XM412 at the satellite airfield for Linton in those days (Church Fenton). Not counting the various leaps from perfectly serviceable Beaver under a double-L canopy in Cyprus as a lance-jack 2 years earlier.

Didn't fly anything with a fan on the front 'til 7 years later when I did a PPL to go with the ATPL(H).

[wub]

Hey Thud; I jumped from the same Beaver in Cyprus with Geordie Raine's Jumping Beans, at around the same time as you.

Oh yes, Slingsby Prefect - 1966.

[airborne_artist]

perfectly serviceable Beaver

Don't think any aircrew would ever leave a Beaver that needed servicing:E

[Maxibon]

It was in March 1988, Church Fenton XM475, JP Mk 3A. I got a print of 'Goodbye Mr Chips' on E Bay last year with the farewell to the JP and blow me, if the Mk 3A in the picture wasn't the very jet. Small world but wouldn't like to paint it an' all that.

I think the wierdest fact of going solo was just how light the rudder pedals were until I quickly realised that it been the rotund QFI that had inhibited any previous movement of said bar. Probably far too much effort for him to move his legs. Idle fat knacker - thanks for eventually sending me into the murk of the back seat:mad: ;)

[Bob Viking]

First ever: Grob Viking at RAF Upavon 1993
First mil: Firefly 260 at RAF Church Fenton 2001
First Jet: Hawk at RAF Valley 2002
First real Jet: Shaguar at RAF Akrotiri 2004 (after a whole 2 hours and 50 minutes of dual time! An hour of playing with the burners and waxing cruise ships! Awesome.)
BV:)

[Roghead]

I did think about it.... but why not?:D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v150/roghead/1stAircraft.jpg


RAF Syerston October 1964.

[trilander]

First solo glider T21 at Cosford 1974

First solo aeroplane Tiger Moth at Cranwell in 1980 I had 20 min on type,

[Toddington Ted]

First Gliding Solo: Kirby Cadet (T31?) at RAF Gaydon Warks 1971.

First Civvy Solo: Cessna 150 G-ATIE at Staverton (now Gloucestershire Airport) 16 May 1972.

First Mil Solo: Chipmunk WB671 Roborough 4 Dec 1978 when I was undertaking Flying Grading along with Airborne_Artist! :)

Scariest Solo: Piper PA28 140 G-AYJP at BZN on 24 May 1993 when I didn't understand Brize Radar's chatter and then lost the frequency - a hasty circuit and landing before a big Vickers Funbus had time to appear - who needs radio!:hmm:

[L J R]

Thanks A Artist, I thought I was the only one a month behind the times.

[Melchett01]

Bulldog (suprised how few of them have been mentioned), the mighty UBAS at Cosford, summer 95.

IIRC, it was on runway 24, which meant you had to cross a railway embankment, literally on the airfield boundary, which meant you crossed it at about train height! Luckily nothing coming during first solo, but did have a few interesting moments of me crabbing down finals (sh!te flying rather than weather) looking along the track and seeing a very worried train driver looking back at me from not a million miles away.:uhoh:

[Yellow Sun]

First Solo - Kirby Cadet at RNAS Abbotsinch 1963.
First Powered Solo - Beagle Terrier at Carlisle 1964
First Military Solo - Jet Provost 3 at Barkston Heath 1966

YS

[transientdroop]

Fist solo ever: Piper Tomohawk (!) at Cheltenham and Gloucester Flying Club - RAF Flying Scholarship in August 1990.
First solo mil: JP3 at Linton in June 1992.

[LunchMonitor]

Tomhawk, Cardiff 1984, flying scholarship.
"Number 8 to land calibrator on 6 mile final"
Longest first solo ever at Cardiff at the time.

[LunchMonitor]

Sorry I lied:
First solo: Venture glider Cosford 1982(but it wasnt as scary!)

[VH-GRUMPY]

One advantage of learning to fly at Canberra (AUstralia) is that as a student you get to fly in Class C airspace mixing it with commercial and military aircraft.

First solo in 1979 - PA28-161 VH-ASX required two orbits to permit a B737 on final land and then an instruction to a departing B737 or B727 to hold at the holding point 'due first solo'.

When I landed after 20 minutes both RPT Cpts congratulated me - I was really chuffed.

[Had Enough 77]

First ever solo- C152- Flying Scholarship Fife Airport, Glenrothes. July 1995.:)

First Military Solo- Bulldog- West Freugh June 1997.:) :)

Each one a great experience!

[station workshops]

Long hot summer of '76. Her name was Lesley. Sneaked up to her bedroom while her Ma & Pa watched 'It's a Knockout' downstairs. Over in 5 mins, lost me cherry (and hers too). The prelude to many more innocent and carefree summers' shagging. Never looked back! Wish I could do it all again tomorrow.

[airborne_artist]

How many hours of dual did you need before your instructor was happy to send you solo, station workshops? I hope you had covered effects of controls, straight and level and plenty of general handling?

[station workshops]

AA

Not many hours dual on this particular airframe though instructor was more than happy with progress and happy to sign off on the solo. Hadn't a clue what half the switches did though improved performance came later in more settled flying conditions with more sophisticated types flown. Handling on the solo was adequate for the exercise and conditions. Airframe current location unknown but believed to be in London area.

[Speed Twelve]

Nov 1985 - Grob Viking, 661 VGS Kirknewton

Mar 1989 - C152, Tayside at Dundee on Flying Scholarship, sent solo, like Dan Winterland, by Lovat Fraser.

Flew Chipmunk solo a few times last year, had a few sphincter-moments keeping it straight on a hard runway. Kudos to you guys who trained on the thing as studes!

[brakedwell]

Flew Chipmunk solo a few times last year, had a few sphincter-moments keeping it straight on a hard runway. Kudos to you guys who trained on the thing as studes!


