First solo (ppl fixed wing)
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
My log book says 15 hours but that involves 3 different planes (Cherokee, Bolkow, SA Bulldog) and I've done a few other things such as intro to aeros 
I also had a number of trial lessons before really starting training.
I've also had the opportunity to sit beside lots of others who were hour building or just keeping current, and to sit in the back of the Cherokee during other people's lessons.
I had the landings pretty consistent in the Bolkow until it became unavailable but its taken me a while to re-learn in a Bulldog - very different aircraft!
I'm not watching the hours - I'm just enjoying being up. I don't think its a competition! Last time I was up, the wind was further off the runway than we thought and although I could get to the runway consistantly, my instructor (rightly) thought that putting it on the (middle of the) runway was beyond me and so a waste of time.
I think you should aim high (pun intended) but remember to be patient and not push to be somewhere that you aren't. I'm really enjoying it - but if my first solo doesn't come till another 10 lessons - it will still be worth it.
I also had a number of trial lessons before really starting training. I've also had the opportunity to sit beside lots of others who were hour building or just keeping current, and to sit in the back of the Cherokee during other people's lessons.
I had the landings pretty consistent in the Bolkow until it became unavailable but its taken me a while to re-learn in a Bulldog - very different aircraft!
I'm not watching the hours - I'm just enjoying being up. I don't think its a competition! Last time I was up, the wind was further off the runway than we thought and although I could get to the runway consistantly, my instructor (rightly) thought that putting it on the (middle of the) runway was beyond me and so a waste of time.
I think you should aim high (pun intended) but remember to be patient and not push to be somewhere that you aren't. I'm really enjoying it - but if my first solo doesn't come till another 10 lessons - it will still be worth it
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
First Solo
Just did my First Solo this evening in the Bulldog at Prestwick . So thats 16Hrs - not that anyone is really counting.
If anyone is around Glasgow just watch out for a big grin...
BTW - a Bolkow Junior There is a pic of both planes here (not including me!).
. So thats 16Hrs - not that anyone is really counting.If anyone is around Glasgow just watch out for a big grin...
BTW - a Bolkow Junior There is a pic of both planes here (not including me!).
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Madison, WI
Here's something that struck me:
The average first-solo (say, 15 hours) on a plane seems about the same (or maybe even shorter? ) than the average "first solo" while learning to drive a car.
To me that was non-intuitive; an aircraft seems more complex and also more outside most people's typical range of experiences. Also, you can't just "pull over", the controls are in 3D rather than 2D etc.
Maybe one compensating factor is that you don't have to worry about as many third parties flying around you as in driving.
Oh, also, when I got my "rating" at the university sailing club's 30 foot yacht it took me a bit more than 15 hours too.
The average first-solo (say, 15 hours) on a plane seems about the same (or maybe even shorter? ) than the average "first solo" while learning to drive a car.
To me that was non-intuitive; an aircraft seems more complex and also more outside most people's typical range of experiences. Also, you can't just "pull over", the controls are in 3D rather than 2D etc.
Maybe one compensating factor is that you don't have to worry about as many third parties flying around you as in driving.
Oh, also, when I got my "rating" at the university sailing club's 30 foot yacht it took me a bit more than 15 hours too.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 2
From: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Fifth flight, 4hrs 35 but then I've got plenty of gliding time. Total non event, just something to get out of the way.
Edit: The best part of my PPL journey so far has been the QXC. Everything went perfectly including a course rethink while airborne (didn't get the CMATZ clearance I thought I would get) and poor vis on the way back. Got a good buzz out of that one and I shan't forget it. Gave me confidence that I could find my way around.
Edit: The best part of my PPL journey so far has been the QXC. Everything went perfectly including a course rethink while airborne (didn't get the CMATZ clearance I thought I would get) and poor vis on the way back. Got a good buzz out of that one and I shan't forget it. Gave me confidence that I could find my way around.
Last edited by thing; 21st June 2011 at 18:41.
