I did my first solo today!!!!

[VFR Transit]

After several circuits today on 09R (Andrewsfield) my Instructor decided to let me go for my first solo.

I really did not have time to worry or freak myself out so I started to sing a song. I called up and advised I was lining up on the runway for immediate takeoff and away I went. I was keeping a good look out; as well as keeping check on the airspeed, temperature and pressures till I reached my desired speed. I slowly pulled back and away I went with the words “oh sh*t it’s now or never”.

I was very surprised to feel the difference in performance. My climb speed and the distance needed before rotating all the way thought to the flare was improved.

My solo landing seemed to be a much better than all my landings on that lesson.

I am back on sat for another lesson and will be doing some solo circuits if the weather is good.

I am still grinning now and will do for some time.

VFR

[BORN4THESKYS]

Congratulations, you will remember your first solo forever, its something to be very proud of indeed! Now start looking forward to your cross country, I loved every minute.

Best of luck! :ok:

[Justiciar]

Congratulations VFR - a great day which you will always remember.

I don't know what you are flying but being only one up is going to make a difference (perhaps quite a big difference) to your acceleration and rate of climb, but also your rate of descent, which may explain why the landling was perhaps a little "softer" than it is when you have your instructor with you.

Good luck with the rest of the course.

[VFR Transit]

Thanks for your replies :}

I have my Nav exam next week so it has all fitted into place so far. I fly a PA28-161 warrior which tends to float a bit when it has no instructor:)

Any idea on how long till i start the Nav part of my training??

VFR

[The Flying Pram]

Well done!
I hope the weather's a bit better down your way than it is in Norfolk at the moment...
The thing I remember most about my first solo was the vastly improved rate of climb. This gave me a problem at first, as I could no longer see the tree in the distance that we used as a climb-out reference, and I found myself at circuit height during the turn onto crosswind - something I had not encountered before.
Hope the winter weather doesn't limit your flying too much, you need to keep pressing on now.

Regards.

[llanfairpg]

I was keeping a good look out; as well as keeping check on the airspeed, temperature and pressuresCongratulations --they say you always remember first solo but I cannot remember mine!

Just a comment about your statement above.

After selecting full power check for take off power, Ts and Ps but do not keep looking at them.Concentrate on keeping the aircraft straight, check (glance)airspeed rising(ASI function check)-- rotate at the correct speed etc etc,

Good luck and safe flying

PS ask your instructor what take off safety speed is and means

[VFR Transit]

Quote:
I was keeping a good look out; as well as keeping check on the airspeed, temperature and pressures
Congratulations --they say you always remember first solo but I cannot remember mine!

Just a comment about your statement above.

After selecting full power check for take off power, Ts and Ps but do not keep looking at them.Concentrate on keeping the aircraft straight, check (glance)airspeed rising(ASI function check)-- rotate at the correct speed etc etc,

Good luck and safe flying

PS ask your instructor what take off safety speed is and means


Thanks for you advice and comments

VFR

[Justiciar]

I fly a PA28-161 warrior which tends to float a bit when it has no instructor


Yes, I did a fair part of my PPL on a Warrior and the lack of weight in the right seat will make it float. This makes it all the more important to have the speed right over the hedge; too fast and you will keep flying, which may become important if you land at shorter strips :eek:

I would think navex will start quite soon. Getting you solo away from the circuit will go hand in hand with dual navigation. Part of that will be getting used to other airfields - particulary identifying them, joining overhead or downwind, respecting local noise abatement procedures etc. You are going to have an busy but imensely enjoyable few months :ok:

[VFR Transit]

Quote:
I fly a PA28-161 warrior which tends to float a bit when it has no instructor
Yes, I did a fair part of my PPL on a Warrior and the lack of weight in the right seat will make it float. This makes it all the more important to have the speed right over the hedge; too fast and you will keep flying, which may become important if you land at shorter strips :eek:

I would think navex will start quite soon. Getting you solo away from the circuit will go hand in hand with dual navigation. Part of that will be getting used to other airfields - particulary identifying them, joining overhead or downwind, respecting local noise abatement procedures etc. You are going to have an busy but imensely enjoyable few months :ok:


Just what the doctor ordered :}

NH

[llanfairpg]

After 1st solo its normal circuit consolodation
Flapless
Glide
Short Field
Xwind
This should lead to you building up to around 3 hours of solo take off and landing.

