First solo, should I push myself into it?

[digital.poet]

Hi folks,

Looking for a little advice. My situation is that I have 24 hours logged Pu/t, 11 of those hours in the circuit, with practice in both EFATO and go arounds. My instructor has told me that he is quite happy to sign me off for first solo at any time, infact, he told me today that my skills are at a level where most of his students would be doing second and third solos (1st solo = 1 circuit, 2nd solo 3 circuits with T&Gs, 3rd solo a full hour of solo circuits).

The problem is, I go to the airfield with the intention of 'today is the day', but as my instructor is waiting for me to tell him when I am ready, I am finding it easy to take the easy, safe and less scary option. I am still a little nervous in the air, it is getting much better but a bumpy climb-out has me on edge a little, my turns are still a little shallower than they should be, also due to nerves, and my aileron/rudder co-ordination is not wonderful. However, my circuits are generally tidy, and my instructor says that every landing I have done for the last 3-4 hours has been safe (a few have been less than perfect, but safe). The last 5 or 6 circuits have been performed with my instructor as a passanger mostly, except for the odd comment like, "Tighten this turn", or "Are we in balance?".

So, I am looking for opinions. I am very much aware of the fact that some things represent a 'barrier' and you just have to force yourself through them to move on.

How prepared were you for your first solo? Did you feel completely ready?

[High Wing Drifter]

Well I chickened out of my first offer, citing a wish to practice more EFATOs. In hindsight I think I did the wrong thing for the right reasons! I was easily capable of a solo and my instructor knew it. If your instructor is happy, trust his judgement. Anyway, you will be surprised how a methodical calmness ensues as the training takes hold.

[Norfolk Newbie]

In a word yes!

When my instructor sent me on my 1st solo, I wasn't certain that I was ready. However after I had done it, I knew that he was right to send me.

Every new step step in flying seems to take me outside of my "comfort zone", however I have realised that sooner or later you have to take that leap of faith and if my instructor thinks I'm safe then that is good enough for me.

Good luck and enjoy it.

[foxmoth]

How many has this instructor sent solo? Most will not wait until the student says he is ready and most students are taken a bit by surprise when their instructor sends them off.

[Contacttower]

I was never told I was going to go solo, I was doing circuits and the instructor just announced that she would be getting out and that I was to go and do another circuit. It's much better that way. I would go for it.

[Stampe]

I,ve sent hundreds of students first solo over the past 30 years of instructing ,no one has ever let me down.I believe greatly that the human spirit rises to moments such as this.The adrenalin flows for both instructor and student I still get a real buzz from sending a first solo one of the most rewarding parts of instructing.Trust your instructor.

[BEagle]

".....but as my instructor is waiting for me to tell him when I am ready.."

What an utter tart he must be! He should tell you when you are to go solo!

"I'm just going for a coffee in the tower, so nip off round the circuit on your own and pick me up when you get back. Now - off you go and don't break anything!".

[rans6andrew]

just do it!

I went and did it before my instructor changed his mind!

Best day of my life, up to that point, a real confidence booster. I am not at my best with anyone looking over my shoulder so being alone in the cockpit actually relaxed me a bit. Add this to the increase in the aircraft performance due to losing 14 stone of CFI and it was magic.

Seriously though, your instructor will have been going over this in his/her mind for long enough to be pretty confident that you can do it.


Andrew.

[digital.poet]

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

To answer about my instructor, very experienced guy, career instructor with 15'000 odd hours. I actually get the impression that he is 'willing me on'. He just doesn't want me to do something that I don't feel ready for.

I have a lesson at 9AM tomorrow morning, I think I will turn up and the airfield and tell my instructor that, for me, the goal of the lesson is to finish with a solo circuit. Pray for me!

[18greens]

Beagle (as usual) is right.

You don't get to choose when it happens. The instructor knows when you are ready and sends you. Unless you protest massively (like I don't want to carry on training) you go.

I think you'll find the list of people who thought they were ready is very short.

Just having read your post you say the instructor is very experienced. Has he a new technique or are you saying no every time he offers??

[Flying Lawyer]

BEagle

Maybe a little harsh on the FI? I think dp's first para may explain why the instructor is waiting and urging.
We would have been told to get on with it, in the way you describe, but that's in a different environment.
BTW, did Flt Lt Lane send you on your first solo? I know he was QFI to both of us at some stage.


d.p
Your FI obviously has great experience.
Even if your confidence in your own ability is wavering, you can have confidence in his. He wouldn't send you if he didn't know you were ready and safe.

Go for it tomorrow.
It will give your confidence a boost.

You're bound to be a little nervous when the the big moment comes - most of us were - but you'll be walking on air for hours afterwards and you'll always remember the thrill of your first solo.



FL

[BEagle]

FL, no - it wasn't Pete. I'd already been solo before he arrived under the somewhat dubious instruction of Jerry Brown.

