First solo!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 32
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks again everyone! 
I've been lying to you all, just checked the logbook and I'd actually done 11 hours before going solo, my actual total time is 11h 25m. 15m of which are P1!
The flight keeps replaying over and over in my head, the feeling of being a pilot is better than I thought!
I've been lying to you all, just checked the logbook and I'd actually done 11 hours before going solo, my actual total time is 11h 25m. 15m of which are P1!
The flight keeps replaying over and over in my head, the feeling of being a pilot is better than I thought!
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congradulations.
I can still remember my first solo as clear as if it was yesterday and it was 55 years ago.
Your first solo is right up there with your first piece of tail and maybe even easier to remember.
I can still remember my first solo as clear as if it was yesterday and it was 55 years ago.
Your first solo is right up there with your first piece of tail and maybe even easier to remember.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Yorkshire
Age: 41
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Excellent, well done. I think my first solo is coming up soon. Had 2 and half hours on circuits or so at Sherburn, although I know I wont be waiting for any A320s there! 
You did not have much practice at circuits then did you, how did you manage to cover emergencies etc in just 40 mins!!
Might see you around on one of my cross country legs to Humberside.
You did not have much practice at circuits then did you, how did you manage to cover emergencies etc in just 40 mins!!
Might see you around on one of my cross country legs to Humberside.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 32
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can still remember my first solo as clear as if it was yesterday and it was 55 years ago.
My instructor said that I'll remember it for the rest of my life, every single detail of it.. Temperature, what everybody said etc
Excellent, well done. I think my first solo is coming up soon. Had 2 and half hours on circuits or so at Sherburn, although I know I wont be waiting for any A320s there!
- You'll have so much fun, my smile still has not gone yet!
You did not have much practice at circuits then did you, how did you manage to cover emergencies etc in just 40 mins!!
Ah, on a not so good day a few lessons back we practiced go arounds and engine faliure on takeoff using the local reservoir as a runway. Performed a go around on Sunday prior to going solo for a valid reason - student pilots taking too long to backtrack
My instructor said that I'll remember it for the rest of my life, every single detail of it.. Temperature, what everybody said etc
Excellent, well done. I think my first solo is coming up soon. Had 2 and half hours on circuits or so at Sherburn, although I know I wont be waiting for any A320s there!
- You'll have so much fun, my smile still has not gone yet!You did not have much practice at circuits then did you, how did you manage to cover emergencies etc in just 40 mins!!
Ah, on a not so good day a few lessons back we practiced go arounds and engine faliure on takeoff using the local reservoir as a runway. Performed a go around on Sunday prior to going solo for a valid reason - student pilots taking too long to backtrack
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bramhall, Cheshire
Age: 44
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I also did my first solo :)
Congratulations!! 
I also just flew my first solo on Sunday (12th oct) at Barton Aerodrome, I still can't get my head round it yet! Been showing off telling my friends and people at work.
For the record I also have 12 hours to my name, but I think I started doing the circuit around hour 10? so I have had about 3 hours of circuit practice including right and left hands, also the last thing we did before he suddenly let me go solo was do EFATO's.
I'm not as young as you though, I'm 28!! So an old man in comparison.
The feeling coming in on final over the M60 all on my own was lovely.
Happy flying!
Jon.
I also just flew my first solo on Sunday (12th oct) at Barton Aerodrome, I still can't get my head round it yet! Been showing off telling my friends and people at work
.For the record I also have 12 hours to my name, but I think I started doing the circuit around hour 10? so I have had about 3 hours of circuit practice including right and left hands, also the last thing we did before he suddenly let me go solo was do EFATO's.
I'm not as young as you though, I'm 28!! So an old man in comparison.
The feeling coming in on final over the M60 all on my own was lovely.
Happy flying!
Jon.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Age: 71
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Walsue
I wouldn't put yourself down. The timing depends on all sorts of things - the weather, how your instructor does things etc. I went solo at 16 hours but it was 3 months before I went on my second!
It was on my first cross country solo when I first realised the fabulous freedom one has as a pilot. I thought I was at my turning point but then realised that it was a different town. But no matter, I can have a good look at it and then breeze over to find the correct one!
I wouldn't put yourself down. The timing depends on all sorts of things - the weather, how your instructor does things etc. I went solo at 16 hours but it was 3 months before I went on my second!
It was on my first cross country solo when I first realised the fabulous freedom one has as a pilot. I thought I was at my turning point but then realised that it was a different town. But no matter, I can have a good look at it and then breeze over to find the correct one!