The Chipmunk was a toy compared with the Piston Provost.

[allan907]

Station Workshops that's dual/ICUS (In Control Under Supervision). Solo in your case is the ubiquitous self-abuse.

My first? 9 Nov 1996. Cessna 150 VH-WXR. Couldn't believe the rate of climb without my instructor in the RHS. Managed to avoid two wedge tailed eagles at my height on the downwind leg (well, they avoided me) and my smile was 2 miles wide when I landed. It gave me a buzz (and still does) to think that I had done 30 years in the RAF as an administrator; I leave and a company pays for me to learn to fly!!!!! 11/10 on the 'How good is that' scale:ok:

[difar69]

Bulldog T1 RAF Benson April 96, with London UAS. Think it was the Boss, Wg Cdr Dixon that sent me solo. Seems like a different world altogether!:)

[Wyler]

When I was 12, in my bedroom, looking at a Farrah Fawcett poster.

[station workshops]

Allan,

I classed it as a solo as it was over far too quick, the anticipation was easily as good as the execution, all my pre-flight fears were unfounded, I couldn't wait to do it again, it left me light-headed, I couldn't I wipe the grin off my face on the way home and I couldn't wait to tell everyone I'd done it!!

Self abuse as a solo comes nowhere near as none of the above sensations apply to making friends with one's right hand.

[Biggles Flies Undone]

13 April 1970 at CAX after 6.8 hours dual - PA28 G-AXTC - RNFS. Wish they were still using Chippies... :(

[Onan the Clumsy]

My first was an uncommanded detonation of an eleven year old UXB during class at school which required a subsequent evacuation of the surounding underpants. Unfortunately, it was another ten years before I saw actual combat :( :{

The other was in a Bulldog at Abingdon, with IIRC Fl Lt King in attendence, or not as the case may be, I suppose :confused:




The two incidents are of course not related.

[blaireau]

Tiger Moth at Fairoaks April 63 aged 17 on a Flying Scholarship.

First mil, JP3 at 2FTS Syerston, Feb 65

[Wyler]

Speak for yourself mate. Bedroom needed redecorating and two panes of glass had to be replaced.

[BenThere]

T-41 Mescalero (C172) at USAF flight screening school, Feb. 1976.

Hondo, Texas

[station workshops]

Wyler,

and did the poster of Farah Fawcett survive this onslaught?

Caught sight of her recently on one of these awful celeb plastic surgery programmes. Doubt if she'd do it for you now.

[nutcracker43]

Blaireau.

Was at Syerston same time as you...what was the name of your instructor?.

NC43

[Wyler]

She had a 3 inch grouping just below the chin. Replaced her with Kate Bush.:p

[B Sousa]

Ft Wolters Texas (No Longer there) Jan 1970. OH-23D (Hiller UH-12 now in Museum)
AND a long time after Sasless (also a museum piece)....


Just Joking Sas

[station workshops]

Wyler,

What excuse did you give to mother for having a new poster up?

Most I laughed recently. A couple of months ago watching the programme with Rolf Harris doing the Queen's portrait. He made a great fuss about "getting the pearl necklace right around her neck." Wife and daughters couldn't get the joke.

[TwoDeadDogs]

Station and Wyler,
you are both very sad.But hilarious,too!:D

Self: first solo'd in Cessna 150.N4830B.Spinks,south of Dallas,TX.1991.I sang my head off for the whole circuit (given that I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, I surprised myself) and topped it off with an absolute greaser of a touchdown.Nick Johnstone, CFI, instructor.Got absolutely rat-arsed drunk that evening.:D
Have yet to solo a glider, a multi, a jet or a helicopter, but, time willing...
regards
TDD:ok:

[Wyler]

Could not explain anything to my mum. It took a week for her ears to 'pop' after the bang.

[PlasticCabDriver]

Tombstone,

1st Mil Solo: Chippie, Swinderby 1992. Fantastic flight bar the ending. Bounced slightly (lots) on landing which would have been no big deal had there not ben a passing out parade going on at the time. We were forced to fly through most of the parade due to having to play catch up after a week of typically Lincoln style fog/rain! :oh:

When exactly in 1992 at Swinderby?

[blaireau]

My instructors seem to have been doomed.

Jim Hawkins spiked in at Dunsfold testing Hawks. Mike Carpenter hanged himself under "odd" circumstances, and Bill Noon was killed conducting an FHT.

So far, I have survived 15 years military service, and 26 years civil aviation......

[The Rocket]

Spangly new(ish) Tucano 1994.

And am I the only one who (with the mic off!!) sang loudly, and grinned my face off all the way around those 2 measly circuits:} :} :ok:

[windriver]

First Powered Solo - Beagle Terrier
YS

Respect....

[ZK-NSJ]

henry crun's first solo was in this:

http://www.nasm.edu/galleries/gal100/wright_flight.jpg
:}

[Captain Sand Dune]

It's still March in the N hemisphere - didn't realise Oz was a month and 11 hours ahead of GMT?

B*gga!! I'll really have to learn to read a calandar one day!!:O

Must keep this thread near the top for another month then!

[nutcracker43]

Blaireau

Thanks for that...remember them all. I was fortunate to have one instructor throughout. That was 'Smudge' Smith, an excellent man who went to BA.

When he was on leave I generally flew with Derek Bridge who sent me solo...also an excellent fellow. Bill Noon did my FHT and JH my FNavT...was at Tern Hill when BN was killed but went to his funeral. For me they were great, happy days.

Flew 16 years in the RAF and about about 24 commercially.

Enjoy your retirement.

NC43

[sailor]

26 March 1959 - Piston Provost - Linton
Currently Bombardier Global 5000
A few years to celebrate the 50th, but who knows?

