First Solo?????????
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
From: Downwind
26/10/2009
C152
9.2 hrs
What a day!! The thought I think I will carry to grave will be those few seconds after you leave the ground when you blood runs cold and you think to yourself:
"Are you f*****g mental?? What the **** did you just do??? Nice one! Now you're going to die!!"
Then Fight or Flight kicks in and you concentrate 110% on getting yourself back down in one piece! What a lucky bunch of people we really are!
C152
9.2 hrs
What a day!! The thought I think I will carry to grave will be those few seconds after you leave the ground when you blood runs cold and you think to yourself:
"Are you f*****g mental?? What the **** did you just do??? Nice one! Now you're going to die!!"
Then Fight or Flight kicks in and you concentrate 110% on getting yourself back down in one piece! What a lucky bunch of people we really are!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
First solo circuit was around eight hours (don't have the logbook in front of me), the instructor indicated he was happy with my skills, but not with the wind so I spent an hour hanging around the club waiting for it to calm down. Then went and did another couple, taxied back to the club to let the instructor out, and went out and did it on my own.
When you're not used to it, it is suprising how well the 152 climbs without the instructor on board
When you're not used to it, it is suprising how well the 152 climbs without the instructor on board
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 17
From: London
i done mine last friday, after about 15-20 hours, 4 or 5 of those being circuits as there are 4 different circuits where i fly and the weather has been erratic.
to be honest i worried about it so much that i was completely underwhelmed by the experience. it just felt like another circuit. pity the weather turned out to be so bad on the solo.
most of the time i was doing circuits in 15kt crosswinds, i guess the instructor had confidence in me to fly the aircraft.
for me the biggest part in all this is the instructor. it is they that make you relaxed, confident, believe in your own ability when you are a natural worrier, all that stuff.
to be honest i worried about it so much that i was completely underwhelmed by the experience. it just felt like another circuit. pity the weather turned out to be so bad on the solo.
most of the time i was doing circuits in 15kt crosswinds, i guess the instructor had confidence in me to fly the aircraft.
for me the biggest part in all this is the instructor. it is they that make you relaxed, confident, believe in your own ability when you are a natural worrier, all that stuff.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Bournemouth
I actually thought I would NEVER master the flare and landing (I can still hear my instructor's voice.. "more right rudder! hold it off, more back pressure, MORE back.....". But one day it all came together and after 18.5 hours, on my 25th birthday (31st January 2010) in G-BPCK - off I went for my first P1 flight!
It'll happen when it happens - just remember that all the hours you fly before first solo aren't being wasted - they still count towards the 45.
It'll happen when it happens - just remember that all the hours you fly before first solo aren't being wasted - they still count towards the 45.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: balloch
Don't worry
20hrs or so for me.
Your first solo is much like a good whiskey, the longer you leave it the better the experience!
I done mine on a cold (very cold -25C) morning in Canada... Everyone knows you are doing it even ATC seem excited for you. As far as my instructors they drowned me with freezing cold water on an already cold day!
However long it takes you will remeber it vividly for the rest of your life I'm sure!
Mike
Your first solo is much like a good whiskey, the longer you leave it the better the experience!
I done mine on a cold (very cold -25C) morning in Canada... Everyone knows you are doing it even ATC seem excited for you. As far as my instructors they drowned me with freezing cold water on an already cold day!
However long it takes you will remeber it vividly for the rest of your life I'm sure!
Mike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Coventry/Edinburgh
Checked mine and it was at 14.25 hours. Was a total surprise when it happened. Not sure how different schools deal with it. I was booked for a lesson with the instructor that I had flown most of my exercises with. Got to the flying school to be told he was ill but it was ok because the CFI would take my lesson. This worried me a little as I had flown once previously with the CFI and I wasn't exactly thrilled with his style but whatever. Goes up and does 4 or 5 dual circuits. On last downwind leg, CFI says make this a full stop landing. Puts in downwind call and continues with no problems. Vacates runway at normal taxiway at which point CFI says to stop at a hold on the taxiway after normal post-landing checks. As we stop, CFI calls ATC and says student going back up with 1 POB for first solo. He tells me to call them when ready for departure, go do one circuit just like those you've just done, then says drop throttle back to idle while I get out.
Worked really well as it meant no time for nerves. I think it was climb rate after takeoff that made me realise I was on my own but in the circuit you don't have time to get nervous, too many things to remember and there was quite a bit of traffic. I had taxied back to the clubhouse before it kicked in, where I was met by various members including my normal instructor who had apparently been watching from the car park.
In the whole of my training flights I think it is number 2 in my memory behind the QXC.
Worked really well as it meant no time for nerves. I think it was climb rate after takeoff that made me realise I was on my own but in the circuit you don't have time to get nervous, too many things to remember and there was quite a bit of traffic. I had taxied back to the clubhouse before it kicked in, where I was met by various members including my normal instructor who had apparently been watching from the car park.
In the whole of my training flights I think it is number 2 in my memory behind the QXC.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Bahamas / Sweden / Ireland / Australia
Did my training in Australia in 2002 and did first solo circuit after 11.3 hours - averaging about one flight a week. I still remember wondering if I was really ready because I was the first person that my instructor had ever sent solo.
It has been said before but I wouldn't worry about how long it takes you. Your instructor will send you when it is safe to do so and there are plenty of other considerations other than your ability that can affect this. Remember also that the training you do for your first solo will stay with you for the rest of your piloting life so it shouldn't be rushed. I have had many long gaps in my training since my first solo due to my job but I still find that what I learned back in 2002 comes flooding back fairly quickly as soon as I hop in the cockpit.
When it does happen the rush you get from that single circuit is more than worth the wait.
It has been said before but I wouldn't worry about how long it takes you. Your instructor will send you when it is safe to do so and there are plenty of other considerations other than your ability that can affect this. Remember also that the training you do for your first solo will stay with you for the rest of your piloting life so it shouldn't be rushed. I have had many long gaps in my training since my first solo due to my job but I still find that what I learned back in 2002 comes flooding back fairly quickly as soon as I hop in the cockpit.
When it does happen the rush you get from that single circuit is more than worth the wait.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,369
Likes: 3
From: UK.
Ryan5252,
Very amusing - you had me grinning from ear to ear as I recollected 13th June 1966
Oh, yes - RAF, 19hrs, Chippy. The penny dropped as I looked around to check the 'full & free' - no Mr Fixit in the rear cockpit
Very amusing - you had me grinning from ear to ear as I recollected 13th June 1966
Oh, yes - RAF, 19hrs, Chippy. The penny dropped as I looked around to check the 'full & free' - no Mr Fixit in the rear cockpit
