First Solo's...when was yours and what in?
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Originally Posted by DRP
very nice. what were you doing in a vigilant? civvy or VGS?
That will be with a VGS.
Its good as its the first step towards me becoming an instructor so I am pretty chuffed at the moment.
Especially as I could not join the RAF as a pilot due to wearing glasses. So its nice to actually say I have flown an RAF aircraft, all be it operated by a VGS.
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Originally Posted by DRP
Good stuff.
Just got my G1 2 weeks ago now so I know how you're feeling! first step on the ladder and plenty more to come. keep it up my friend, much fun to be had!
Just got my G1 2 weeks ago now so I know how you're feeling! first step on the ladder and plenty more to come. keep it up my friend, much fun to be had!
I cant wait to get to a G1 as then I will actually be doing what I signed up to do. Fly cadets around and build up hours and experience to eventually teach the GS sylabus.
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Having dug out the logbooks---
1st solo:- 29.6.57 Tiger Moth G-ANLG. 22Gp PFA Cambridge
1st Mil solo:- 14.3.62 Provost T1 XF888. 6FTS RAF Ouston
1st jet solo:- 6.3.63 Vampire T11. XD395. 5FTS Oakington
1st solo:- 29.6.57 Tiger Moth G-ANLG. 22Gp PFA Cambridge
1st Mil solo:- 14.3.62 Provost T1 XF888. 6FTS RAF Ouston
1st jet solo:- 6.3.63 Vampire T11. XD395. 5FTS Oakington
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My first solo was in a Cessna 152 at Bodmin in 1993 as part of a flying scholarship. I remember singing all the way downwind as no one else could hear me!
Big smile on my face on landing.
Big smile on my face on landing.
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First solo was in a trusty Bulldog. Laarbruch, June 1990.
Still remember the butterflies when, during a circuits sortie, instructor suddenly told me to drop him at the tower, and hopped out.
Still remember the sheer buzz of taking off with nobody in the other seat, then turning finals to land and finding the runway was where it was meant to be, and looking the right shape!
Took me weeks to wipe the smile off my face. Thank you, the RAF
.
Still remember the butterflies when, during a circuits sortie, instructor suddenly told me to drop him at the tower, and hopped out.
Still remember the sheer buzz of taking off with nobody in the other seat, then turning finals to land and finding the runway was where it was meant to be, and looking the right shape!
Took me weeks to wipe the smile off my face. Thank you, the RAF
.
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First solo was on the 15th of April 2006 in a Piper Warrior at the age of 17. Just one circuit, but it couldn't have been more perfect! Even better, when I landed the tower radiod me 'Golf Uniform Whiskey vacate runway next right, and congratulations, that was a beautiful landing'! Couldn't wipe the grin off of my face for days after that! But, i've only been solo one more time since then 
Sweet 16
First solo: Grob 109 ZH186-TY 30 Nov 1996, 635 VGS.
Some memories that still stand out now are:
Wardy with his head in between my legs (oo-er missus) fitting the ballast
weights - I'm a ****e sight heavier than 70kgs now!
ZH186 had a shagged starter - it sounded like an Austin Allegro on a winters' morning.
Stu P being my fire cover.
Lining up on 25 - the calm before the storm.
I remember the Vig could get a bit wallowy as it flew off if it was heavy
but this time it got to 40kts ish and lept a couple of feet off the ground before climbing a lot quicker than i was used to!!
Holding the heights and speeds perfectly without trying! Not down to inbuilt skill, but rather this paticular day the a/c was all over the fookin' place with thermals but by the time I went at 1830 it was like a mill pond.
Downwind I remember the cockpit being a lot bigger but the seats are red
and with the absence of a besuited instructor it really caught my attention -
Landing a taildragger solo ahhh yes - I can honestly say that that single landing was the best I have ever done. I rounded out and settled about an inch off the main gear, and didn't feel the bump - honest i just remember hearing the tailwheel turning.
In fact I was so taken with the landing I forgot i was still doing about 50kts and groundlooped the bastard!!!
And just remembered it was a CGS standardisation visit that day too - double bastard!!!!
Amazing when i think back all of the little details are still there.
DRP - I had a truely excellent time at 635 back in the day before the big fence and all that stuff. Does 635 have a website now? I have some "incriminating" photos to post involving wheelie chairs (not wheelchairs BTW), cat 3'd wheelie chairs and the subsequent F.O.D. PLOD.
Brilliant times.
Shaft.
p.s. Ask DQ about the rapist grass.
Some memories that still stand out now are:
Wardy with his head in between my legs (oo-er missus) fitting the ballast
weights - I'm a ****e sight heavier than 70kgs now!
ZH186 had a shagged starter - it sounded like an Austin Allegro on a winters' morning.
Stu P being my fire cover.
Lining up on 25 - the calm before the storm.
I remember the Vig could get a bit wallowy as it flew off if it was heavy
but this time it got to 40kts ish and lept a couple of feet off the ground before climbing a lot quicker than i was used to!!
Holding the heights and speeds perfectly without trying! Not down to inbuilt skill, but rather this paticular day the a/c was all over the fookin' place with thermals but by the time I went at 1830 it was like a mill pond.
Downwind I remember the cockpit being a lot bigger but the seats are red
and with the absence of a besuited instructor it really caught my attention -
Landing a taildragger solo ahhh yes - I can honestly say that that single landing was the best I have ever done. I rounded out and settled about an inch off the main gear, and didn't feel the bump - honest i just remember hearing the tailwheel turning.
