I remember my first solo...
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SURREY, U.K.
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First Solo
My first solo flight was as an Air Cadet in a Kirby Cadet MkIII open cockpit glider. I accomplished this feat at the age of 16 at RAF Kenley, in the early/mid 1970s. The winch launch seemed so much faster, and the angle steeper. I can still play this flight back with absoloute clarity even after all these years - the soft creaking of the airframe, the smell of doped fabric, the scent of grass. It was the middle of June, and it was very warm, and when I finally got the the top, and pulled off, the world became very quiet. I could see most of South London spread beneath me, from my lofty 1300 feet! Then it was time to concentrate..... My circuit was a bit egg shaped, as I managed to stay higher for longer (I think that Whirly's Captain 2 cwt was also my instructor) but once I cracked the spoilers, I made a reasonable approach and landing. Well, it must have been, because they let me go up a few more times.
I soloed my first powered aeroplane (Cessna C152 N714AT) at Alliance Field in Texas. This airfield houses American Airlines main maintenance facility and has a runway some 3200m long. My instructor (Bill Davidson where are you now?) asked me to taxi back to the tower after I had flown a few circuits there, and then, before I could tell him that I wasnt ready he was out of the aeroplane like a jackrabbit, and disappeared, shouting "Three circuits, then collect me from here"
I sat there for a few moments, the realisation that I was alone in the cockpit, and then with a shaking hand and a dry mouth, I picked up the microphone (No Headsets back then!) and requested taxi clearance. I did the checks, and lined up, then opened the throttle, and like all the other posters, we accelerated very fast and the little 'plane leapt into the air. I was at circuit height, and could still see the end of the runway.
I did the requisite circuits, and then landed and picked Bill up. The sad thing is, you can only ever go solo once!
However, each time I pass a check ride of some description, I still get that same adrenalin rush, and the buzz...the most recent of which was going solo for the first time in the aeroplane in which I have just bought a share - a Piper Super Cub 150.... I got checked out last Friday - and I am STILL grinning.
Have a good one!
I soloed my first powered aeroplane (Cessna C152 N714AT) at Alliance Field in Texas. This airfield houses American Airlines main maintenance facility and has a runway some 3200m long. My instructor (Bill Davidson where are you now?) asked me to taxi back to the tower after I had flown a few circuits there, and then, before I could tell him that I wasnt ready he was out of the aeroplane like a jackrabbit, and disappeared, shouting "Three circuits, then collect me from here"
I sat there for a few moments, the realisation that I was alone in the cockpit, and then with a shaking hand and a dry mouth, I picked up the microphone (No Headsets back then!) and requested taxi clearance. I did the checks, and lined up, then opened the throttle, and like all the other posters, we accelerated very fast and the little 'plane leapt into the air. I was at circuit height, and could still see the end of the runway.
I did the requisite circuits, and then landed and picked Bill up. The sad thing is, you can only ever go solo once!
However, each time I pass a check ride of some description, I still get that same adrenalin rush, and the buzz...the most recent of which was going solo for the first time in the aeroplane in which I have just bought a share - a Piper Super Cub 150.... I got checked out last Friday - and I am STILL grinning.
Have a good one!
Last edited by SKYYACHT; 7th Sep 2007 at 08:12. Reason: Revision to text
Buttonpusher
My first solo was in a Kirby Cadet too, at RAF Cosford back in the 70's. I remember the glider was a hell of a lot lighter despite having sandbags in the glider because I was a mere slip of a boy. That was when I was 16, now years later at 48 and after 30 years of powered flying including 20 years of flying (or shall I say pushing buttons) on jetliners, I'm getting back to my roots and into soaring again with my 15 year old son.
Last edited by FLCH; 8th Sep 2007 at 12:29.
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Hahaha, That takes me back! Thought it was just me who noticed that well-shagged old 150's suddenly possess the ability to climb when you haven't got a bulky instructor (American in my case, whattaya gonna do?) sat in the P2 seat!!!!It's also great to know prettymuch everyone else thinks "Well, getting it up and around the circuit is easy, holy sh*t Batman,
I've got to land it on my own now preferably without killing myself" 
Still, wouldn't have had it any other way. LN & HDW: You're spot on.
I guess the age old saying is relevent as ever
"Take-offs are optional, Landings are compulsary"
Blue skies to all.