[EndResult]

28 January 1965, Chipmunk.
:ok:

[MostlyModerate]

November 17th 1975, Lusaka Flying Club at the old Lusaka City Airport, Zambia. 4195ft AMSL on a good day. Cessna 150 9J-RGV. A magical 10 minutes.

[station workshops]

Bugga. Regarding my first post yesterday (No 62), I woke up at 5 am this morning in a cold sweat having remembered L's old man used to be in the mob and could be reading this site. If so, apologies DC (not for shagging your daughter upstairs in your house, but for revealing in public that you used to watch It's a Knockout!).

ps there've been lots of votes on this site for Chipmunk as first solo. A friend who now flies pumas out of ABZ used to be in the AAC at Middle Wallop. At that time they had a Chipmunk in DP camouflage colours. Some wit named it the Spitmunk.

[Bertie Thruster]

Chipmunk. Wallop. 1980. 12th hr "chop" ride with Standards Officer. Thank God he climbed out!

[ImageGear]

First gliding: RAFGSA T21B Lindholme. circa '67, followed by go and play.

then

First Power: PA28 140 - GHFC Capetown, '74

Immortal words - You done it OK twice, just go do the same again :ooh:

Hi Kucki :ok:

Imagegear

[KENNYR]

Chipmunk:WP930, 21 April 78
Bell 47G4: G-AXKT, 14 July 78
Gazelle AH1: XX452, 06 Oct 78
Beaver AH1: XP811, 14 Apr 83
Scout AH1: XT646, 11 Nov 87
Robinson R22: C-GFIO, 27 Jul 89
Bell 206: C-GGOZ, 16 Aug 89

[Like This - Do That]

Citabria 7GCBC VF-MIF at Camden, 28 SEP 1996

[Bof]

Chipmunk WG281 11 July 1952, 5FTS RAF Thornhill, S Rhodesia. 54 years ago!!!! They were very new then!

[Alpine Pilot]

mine...
1994 glider K4 Rhönlerche
on powered aircraft 1995 C-152

[batfink2]

Sept 1996 - Grob 109 Vigilant - RAF Abingdon... if it was still RAF Abingdon... I think it might just have been Abingdon at that point!

[LUM]

March '78 1st solo F-104, I'll never forget this one!:ok:

[Art Field]

Miles Magister, Flying Scholarship, Shoreham, Summer 54, Instructor was Cyril Pashley holder of one of the first 100 UK licences. First Military, Chipmunk, Centralia, Canada, April 57, Course 5701.

[BEagle]

I always thought your first solo was in a Wright Flyer, Arters!

:p

Hope you're keeping well!

[reallydeskbound]

First solo Airtourer 115 ZK CWE at Middle Districts Aero Club 1968

First single seat fighter solo 1976

First Spitfire solo 1996

All the greatest of memories

[KENNYR]

Reallydeskbound...........I really envy you. How I have lusted after flying or flying in the Spitfire. If you can describe it, what is it really like?

[Sleeve Wing]

1st. ever solo. Mk.2 Cadet. Andover. Aug.13.1961.
1st. Power solo. Tiger Moth. Roborough. Sep.16.1961.
Jet solo. JP3. Linton. Feb.19.1962.
Vampire. Linton. Aug.31.1962.
1st.Single seat Fighter. Lossie. Mar.26.1963.
Twin-jet Fighter. Lossie Sep.13.1963.
..........and THE best thing since "the first time!", ....................
Extra 300. July, 2004 and counting. Gotta be the ultimate !
Still going strong,
Sleeve.

[reallydeskbound]

Aaah the memory of the first Spitfire solo, without giving too much away --
I was fortunate, after years of jet-fighter time to be taught by one of the legends of the Spitfire world. No two seater - just a 60 minute chat on systems and emergencies (not a lot can go wrong, just the motor stopping or the u/c not coming down. Then he sat on the wing and watched over my shoulder whilst starting, a pat on the head and off!
The Spit was one of the earlier models, thus very light and with excess power. Taxying - same as for any tail dragger apart from a very pronounced nose with a large prop and a heavy resonance from the engine. The takeoff was with a careful application of power - and once the boost was in positive numbers the tail came up very quickly and it gently flew off at around 50 kts! Then it was change hands to raise the u/c - which is why if you ever watch a Spit takeoff you may notice a slight wobble in the flight path just after airborne as the pilot changes hands. Rudder trim is the most important trimmer and you tend to adjust constantly as the speed, or power, changes up or down. The climb out was exhilarating and looking out along the wing at the beautiful elliptical shape of the wing brought to me the realisation that I was achieving a long held dream. The aircraft is a delight to fly, very responsive in roll and with controls beautifully harmonised. After the upper airwork the approach and landing was probably the most difficult part of the flight. The wing flies down to a very low speed so any gusty conditions, or cross wind, can cause the wing to lift, even at taxying speeds on the ground so care is needed. Flying the aircraft onto the runway is the easier method but the speed and rate of descent must be right otherwise it will bounce or balloon back into the air. A three pointer is the ideal but takes some experience (and confidence) - too high and it will bounce, too low and it will also bounce - and all the time the nose is high in the air and blocking your forward vision. Fortunately my landing, while not my greatest meant that I was allowed to fly it again.
The memory lives strongly and just recounting this has bought back a flood of great times. Of all the 'first solos' on a wide variety of types throughout my flying career the Spitfire remains an iconic memory. The history of the aircraft, the privilige of being able to fly it, will remain with me forever and i respect those that to this day take the time, effort and money to ensure that this great British aircraft remains available to be seen by the many, and for the fortunate few of us who have been allowed to fly it we are the lucky ones indeed.
RDB

[AlphaSierra]

ASK21 glider

Summer 1999

[Tombstone]

Tombstone,

When exactly in 1992 at Swinderby?

sorry for the late reply PCD,

It was September 92.

