First Solo's...when was yours and what in?
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Swinderby, 1985, Chipmunk. A chap called Roger Cooper couldn't get 3 in a row from me, but on the 18th circuit, gave me the benefit of the doubt. One of the many aviation 'highs' I've experienced followed that - happened in a blink of an eye. And to top it all, following Spin Aeros (trip 35), I was so good, I was specially selected to be a Nav. Got 10hrs on my own by then though!!!
First solo Percival Provost OT492. March 2nd 1956. High Ercall, Shropshire.Not one of my best arrivals!
First Jet solo Vampire T.11 XH274. Nov 16th 1956. Swinderby, Lincs
First Jet solo Vampire T.11 XH274. Nov 16th 1956. Swinderby, Lincs
Last edited by brakedwell; 21st Mar 2006 at 16:38.
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solo what a distant memory
Mine was in the good old faithful Vigilant many years ago at a place where i am sure not many people have been solo. Ballykelly in the Northwest of Northern Ireland. It is still a Army base at the moment but the RAF i think still have a small detachment up there for the odd puma that pops in. Oh yes my collegue ACW349 is the only other who i know went solo there before he starts braggin about it too.
But never rembering the 1st solo, what about the chance of going solo again , its a rareity in this organisation where we as instructors go solo without someone being there with us. Even now with a ATPL still no sniff of being by myself. Oh well i could of course pay money and hire a spam cam but wheres the joy in that. Someone send me solo, just for a change.
Safe flying
But never rembering the 1st solo, what about the chance of going solo again , its a rareity in this organisation where we as instructors go solo without someone being there with us. Even now with a ATPL still no sniff of being by myself. Oh well i could of course pay money and hire a spam cam but wheres the joy in that. Someone send me solo, just for a change.
Safe flying
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1st Solo Glider T31 at RAF Sealand 1 Apr '61 XA311
1st Solo power Auster Sywell 23 Apr '62 G-AJRB ATC Flying Scholarship
1st Solo Mil Jet Provost Mk3 Wymeswold 22 Mar '63 XM386
Never noticed before that I first soloed on 1st April. Should have taken the hint.
ACW
1st Solo power Auster Sywell 23 Apr '62 G-AJRB ATC Flying Scholarship
1st Solo Mil Jet Provost Mk3 Wymeswold 22 Mar '63 XM386
Never noticed before that I first soloed on 1st April. Should have taken the hint.
ACW
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First solo 31st July 1954, CCF Flying Scholarship at Southend, Tiger Moth; clearest recollection ~ just like all the books say the vacant seat in front made for a much better view.
After the Provost/Vampire courses, another significant first solo was two years later in the Hunter F1 at Pembrey; no preceding dual (no T7 yet).Can't remember much of it, the aeroplane was a bit quick after the Vampire, but the flight was the best 20th birthday present I got by a long way.
After the Provost/Vampire courses, another significant first solo was two years later in the Hunter F1 at Pembrey; no preceding dual (no T7 yet).Can't remember much of it, the aeroplane was a bit quick after the Vampire, but the flight was the best 20th birthday present I got by a long way.
Last edited by NutherA2; 16th Mar 2006 at 07:19.
1985 Venture Glider at Swanton Morley....aged 15 (got my date of birth wrong on the Air Cadet application, honest gov)
1987 C152 at Anglia Flight Training at Norwich - Flying Scholarship
1989 JP5A at Barkston Heath - scary moment - the Bloodhound Missiles followed me around the circuit!
1990 Gazelle at Strawberry
1992 Chippie at 5 AEF
2000 Tutor at 5 AEF
2006 Squirrel at Strawberry - very weird feeling doing engine offs on your own!
1987 C152 at Anglia Flight Training at Norwich - Flying Scholarship
1989 JP5A at Barkston Heath - scary moment - the Bloodhound Missiles followed me around the circuit!
1990 Gazelle at Strawberry
1992 Chippie at 5 AEF
2000 Tutor at 5 AEF
2006 Squirrel at Strawberry - very weird feeling doing engine offs on your own!
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First solo in anything, was 2 years ago aged 16 and 15 days in a viking glider down at ACCGS Syerston!
First "real" solo (sorry to all the glider fans) lol was in a grob 115d2 "heron" (civvy version of the tutor) at Dundee airport with Tayside aviation on my 17th birthday, was a birthday i will never forget!
First "real" solo (sorry to all the glider fans) lol was in a grob 115d2 "heron" (civvy version of the tutor) at Dundee airport with Tayside aviation on my 17th birthday, was a birthday i will never forget!
1st gliding solo - Sedbergh with 631 GS, RAF Sealand 1966.
1st solo piston - Chipmunk T10 with PFS, RAF Church Fenton, April 1969.
1st jet solo - JP Mk3 with 1FTS, RAF Elvington, July 1969.
1st multi solo - Varsity T1 with 5FTS, RAF Oakington, August 1970.
1st solo piston - Chipmunk T10 with PFS, RAF Church Fenton, April 1969.
1st jet solo - JP Mk3 with 1FTS, RAF Elvington, July 1969.
1st multi solo - Varsity T1 with 5FTS, RAF Oakington, August 1970.
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Summer 1987 - C-152 on Flying Scholarship at Cambridge.....trundled off without clearance towards Skyvan-type thing on main runway....fortunately stopped in time...turn around and try again Bloggs!
JP5 - 1990 - Cranwell...fortunately slightly less traumatic (though probably not for QFI watching me!)
Jetstream - 1991 - Finningley....oh look, you can get Radio 1 on this thing...negative g anyone?
JP5 - 1990 - Cranwell...fortunately slightly less traumatic (though probably not for QFI watching me!)
Jetstream - 1991 - Finningley....oh look, you can get Radio 1 on this thing...negative g anyone?
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Originally Posted by Antelope
Viking glider with the ATC aged 16 at what used to be Catterick (I think it's called Marne Barracks and belongs to the Army now who appear to have built all manner of things on the airfield / runway).
Ant
Ant
1st Mil Solo: Chippie, Swinderby 1992. Fantastic flight bar the ending. Bounced slightly (lots) on landing which would have been no big deal had there not ben a passing out parade going on at the time. We were forced to fly through most of the parade due to having to play catch up after a week of typically Lincoln style fog/rain!
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Never hacked landing a Tiger Moth at FTS Wittering, 1949; luckily selected for The Towers, so finally managed in a Prentice at Digby, 20 Jan 50. Have managed in a Tiger since!
Would love to say that my final solo was in Spitfire MkII, delivery from Bovingdon to Coltishall, via Cranwell, 5 Apr 68, but did fly Pitts and things since!
Sympathise with acw350 regarding ATPL and flying solo; final flight in charge of anything, Falcon 20, Edinburgh to LHR, 5 Dec 89.
Sorry about all that, came over all nostalgic!
Would love to say that my final solo was in Spitfire MkII, delivery from Bovingdon to Coltishall, via Cranwell, 5 Apr 68, but did fly Pitts and things since!
Sympathise with acw350 regarding ATPL and flying solo; final flight in charge of anything, Falcon 20, Edinburgh to LHR, 5 Dec 89.
Sorry about all that, came over all nostalgic!
Red On, Green On
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16 April 1985 in CT4A 043 at RAAF (not now though ) Point Cook.
Hey, that's 21 years ago to the day!!!
Hey, that's 21 years ago to the day!!!