It sounds as though the 13000 hour FI is getting nervous of the appallingly litigation-obsessed society of today and should retire.

Fledglings should be booted out of the nest without asking why or when! All FIs know that.

So go for it, dp and stop vacillating!!

[digital.poet]

18greens,

I am not sure what he had done when sending other students solo.

He does know that I am a very calculating kind of fellow, but I do think I have a slightly more nervous disposition than most. We had a bit of a discussion, with me giving some reasons as to why I didn't feel ready. The main reason being an awkward tendancy to tense up on the controls in turbulance. I told him that I didn't think it was a good idea for me to go solo until I had curbed this impulse and he agreed with me. It's a good move from my perspective, because I have no problems in refusing to do something I am uncomfortable with. I actually think this is a case of him adapting his teaching style to my personality. Some people like to be pushed forward, but it won't work for me.

I actually like the fact that he has told me, "I am ready when you are!". I don't think I would handle a surpise departure by instructor especially well. I am now just worried that I might let myself get into a rut if I don't bite the proverbial bullet.

[alvin-sfc]

My first solo started with," right, now your'e going to try one on your own now David." I was shaken but thought if my instructor had confidence in me then I must be ready.Like most people,I talked to myself all the way round and on landing felt one small bounce and touched down.Got the usual nonchalent,"oh, how did it go,ok?" from my instructor.
Go for it,you can do it.

[Flying Lawyer]

BEagle

Heard the name, but he'd either been posted or left the RAF before I arrived. Pete was already there and was the Squadron Adj, which he seemed to enjoy and I doubt if anyone else wanted.

Agree re the curse of the blame and claim culture, btw.

d.p

You've got a lesson at 9 am and you'll be doing your first solo by 9.30.
Go to bed!
Now!



FL

[kiwi chick]

I actually like the fact that he has told me, "I am ready when you are!".

Yeah, sorry, but this doesn't wash with me.

His JOB - the prime reason for his being there and you paying him - is to be your INSTRUCTOR!! Not your mother.

If every instructor waited until his students were ready there'd be no bloody solo students!!

Mine used this technique:

Better make this one a backtrack, I want to see your take-off technique again." Mumble Mumble to Control Tower that I didn't hear, then "Righto. You're too scary for me, I'm getting out! Off you go - one circuit. Pick me up on the way back"

Unexpected, humour to lighten the situation (I admit it wouldn't work for everyone but then instructors are trained to adapt to student's personality and learning style) and he excuded confidence in my ability to do it.

I think your instructor should have picked up by now that you are getting further and further away from the conviction that you can do it, and I feel that the longer you leave it, the harder it will be.

Get your ass out there and go solo!! You won't regret it and we want to hear all about it!

[Bullethead]

Kiwi Chick said,

"Get your ass out there and go solo!! You won't regret it and we want to hear all about it!"

and I hear, hear, say go for it mate.

You'll be so thrilled you won't realise you're by yourself until you're on downwind.

Good luck.
BH.

[Whirlybird]

Instructors, like people, differ. And so do students. I would always ask someone if they wanted to go solo, and I know several instructors who do the same. My instructor did that with me for my first solo, and I practically threw him out of the aircraft! I personally don't like this, "you will do this now because I say so" attitude, whether it's for first solo or anything else. And I don't like the big mystique surrounding first solos either, with no-one being told when they're nearly ready, and not daring to ask, and so on. It's not that big a deal; it's just the next part of your flying training.

Your instructor sounds like a nice guy. So have a chat with him, and tell him pretty much what you told us in your first post. That should make him realise that you need a lot of confidence boosting, and maybe a definite shove in the right direction...ie upwards, alone! Instructors aren't psychic you know. Communication helps.

Ultimately I'm not sure that it matters that much. You have 24 hours - very few in the greater scheme of things. You're nervous, OK. So you could do it now, or wait a few more hours until the nerves subside. If they don't...well, then you have a problem. But I don't see that it really matters (except to your bank balance, possibly) whether you go solo at 24 hours or 34. But all the same, talk to your instructor.

[HR200]

Well Done on getting this level.

You should only go Solo when you feel the YOU are ready.

My instructor surprised me with mine. I had only done 11 hours of flying, and after 1 hour of dual circuits, we landed on the 6th, and he said do you want to go solo for one circuit. I just knew I was ready and I had no doubt in my mind. So I went.

However, it doesn't matter if you go solo at 11 hours, or 50 hours, as long as you are ready.

There will be nothing worse than going solo, not ready, panic and forget things, especially at a bigger airport like Leeds Bradford for example where I fly from.

Enjoy the rest of your flying.

[Contacttower]

You should only go Solo when you feel the YOU are ready.

I'm not sure I would agree with that, with only 10-12 hours one isn't really a very good judge of one's own abilities, the instructor on the other hand has seen hundreds like you- I'd take his word over my feeling, unless of course I really didn't want to go. A lot of people would waste a lot of time and money if they went when they felt ready.