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-   -   First solo. (https://www.pprune.org/military-aviation/523937-first-solo.html)

Al R 20th Sep 2013 06:39

First solo.
 
I watched this clip about Cranwell..

http://bps.britishpathe.com/hls-vod/...74511.mp4.m3u8

.. and was wondering if anyone would want to share tales of their first solo? The rehearsed actor in the clip doesn't seem to care but how different was it for you, did you know the night before and spend a sleepless night or did your instructor simply toss you the keys with a knowing smile, and do you still remember every detail or did it go in a blur? Instructors too, what was it like.. what was the drill - was there one?

:ok:

Onceapilot 20th Sep 2013 06:49

1972 RAF Ternhill, Kirby Cadet Mk111. An incredible experience as a young Air Cadet. Thank you to anyone who was involved in teaching and trusting me to fly:D.

OAP

thunderbird7 20th Sep 2013 06:50

First 'solo' in a Nimrod was the best! No nerves from us at the front but the crew down the back were a little jittery.... :)

Roland Pulfrew 20th Sep 2013 07:29

First real solo, just like OAP, was in a Kirby Cadet Mk III, only mine was from RMB Condor in Arbroath. Lovely day and I still remember looking out to sea on the downwind leg and the view of the airfield. Can't remember the date though but probably 80/81.

First jet solo. JP 3. RAF Elvington. 1983. Don't remember whether I had a sleepless night but I still remember the weather, the view of the empty seat next to me, the circuit itself.

Can't remember all of the first solos that I have authorised - after the event. And sadly can't remember who was the first person I sent solo or where it was, but I do remember sending first solos at a number of airfields and standing in the tower watching them go.

Tiger_mate 20th Sep 2013 08:00

Kirby Cadet Mk III (Theme developing here?) at Burtonwood. Accelerated into every corner as the prospect of stalling in the turn terrified me. Something very special about your first solo, and couldn't resist a look over my shoulder to cast an eye on the empty seat behind. First solo on any new type is also a special event.

c-bert 20th Sep 2013 08:09

First solo was at Southampton (not mil) dodging the commuter traffic. Uneventful apart from the 2nd worst landing in all my time flying.

Wander00 20th Sep 2013 08:14

Sywell, summer 1961, bank holiday Saturday (when it was still at the start of the month). I was 17 and a half Les Hilditch growled "Want to go on your own?" As I taxied the Auster J1 out I noticed that strictly against instructions my parents had driven up from W London. Did a decent circuit until I had to overshoot as someone had turned in front of me (no radio) and did a second circuit and landed - brilliant. Until I discovered that my dear old Mum had turned to another student and said "Is he going solo. What by himself?" Other student was on the same entry at Cranwell eighteen months later - so the story got about. You still out there -MTP?

Ali Qadoo 20th Sep 2013 08:16

Yup, Kirby Cadet for me too. Whitsun 1974 at West Malling - perfect weather, great instructors, can remember it as though it were yesterday. (Shame I can't even remember where I've put my glasses these days.)

I remember thinking as I released the cable, something along the lines of, 'Well, this is a glider. No engine, the only way from here is down, so best not make a pigs of it.'

First powered solo came later that summer - Cessna 150 at Shoreham on a flying scholarship.

First jet solo, JP5A from Barkston 1980, and then ten years later, after flying Hawks, F-4s and then Hawks again, came my first ever real solo in an aeroplane with no back seat. For some reason that was even more special than all the empty back/right hand seats put together

MAD Boom 20th Sep 2013 08:19

On a Flying Scholarship at Wellsbourne in '95 on a Cessna 152 G-OLEE.

I was last on the course to go solo and as such I was nicknamed 'Orville' (Not after the aviation pioneer, but the fat little flightless green puppet!) and was clearly nervous.

The aircraft failed the power check at the holding point which meant an embarrassing taxi back for the CFI to jump in and sort out which did bugger all for my nerves.

With the engine running sweet, I made a second and far more successful attempt at launching, singing to myself as I went to deal with the nerves. Just when I thought I'd calmed down, my door catch gave up the ghost allowing the door to fall open. I cra**ed myself and to this day I can't recall the final 5 minutes of that flight and have no idea how I managed to land it.