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Just a bit lower than the point where the falling angel meets the rising ape
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I didn't solo until 32hrs, who cares!
Absolutely! I dried away the tears (sic) when I knew I wasn't going to go out on my own in 20 hours or less. Doesn't matter!
(question to the forum, is there any correlation between time of first solo and subsequent quality as a pilot? Can't find anything to say there is)
Adam, as above, circuit bashing when the conditions permit, interspersed with training for cross country. Which is a blast!
Where do they take you cross country from Humberside? I've flown into there from Netherthorpe where I'm training. Any likelihood you'll end up there?
JR
(question to the forum, is there any correlation between time of first solo and subsequent quality as a pilot? Can't find anything to say there is)
Adam, as above, circuit bashing when the conditions permit, interspersed with training for cross country. Which is a blast!
Where do they take you cross country from Humberside? I've flown into there from Netherthorpe where I'm training. Any likelihood you'll end up there?
JR
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Age: 32
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks G-EMMA.
Personally, I really don't think it matters when you go solo.. 8 hours or 40 hours, it's when the time is right for you and your instructor thinks so too - Of course. Either way, there is a hell of alot of dual flying that has to be done so your still working towards your PPL/NPPL by flying with an instructor, improving your flying all the time!
I'm looking forward to doing some more solo flying, it's nice when you've not got an instructor next to you (not that I don't enjoy flying with him)!
Adam, as above, circuit bashing when the conditions permit, interspersed with training for cross country. Which is a blast!
Where do they take you cross country from Humberside? I've flown into there from Netherthorpe where I'm training. Any likelihood you'll end up there?
- All the training of the actual handling of the aircraft comes into practice from now onwards then?
I have no idea where you go on your X country, I'll ask though. I'd imagine somewhere like Full Sutton, Gamston or as you say Netherthorpe.
Personally, I really don't think it matters when you go solo.. 8 hours or 40 hours, it's when the time is right for you and your instructor thinks so too - Of course. Either way, there is a hell of alot of dual flying that has to be done so your still working towards your PPL/NPPL by flying with an instructor, improving your flying all the time!
I'm looking forward to doing some more solo flying, it's nice when you've not got an instructor next to you (not that I don't enjoy flying with him)!
Adam, as above, circuit bashing when the conditions permit, interspersed with training for cross country. Which is a blast!
Where do they take you cross country from Humberside? I've flown into there from Netherthorpe where I'm training. Any likelihood you'll end up there?
- All the training of the actual handling of the aircraft comes into practice from now onwards then? I have no idea where you go on your X country, I'll ask though. I'd imagine somewhere like Full Sutton, Gamston or as you say Netherthorpe.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cheshire
Age: 78
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
more congrats . . . . . . . . . ! !
I can still remember my first solo as clear as if it was yesterday and it was 55 years ago
As everyone has said, every detail is remembered. Mine took me by surprise, because it was very poor hazy visibility that day. I remember thinking as I drove to the airfield that we'd be OK to fly, but that my instructor would probably not send me solo . . . . . . but he did ! On the downwind leg I was really struggling to keep the runway in sight !
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: newark
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congratulations Adam C on your first solo,you will never forget it. Mine was Dec.29th 1977 at Tollerton in a Chipmunk and I can still remember every detail.Wind was smack down the RW,(28)(now 27) and it ended with one small bounce on landing.When I got home I told my Dad that I had flown my first solo,thinking he would be almost as ecstatic as me and all he said was,"Oh yeah? Well done, whats for tea"? (To my mum)
ce la vie.
ce la vie.
Last edited by alvin-sfc; 16th Oct 2008 at 19:44.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Age: 71
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What happens now then, more solo circuits for me? Or do I carry on doing dual circuits?
Sometimes you wish you hadn't gone solo - cos' you want to do it all the time and you start to resent that person in the right hand seat and wonder what you've done wrong not to let you do more solo time!
In the end I told myself I wasn't going to learn much on my own - so that's why the instructor was still there! Plenty time for solo once you have your PPL!
(In fact you have to do 10 hours solo before that - usually there's a bit of that outstanding after your cross country - quite nice as you can basically do what you like in that time).
Last edited by DavidHoul52; 15th Oct 2008 at 21:10.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: London
Age: 71
Posts: 339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
is there any correlation between time of first solo and subsequent quality as a pilot?