[Lafyar Cokov]

Ok - not even going to try and compete with a spitfire solo but....

First Solo: July 1985 - PA 38 Tomahawk, Goodwood on a flying scholarship
First Military Solo: March 1992 - Tucano T1 - RAF Cranwell

But far more important..................

Last Solo: Feb 2002: DHFS Squirrell!!!!!!

[A2QFI]

First in Glider summer 1956 at Swanton Morley in a Kirby Cadet(?)
First powered in Tiger Moth G-AORA at Luton (before it had a surfaced runway!) in September 1958

[DRP]

1st solo: grob vigilant age 17 and now on as staff flying it every weekend at 635vgs. Bloody love that place.
It is infact currently the only aircraft i have been solo in, but plently of time ahead of me to do something about that :ok:

[adastra]

1965 in a Jackaroo (what the hell's one of those?) at Thruxton during a RAF Flying Scholarship. My own Spitfire first solo came some 24 years later.

[idle stop]

Data from Logbook No 1
1st ever:Chipmunk WP974, 14 Jun 69, ULAS White Waltham. TVM Jerry Brown!
1st Jet: JP3a XM466, 15 Oct 75, 1FTS RLG Elvington. TVM Capt (USAF) ?***? Howard!
1st Rotary: Whirlwind 10 XP331, 5 Nov 76, 2FTS Ternhill. TVM Mike Chapple!
Now on logbook No 7. Have sent off a few first solo studes myself over the years!

[Whizzwheel]

Deskbound - you lucky SOB!:* Showed a 1000+ hr Spitfire pilot over a Hornet a few years ago; he very nimbly jumped in and grabbed the stick with a very practiced 'overhand' grip. He flew 10 different marks over the years - still loved a beer and had some amazing stories to tell.:

First solo: IS28B2 glider 1988, Benalla, Victoria, Oz.

[maxeemum]

Loving your action Layfar Cokov

First solo CT4 Jun 1993

Last solo AS350B ADFHS Apr 1994

Max

:ok:

[BEagle]

"1st ever:Chipmunk WP974, 14 Jun 69, ULAS White Waltham. TVM Jerry Brown!"

'twas Jerry who also sent me solo in Feb 1970. Wasn't he a character! The ULAS professional Fg Off QFI who refused to do his 'B' exam, allegedly. Later left the RAF to join BEA, I gather.

The days when 'characters' were allowed in the RAF........

[boswell bear]

First solo C152 @ Netherthorpe in June 1995
Second solo C152 A/C written off landing on the nose wheel and flipping on it's back :ok:

[Fifty North]

Auster Autocrat G-AGXP at Ipswich on the 9th August, 1964.

[Jobza Guddun]

My own insignificance:-

Oct 86 ACCGS Syerston Venture T2 XZ555
Nov 87 643VGS Scampton Viking TX1 ZE553

Remember thinking, "and this is for FREE? I'd pay to do this..."

Long live the ATC and I really should swap football for the RAFGSA to start all over again.....

Jobza

[BEagle]

First single seat solo (apart from a 3 minute trip in a Slingsby Tutor in 1968) was in the wonderful Hunter GT6:

Take a standard Hunter F Mk 6, remove the heavy 4 x 30mm Aden gun pack and the draggy ‘Sabrina’ link collectors, add a TACAN so at least you know where you are, then paint the whole thing in go-faster high gloss ‘raspberry ripple’ polyurethane paint and there you have it. During 1975, I’d finished my Gnat course and had been holding awaiting a pre-Tactical Weapons Unit Hunter course. When the course started, it was a few days’ groundschool, some simulator trips and then on to the Hunter T Mk 7, otherwise known as the ‘barge’. After the compact Gnat with its central warning system, Hobson motor pitch system and OR 946 instrumentation, the ‘barge’ was a real backward step - and it seemed as big as an airliner! But after passing the simulator check and the T7 dual rides, finally the day came on 9 Dec 75 to fly a real single seat fighter for the first time! Get kitted up in goon suit and anti-‘g’ suit, then out to the aeroplane parked on ‘Hunter beach’ at Valley. Walk round, prod, poke, squint, then up the ladder and into the cockpit. ‘Fitz’, a CFS trapper visiting 4FTS keeps a fatherly eye on proceedings from the top of the ladder as I truss myself into a maze of webbing which would satisfy the most earnest bondage fetishist. Finally it’s time to lift the gangbar and turn on the batteries. First surprise - there’s no intercom sidetone. Because, of course, there’s no-one to talk to in a single-seater, stupid! Do the checks then wave finger at the groundcrew and Press the Button. The Avpin starter works as advertised and the smell of iso-propyl-nitrate fills the air. But all is well, gennies on , radio on, IFF on, power controls on. ‘Fitz’ smiles and disappears, the ladder is removed and it’s time to call for taxy. Next surprise, it’s so much easier to taxy than the barge and before long I’m at the holding point. Take-off clearance received, it's on to RW32 and off we go. Power up, quick stir of the controls then set top left and off we go. A brief ‘da-da-da’ from the bleed valves but initial acceleration seems much like it was in the T7. But then the extra oomph of the big Avon makes itself felt and there’s an almighty roar from somewhere behind as the IAS increases rapidly. Suddenly we’re airborne - Brakes on, gear up, flaps up, gear lights out, pressurisation master on.....then at 500ft start the right turn onto 140° to intercept the 100° radial. But we’re already passing 1000 ft and going like a train! Throttle to max continuous and adjust to 370 KIAS -except we’re already doing over 400! Pitch up, nail the speed, there’s the radial, turn left breathe out. ATC ask whether I’m ever going to change to Approach! Oops, to Stud 2 then up the radial towards FL 200. At around 10 000 ft, remember to set 1013..... Finally catch up with the beast at FL 200 and check position. How can I be so far away from base already? Aim in a safe direction, think ‘OK - let’s see what she’ll do’ - set max continuous and M0.9something comes up amazingly quickly. Tweak the control column back and the altimeter goes bananas - as do ATC as I’m in the upper airspace without clearance! Then settle down to some aeros and max rate turns before aiming back at Valley for a QGH to PAR. That all goes OK, so I roll and then out go to initials for a visual run-in-and-break. Overtake a couple of Gnats, call ‘initials’, then idle power, airbrake out....70-80° angle of bank and 23° flap on the break. Roll out, airbrake in, gear down - and the controls go all stiff as the hydraulic pump can’t cope with both things together. So a bit of power and all is well. Call ‘final’, 38° flap and pitch into the final turn. Then full flap, slow down to Vat plus 10 and another nice roller. Full power - lovely loud noise - another circuit and it’s time to land. Turn off, taxy in and shut down, grinning from ear to ear. My logbook says ‘December 10 1975 Hunter F6 XF386 Self / Solo Ex RF4 0:50 First Pilot (Captain), 0:05 actual IF, QGH/PAR, 3 landings. But that hardly describes such an experience!