My second solo was an hour-long circuits bash. After numerous overshoots, sorry, low-approach and go-arounds, I clocked up only 1 landing. Some things never change....................

Wander00 20th Sep 2013 08:23

My first solo in a single seater was 3 years ago at a small airfield in France in a Pegase glider on aerotow, 52 years after my "first" solo. All over the place (Pegase is pretty sensitive especially in pitch) so I thought "fly it like a Gnat", so one finger on the top of the stick - brilliant - soared for an hour - that was pretty special

hanoijane 20th Sep 2013 08:25

Scared sh*tless. From beginning to end. Seriously considered giving up. Didn't. Don't know why.

SpazSinbad 20th Sep 2013 08:29

My RAAF instructor (I was an RAN Midshipman) at RAAF Pearce mid 1968 crossed himself (in the Roamin' Catholick fashion) as I taxied forward turning left, to see him do so, on my first Vampire solo; after earlier getting through the basic Winjeel training at Point Cook. Oh those RAAFie chappies and their sense of humour. Never understood it meself. :}

Wholigan 20th Sep 2013 08:37

Kirby Cadet 1961.

JP3 Syerston 1964.

But the one I remember best was Hunter Mk6 at Chivenor when, after getting airborne I thought "well nobody else could be in here even if they wanted to".

X767 20th Sep 2013 08:39

19 Feb 1962 - Barkston Heath - JP3 XM454. My instructor, Peter Woodham taxied in ( I thought the trip was over), jumped out and said "It's all yours".
15 mins later I had done my first solo T/O, circuit and rather bumpy landing - the start of a 45 year love affair with flying.

thing 20th Sep 2013 08:40

First solo was in a K13 at Cosford some 20 odd years ago. I remember screaming 'Yeeeeeees!' as I released the cable. Can't remember too much else about it but I obviously got down OK...

First powered solo was in a 172, bit of a non event, just another bit of the ladder to PPL. Best bit of the PPL training was the qualifying xc, felt like a real power pilot when I had done that.

octavian 20th Sep 2013 08:45

My first solo took place at Dunstable Downs on 23 July 1971. After a number of winch launches in a K13 (385) including a few simulated cable breaks, John Cardiff said it was time for me to go off by myself. Go get a parachute, (what?why?), a quick briefing and then my first solo was also my first single seat solo in a K8 (107). 18 years old, what a feeling.

Didn't continue for various reasons until.....

First powered solo 10 July 2003, PA38 G-RVRF at Sleap. Thanks Alan, I'm not giving it up now!

Fareastdriver 20th Sep 2013 09:31

27th November 1960. Hunting Percival Provost T1 XF 549 at High Ercall, Tern Hill's relief landing ground. A cold frosty morning with large patches of ice on the runway and virtually no wind.
After thirty minutes of circuits Flt Lt Elkins had me taxy back to the take off point, unstrapped and told me to do it by myself. He supervised my take off checks, warned me to avoid the ice patches and disappeared.
Take off and climb was OK but downwind I looked over at the empty right hand seat and felt very strange. The approach was fine the and landing was a three point greaser.
I rolled to the end and then not being sure what to do I taxied all the way round the perimeter track back to the take off point for my instructor. He climbed in and bollocked me for not taxiing directly back down the runway because he was freezing cold.
He flew it back to Tern Hill so that the occasion could sink in.

My last flight in command was on the 7th November 2008, almost forty-eight years later. XF 549 only lasted another three and a half years, being sold as scrap on the 13th July 1964.

Al R 20th Sep 2013 09:48


He flew it back to Tern Hill so that the occasion could sink in.
That's a nice touch, but doesn't car insurance not cover you on the day you pass your driving test, just in case..?! This would be the ideal subject for a micro publisher or a charity wanting to raise a few quid. The common theme seems to be looking across and seeing an empty seat.

SOSL 20th Sep 2013 10:04

Me too: Kirby Cadet Mk III, winch launch; RAF Catterick; Aug 1966.

