Solo at 16?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: england
Solo at 16?
I'm 15 and would love to have my first solo flight on my 16th birthday. It's in June which is 10 months away and I've already had two lessons. Me and family agreed one lesson a month and maybe an extra at Xmas. Will that be enough time for me to go solo considering my age, time and lesson regularilty? Thanks xx
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: NZ
Hi Hannah,
No reason why you can't achieve that, I tried to do it, but on my 16th the weather was rubbish, so I soloed the day after!
I'd suggest you space out the ab initio stuff (climb/desc, straight/level, med turns, stalling etc), then hammer the circuit out closer to the time. Twice a week closer to the time should do it, see how it goes. good luck. I managed to get a family member to video my first solo too which was great, looking back, so long ago....
No reason why you can't achieve that, I tried to do it, but on my 16th the weather was rubbish, so I soloed the day after!
I'd suggest you space out the ab initio stuff (climb/desc, straight/level, med turns, stalling etc), then hammer the circuit out closer to the time. Twice a week closer to the time should do it, see how it goes. good luck. I managed to get a family member to video my first solo too which was great, looking back, so long ago....
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 1
Shouldn't be a problem Hannar I have sent more than a few on there 16th.
Local newspaper turning up for photo's, dad standing there proud, mum trying not to look worried etc.
Get your head into your Air law books over a school holiday and get it out the way early.
Local newspaper turning up for photo's, dad standing there proud, mum trying not to look worried etc.
Get your head into your Air law books over a school holiday and get it out the way early.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 235
Likes: 4
From: Earth
Hi Hannah,
You can do it! I flew solo on my 16th birthday. One of the best moments of my life! I had to make sure I had my medical and passed my Air Law exam before though. I was having around one lesson a month, so yes, it is achievable 
You can do it! I flew solo on my 16th birthday. One of the best moments of my life!
I had to make sure I had my medical and passed my Air Law exam before though. I was having around one lesson a month, so yes, it is achievable
Fleet Manager
Joined: Aug 2006
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 7,089
Likes: 2,952
From: Ontario, Canada
Hannah,
Yes, you can do it. I nearly did, though poor weather in March delayed me a little. I offer the mentoring caution though that going solo is something for which you must be not only skills ready, but mentally ready too. Come the day of your birthday, make sure that you're in the right, relaxed, frame of mind, and you're not pressuring yourself.
It was the practice when I learned to fly that students have no influence over when they go solo, and indeed would not be told until suddenly they noticed the instructor getting out on the taxiway. It was this lack of expecttion of going solo, on a really yucky late winter day that caused me to ask for the new plane on the line. I figured He'd never send me solo that day, so I may as well see if I could fly something brand new.
I got the plane, and ended up flying my first solo on a brand new C-152, with 33 hours total time since new. It was also the first 152 to be imported into Canada. My instructor was apparently told off by the Chief Flying Instructor.
Enjoy the flying fratenity Hannah, there are lots of wonderful people...
Yes, you can do it. I nearly did, though poor weather in March delayed me a little. I offer the mentoring caution though that going solo is something for which you must be not only skills ready, but mentally ready too. Come the day of your birthday, make sure that you're in the right, relaxed, frame of mind, and you're not pressuring yourself.
It was the practice when I learned to fly that students have no influence over when they go solo, and indeed would not be told until suddenly they noticed the instructor getting out on the taxiway. It was this lack of expecttion of going solo, on a really yucky late winter day that caused me to ask for the new plane on the line. I figured He'd never send me solo that day, so I may as well see if I could fly something brand new.
I got the plane, and ended up flying my first solo on a brand new C-152, with 33 hours total time since new. It was also the first 152 to be imported into Canada. My instructor was apparently told off by the Chief Flying Instructor.
Enjoy the flying fratenity Hannah, there are lots of wonderful people...
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 101
Likes: 28
From: UK
I'm sure it is perfectly achievable but I really wonder if it is a good idea to have such a fixed idea about one date?
I flew gliders for many years and saw this happen several times, even to the point of taking the day off school. There was even a panic on one occasion about the time of day the person was born? I still don't know if, legally, that matters - arguably you are not 16 years old until that moment!
I don't have the slightest problem with somebody flying solo at the earliest possible age providing they are ready. I feel it is normally best if their first solo comes as a bit of a surprise with only a few moments notice, certainly that's how mine was. Is a huge self imposed pressure aiming for one day really helpful? There is nothing more unforgiving than aviation, always keep this in mind.
I flew gliders for many years and saw this happen several times, even to the point of taking the day off school. There was even a panic on one occasion about the time of day the person was born? I still don't know if, legally, that matters - arguably you are not 16 years old until that moment!
I don't have the slightest problem with somebody flying solo at the earliest possible age providing they are ready. I feel it is normally best if their first solo comes as a bit of a surprise with only a few moments notice, certainly that's how mine was. Is a huge self imposed pressure aiming for one day really helpful? There is nothing more unforgiving than aviation, always keep this in mind.