And what of XF386? She lived on for nearly 20 more years before being scrapped at Otterburn in 1996 after 40 years loyal service. A cruel death for such a lovely lady - I hope she’s up there in Hunter heaven......."

[PlasticCabDriver]

sorry for the late reply PCD,

It was September 92.

Ther's a fair chance we know each other then! PM inbound

[Flatus Veteranus]

17th July 1947 at RAF Chivenor in Tiger Moth RUOD of Oxford UAS.

The winter had been appalling, and I had done no flying between 1 Jan and Summer Camp - not just because of the weather, but because the CO was coaching my college crew and he seemed to value my services more on the river than in the air.

Anyway 8 hours of dual with Fg Off Ricketts, a WW2 veteran fighter pilot, saw me up for solo check with the CFI, Flt Lt Thorne (subsequently my boss on 208) and off I went. We were flying from a patch of grass between the runways. We had no radio and were controlled by Aldis lamp from the runway caravan. I was struggling manfully mit schtick und rudder trying to keep the Tigerschmidt straight on take-off when I was frightened witless by the mighty roar of three Griffons as a Vic of Spits overtook me on the runway close to starboard (Chiv was then the Spit OCU). It took me two goes to recover my composure sufficiently to plant the Tigger reasonably safely on terra firma

A few other blokes soloed that day so in the evening we piled onto motorbikes (the instructors had enough dosh to own some old bangers). Three-up was SOP and they ran on AVGAS left in the hoses when refuelling the Tiggers (petrol rationing was in force). Much scrumpy was consumed in some Exmoor pub and we returned to Chiv in very high spirits at very high speed.

It was a beautiful evening and someone suggested we take a spin in the station yacht - a rather elegant half-decked keelboat of 1930s vintage, about 18ft, kept on a mooring out in the river. We "borrowed" a dinghy, got aboard, succeeded in rigging the boat (gaff-rigged!) and cast off. No wind, no oars, but plenty of tide taking us out to sea! Hilarity dried up as it became plain that, unless someone did something, we were on our way to the Emerald Isle. After a bit of rumaging around we found a kedge and some warp and chucked it over the side. It held! Shortly after that we took the ground, and we even managed to get the "legs" rigged before she settled on her bilge. A few hours later in the cold light of dawn my mates said it really had been a splendid evening but it was time to pack it in, and would I mind the boat while they walked ashore across the sandbanks? A rhetorical question. By the time I got the boat back on her mooring it was a fine summer's morning, and as I grounded the dinghy, who should be waiting to greet me? You guessed right - the stationmaster. Later in his office I did my first serious "Axminster Shuffle"!

Salad days. Chiv was always my favourite station, although I never managed to get posted there. In the early 60s I took Edinburgh UAS there for summer camp. Idyllic.

[funflier44]

23 Sep 65 Chipmunk WB567 South Cerney
24 Nov 65 JP3 XM358 Elvington

[Praesta]

April 23rd 1983
RAF Syerston
Venture 2 ZA655

Cheers JRR where ever you are!

[Pandalet]

...in the next few weeks, in an R22, if all goes well :ooh:

Sorry, couldn't resist!

[airborne_artist]

Pandalet - Even ladies can't celebrate a first solo before it happens!

[boswell bear]

Pandalet - Even ladies can't celebrate a first solo before it happens!


I would have thought most would have gone solo before going dual :ok:

[Pandalet]

:O :O :O

What, no 'autopilot' comments? ;)

Rest assured, I'm not celebrating yet - I'm far too busy stressing about being able to land afterwards!

[Airbedane]

I like your description of the Hunter solo, Beags - was there myself the year before.

For me the two that stand out the most are:

First solo: 2 Aug 67 - Cessna 150A G-ARSB, Cumberland and Westmoreland Flying Club, Carlisle (Flying Scholarship).

First solo Spitfire: 2 Aug 89 - Spitfire Mk XIV G-ALGT, Rolls-Royce Filton, Bristol.

It was a long 22 years to the day between them!

[jayteeto]

Powered flying: Chipmunk, Swinderby 1987, Dennis Winterbottom instructing
JP5, Barkston Heath 1988, Pethers, (PS Thanks, I would not have sent me up that day, I would have chopped me!!) (PPS I won't mention that he couldn't get strapped in on the way back to Cranwell)
Gazelle, Tern Hill 1988, Keith McGuire, (I joined for the wrong runway)
Wessex, Trying to forget that one!!
Puma, Odiham 1989, Billy The Kid. (same deal as above, I would have chopped me)
How I made it through training is amazing, I was spectacularly appalling all the way......:ok:

[LOMCEVAK]

First solo, Slingsby T31, Swansea Airport, Easter 1972.

