16.5 hours to 1st solo, I felt I was ready at about 13.
As an instructor I havent had many (if any)students solo in much less than 10-11 hours. Of course it does depend on how often you fly and many other factors like weather, number of instructors you fly with, how busy the airfield is.. its easier to solo at a quiet grass airstrip than it is at somewhere very very busy
I really dont see it as a race, or a competition in any way. I'd rather the student was safe and very competent at dealing with any potential problem that might arise.
If it was purely an exercise in getting the aircraft off the ground, round the circuit and back onto the ground again then it could be done very very quickly indeed.. but it wouldnt be sensible, safe or beneficial to anyone!
Cessnababe... its a shame you had the displeasure of flying with an arrogant 400 hour 24yr old instructor!!
Gives the rest of us 24 yr old 500 hour instructors a bad name!!!
Last edited by Loony_Pilot; 30th Sep 2002 at 17:26.