ppl first solo
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Join Date: Aug 2007
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ppl first solo
I am currently doing my ppl and am due to go solo on my next lesson, im 18 years old and have had 14 hours of instruction, could anyone on here tell me how many lessons it took them to go solo as im not sure whether 14 hours is quick or slow? thanks.
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I've heard of anything from 2 hours to 50-odd. There is no right or wrong "number of hours" at which to solo - it is not a competition. Does it matter that you've soloed before or after other people?
If someone says they soloed in 20 hours, does it make you feel better? Or of they say they did it in 5, would that make you feel inferior?
It doesn't matter.
Cheers
Whirls
If someone says they soloed in 20 hours, does it make you feel better? Or of they say they did it in 5, would that make you feel inferior?
It doesn't matter.
Cheers
Whirls
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Ok, if you're just enquiring, I can tell you that a good friend of mine soloed in 3 hours. I soloed in 40 (helicopter). So .... are you quick? Or are you slow? No. You're doing it at YOUR pace with your instructor's guidance.
...and if you do a search on Private Flying, you will find that this topic comes up every year.
Cheers
Whirls
...and if you do a search on Private Flying, you will find that this topic comes up every year.
Cheers
Whirls
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whirls why you getting agitated?
Hes only asking, that doesnt automatically make him in a competition?!?!
I bet it does come up every year but not from the same person. he isnt to know.
Calm Down!
Hes only asking, that doesnt automatically make him in a competition?!?!
I bet it does come up every year but not from the same person. he isnt to know.
Calm Down!
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I was at about 12 hours when I went solo.
However, the most important thing is that you are ready. You will be making the transition from student to Captain and it's a thrilling step to take.
Think of everything that you want to ask the instructor, and ask it before you go. Cover all the 'what ifs' you can think of. If you encounter an unusual situation in the air, remain calm and think about it.
On my second solo at 300' the door popped open at the top and was flapping in the breeze-so if you are flying a PA28 (or whatever else for that matter) give the closure of the door a thorough testing once the instructor gets out.
Most of all, enjoy it and have a camera to hand for a nice pose in front of the plane when you have finished: you only get one first solo!
Enjoy
Bri
However, the most important thing is that you are ready. You will be making the transition from student to Captain and it's a thrilling step to take.
Think of everything that you want to ask the instructor, and ask it before you go. Cover all the 'what ifs' you can think of. If you encounter an unusual situation in the air, remain calm and think about it.
On my second solo at 300' the door popped open at the top and was flapping in the breeze-so if you are flying a PA28 (or whatever else for that matter) give the closure of the door a thorough testing once the instructor gets out.
Most of all, enjoy it and have a camera to hand for a nice pose in front of the plane when you have finished: you only get one first solo!
Enjoy
Bri
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I'm not getting agitated; just trying to point out that comparisons between different people, in different circumstances are meaningless.
If, for example, someone solos in 12 hours - is that 12 hours at 2 hours a day over six days? Or 1 hour a month over a year? The age of the student, the aircraft they are flying, the type of airfield (i.e. A/G Radio or Tower Control), the attitudes of the school and the attitude of the instructor.
Some schools will require certain exams to have been passed before solo; others not. Some schools will require training in ALL emergencies, PFLs, engine-offs, before solo.
The number of hours at which you solo is irrelevant - it's a number, that's all. It tells you nothing if you compare it to other people's.
The important thing is, that you're ready for it and have enough capacity to enjoy yourself and savour the moment without panicking at, for example, a strange instruction from ATC, or a light coming on or, in my case, a bird strike.
Cheers
Whirls
If, for example, someone solos in 12 hours - is that 12 hours at 2 hours a day over six days? Or 1 hour a month over a year? The age of the student, the aircraft they are flying, the type of airfield (i.e. A/G Radio or Tower Control), the attitudes of the school and the attitude of the instructor.
Some schools will require certain exams to have been passed before solo; others not. Some schools will require training in ALL emergencies, PFLs, engine-offs, before solo.
