Which "First" is the best?
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 557
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From: Up North
First time I flew an IAP to minimums and the runway appeared out of the murk, just where it was meant to be.
On the Group 'B' course as it was then, when we shut down the left engine and feathered the prop, thought it was quite surreal at the time to see the stationary blades.
While having a go in helicopter, the instructor putting it into a hover at a reasonable altitude, very bizarre 0KIAS and not moving forward, not a problem near the ground, but very strange higher up.
On the Group 'B' course as it was then, when we shut down the left engine and feathered the prop, thought it was quite surreal at the time to see the stationary blades.
While having a go in helicopter, the instructor putting it into a hover at a reasonable altitude, very bizarre 0KIAS and not moving forward, not a problem near the ground, but very strange higher up.
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 557
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From: Up North
Memorable, but not perhaps in a particularly good way;
When someone manages to turn the fuel "off" instead of "left" in a PA38, or more interestingly in a PA28.
The student moving the mixture to full lean/ICO, instead of reducing power with throttle or selecting the carb. heat on/hot.
Having your student rapidly move the controls fully forward, right to the stop on a stall recovery, totally ignoring the brief and demo.
My first EFATO, ignored all my own rules and turned-back.
My first airprox (airmiss as it was then), just going around from a PFL, to see a Tornado going straight over the top of us, followed by very choppy few seconds (but seemed like minutes) and a total inability to climb.
The first time I had an engine failure and seeing actually how much greater the rate of descent was with a windmilling prop, rather than with idle power.
On a lighter note and probably not really something to aspire to;
The first time you s**g one one of your students
When someone manages to turn the fuel "off" instead of "left" in a PA38, or more interestingly in a PA28.
The student moving the mixture to full lean/ICO, instead of reducing power with throttle or selecting the carb. heat on/hot.
Having your student rapidly move the controls fully forward, right to the stop on a stall recovery, totally ignoring the brief and demo.
My first EFATO, ignored all my own rules and turned-back.
My first airprox (airmiss as it was then), just going around from a PFL, to see a Tornado going straight over the top of us, followed by very choppy few seconds (but seemed like minutes) and a total inability to climb.
The first time I had an engine failure and seeing actually how much greater the rate of descent was with a windmilling prop, rather than with idle power.
On a lighter note and probably not really something to aspire to;
The first time you s**g one one of your students
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,366
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From: UK
Sent another first solo today, there's nothing like the look of joy on their face when they get back. The best ones are the ones who have the look of panic as you climb out, then come back so happy with themselves.
I've only had one who didn't seem bothered afterwards, just like a brick wall to talk to. Dead boring to teach.
I've only had one who didn't seem bothered afterwards, just like a brick wall to talk to. Dead boring to teach.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 928
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From: ex-DXB
1. Getting Heinz tinned spaghetti vomited 
on me and most of the cockpit by a 14 year old. Lovely 20 minute flight back..!
2. The first student that I sent solo went around - twice! (shame he wasn't at the controls of the final Concorde flight at Filton eh
)
Tower radioed across to the flight school and asked me to run over and talk him down.
Terrified and half way across the apron he thankfully landed after his third attempt. He said he felt unstable and remembered me saying that if you weren't happy then go around and have another go!
To this day, I'm still not sure that he ever was unstable but just having the time of his life
3. First circuit in a A320
on me and most of the cockpit by a 14 year old. Lovely 20 minute flight back..!2. The first student that I sent solo went around - twice! (shame he wasn't at the controls of the final Concorde flight at Filton eh
)Tower radioed across to the flight school and asked me to run over and talk him down.
Terrified and half way across the apron he thankfully landed after his third attempt. He said he felt unstable and remembered me saying that if you weren't happy then go around and have another go!
To this day, I'm still not sure that he ever was unstable but just having the time of his life
3. First circuit in a A320
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 49
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From: British Columbia / California
Being asked by LA Centre to monitor 121.5 to see if I can hear an ELT on my first solo cross country with "flight following".
Hopefully the reminder that this is a risky business that requires complete concentration and dedication from the night before until the final landing will stick with me forever. I never want to be complacent.
Hopefully the reminder that this is a risky business that requires complete concentration and dedication from the night before until the final landing will stick with me forever. I never want to be complacent.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 805
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From: U.K.
Well, first solo itself and then the first time I sent one goes without saying, but many years ago, during my teaching days, I was sitting in our staffroom on a frosty November morning and was one of the first to arrive. A colleague not aware of my normal weekend activities arrived and while we waited for the first mug of tea to have the desired warming effect, a conversation started: "Are you watching that programme "Fighter Pilot"
"No, not really, but I saw the trailer - sending a first solo wasn't it?"
"Oh I watched every second of it - the responsibility of sending someone to fly an aeroplane on their own for the first time ...e.t.c. e.t.c."
"Erm... yes I suppose so - I sent two last Saturday morning!" I said as I left the room to get ready for my first (Physics) lesson of the day.
P.P.
"No, not really, but I saw the trailer - sending a first solo wasn't it?"
"Oh I watched every second of it - the responsibility of sending someone to fly an aeroplane on their own for the first time ...e.t.c. e.t.c."
"Erm... yes I suppose so - I sent two last Saturday morning!" I said as I left the room to get ready for my first (Physics) lesson of the day.
P.P.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 18
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From: U.S.
My first solo sticks in my mind, and having tower yell at me for being above pattern altitude, cause I was busy watching the FedEx 727 land. (Gotta know where that wake turbulence ends right!?)
Then like 2 semesters later I remember driving away from the airport thinking about my crazy life. My 8:00 class was my flight lab then I had a 10:30 French class, that kinda made me giggle all semester.
I still think my first student's solo is the most memorable. I did then and had up until I read this thread stand on the ramp and watch. I kinda like the idea of going inside where it's warm, cause like you said, "ain't bugger you can do anyways." Never thought about that one!
Then like 2 semesters later I remember driving away from the airport thinking about my crazy life. My 8:00 class was my flight lab then I had a 10:30 French class, that kinda made me giggle all semester.
I still think my first student's solo is the most memorable. I did then and had up until I read this thread stand on the ramp and watch. I kinda like the idea of going inside where it's warm, cause like you said, "ain't bugger you can do anyways." Never thought about that one!