Rgds SOS

jayteeto 20th Sep 2013 10:22

First Jet solo, Barkston Heath 1988, was down to the wire. Solo or chop, it was that close and my time was up, it looked very bad for me. My instructor looked at the fuel and said "if you have to go around, take it back to Cranwell, there isn't enough fuel for 2 circuits". Afterwards he jumped in and sat on top of the seat blind without strapping in for the journey back. That was the lowest I ever saw JP fuel gauges.
Sir, thank you for not chopping me, I have turned out alright!!

NutherA2 20th Sep 2013 10:31

CCF Flying Scholarship, Southend Flying Club (Rochford), Tiger Moth GAMSY 31 July 1954; in common with all the other students lucky enough to fly the Tiger, the first and clearest memory is how much better the forward view was without an instructor’s head in the way.

Second clearest memory is of the telephone call I made to my mother immediately after landing:

“Hello Mum, I’ve just been solo”

“That’s nice dear, what does it mean?”

“My Instructor got out of the aeroplane and let me fly by myself”

“If I’d known they were going to make you do that I would never have signed that form!” :ok:

Fitter2 20th Sep 2013 10:50

Interesting how many flying careers started with membership of the ATC (but I guess not surprising).

Me too, 1st gliding solo Cadet Mk III WT919, Kirton-Lindsey March 1960.

First solo power, L-4 Cub, Blackbushe, August 1969.

(First aerotow from the front end of the rope October 1969, Netheravon, Jackaroo G-APAM).

Basil 20th Sep 2013 11:10


“If I’d known they were going to make you do that I would never have signed that form!”
Reminds me of the griefstricken expression on my mother's face when my RAF acceptance letter arrived. :)

1st solo: South Cerney, Chipmunk, 13 June 1966. Outstanding memory: Looking round to check full & free and no instructor there - ooer! :uhoh:

Lingo Dan 20th Sep 2013 11:18

Beautiful summer evening, 22 June, 1966 at UAS summer camp at RAF Ballykelly.

I can remember being 200 ft high downwind and wondering if they could see me on radar! Overturned the centre line, but did the smoothest greaser nevertheless. My instructor, the late Flt Lt Brian Rampling said "f...ing awful approach but a great landing - lets' have a beer!"

FLCH 20th Sep 2013 11:32

Not a mil guy so forgive the transgression, first solo was in a Kirby Cadet at Cosford I think in 75, my other real solo was EWR-BFS in a 757 about 8 years ago.

L J R 20th Sep 2013 11:42

Remember lining up without doing the pre-take-off checks......CT-4A

airborne_artist 20th Sep 2013 11:50

I've three to choose from:

1st solo - C150 at Leavsden while on an RAF Flying Scholarship at Luton in 1977. I had been having issues with landing (frightened of hitting the ground hard, which made it far, far worse. Solved by a change of instructor, and I was fine thereafter).

1st military solo - Chipmunk at Roborough on FAA Flying Grading. A lovely bright but not breezy November day, and on the previous circuit I was shown where to dump it if I had an engine failure on crosswind/early downwind. I remember feeling very good during and after. Best fun with one's trousers on.

1st rotary solo - Predannack in a Gazelle. Wonderful aircraft, and only wish I could run one now :ugh:

Of the three it's the Chipmunk trip I remember the best and with the fondest memories.

ACW599 20th Sep 2013 12:20

UWAS Chipmunk T10 WZ862 at RAF St Athan, 4 Mar 73. A life-changer.

I've sent a few of my own as well since then...

CoffmanStarter 20th Sep 2013 12:49

Like most chaps on this thread ...

1st solo was in a Kirby Cadet TX Mk3 (although T31B sounded a bit more aggressive back then) XN246 with 617 VGS RAF Manston September 1973 ... I remember it was a bl00dy cold day ... and yes the unit badge depicted a Mk3 with a "Bouncing Bomb" slung underneath doing a final run at a Dam !

Mind you ... I now feel very old as XN246 appears to be a museum exhibit at the Southampton Solent Sky Aviation Museum :eek:

http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/...ps233f3009.jpg

1st solo powered aircraft was in a C-150 Aerobat G-AYUY with The Cinque Ports Flying Club at Lydd doing a Flying Scholarship.

