PPL training, hours before 1st solo?
Join Date: Jan 1999
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I have instructed at two airfields one with a large non-standard CCT at 1000 ft to avoid the noise protests of some locals, the other airfield has standard 800 ft CCT.
At the first airfield the "hours to solo" is much higher but the number of landings to solo is about the same.
It would seem to me that all avoiding the noise protesters achieves is spreading more noise over a wider area and burning more Avgas.
At the first airfield the "hours to solo" is much higher but the number of landings to solo is about the same.
It would seem to me that all avoiding the noise protesters achieves is spreading more noise over a wider area and burning more Avgas.
Why do it if it's not fun?
Join Date: Jul 2001
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what do you mean might have to go somewhere else in case you cant get in? Surely by definition, you are already 'in' as you are 'in' the circuit and never left it
FFF
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Join Date: Apr 2005
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Whirls,
Saw your post, but not being a rotorhead don't know what is "high" or "low" for helo solo time.
Anyone out there have an opinion on what takes longer, aircraft or helo?
What's more difficult? Aircraft flare & land, or helo hover control?
Saw your post, but not being a rotorhead don't know what is "high" or "low" for helo solo time.
Anyone out there have an opinion on what takes longer, aircraft or helo?
What's more difficult? Aircraft flare & land, or helo hover control?
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Again, I did imply that helicopter solo hours are generally higher but believe me, 40 is still high!! It's still 45 hours minimum for PPL.
Why don't you treat yourself to a helicopter trial lesson and find out!! I believe that hovering a helicopter is harder than aeroplane whatever but I've never flown a fixed wing. I can you you this - you cannot take a limb off any of the controls for more than a second. I memorise all my clearances!
Cheers
Whirls
Why don't you treat yourself to a helicopter trial lesson and find out!! I believe that hovering a helicopter is harder than aeroplane whatever but I've never flown a fixed wing. I can you you this - you cannot take a limb off any of the controls for more than a second. I memorise all my clearances!
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Oct 2005
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As a 30 year old with no previous it took me 16 hours. Same time again to clean my underpants afterwards! Don't get hung up on it. You're ready when you're ready. Better to fly / land using skill rather than testsosterone!
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Cannot remember exactly how long it took, it's that important to me. It was nothing remarkable though, I said I was in no hurry and my instructor loved that. Those who take under 10 hours on a recent syllabus are either young and just get it (rare) or have unlogged hours (common), IMO.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Originally Posted by FlyingForFun
Every now and then, something happens which means that a first solo isn't going to be a "standard" circuit - maybe priority traffic, for example. When things start to happen, the controllers will always check with me first: "I think I'm going to have to (get Helimed away/get the 737 in/tow the broken aircraft out of the way) before your guy, will he be happy (orbiting/going around/using a different runway/doing circus tricks)?"
For reasons that don't matter here, my time solo commenced from the threshold of the runway in use and I was away within 60 seconds of "taking command". One circuit should have been no more than 7 minutes airborne. As I write this I am referring back to my logbook and the 30 minutes it actually took.
Did I feel prepared for this unexpected event? Yes. Did I have a chart on-board in the event of them not getting the field re-opened and a diversion? No, of course not. You never need a chart when you go in the circuit................
Join Date: Jun 2005
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I can’t remember anything as frustrating as waiting to go solo, even though I knew it was the correct decision.
Looking back at the log book, at 8 hours I was told I was close to solo and then I hit a mental block over the last few seconds of the landing. Just as I was getting over that the weather turned bad for several weeks and I spend 4 or 5 lessons doing cross countries and bad weather circuits before going solo at 20 hours. The only good thing was that I am now reasonably comfortable landing in crosswinds etc.
As Whirly said you have 45 hours for the PPL and I was right chuffed, after the “poor” start and being over 50, to do it in 45:40 hours. Just try keep at it.
Looking back at the log book, at 8 hours I was told I was close to solo and then I hit a mental block over the last few seconds of the landing. Just as I was getting over that the weather turned bad for several weeks and I spend 4 or 5 lessons doing cross countries and bad weather circuits before going solo at 20 hours. The only good thing was that I am now reasonably comfortable landing in crosswinds etc.
As Whirly said you have 45 hours for the PPL and I was right chuffed, after the “poor” start and being over 50, to do it in 45:40 hours. Just try keep at it.