In fact I was so taken with the landing I forgot i was still doing about 50kts and groundlooped the bastard!!!
And just remembered it was a CGS standardisation visit that day too - double bastard!!!!
Amazing when i think back all of the little details are still there.
DRP - I had a truely excellent time at 635 back in the day before the big fence and all that stuff. Does 635 have a website now? I have some "incriminating" photos to post involving wheelie chairs (not wheelchairs BTW), cat 3'd wheelie chairs and the subsequent F.O.D. PLOD.
Brilliant times.
Shaft.
p.s. Ask DQ about the rapist grass.
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First solos
Austin Cambridge 1958 - Horsham.
DH Chipmunk WK559 7th Feb 1969 M Wallop. Thank you Bunny Austin!
Hiller 360 Raven 20 May 1969 M Wallop.
Bell 47 Sioux AH1 21 Aug 1969 M Wallop.
Awesome experience for an infantryman to take to the skies. Penned a sonnet in honour of the experience. Called it "Sonnet to Satco"
O stay thy censure, Arbiter of Flight;
Thy sanguinary Aldis hold in check.
Restrain thy wrath. Let not thy vengeful might
Descend on yonder errant Pongo’s neck.
This fish through thy unwonted waters swims
Where mud comprised his recent element.
In troglodytic toil he bruised his limbs
Who now among the clouds pursues his bent.
Should he then, in his clockwork mouse, offend
Thy laws, forgive him, for like Daedalus
He soars and celebrates confinement’s end,
Happy and heedless of thy sophistries.
Couldst thou then find it in thy heart to slight
A blind man who has just discovered light?
Sorry folks!
DH Chipmunk WK559 7th Feb 1969 M Wallop. Thank you Bunny Austin!
Hiller 360 Raven 20 May 1969 M Wallop.
Bell 47 Sioux AH1 21 Aug 1969 M Wallop.
Awesome experience for an infantryman to take to the skies. Penned a sonnet in honour of the experience. Called it "Sonnet to Satco"
O stay thy censure, Arbiter of Flight;
Thy sanguinary Aldis hold in check.
Restrain thy wrath. Let not thy vengeful might
Descend on yonder errant Pongo’s neck.
This fish through thy unwonted waters swims
Where mud comprised his recent element.
In troglodytic toil he bruised his limbs
Who now among the clouds pursues his bent.
Should he then, in his clockwork mouse, offend
Thy laws, forgive him, for like Daedalus
He soars and celebrates confinement’s end,
Happy and heedless of thy sophistries.
Couldst thou then find it in thy heart to slight
A blind man who has just discovered light?
Sorry folks!
That's Life!!
Join Date: Feb 2004
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Unpowered - Kirby Cadet T Mk 3, September 1968 - 641 GS RAF OUSTON, Northumberland.
Powered - Chipmunk T10 - WD 374 Roborough - 12 November 1970.
Rotary - Hiller 12E XS 167 - Predannack (Culdrose), 3 November 1971.
Powered - Chipmunk T10 - WD 374 Roborough - 12 November 1970.
Rotary - Hiller 12E XS 167 - Predannack (Culdrose), 3 November 1971.
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Originally Posted by Clockwork Mouse
Austin Cambridge 1958 - Horsham.
DH Chipmunk WK559 7th Feb 1969 M Wallop. Thank you Bunny Austin!
Hiller 360 Raven 20 May 1969 M Wallop.
Bell 47 Sioux AH1 21 Aug 1969 M Wallop.
Awesome experience for an infantryman to take to the skies. Penned a sonnet in honour of the experience. Called it "Sonnet to Satco"
O stay thy censure, Arbiter of Flight;
Thy sanguinary Aldis hold in check.
Restrain thy wrath. Let not thy vengeful might
Descend on yonder errant Pongo’s neck.
This fish through thy unwonted waters swims
Where mud comprised his recent element.
In troglodytic toil he bruised his limbs
Who now among the clouds pursues his bent.
Should he then, in his clockwork mouse, offend
Thy laws, forgive him, for like Daedalus
He soars and celebrates confinement’s end,
Happy and heedless of thy sophistries.
Couldst thou then find it in thy heart to slight
A blind man who has just discovered light?
Sorry folks!
DH Chipmunk WK559 7th Feb 1969 M Wallop. Thank you Bunny Austin!
Hiller 360 Raven 20 May 1969 M Wallop.
Bell 47 Sioux AH1 21 Aug 1969 M Wallop.
Awesome experience for an infantryman to take to the skies. Penned a sonnet in honour of the experience. Called it "Sonnet to Satco"
O stay thy censure, Arbiter of Flight;
Thy sanguinary Aldis hold in check.
Restrain thy wrath. Let not thy vengeful might
Descend on yonder errant Pongo’s neck.
This fish through thy unwonted waters swims
Where mud comprised his recent element.
In troglodytic toil he bruised his limbs
Who now among the clouds pursues his bent.
Should he then, in his clockwork mouse, offend
Thy laws, forgive him, for like Daedalus
He soars and celebrates confinement’s end,
Happy and heedless of thy sophistries.
Couldst thou then find it in thy heart to slight
A blind man who has just discovered light?
Sorry folks!
That's Life!!
Join Date: Feb 2004
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aa, just been talking to one of our back-seaters, he was taken on air experience by Mr Legat, 17 years after the guy sent me solo, and I thought he was old in 1970!