Thinking back now ... the confidence gained doing the gliding solo at 16 made the powered solo feel very much a "matter of fact" moment.

thing 20th Sep 2013 13:18


Thinking back now ... the confidence gained doing the gliding solo at 16 made the powered solo feel very much a "matter of fact" moment.
My thoughts too, powered solo was very much 'that's done what's next' feeling.

Opsbeatch 20th Sep 2013 13:35

November 1991 in a Grob 103 (Viking) at Wethersfield. A crisp Autumn day and the instructor got out and told me to go and enjoy myself. Top of the launch and I'm sure you could see my grin from the other side of the country! Didn't put enough rudder in on my downwind turn and flinched as I was expecting the usual boot from behind...that's when I finally realised I was on my own :)

OB

SOSL 20th Sep 2013 13:54

Coff & thing. You're right, the confidence from a first solo in a glider, at 16 was an amazing boost.

I went on to do a Flying Schol at Carlisle Flying Club. C150 for general handling, C172 for cross country and Auster J5F (Aiglet) for aerobatics.

Then I joined the RAF as an Engineer and had the best 36 years of my life!

After that I did some consultancy which was OK, the money was good but it wasn't the same.

Then I parted with Mrs SOS and so I am now solo again.

Rgds SOS

sitigeltfel 20th Sep 2013 14:24

Like others above I first went solo in the Kirby Cadet MkIII. Looking back, I am amazed that I was left to my own devices at the age of 16.
I still remember the check ride instructor telling me to stay in the cockpit while the glider was pushed back to the launch point, the winch cable hooked up and off I went.
All went well but I was given a mild bollocking for what the instructor deemed to be landing too short. I made sure to use more of the grass before the next two landings.

Wander00 20th Sep 2013 14:34

And now one can solo a glider at 14 - biggest grin I have ever seen on a kid's face at our club the other week.

Ant T 20th Sep 2013 15:08

Another one for the Kirby Cadet Mk III. Mine was at West Malling, summer '76, weeks after my 16th birthday, on day 2 of the course after 19 launches (57 minutes). Spent the rest of the week hanging around catching the odd ride in a Sedbergh (first loop !).
Started flying for a living at 25 and still enjoying it now :)

Tankertrashnav 20th Sep 2013 16:14

Cessna 152 at Lands End - age 61, after ** hours (figure redacted to save my blushes)! Main impression was how the rate of climb improved with only one on board - took me by surprise.

Actually didn't make as much of an impression as my first solo landaway (Lands End - Perranporth- Lands End). I was like a dog with two tails that day!

gr4techie 20th Sep 2013 16:52

I think it was in a Air Cadet Vigilant motorised glider.

The instructor and I did some circuits. Then on one circuit as we came to a halt, he simply opened the door and walked off!

Credit to the instructors training, the solo circuits must have been so ingrained in me that it seemed I flew automatically from muscle memory. There was no panic or uneasy feeling.

N.HEALD 20th Sep 2013 17:13

13:15 hrs 15th June 2006, Cessna 172 G-WACW Exeter

Unhappy with first approach so executed a go around, on second circuit asked to extend downwind due Hunter traffic on long finals (G-VETA if I recall correct), and to call once visual, do so and cleared finals number two, turned base and had a very nice long approach to R/W 26 and managed a greaser, which was a great relief as had been sweating buckets after the first go-around

moggiee 20th Sep 2013 17:16

Civilian: White Waltham at West London Aero Club August 1983 - flying a PA28 on a flying scholarship. I remember being s*** scared!

RAF: Dishforth, early 1985, JP3A. I was the last of the course (due to time lost due to illness). Uneventful other than a post flight bollocking for leaving the taxi light on when it should have been off (or vice versa - I didn't really care at that moment). I felt 10 feet tall!

kintyred 20th Sep 2013 17:36

Dishcloth, spring '84. JP3. Callsign U833. I threw up on finals ( I was later an official sickie). Filled the bag as I was flaring (!) and was unable to respond to AIr Traffic after landing as I was still barfing. They got the message when they saw me wind the canopy back for air, mask hanging to one side, face still buried in the bag!


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