The number of hours at which you solo is irrelevant - it's a number, that's all. It tells you nothing if you compare it to other people's.
The important thing is, that you're ready for it and have enough capacity to enjoy yourself and savour the moment without panicking at, for example, a strange instruction from ATC, or a light coming on or, in my case, a bird strike.
Cheers
Whirls
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There isn’t a number of hours prescribed for a 1st solo, I just remember you that the conditions are:
1. The students is ready and feels himself good
2. The instructor feels himself good too!
3. The weather is OK
4. the plane is OK
Between a solo at 10 hours and another at 20, there are only 10 hours of flight. For a pilot career what can represent 10 hours of flight? On the contrary an accident at the 1st solo could mark or stop forever a student pilot training.
Be confident!
1. The students is ready and feels himself good
2. The instructor feels himself good too!
3. The weather is OK
4. the plane is OK
Between a solo at 10 hours and another at 20, there are only 10 hours of flight. For a pilot career what can represent 10 hours of flight? On the contrary an accident at the 1st solo could mark or stop forever a student pilot training.
Be confident!
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18 hours for me although i was ready after 12 or so but weather never seemed right for first solo so i got some early nav and instrument flights in. Just wanted to fly you see! 50 hours in before skills test so it all came together at about the right time. First solo is a massive buzz but first solo land away nav trips were bigger ones for me. Just enjoy it all as it comes!
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Whirly,
How the hell can someone solo in 2 hours? That is ridiculous. There is no way that someone can have the skill to fly safely in the circuit from 0 hours flying experience to a competent student flying circuits.
Who were they Superman?
How the hell can someone solo in 2 hours? That is ridiculous. There is no way that someone can have the skill to fly safely in the circuit from 0 hours flying experience to a competent student flying circuits.
Who were they Superman?
Join Date: Jun 2005
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I first solo'ed today, it was a fantastic feeling! I found myself talking my way round the circuit, the most nerve racking bit was the takeoff. From my experience, once you get into the air, your training will take over and your flying skills will really come to light. I hope you enjoy your solo, I've been told I wont ever forget it, I'm sure it will be the same for you!
I also passed Air Law today with 90%, it turned out to be a very good day!
I also passed Air Law today with 90%, it turned out to be a very good day!
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You guys and girls are making me very excited! I've not even begun my lessons yet, but am getting around to booking a one hour trial to see if I will enjoy it. With my enthusiasm for aviation, I'm sure I will.
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Whirly,
How the hell can someone solo in 2 hours? That is ridiculous. There is no way that someone can have the skill to fly safely in the circuit from 0 hours flying experience to a competent student flying circuits.
Who were they Superman?
How the hell can someone solo in 2 hours? That is ridiculous. There is no way that someone can have the skill to fly safely in the circuit from 0 hours flying experience to a competent student flying circuits.
Who were they Superman?
That was in the military with a fixed wing solo already done!
There's always a story behind the number of hours!
Cheers
Whirls
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For the first solo experience the quickest way of all is to go on a week holiday / training course at a gliding club.
I went solo in a glider at 16 after 1 week of training and 12 winch launch's. er that's about 1 hour and 12 min of instruction. No ground school or exams to do either.
Yes a glider IS a 'real' aircraft - you crash just as hard!
And that 1st solo feeling is just as good, at 40 I can still remember every detail, and possibly it's even better - remember you can't chicken out and go round again
- it's right 1st time or not at all 
I went solo in a glider at 16 after 1 week of training and 12 winch launch's. er that's about 1 hour and 12 min of instruction. No ground school or exams to do either.
Yes a glider IS a 'real' aircraft - you crash just as hard!
And that 1st solo feeling is just as good, at 40 I can still remember every detail, and possibly it's even better - remember you can't chicken out and go round again
- it's right 1st time or not at all
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It took me 18 hours, i know they say that young people should get it done quicker but i was training at one of the smallest runways in the UK and done a other exercises when the weather wasnt good enough to go solo. Doesnt really bother me that couple friends may have done it earlier doesnt make them a better pilot 
PPRuNe Handmaiden
8 hours. 