First Solo

[Aussie Bob]

Today I sent an 83 year old man on his first solo. He began learning to fly at 82. I am sure he is not the oldest first solo student but he must be close. Anyone done anyone older?

Congratulations Ted, been fun learning with you ...

[Pinky the pilot]

Well done that Man! Another item off the 'to do' list.:ok:

[deadcut]

Do you know if he is going up north for the next dry season or?

[Homesick-Angel]

Awesome! He might make command at qantas by 100...

[Lookleft]

Well done to Aussie Bob for getting him to the solo stage! Not always easy even with students half this blokes age.

[truthinbeer]

A nice bright story in an otherwise dull day. Well done both of you!

[Left_Pedal]

That's an epic effort!! Did you guys get any photos or anything like that?

[Jabawocky]

Onya Bob :ok: :D Must be a satisfying day indeed. I hope that ratbag ATC dude was his ever helpful self!

I hope you are teaching him the right theory ;) :E


For a minute there I thought you had finally taken your first solo. Be sure to let us know when that great day is will ya :}

[VH DSJ]

Nice job Aussie Bob. Out of interest, how many hours dual before his first solo?

[Pinky the pilot]

Awesome! He might make command at qantas by 100...


Hmmm. And there was an article in the Weekend Australian where a Medico of some description (didn't pay much attention to the article unfortunately.:O) stated that it is quite possible that within a few short years there will be a breakthrough in the treatment for ageing, and that lifespans of 150 years plus may then be quite possible!:ooh:

Now I 'aint sayin' it's so but....:}

Many a true word has been spoken in jest!:uhoh::hmm:

[Aussie Bob]

For a minute there I thought you had finally taken your first solo. Be sure to let us know when that great day is will ya

That will be the day you cut me loose for a beat up in your Retard Vehicle ...

Nice job Aussie Bob. Out of interest, how many hours dual before his first solo?

Quite a few, this bloke drives a round trip of over 250 kilometers once per week for a flying lesson and has done for the past year. He couldn't care less if he never gets his licence either. I guess it beats a day at the bowls club hands down. Sometimes one of the other instructors just takes him for a burn somewhere so the hours aren't a true reflection. Got to love him and a great story, but it was spur of the moment so no press dudes to get it wrong and no piccy in the paper.

[Kregster]

Proof the desire never ends!

[junior.VH-LFA]

I shared this around the office today.

Something truly inspiring Aussie Bob. Kregster you said it better than anyone, the desire never dies.

[TBM-Legend]

:D:D:D:D:D

[Stationair8]

Well done to the old bloke, beats sitting around at the old folks home!

Now Ozzie Bob before you sent him solo you made sure that he was wearing his hi vis vest, ASIC card, read the airport safety manual etc!

[Nibbles2310]

Well done to the both of you. He's not the only bloke his age to be doing that, I know another old guy (early 80s rings a bell) who's wife used to drive him down once a week for his flying lesson.

His wife mentioned that it was the only thing he'd remember week to week. Sadly the instructor has moved on now and he's no longer having his lessons.

[Pinky the pilot]

Sadly the instructor has moved on now and he's no longer having his lessons.


Why does that really upset me?:sad::sad:

And yes, it does!:ugh:

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

I just got an 80yo through his initial CIR.:}

[Lancair70]

He's not the only bloke his age to be doing that, I know another old guy (early 80s rings a bell) who's wife used to drive him down once a week for his flying lesson.

His wife mentioned that it was the only thing he'd remember week to week. Sadly the instructor has moved on now and he's no longer having his lessons.

Nibbles, local to me there was a regular school operation where a very senior gentleman would turn up frequently to go flying. I knew the CFI and he told me that he'd never get solo and the gent knew that, but enjoyed piloting around the local area with the CFI beside him. AFAIK that stopped a while back when the CFI left to pursue other income sources.

Great to see seniors not rotting away but still wanting to learn and experience life. I once had an 87yr old man as a one way pax, he got out with a tandem master at 10,000'. Unfortunately for him his ankle got twisted on landing and req'd an ambulance ride back to town. He was stoked with the jump and kept saying he could have twisted his ankle on a step, at least he did it from 10,000 feet.

[kellykelpie]

Well Done Aussie Bob (and to your student)! I still think of my first solo as my favorite accomplishment (after nearly 16000 hours).

Homesick-Angel Awesome! He might make command at qantas by 100...


That would be the fast track route given some 20 Year 767 Captains are doing FO training :(

[darkroomsource]

I met a woman who was in her 70's who was doing her PPL because her husband, in his 80's could no longer get a medical to fly. Her only reason to learn to fly was so that she could sit in the right seat and be the pilot in command but let him fly the plane.

They owned two aeroplanes and loved to fly, had flown together most of their lives, but she had never learned to fly.

[Judd]

Nice job Aussie Bob. Out of interest, how many hours dual before his first solo?
I notice Aussie Bob quietly side-stepped that question. But as most readers will suspect it probably took a lot of dual instruction (40 hours plus, maybe), then I bet you were relieved that he got down in one piece. :ok:

[gerry111]

Darkroomsource, I'll bet that she went solo in record time! :)

In 1983 I was learning to fly Piper Warriors at Schofields Flying Club. (Then at the long lost Schofields AD). A highly experienced 83 Year old pilot owned a C152 that was based there. My instructor always encouraged his then four young students to take turns flying with him. He was very generous fellow. All he wanted to do was practice an hour of circuits each week. Us pre solo pilots were his safety pilots. Anyway, I soon found out that he was quite happy to fly for half a hour then hand over to me. And he had sufficient confidence to allow me do the whole flight including touch and go's. (I knew that this was a little bit naughty so I never told my instructor!) So I had a fair bit of free flying. And he knew that I'd always come along flying with him! And I was more than happy to do the hand pumping for him, from fuel drums, which was the norm then. Good times indeed!

[Aussie Bob]

I notice Aussie Bob quietly side-stepped that question. But as most readers will suspect it probably took a lot of dual instruction (40 hours plus, maybe), then I bet you were relieved that he got down in one piece.

I am always ultra relieved when any first solo makes it back in one piece, also when any student makes it back safely from a solo sortie.

Now with part 61 I will be relieved when any pilot I trained gets home for the following 7 years after they get their licence! This risk will rise again when ATO's are no longer CAsA delegates:eek:

All this for a pay packet of peanuts ...