Not that going solo soon is not an achievement in itself - it's just that all (well most!) of us get there in the end anyway. Going solo at 60 hours is not unheard of (you would have to admire the persistence of someone like that)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chedburgh, Bury St.Edmunds
Age: 81
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
I soloed at Booker after a mere 4 and a half hours!!!. I had done some ATC gliding some 17 years previous. I have to say that it came completely out of the blue, and, because it was so sudden, although I felt reasonably confident and competent, I cannot say that I enjoyed it overly much!!, although the shock of being on my own had disappeared by the time I had joined finals [always loved approaches!!]. This is NO WAY a critiscism of my instructor,ex Vulcan man Kevin Dearman, who was brilliant, and who perhaps had more faith in me than I did!! Be wary, young man, of getting overconfident. I worry about people who say that their circuits are always perfect and their confidence is 100%. I once admitted to my instructor that flying slightly scared me, and he replied 'Good. Because you will therefore treat it with the respect it deserves'. Excellent advice!!!
Best of luck, I started powered at 33 years old, and therefore it was merely a hobby. I hope your career is long. Regards, John [slightly jealous]
Best of luck, I started powered at 33 years old, and therefore it was merely a hobby. I hope your career is long. Regards, John [slightly jealous]
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Just a bit lower than the point where the falling angel meets the rising ape
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'Good. Because you will therefore treat it with the respect it deserves'
My instructor calls it "the right stuff" A healthy regard for the risks, while still having fun.
Of course, I think I had a bit too much regard to the risks, and not enough regard for the fun, which I think is why I took an age to get out of the circuit!
But like the man (sadly deceased) with the 'tache, in the band, with the man with the hair, said..
"Don't stop me now..."
Of course, I think I had a bit too much regard to the risks, and not enough regard for the fun, which I think is why I took an age to get out of the circuit!
But like the man (sadly deceased) with the 'tache, in the band, with the man with the hair, said..
"Don't stop me now..."
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congratulations
Well done. I wish I could do it (them) all again, 1st solo fixed wing 6.5 hrs June 1982, 1st solo glider August 1989 and 1st solo helicopter 6.1 hrs August 1991
Enjoy the moment and savour it
It is a special moment and after 8000 hours I can only say that if I could turn the clock back and repeat anything that I have previously done in my career it would be my first solos! Nothing can beat that memory of sitting there, on my own, touching the empty seat beside me and smiling from ear to ear, then savouring the first landing when you return to earth, marvelous
And then to follow it with your first solo start, taxiing out feeling rather proud of ones self and opening the throttle, lifting off and realising that this is what it is all about
To all of you about to solo, keep your heads, enjoy the days and fly safe
PP
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N Ireland
Age: 55
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I went solo at 16 hours but it was 3 months before I went on my second!
frustrating.Sorry character building
Keep at it WALSue, it'll get there. I think everyone has their fair share of problems/frustrations, it just takes a bit (a lot?) of stickability
PS Congratulations BodleyTunes
Oh Shazbat!
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Leeds, UK
Age: 64
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congratulations to you both, Adam & Bodley.
If you solo around this time of year, then you can get the weather delaying your next solo but don't worry about it. It becomes something that binds a group of students together, "I soloed xx weeks/months ago but not since...", when you sit in the warmth of the clubhouse, drinking tea & watching the windsock getting blown off it's mount by the wind.
Actually, I found the dual instruction time in the not so good weather very useful and by the time I came to build solo hours, I was much more used to it. My first solo, in November, was on a still day, but my second solo was in gusty winds the following February. I was a bit surprised when the instructor jumped out & said "You'll be ok in this" but it didn't fase me as I had spent time handling different conditions.
Just enjoy any time you get in the air!
If you solo around this time of year, then you can get the weather delaying your next solo but don't worry about it. It becomes something that binds a group of students together, "I soloed xx weeks/months ago but not since...", when you sit in the warmth of the clubhouse, drinking tea & watching the windsock getting blown off it's mount by the wind.
I went solo at 18 hours and it was over 7 months before I went on my second, boy was that 
frustrating.
Sorry character building
frustrating.Sorry character building
Just enjoy any time you get in the air!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: N Ireland
Age: 55
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, I found the dual instruction time in the not so good weather very useful and by the time I came to build solo hours, I was much more used to it. My first solo, in November, was on a still day, but my second solo was in gusty winds the following February. I was a bit surprised when the instructor jumped out & said "You'll be ok in this" but it didn't fase me as I had spent time handling different conditions.
Just enjoy any time you get in the air!
Just enjoy any time you get in the air!
