Oldest person to solo

[manuel ortiz]

Hi , I'm interested in finding out the present world record for the oldest man to have soloed a fixed wing aircraft.

TKS

[Nightrider]

as far as I recall the German actor Heinz Ruehmann was known to fly a Robin DR400 still in his mid-80s

[DrSyn]

manuel, would that be the oldest to first solo? I don't know the answer, yet, but I am now curious!

[DrSyn]

Further to my last . . . . .

With due credit to the Guinness Book of Records - and my copy is not the latest :-

Hilda Wallace of West Vancouver, BC, Canada, became the oldest person to qualify as a pilot when she obtained her licence on 15 March 1989 at the age of 80 years and 109 days. It doesn't say when she started the course, but she must be a close runner for your question!

Alternatively, Col Clarence Cornish (USA) was still flying aircraft at the age of 97. He made his first flight on 6 May 1918 and his first solo flight 21 days later. The last aircraft that he piloted was a Cessna 172, on 4 Dec 1995. It does not mention whether or not he was solo.

Finally, Fred Lasby completed a solo round-the-world flight at the age of 82 in his single-engined Piper Commanche. Leaving Ft Myers, FL, USA, on 30 June 1994, he flew 37,366 km (23218 miles) westwards, stopping 21 times, arriving back at Ft Myers on 20 Aug 1994.

There's hope for us all, yet! Any advances?

[manuel ortiz]

Thank you both , yes , first solo is what I mean DrSyn .
Very interesting info which you provided .
I have a candidate for this and don't want to say his exact age but he is over 90 and in excellent shape .
He still does't know the thing I'm cooking ;-)
Just hope he will not fly the way he drives !!

[DrSyn]

If your plan comes off, manuel, I hope we'll read about it first on PPRuNe!