I think that some of my most interesting first solos on type have been in single seaters or single pilot aircraft when there was no twin sticker. But more interesting still were ones where:

a. I had absolutely no briefing at all other than "It's over there, have fun". This was a Pathfinder 3-axis microlight in the days before they had to be registered and pilots had to be licensed. Great fun - we flew a pair of them in formation around Honington on a Sunday afternoon chasing rabbits, pulling up over the barbed wire coils and fire extinguishers that had been left on the edge of the pan. All I was told, after asking for a briefing, was that everything happened at 45 mph.

b. An owner asked me if I would ferry his Helio-Courier from Bournemouth to North Weald. I had read a lot about them in CIA ops in SE Asia, but had never seen one. I did not know what the aircraft actually looked like, so I had to ask the owner if he had a picture of it so that I would know which one to fly out! I did confirm that there was a Flight Manual in it to read before starting the engine.

[Kippah]

:) First solo was in Tiger Moth G-AJTW at Rochester Airport 27/Aug/1950
First Military solo wasin a Pentice 1 VS 338 AT Cranwell 16/May/1952

Remember them both vividly especially the Tiger!

[henry crun]

Kippah: you beat me with the Tiger solo, mine was in G-ADIJ at Shoreham on 2/12/50.

I was narrowly before you in the Prentice though, VR352 at Feltwell on 27/1/52.

[Bof]

Having posted my bit on page 5, I've nonchalantly browsed the subsequent posts with an inward smirk (11 jul 52) until I was somewhat deflated to see Flatus and then Kippah and Henry knock my effort for six!! Of course Flatus must have been no more than ten when he soloed and the other two hardly any older, and who wanted to fly a Tiger anyway(gnashing of teeth!). I know there are plenty of codgers flying around in their 80's, but nostalgia can give you a very "satisfied" feeling.

I too, was really taken back by Beags evocative Hunter 6 solo tale. I had forgotten about the lack of sidetone bit. 1967 with my Meteor heydays long behind me and now a confirmed truckie. I was doing a spell on Handling Sqn at Boscombe and the boss (Peter Hicks) decided that all the fixed wing guys should fly all four of the unit's fixed wing a/c. Well the Canberra was always u/s, the Anson was mastered in an afternoon and for recreation I used to tool around mostly in the Meteor 7. You must fly the Hunter he said. In the end I ran out of excuses and one of the FJ pilots was detailed to get me airborne in the beast. A quick evening with the PNs and a quiz from the FJ guy and I was elbowed into the F6 in a manner very reminicent of Beagles trip. In fact from there on it was all like Beagle's trip but no two-seater first! I had been told to expect to wobble after T/O - I didn't, my wrist was frozen to the stick!! I was also told to pull those two top left toggle switches down when I got to FL200. I did and did a few turns in manual remarking afterwards that it felt a bit like a Hastings! All good things came to an end and I landed XG164 never to fly a Hunter again. Off back to the truckie world. My .55 mins solo on 21 Jun 67 looks very lonely in the log book but at least it was 5 mins longer than Beagles! I still miss not flying it more.

[waldopepper42]

Dan Winterland,

Sorry for the late reply - only just picked up on this thread. Thought you might be interested to know that I owned a share in WK633 'till about three years ago! Had 5 great years flying her, though in the end a broken crankcase precipitated her sale. I don't think she's flying at the moment :(

WP.

[sharpend]

My first solo was in a Grasshopper in 1959! Next was a JP in 1965. Last was 4 days ago!

[the_flying_cop]

July 1990
Flying scholarship
Blackpool airport
G-BBEF piper cherokee.
Having done a few circuits, taxying back to apron. instructor Chris pipes up "just pull over here a second" a/c stops in front of the tower, instructor jumps out, as he gets out (props still runnin') shouts back "off you go, once round the block" then ran off to the tower. Early dusk, blue sky, just remember it being very quiet for 10 minutes !

[jindabyne]

Civvy - Chipmunk, Yeadon, Mar '61

Mil - JP3, Syerston, 3 Sep '62 (Master Pilot Anderson - a fearsome Scottish QFI)

[Raincheck]

Slingsby T21 (Barge) 1968 Laarbruch
Chipmunk 1973 Wallop
Bell 47 1973 Wallop
Scout 1974 Wallop
Lynx 1979 Wallop
Gazelle 1981 Shawbury
Puma 1988 Odiham
Unfortunately log books not readily at hand for exact dates but all very much remembered :D

[milanored]

First Solo was at 16 on the 27th March 1999 in a ASK 13 at East Sussex Gliding club

Although I went solo for the first time in 5 years yesterday in a Vigilant TMK1 :)

[DRP]

very nice. what were you doing in a vigilant? civvy or VGS?

[milanored]

very nice. what were you doing in a vigilant? civvy or VGS?


That will be with a VGS.

Its good as its the first step towards me becoming an instructor so I am pretty chuffed at the moment.

Especially as I could not join the RAF as a pilot due to wearing glasses. So its nice to actually say I have flown an RAF aircraft, all be it operated by a VGS. :)

[DRP]

Good stuff.
Just got my G1 2 weeks ago now so I know how you're feeling! first step on the ladder and plenty more to come. keep it up my friend, much fun to be had!

[milanored]

Good stuff.
Just got my G1 2 weeks ago now so I know how you're feeling! first step on the ladder and plenty more to come. keep it up my friend, much fun to be had!

Nice one

I cant wait to get to a G1 as then I will actually be doing what I signed up to do. Fly cadets around and build up hours and experience to eventually teach the GS sylabus.

