For the first solo experience the quickest way of all is to go on a week holiday / training course at a gliding club.
I went solo in a glider at 16 after 1 week of training and 12 winch launch's. er that's about 1 hour and 12 min of instruction. No ground school or exams to do either.
Yes a glider IS a 'real' aircraft - you crash just as hard!
And that 1st solo feeling is just as good, at 40 I can still remember every detail, and possibly it's even better - remember you can't chicken out and go round again
- it's right 1st time or not at all
