First solo.
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Nothing too exotic, just an old T21’barge’ at Bicester in mid 60’s. First of three trips was good. Cable break on second one but high enough to complete a circuit. Completed a wobbly 360 turn on third one. Was given a trip with the late WO Andy Geoff in a Blanik and introduced to aerobatics!
Intended to carry on gliding in Malaysia, (Ipoh) but was told that the woodworm had to hold hands on take-off! Didn’t bother.
Intended to carry on gliding in Malaysia, (Ipoh) but was told that the woodworm had to hold hands on take-off! Didn’t bother.
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Glider - 18 Aug 61, No. 1 Gliding Centre, RAF Hawkinge. Kirby Cadet 3, (XA?)251. Three launches for 7m total time and A/B Certificate: i recall flying downwind quite quickly!
Fixed wing - 29 Jul 62, Oxford Aeroplane Club, Kidlington. Piper Colt G-ARKN. Time to solo 5h35m. Group A PPL #62833 awarded 22 Aug 62.
Neither Licence ever used again!!
Fixed wing - 29 Jul 62, Oxford Aeroplane Club, Kidlington. Piper Colt G-ARKN. Time to solo 5h35m. Group A PPL #62833 awarded 22 Aug 62.
Neither Licence ever used again!!
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First solo in a T31 like so many others on here. I was the first ab-initio in a new club to go solo so it was a historic event. Don't remember much about it except the briefing "You'll get a higher launch, so use up the height practising your turns!" We had great ex-ATC instructors, wonderful teachers.
The one I DO remember was my first solo in a glider with a canopy - the club Olympia2b. Claustrophobia big time. I was used to feeling the wind in my face. I had over 50 launches in my log book (in the Tutor) by then so not really a big deal. That was another first for that club. I was scared I'd break the Oly which only the instructors had flown up till then.
When I became an instructor I always used that briefing for a first solo, Must have sent well over 200 folk solo in my time.
The one I DO remember was my first solo in a glider with a canopy - the club Olympia2b. Claustrophobia big time. I was used to feeling the wind in my face. I had over 50 launches in my log book (in the Tutor) by then so not really a big deal. That was another first for that club. I was scared I'd break the Oly which only the instructors had flown up till then.
When I became an instructor I always used that briefing for a first solo, Must have sent well over 200 folk solo in my time.
Mk III, 7 May 1977, 618GS West Malling..after pulling the yellow ball at 1300ft, thinking..." I had better get those 270 degree turns right!"
Then later that day, 4 of us newly solo'd cadets drinking an lllegal pint of Carlsberg down town!
Then later that day, 4 of us newly solo'd cadets drinking an lllegal pint of Carlsberg down town!
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Gliding: 26 Jun 66, RAF Ouston (641 VGS), Kirkby Cadet Mk 3, Instructor Fg Off (?) Kelly, 3 launches, total 8 mins.
Flying Scholarship: Carlisle Airport, Cessna 172 G-ASFA, Instructor Capt White, 10 mins
RAF: 10 Nov 71, RAF Dishforth (3FTS RAF Leeming), Jet Provost Mk 3, Instructor Fg Off Paul Rickard, 5 mins
Flying Scholarship: Carlisle Airport, Cessna 172 G-ASFA, Instructor Capt White, 10 mins
RAF: 10 Nov 71, RAF Dishforth (3FTS RAF Leeming), Jet Provost Mk 3, Instructor Fg Off Paul Rickard, 5 mins
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_rises from slumber_
Chipmunk. EFTS. @Swinderby. 92ish? Primary QFI a splendid chap but indulged in the pies in his truckie days and was a bit of a unit. He pops out at the tower, I tootle off and am left about 30 seconds behind the aircraft (not for the last time) due to the unexpected "rocket ship" performance the chippy now displayed.
Still the most memorable first solo - even trumped the one where there were no back seat checks to worry about.