[Saintsman]

1st solo ever, in a Highway Stubby at Curium, Cyprus 1983

1st powered solo C152 after 5 days training in Ft Worth 1993.

[FAAjon]

First solo, 2nd Sept 2005, on my 16th birthday. ASK21

[UAV689]

first glider solo 16
first power solo RAF scholarship Katana, Dundee - happy days
Then on to the Mighty UAS Machines

[rvusa]

Having dug out the logbooks---
1st solo:- 29.6.57 Tiger Moth G-ANLG. 22Gp PFA Cambridge
1st Mil solo:- 14.3.62 Provost T1 XF888. 6FTS RAF Ouston
1st jet solo:- 6.3.63 Vampire T11. XD395. 5FTS Oakington

[Mead Pusher]

My first solo was in a Cessna 152 at Bodmin in 1993 as part of a flying scholarship. I remember singing all the way downwind as no one else could hear me!

Big smile on my face on landing. :)

[rogerbucks]

30 April 1977 in C150A G-BBJW, Biggin Hill. The aircraft is still going strong, and I'm still going ! RB.

[scribbler614]

First solo was in a trusty Bulldog. Laarbruch, June 1990.
Still remember the butterflies when, during a circuits sortie, instructor suddenly told me to drop him at the tower, and hopped out.
Still remember the sheer buzz of taking off with nobody in the other seat, then turning finals to land and finding the runway was where it was meant to be, and looking the right shape!
Took me weeks to wipe the smile off my face. Thank you, the RAF:O .

[Oxeagle]

First solo was on the 15th of April 2006 in a Piper Warrior at the age of 17. Just one circuit, but it couldn't have been more perfect! Even better, when I landed the tower radiod me 'Golf Uniform Whiskey vacate runway next right, and congratulations, that was a beautiful landing'! Couldn't wipe the grin off of my face for days after that! But, i've only been solo one more time since then :(:{ :ugh:

[Shaft109]

First solo: Grob 109 ZH186-TY 30 Nov 1996, 635 VGS.

Some memories that still stand out now are:

Wardy with his head in between my legs (oo-er missus) fitting the ballast
weights - I'm a ****e sight heavier than 70kgs now!

ZH186 had a shagged starter - it sounded like an Austin Allegro on a winters' morning.

Stu P being my fire cover.

Lining up on 25 - the calm before the storm.

I remember the Vig could get a bit wallowy as it flew off if it was heavy
but this time it got to 40kts ish and lept a couple of feet off the ground before climbing a lot quicker than i was used to!!

Holding the heights and speeds perfectly without trying! Not down to inbuilt skill, but rather this paticular day the a/c was all over the fookin' place with thermals but by the time I went at 1830 it was like a mill pond.

Downwind I remember the cockpit being a lot bigger but the seats are red
and with the absence of a besuited instructor it really caught my attention -

Landing a taildragger solo ahhh yes - I can honestly say that that single landing was the best I have ever done. I rounded out and settled about an inch off the main gear, and didn't feel the bump - honest i just remember hearing the tailwheel turning.

In fact I was so taken with the landing I forgot i was still doing about 50kts and groundlooped the bastard!!!

And just remembered it was a CGS standardisation visit that day too - double bastard!!!!

Amazing when i think back all of the little details are still there.

DRP - I had a truely excellent time at 635 back in the day before the big fence and all that stuff. Does 635 have a website now? I have some "incriminating" photos to post involving wheelie chairs (not wheelchairs BTW), cat 3'd wheelie chairs and the subsequent F.O.D. PLOD.

Brilliant times.

Shaft.

p.s. Ask DQ about the rapist grass.

[DummyRun]

Anyone going to 'fess up to their 1st solo in albert, once the rest of the crew had jumped first........:ok:

[doubledolphins]

Grasshopper. College Football fields 1974 (Glider,Hop)
Kirkby Cadet at Old Sarum 1975 (Glider,Circuit)
GAT 115 (VT10) Cardiff 1977 (Powered,RN flying scholarship)

[Clockwork Mouse]

Austin Cambridge 1958 - Horsham.
DH Chipmunk WK559 7th Feb 1969 M Wallop. Thank you Bunny Austin!
Hiller 360 Raven 20 May 1969 M Wallop.
Bell 47 Sioux AH1 21 Aug 1969 M Wallop.

Awesome experience for an infantryman to take to the skies. Penned a sonnet in honour of the experience. Called it "Sonnet to Satco"

O stay thy censure, Arbiter of Flight;
Thy sanguinary Aldis hold in check.
Restrain thy wrath. Let not thy vengeful might
Descend on yonder errant Pongo’s neck.
This fish through thy unwonted waters swims
Where mud comprised his recent element.
In troglodytic toil he bruised his limbs
Who now among the clouds pursues his bent.
Should he then, in his clockwork mouse, offend
Thy laws, forgive him, for like Daedalus
He soars and celebrates confinement’s end,
Happy and heedless of thy sophistries.

Couldst thou then find it in thy heart to slight
A blind man who has just discovered light?

Sorry folks!

[Sailor Vee]

Unpowered - Kirby Cadet T Mk 3, September 1968 - 641 GS RAF OUSTON, Northumberland.

Powered - Chipmunk T10 - WD 374 Roborough - 12 November 1970.

Rotary - Hiller 12E XS 167 - Predannack (Culdrose), 3 November 1971.

[airborne_artist]

SV - I too had my first Mil solo in WD374 - eight years and a couple of weeks later.