Be seeing you....
dB
PS: If you're reading this and are about to do your first solo, I (& I suspect all other Ppruners) wish you all the best and many future ones.
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
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I was just relieved to get it done! It had been put off for ages due to bad weather and to me having a bad attack of nerves whenever flying with someone new, and I had to as my regular instructor was only an AFI...now called FI(R). So I just felt glad it was over, wanted to get on with the rest of the course, and absolutely loathed all the hype and fuss and congratulations.
My first solo crosscountry though...now that was totally, utterly, and completely wonderful.
My first solo crosscountry though...now that was totally, utterly, and completely wonderful.
Pompey till I die
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Solo XCQ
Funny,
The solo XCQ, for me, just felt like something I had to do that day, rather than a big event.
Although looking back on it now, that first XC flight is a hell of an achievement. That really is when you feel like a "proper" pilot
The solo XCQ, for me, just felt like something I had to do that day, rather than a big event.
Although looking back on it now, that first XC flight is a hell of an achievement. That really is when you feel like a "proper" pilot
My first solo was in a PA12. The instructor sat in back, so initially I could just pretend he was there and silently observing. But finally I turned around to look at the empty seat and for some reason couldn't stop laughing for a minute. Nervous hysterics, I guess.
My second first solo was in an Enstrom F28A. We were doing touchdown autos from 50' cruise, kind of like a quick stop. There was a bunch of FW traffic in the pattern of the uncontrolled field. Conscious of a FW on short final, I got the collective down, maxed the throttle, got the RPM to the top of the green, did a very aggressive departure to get out of the way and back into the mix. Apparently this fooled the instructor into actually thinking I could fly the thing. He says "I got it, it's too busy for this, we'll try something else." Lands on the grass, undoes his seatbelt, jumps out, and says "Go around the pattern 3 times, do a hover check before you go each time, then I'll get back in." Yanks the headset plug out and ambles over to the fence, apparently uninterested. This was when I learned that when you go from dual to solo, you had best run the trim to the right a bunch (Enstroms solo from the left). I picked it up and immediately translated left 15'. Not a great way to begin a first solo. But it turned out ok, though I think if I could have found my voice I would have told him "wait, I'm really not ready!"
The other memorable first solo in type was in a Schweizer 1-26. I had soloed the 2 place 2-33 already. It was a little more intimidating soloing my first single place glider. I got off tow with the traditional right hand climbing turn. The pawnee did its diving left hand turn. I just stayed in a right hand circle for a couple times around trying to gather my thoughts about what to do next. Finally it hit me that I should look for some lift. Looked down at the instruments and realized I had already climbed 500' and was going up at 5 kts. I'd rather be lucky than good if I could always arrange for it! Ended up being a great flight, a little over an hour, and ventured the furthest I'd been from home at that time.
-- IFMU
My second first solo was in an Enstrom F28A. We were doing touchdown autos from 50' cruise, kind of like a quick stop. There was a bunch of FW traffic in the pattern of the uncontrolled field. Conscious of a FW on short final, I got the collective down, maxed the throttle, got the RPM to the top of the green, did a very aggressive departure to get out of the way and back into the mix. Apparently this fooled the instructor into actually thinking I could fly the thing. He says "I got it, it's too busy for this, we'll try something else." Lands on the grass, undoes his seatbelt, jumps out, and says "Go around the pattern 3 times, do a hover check before you go each time, then I'll get back in." Yanks the headset plug out and ambles over to the fence, apparently uninterested. This was when I learned that when you go from dual to solo, you had best run the trim to the right a bunch (Enstroms solo from the left). I picked it up and immediately translated left 15'. Not a great way to begin a first solo. But it turned out ok, though I think if I could have found my voice I would have told him "wait, I'm really not ready!"
The other memorable first solo in type was in a Schweizer 1-26. I had soloed the 2 place 2-33 already. It was a little more intimidating soloing my first single place glider. I got off tow with the traditional right hand climbing turn. The pawnee did its diving left hand turn. I just stayed in a right hand circle for a couple times around trying to gather my thoughts about what to do next. Finally it hit me that I should look for some lift. Looked down at the instruments and realized I had already climbed 500' and was going up at 5 kts. I'd rather be lucky than good if I could always arrange for it! Ended up being a great flight, a little over an hour, and ventured the furthest I'd been from home at that time.
-- IFMU