A bit early for nav yet but if you have the exam you need to study.

Your first nav ex should be a local area ex. We do transiting to and from the airfield to our entry exit points which are around 5-10 miles away form the airfield. Our xcountries always start/finish from the entry/exit points. This builds you up to your first solo rejoin then the nav starts in ernest

[AirScrew]

Well done VFR. Its a great feeling.

Dont be disappointed if the instructor gives you quite a bit more dual before going solo again.

And if your next landing seems like cr*p, dont worry either, you'll keep getting better and then have an 'off' day, as you get loaded up with more tasks.

And after a less good day, keep the faith. Its worth it....:)

[linedriva]

Congratulations VFR. I am soon to start flying the mighty B777 and can still remember my first solo as though it was yesterday. Just after I was airborne, I looked across to where the instructor used to sit and thought "Bugger, I hope I remember how to land this thing" I have never felt more free in my life. Enjoy, and keep the blue side up!:ok:

[VFR Transit]

Here are a fe pics that the wife had taken on the day :}

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/craigrichardson12/solo1.jpg
Instructor letting me loose

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/craigrichardson12/solo3.jpg
lined up runaway 09R @ EGSL

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/craigrichardson12/solo2.jpg
Up Up and away i go

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/craigrichardson12/solo5.jpg
My instructor watching my landing :bored:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/craigrichardson12/solo4.jpg
My instructor is waiting to use the camera behind his back once i shut G-JX down

When i get the picture taken by the flight school i will post it here.

VFR

[micromalc]

Well done and welcome to the club. My first solo was back in the dawning of time, but I remember it so well.

[Major Major]

Well done, great feeling isn't it.

Your mileage may vary but for me it was more dual circuits, more solo circuits, a few more, then a 20nm nav ex dual to start the nav bit proper.

I remember singing too, just as I turned base, but I'll be darned if I can remember what it was...

That feeling of, "Getting this down is up to me and no one else" will never leave me.

Well done you.

[VFR Transit]

Thanks Major Major

Here is a picture of me just after landing thanks to my instructor :}

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a176/craigrichardson12/craig.jpg

VFR

[llanfairpg]

Hoiy 'Peter Kay' have you asked your instructor what take off safety speed is yet?

[VFR Transit]

Hoiy 'Peter Kay' have you asked your instructor what take off safety speed is yet?


ha ha ha no not yet i am back the club on sat

VFR

[llanfairpg]

Do you need a manager

[VFR Transit]

What are your rates:}

VFR

[llanfairpg]

£109 per hour dual
£99 solo

[VFR Transit]

:}:}

Vfr

[llanfairpg]

Been trying to remember my first solo but cannot, I can remember solo consolodation shortly afterwards being very smug after doing the smoothest landing ever, as i lifted the flaps i realised in fact that I had not yet touched down!!! Boy did I hit the runway with a smack, stiil it cured my over confidence!

[Ken Wells]

Looks like you picked a great day for it!

[Ghostie31]

I remember mine too!! Did my solo then went and played a round of golf. Can days get much better?

[kiwi chick]

Played a round of golf? FFS what's wrong with you?!

I went solo then drank lots (and lots...) of beer.

VFR - fantastic grin! I remember having one very similar... ;)

Congratulations to you, it all gets better from here!

KC :ok:

[llanfairpg]

what about Take Off Safety Speed?

[kiwi chick]

V TOSS?

Are you teasing him?! :}

[atminimums]

I was very surprised to feel the difference in performance. My climb speed and the distance needed before rotating all the way thought to the flare was improved.

I noticed the exact same thing on my first solo circuit, and it was a great feeling climbing away without an instructor next to me. Certainly a feeling I will never forget.

Just wait until your first nav solo - thats good fun! :ok:

[vinayak]

me too me too!!! it was 6 in the morning when i solo-ed and the cessna i flew would do about 700 fpm... the instructor gets out and damn!!! the best feeling of my life! and seeing that plane get about 1000 fpm during initial climb was amazing!

there's nothing better than flying alone!! congratulation btw:ok:

[FullyFlapped]

what about Take Off Safety Speed?
Come on, then .. let's have the punchline ... :ugh:

VFR Transit, well done mate, enjoy the rest of your training !