She's in Oz in this photo:

http://us.airliners.net/photos/middle/8/8/4/0831488.jpg

[scribbler614]

Austin Cambridge 1958 - Horsham.
DH Chipmunk WK559 7th Feb 1969 M Wallop. Thank you Bunny Austin!
Hiller 360 Raven 20 May 1969 M Wallop.
Bell 47 Sioux AH1 21 Aug 1969 M Wallop.
Awesome experience for an infantryman to take to the skies. Penned a sonnet in honour of the experience. Called it "Sonnet to Satco"
O stay thy censure, Arbiter of Flight;
Thy sanguinary Aldis hold in check.
Restrain thy wrath. Let not thy vengeful might
Descend on yonder errant Pongo’s neck.
This fish through thy unwonted waters swims
Where mud comprised his recent element.
In troglodytic toil he bruised his limbs
Who now among the clouds pursues his bent.
Should he then, in his clockwork mouse, offend
Thy laws, forgive him, for like Daedalus
He soars and celebrates confinement’s end,
Happy and heedless of thy sophistries.
Couldst thou then find it in thy heart to slight
A blind man who has just discovered light?
Sorry folks!

Crikey, Clockwork Mouse. You missed your vocation!:D

[Sailor Vee]

aa, just been talking to one of our back-seaters, he was taken on air experience by Mr Legat, 17 years after the guy sent me solo, and I thought he was old in 1970!

[airborne_artist]

SV - Mr Legat took me for my FHT on 20 Nov 78.

Did you see the Tactical Questioning film at Seafield Park? One of the Roborough QFIs was in it I recall.

[deskpushinshiney@rse]

Venture powered glider thingy, June 1986, 664 VGS, RAF Bishopscourt

[622]

17th Feb 87 - Grob Viking - ACCGS, RAF Syerston.

..And still flying them !

[HappyJack260]

3 memorable first solos:

C152 at Lydd on a RN Flying Scholarship August 1980 - first solo
Chipmunk T10 WK608 at Roborough August 1981 - first solo in tailwheel type(previous day I had been flying WD374, I see).
Pitts S-2C July 2005 - first in own aircraft

Btw - Do you remember Stan the Man at Roborough, and the low-level flight past the front door of his home in the low flying area? Also, "REAL 800 feet.." and the smack on the back of the helmet, in the circuit?

[hardy jack]

SV - Mr Legat took me for my FHT on 20 Nov 78.
Did you see the Tactical Questioning film at Seafield Park? One of the Roborough QFIs was in it I recall.

TQ film was of John Firth during his Crab time, I think.

Talking of Stan the Man - how about dummy approaches to Eagle and the instant reaction to being cleared by tower to 'downwind roll' ... !

[airborne_artist]

When was Eagle moored in the Sound? ISTR that whichever carrier it was in 78 had barbed wire across the flight deck to prevent such antics!

[XL319]

1991 in a Viking glider (ZE559) with 645 VGS based at RAF Catterick (as it was then)
1995 in a Bulldog (XX531) with NUAS based at RAF Leeming

[Flap62]

Anybody else care to tell us of their fascinating first glider trips?

[Hammer Head Too]

Yup!!
Bruggen, 1980, Phoenix GC, Blanik..... great fun......good days
Flaps, your first solo is just that. No matter if it's power or gliding, it's the first time you're up there on your own
HH2

[Saxon]

Warrior, PA28 G-BNRG, July 23 1999, RAF Brize Norton Flying Club, a great bunch of lads and lasses. My first steps in my second career; now I fly for a domestic airline in Canada

Thanks Guys!

[Wild Weasel]

just had my first solo a few weeks back...

08/08/2006 on a Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II, reg no. 9V-BON, 0935hrs - 0945hrs UTC+8

[UAQ860-Frasier]

Grob 115E...sometime in the next two weeks if the weather at Leeming holds *crosses fingers and prays* :ok:

XL319....big up to the Free Northumbrian Air Force and the Mighty Tutor.

[Flap62]

Still think this should be moved to the wannabes forum.

[Hammer Head Too]

Flaps.
Military Aircrew A forum for the professionals who fly the non-civilian hardware, and the backroom boys and girls without whom nothing would leave the ground. Army, Navy and Airforces of the World, all equally welcome here.
You sound a little Animal Farmish Mate........... all pilots are equal, however...
New thread?? First Solo for chaps who are now commissioned RAF front line mates.
Sounds a little pompous don't you think?;)
HH2

[Flap62]

HH2,

You are of course absolutely right. If I do not want to read about first flights in a pile of balsa wood and fibreglass, written by a bunch of people who usually spend most of their time in front of Flight Sim and a scanner, then I shouldn't read the thread.

[Hammer Head Too]

Flaps.
Banged to rights Mate. I'm not worthy!!
PS You've not got a spy cam in my office have you?? ;) ;)
HH2

[brakedwell]

This thread started well http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/Tech%20Details/Swinderby.jpg
and then descended into boring mode.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c32/sedgwickjames/Tech%20Details/vigimotagefl_03.jpg

[wz662]

As the Air Cadet organisation and the VGS's in particular have had a big impact on this thread I'll add my own.
1st Solo 3 mins Sept 24 1972 Sedburgh XN185 RAF Sealand
1st Civilain solo (and so far the only one) 54 mins Aug 18 1978 Blanik, Nympsfield.
1st passenger (Cdt Willard) 10 mins Aug 23 1980 Sedburgh VX275 (now part of RAF Museum collection) RAF Benson.
!st Powered solo Sept 10 1980. Venture RAF Syerston.
26 years and 2000 + hours later I'm still taking Air Cadets up in the Vigilant. (God I feel old)

[Jackonicko]

First solo: LET Blanik L-13 R11, RAFGSA Bicester, aged 16, sent solo by Air Commodore Brownlow, IIRC.

First powered solo: Bulldog XX553, ULAS, RAF Abingdon, aged 18, sent solo by Geoff Baron. (Must have been broadly the same time as Onan, as I remember Dick King....)

[gooneydog]

Dec 6th 1974 Aerobat BAEP @ Denham Flaming Trying School