_returns to sleep_
Chipmunk. EFTS. @Swinderby. 92ish? Primary QFI a splendid chap but indulged in the pies in his truckie days and was a bit of a unit. He pops out at the tower, I tootle off and am left about 30 seconds behind the aircraft (not for the last time) due to the unexpected "rocket ship" performance the chippy now displayed.
Still the most memorable first solo - even trumped the one where there were no back seat checks to worry about.
_returns to sleep_
Not me but -11 May 2011 watching my youngest in a Jabiru 230 perform 3 touch and goes before deciding the instructor might want the aircraft back. 
More memorable for me than my own back in 1976.
He followed up with his first Service solo in a CT4. He decided to keep the speed up in blustery conditions and made it a flapless landing. Copped a bollocking because they hadn't got to flapless landings in the course syllabus at that stage. Duxed the course.
More memorable for me than my own back in 1976.He followed up with his first Service solo in a CT4. He decided to keep the speed up in blustery conditions and made it a flapless landing. Copped a bollocking because they hadn't got to flapless landings in the course syllabus at that stage. Duxed the course.
First glider solo T-31 at HCGIS, Detling in 1952, instructors F/O Meddings and the great Derek Piggott. Then with a Flying Scholarship in a Magister at Redhill, April 24th, 1953, instructors Chinn and Sproxton, followed by a move to Croydon and conversion to Tiger Moths, with PPL issued Aug. 1954.
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Venture T2 RAF ACCGS Syerston October 1981. Flt Lt Tapson...................
Great fun, game changer, life changer......................alongside the ghosts of the LFS
Solo in an aeroplane before I could drive a car.
Arc
Great fun, game changer, life changer......................alongside the ghosts of the LFS
Solo in an aeroplane before I could drive a car.
Arc
Having flown gliders as a boy, I actually don't recall my first powered solo, which was in a JP3. In fact I don't recall many first solos. But one that does stick in my mind was in a Hawker Hunter FGA 9. Though I had flown a Jaguar solo by then and thus was not expecting much, I do recall selecting full power on the Hunter's single Avon engine, and then being surprised by the acceleration. So much so that for a moment during the take-off roll, I actually throttle back a tad. How mad is that?
Last edited by sharpend; 7th Jun 2020 at 16:02.
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The name Flt Lt D Tapson appears in my F3822 several times from 626GS, St Eval. This included a solo check and solos in a T31 on 22 April 1962.
I wonder if it was the same Flt Tapson.
WV482 - 2nd March 1956 - Piston Provost first solo - 20 minutes at RAF High Ercall Shropshire, the satellite airfield for RAF Ternhill. I still remember it well, not my best landing, but very satisfying for an eighteen year old learner and safe enough after exactly 10 hours dual.
My instructor had been on Spitfires during the war and was the son of a local farmer from Wem, Shropshire. He was also officer in charge of the station pig farm and sometimes flew in wellies that stank of pigs! During the course we would check the fencing etc on his farm at Wem on dual sorties.
WF795 - 16 August 1958 - Meteor VII first solo at RAF Nicosia when a Hastings second pilot.. No dual at all, only 3 rides in the back of a 216 Sqn T7 at Lyneham with a 216 Sqn second pilot where I got no poling at all! Then I got to play with the Levant Com Sqn Meteor VIII's!
Happy days that seem a long time ago now.
My instructor had been on Spitfires during the war and was the son of a local farmer from Wem, Shropshire. He was also officer in charge of the station pig farm and sometimes flew in wellies that stank of pigs! During the course we would check the fencing etc on his farm at Wem on dual sorties.
WF795 - 16 August 1958 - Meteor VII first solo at RAF Nicosia when a Hastings second pilot.. No dual at all, only 3 rides in the back of a 216 Sqn T7 at Lyneham with a 216 Sqn second pilot where I got no poling at all! Then I got to play with the Levant Com Sqn Meteor VIII's!
Happy days that seem a long time ago now.
Last edited by brakedwell; 6th Jun 2020 at 11:05.