First Solo?????????
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
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From: York
13 Hours for me but I was fortunate with the weather and a good instructor. I know as pilots the first solo is a major achievement but the key is not to get hung up over the number of hours or the time it is taking and to concentrate on the learning and most of all enjoying the training.
The only advice I can offer is to ensure you get the air law exam out of the way so this does not act as barrier when your instructor feels you are ready to go.
Enjoy it when it comes.......
The only advice I can offer is to ensure you get the air law exam out of the way so this does not act as barrier when your instructor feels you are ready to go.
Enjoy it when it comes.......
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 71
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From: Haywards Heath, West Sussex
I went solo after 19 hours 40 mins on Mon 17th August 09. If you want you can read about it here. http://ppllog.*************/2009/08/first-solo.html.
It may not be the usual story of after 10 hours i was solo. But I was safe and confident despite the 10knot crosswind. I loved it, the feeling when you get on the ground is even better.
Looking forward to my next solo
It may not be the usual story of after 10 hours i was solo. But I was safe and confident despite the 10knot crosswind. I loved it, the feeling when you get on the ground is even better.
Looking forward to my next solo
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: worcestershire
First Solo
4.8 hours is a reflection on the instructor not the student and in my opinion is irresponsible if that was the only flying experience. We all learn differently so concentrate on what your instructor is telling you and do not compare with others. My instructor took the approach that when I flew my first solo the weather would be perfect as I trained at a large airport and he did not want to be responsible for a 152 shutting the airport!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 74
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From: Wisbech
23 hours and 20 minutes for me. Weather played a big part, so did my complete lack of any natural ability when it came to judging the flare and hold off. Don't worry if it's taking a long while, it's all extra experience which will come in very handy when you are solo.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 170
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From: Cambridge
Whether you train in the UK, the US, or Al Shamar's Strip in Azerbaijan, you must be proficient in over 40 tasks before you are safe to fly solo, regardless of local laws. To achieve this in 4.8 hours is (and I agree with a previous poster) a reflection on the instructor - I've never branched into that area of flying, but all other things aside (including the ability of the student), I know I wouldn't feel comfortable letting somebody lose after this minimal time, however natural their flying ability may be... But who am I to judge 
No, don't worry about a thing, we all take varying degrees of time to achieve this first milestone, for me, a total of 37 hours TT due to meteorological constraints (!), lack of continuity and an interrupted training regime. I then went on to pass first time everything to (f)ATPL level and 737 type rating without a hitch. I've also yet to pass a computerised aptitude test. I suppose on that note it's relevant to mention I've managed to avoid killing anybody or damaging any heavy metal yet as well
Try to calm your nerves, it helps
No, don't worry about a thing, we all take varying degrees of time to achieve this first milestone, for me, a total of 37 hours TT due to meteorological constraints (!), lack of continuity and an interrupted training regime. I then went on to pass first time everything to (f)ATPL level and 737 type rating without a hitch. I've also yet to pass a computerised aptitude test. I suppose on that note it's relevant to mention I've managed to avoid killing anybody or damaging any heavy metal yet as well
Try to calm your nerves, it helps
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,089
Likes: 2,952
From: Ontario, Canada
First first solo in about 13 hours in 1977. I had a spell of unsuitable weather, and was putting in dual waiting for the right conditions. It was a horrible day, gusty crosswind, and raining. I asked for the new plane in the fleet, thinking I would never go solo that day anyway. My instructor allowed me to take the new plane, then sent me solo in it. The plane was the very first Cessna 152 in Canada, C-GYVT, and had 33 hours total time since new when I first flew it, 18 of which would have been ferry time up from Wichita. Everyone wanted to try this new powerhouse with 108 hp, and getting it at all, out of a fleet of 20 150s was not likely. I was later told how much of a blast my instructor got from the CFI, for sending me first solo in the brand new plane in the fleet.
Second first solo was 30 years and 3 months later in my life in a Schweizer 300 CBi. I was a lot more nervous during my second first solo than my first!
Second first solo was 30 years and 3 months later in my life in a Schweizer 300 CBi. I was a lot more nervous during my second first solo than my first!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: North Hertfordshire
I completed my solo on Saturday after 25 hours and 40 minutes! I felt in the back of my mind that perhaps I should have done it before then. However, it has not overly concerned me and I felt confident on the day probably because I had the extra hours behind me! My lessons have been every 3 - 4 weeks which probably has lengthened the time taken.
Stick in there Hakeem!
Stick in there Hakeem!
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: FL430
Hakeem
Hey all thanks for your all you positive replies........
I was actually bit worried about that but now i'm all right.....
Thanks one and all........
I would have gone three days before but,
1st day Heavy Crosswind of upto 20 knots
2nd day Strong headwind
3rd day Gusting upto 45 knots......
In all those three days my instructor said i would have sent you if there is such things.....
All three days huh.....
May be on Monday hopefully......
By the way I'm in my 19th hour......
Thanks all......
I was actually bit worried about that but now i'm all right.....
Thanks one and all........
I would have gone three days before but,
1st day Heavy Crosswind of upto 20 knots
2nd day Strong headwind
3rd day Gusting upto 45 knots......
In all those three days my instructor said i would have sent you if there is such things.....
All three days huh.....
May be on Monday hopefully......
By the way I'm in my 19th hour......
Thanks all......
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Wisbech
Good luck, with you first solo...and the weather! you will need more luck with the weather, I think. I haven't been able to do any more solo flying since my first because of the windy weather. still, good things come to those who wait
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 181
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From: NZ
10hrs, always brings back good memories, the day after my 16th in late 1999. Had it all filmed, quite a few family members there to see it, exciting times! Pretty uneventful of course.
As all have said, it doesn't really matter too much, take your time and enjoy the journey.
As all have said, it doesn't really matter too much, take your time and enjoy the journey.
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: N/A
No such thing as lagging behind!
I soloed at 22 hours after a serious amount of Ex 13 & 14 I just couldn't land the damn thing until suddenly one day I did a number of well oiled landings! (my landings are worse now as a post-ppl 
)
Late soloing doesn't neccesary mean that your PPL will take longer to get either. Mine took 49 hours.
I soloed at 22 hours after a serious amount of Ex 13 & 14
I just couldn't land the damn thing until suddenly one day I did a number of well oiled landings! (my landings are worse now as a post-ppl )Late soloing doesn't neccesary mean that your PPL will take longer to get either. Mine took 49 hours.