Is this a first?
Thread Starter
Why do it if it's not fun?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,782
Likes: 12
From: Bournemouth
Is this a first?
Congratulations to Chris Hindle, a student at my school (not my student, but I have flown with him a couple of times when his instructor has been unavailable).
Yesterday, on his 16th birthday, Chris did his first solo flight after just over 13 hours. A great achievement in itself, but not altogether uncommon.
But then, that evening, he did his first solo night-flight too.
Does anyone know of any other students who have achieved both their first day solo and their first night solo on their 16th birthday? I'm sure his mum would be even more proud of him if we could establish that he is the first to do this!
FFF
------------
Yesterday, on his 16th birthday, Chris did his first solo flight after just over 13 hours. A great achievement in itself, but not altogether uncommon.
But then, that evening, he did his first solo night-flight too.
Does anyone know of any other students who have achieved both their first day solo and their first night solo on their 16th birthday? I'm sure his mum would be even more proud of him if we could establish that he is the first to do this!
FFF
------------
Congratulations to the lad I say Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
From: South Norfolk, England
Great! Well done to him!
Just because you solo at 16 doesn't mean you "must" have wealthy parents. Martyn Carrington learned to fly by working his socks off as an airfield erk ... he soloed at 16 and now flies as a well respected display pilot!
SS
Just because you solo at 16 doesn't mean you "must" have wealthy parents. Martyn Carrington learned to fly by working his socks off as an airfield erk ... he soloed at 16 and now flies as a well respected display pilot!
SS
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,547
Likes: 0
From: Dublin
He might be lucky enough to have well off parents, but couldn't the same be said that most of us are lucky enough to have jobs that allow us to be able to afford to fly?
I consider attaining my current position in my profession an important achievement. Likewise I consider learning to fly an important achievement. One does not take away from the other. Both are achievement in their own right.
Just because Chris hasn't had the opportunity to prove himself in a career yet, doesn't in anyway take away from his achievement in his flying.
Getting to solo on your 16th birthday might only be an option to those with parents who can afford to support them, but that doesn't in anyway take away from Chris's success.
Hoey, your comment sounds more like jealousy than anything else. Please don't try to take away from this young mans achievement.
But in any case, what I find far more impressive than the fact that he soloed at 16, is the fact that he managed to solo both day and night with only 13 hours experience! That's really impressive to me.
FFF in answer to your question, I for one, haven't heard of anyone who's done this before.
For what it's worth, I imagine most people who solo at 16, have a lot more than 13 hours which makes his achievement all the more impressive.
Well done Chris
dp
I consider attaining my current position in my profession an important achievement. Likewise I consider learning to fly an important achievement. One does not take away from the other. Both are achievement in their own right.
Just because Chris hasn't had the opportunity to prove himself in a career yet, doesn't in anyway take away from his achievement in his flying.
Getting to solo on your 16th birthday might only be an option to those with parents who can afford to support them, but that doesn't in anyway take away from Chris's success.
Hoey, your comment sounds more like jealousy than anything else. Please don't try to take away from this young mans achievement.
But in any case, what I find far more impressive than the fact that he soloed at 16, is the fact that he managed to solo both day and night with only 13 hours experience! That's really impressive to me.
FFF in answer to your question, I for one, haven't heard of anyone who's done this before.
For what it's worth, I imagine most people who solo at 16, have a lot more than 13 hours which makes his achievement all the more impressive.
Well done Chris
dp
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: wakefield
AMAZING.
no not first night and day solo at 16 (although thats pretty impresive)
no its amazing that it took just 14 mins for the sour, jelous, self righteuos comments to start, (expect lots more)
Well done chris, hell of an achievment
Better not to mention it on pprune though being 16 and flying an aeroplane is worse than mugging pensioners in some peoples eyes.
no not first night and day solo at 16 (although thats pretty impresive)
no its amazing that it took just 14 mins for the sour, jelous, self righteuos comments to start, (expect lots more)
Well done chris, hell of an achievment
Better not to mention it on pprune though being 16 and flying an aeroplane is worse than mugging pensioners in some peoples eyes.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Kent
Sorry to be a bit confrontational but I dont see going solo at 16 to be particulary special. He is just lucky enough to have well off parents.
Well done Chris I say - I did the day solo on my 16th (not overly keen on doing night in a SE!) and you should be damned proud of yourself. Don't be put off by idiots - you find them everywhere - even on web bulletin boards!
tKF
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Sorry to be a bit confrontational but I dont see going solo at 16 to be particulary special. He is just lucky enough to have well off parents.
(if hes gained sponsorship then well done)
(if hes gained sponsorship then well done)
What about me then? I learned to fly after an inheritance meant that I could pay off my debts and finally not work all the hours God sends and then some. Does that mean that my PPL(A), PPL(H), CPL(H), and FI rating are...meaningless? And let's see now...a friend sold a house, cashing in on the crazy London property market, and can fund all the qualifications he wants. But of course, when he gets them it'll be nothing special - he was just lucky.
CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS , and don't worry about the jealous illogical idiots.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: in a galaxy far far away
of course well done to the lad, It is an achievement
Power flying in this country is as we all know very very expensive and really only open to the lucky few. Lets not beat about the bush though, most kids who go solo at 16 can only do it because their parents can pay for it. I wish it was different, just think of all the really talented potential young aviators out there who never get the chance because they dont have the money.
Good organisations like the Air League help as much as they can. They helped me for which I am very thankful.
I just find it hard to get excited about someone going solo (power) at 16 because ultimately most kids could if they had the money. The fact is most kids will never get the money but a very lucky few will.
I will always support keen hard working youngsters in aviation and with organisations like the airleague, cadets/RAF etc hopefully as many as possible can get the help they deserve.
Power flying in this country is as we all know very very expensive and really only open to the lucky few. Lets not beat about the bush though, most kids who go solo at 16 can only do it because their parents can pay for it. I wish it was different, just think of all the really talented potential young aviators out there who never get the chance because they dont have the money.
Good organisations like the Air League help as much as they can. They helped me for which I am very thankful.
I just find it hard to get excited about someone going solo (power) at 16 because ultimately most kids could if they had the money. The fact is most kids will never get the money but a very lucky few will.
I will always support keen hard working youngsters in aviation and with organisations like the airleague, cadets/RAF etc hopefully as many as possible can get the help they deserve.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 603
Likes: 0
From: Kent
I just find it hard to get excited about someone going solo (power) at 16 because ultimately most kids could if they had the money. The fact is most kids will never get the money but a very lucky few will.
Sorry, but I really don't see your argument as valid.
tKF
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: UK Work: London. Home: East Anglia
TkF's point is well made. The inception of a new pilot in the UK enrichens us ALL and works in all our interests. Yes, there could be LOTS more pilots soloing at age 16, and in an ideal world there would be. One of the things I try very hard to do in my flying is encourage others, and give them air experience, tried to show them what a wonderful activity flying is - especially if they are young and short of cash. Some of those have gone on to get their licences, and I hope they will in turn "pay it forward" to the next generation.
As far as I can see, apathy / lack of motivation can be just as much a barrier as money, and however Chris has come by the means to do his training, the effort and the motivation came from within. Congratulations, Chris, and welcome.
As far as I can see, apathy / lack of motivation can be just as much a barrier as money, and however Chris has come by the means to do his training, the effort and the motivation came from within. Congratulations, Chris, and welcome.
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: London
Hoey 5o said:-
"I just find it hard to get excited about someone going solo (power) at 16 because ultimately most kids could if they had the money."
Most kids? On their 16th birthday? Really!
Not so. It takes attitude, ability and considerable maturity, as well as funds.
I just don't see why you should even try to detract from this youngster's wonderful achievement.
Lets keep class war out of this forum!
"I just find it hard to get excited about someone going solo (power) at 16 because ultimately most kids could if they had the money."
Most kids? On their 16th birthday? Really!
Not so. It takes attitude, ability and considerable maturity, as well as funds.
I just don't see why you should even try to detract from this youngster's wonderful achievement.
Lets keep class war out of this forum!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Pfffft
First off, well done Chris! It's good to see another pilot in the making, especially at such an age. I wish you luck with the remainder of your course.
hoey5o; Get a grip. Your comments would incense a number of people my age who fly.
As someone who soloed at 16 I can honestly say that all I asked of my parents was a lift to and from the airfield at the weekend, and perhaps a bit of pocket money. I doubt it even amounted to that much given that I was holding down a weekend job at the time too. I've always had a passion for flying and so pursued it through whatever means I could. In my case, the Air Training Corps largely helped me to realise this, along with a scholarship from GAPAN. Once I had completed my PPL I worked as much as I could to continue flying, and still do now. I suspect that the total amount my parents have contributed to my flying to date is minimal.
Flying for people my age (19, incidentally) is not the preserve of those with rich parents, it's due to the fact that we give time, effort and perseverance to what we want. Attributes that should be encouraged, surely?
ASI
hoey5o; Get a grip. Your comments would incense a number of people my age who fly.
As someone who soloed at 16 I can honestly say that all I asked of my parents was a lift to and from the airfield at the weekend, and perhaps a bit of pocket money. I doubt it even amounted to that much given that I was holding down a weekend job at the time too. I've always had a passion for flying and so pursued it through whatever means I could. In my case, the Air Training Corps largely helped me to realise this, along with a scholarship from GAPAN. Once I had completed my PPL I worked as much as I could to continue flying, and still do now. I suspect that the total amount my parents have contributed to my flying to date is minimal.
Flying for people my age (19, incidentally) is not the preserve of those with rich parents, it's due to the fact that we give time, effort and perseverance to what we want. Attributes that should be encouraged, surely?
ASI