Impending first solo - NOW DONE MY FIRST SOLO 20/10/2012 !!!
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Impending first solo
Guy is a gal but thanks for the kind thoughts
Am leaving in about half an hour for my lesson
7 knot crosswind though so maybe no solo today
That's fine with me though
It'll happen when it happens !
Am leaving in about half an hour for my lesson
7 knot crosswind though so maybe no solo today
That's fine with me though
It'll happen when it happens !
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So I'm back from throwing the airplane around the circuit.
No solo but an absolutely awesome lesson
first approach was too high , realised I was not going to make it down on the runway so called the overshoot and executed it perfectly.
Nailed every single one of my landings, including a flapless landing, an engine failure in the downwind and a simulated flat left tyre.
Instructor was obviously bored at having no flying to do, so would constantly bombard me with " where are you landing if your engine fails here?" , "what about now?". "your engine is on fire, what you going to do?" and so on.
I reasoned my way through every single one of them.
Feel unstoppable at the moment
No solo but an absolutely awesome lesson
first approach was too high , realised I was not going to make it down on the runway so called the overshoot and executed it perfectly.
Nailed every single one of my landings, including a flapless landing, an engine failure in the downwind and a simulated flat left tyre.
Instructor was obviously bored at having no flying to do, so would constantly bombard me with " where are you landing if your engine fails here?" , "what about now?". "your engine is on fire, what you going to do?" and so on.
I reasoned my way through every single one of them.
Feel unstoppable at the moment
next time deffo Thread Starter
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I did have a bit of a panic moment when he said " great that's three solid landings in a row". I'm wasn't sure if that meant he was going to exit stage left as it were !
By the time I'd practiced all the emergency stuff we wanted to do, it was time for the lesson to end but I suspect you are right about the next time.
We still had the emergency procedures bit in my PTR to sign off though. I survived the intense grilling on the ground afterwards about Low voltage warnings, over voltage situations, engine fires etc, so that has been signed off now.
He did mention that my solo would be "by mutual agreement". I know he thinks I'm ready but I don't know if I can ever bring myself to say "yes", if he asks " shall I get out now?"
By the time I'd practiced all the emergency stuff we wanted to do, it was time for the lesson to end but I suspect you are right about the next time.
We still had the emergency procedures bit in my PTR to sign off though. I survived the intense grilling on the ground afterwards about Low voltage warnings, over voltage situations, engine fires etc, so that has been signed off now.
He did mention that my solo would be "by mutual agreement". I know he thinks I'm ready but I don't know if I can ever bring myself to say "yes", if he asks " shall I get out now?"
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He did mention that my solo would be "by mutual agreement". I know he thinks I'm ready but I don't know if I can ever bring myself to say "yes", if he asks " shall I get out now?"
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The 2 most vivid memories of my life, my son being born and first solo,
I remember after a few circuits with the instructor he jumped out and said "do 2 more" and that is where your training automatically kicks in. You get lined up, in goes the power and your off, then about 500 feet I thought "wait a minute I am the only bastard in this plane" I even looked in the back seat to make sure another CFI was not hiding back there, after about 2 seconds of panic then straight back to using your training and you don't have time to think about anything else.
Good luck it will be fun !!!
I remember after a few circuits with the instructor he jumped out and said "do 2 more" and that is where your training automatically kicks in. You get lined up, in goes the power and your off, then about 500 feet I thought "wait a minute I am the only bastard in this plane" I even looked in the back seat to make sure another CFI was not hiding back there, after about 2 seconds of panic then straight back to using your training and you don't have time to think about anything else.
Good luck it will be fun !!!
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Impending first solo
Well gotta wait til next weekend now
Hopefully be able to get a couple of lessons in after that as I've got some vacation owing as well
This flying stuff is so addictive !
Hopefully be able to get a couple of lessons in after that as I've got some vacation owing as well
This flying stuff is so addictive !
You just fly the plane the same as you had with the instructor, but "student" prefix on radio call won't hurt as it clues in ATC and other traffic.
It's more interesting in single seat gliders where you get to teach yourself to fly the thing
Then there's your first outlanding where you really do have to do your own thinking, not just grind out another circuit.
It's more interesting in single seat gliders where you get to teach yourself to fly the thing
Then there's your first outlanding where you really do have to do your own thinking, not just grind out another circuit.
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Just have to say the solo cross country was what confirmed to me that taking my PPL was the best thing I could ever have done - ok, the first solo circuit was both awe-inspiring and breath-taking at the same time but my first solo cross country was simply fantastic, totally enjoyable. Just be aware that without "cheating" and resorting to using any available GPS, the amount of effort put into your preparation in selecting headings, VRPs and base lines will pay dividends ensuring you fly from A to B and back without any problems......
He did mention that my solo would be "by mutual agreement". I know he thinks I'm ready but I don't know if I can ever bring myself to say "yes", if he asks " shall I get out now?"
if he has assessed that the conditions are just right for you to go up alone. This is where the leap of faith lies. The main thing to remember is that he would not be getting out if he wasn't 100% certain you were capable of bringing yourself and the plane back in one piece.
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I just did my first solo last week. it was awesome! Don't worry about it and don't over think it. The performance difference is not something which will throw you off or cause you any problems. Yes it climbs quicker but it doesn't affect the way you fly the aircraft. You may also notice that you float down the runway on your flare a little more than you did with your instructor due to the weight difference. But again, this is a very welcome change and won't cause you any problems. Use the same speeds, the same power settings etc.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!! Here is the video from my first solo:
- Fly a comfortable circuit, don't cut it too tight.
- Don't over bank on the climbing crosswind turn, keep it 15 degrees or less.
- Make sure you have your BUMPFITCH checks memorised.
- If the approach is less than ideal, don't be afraid to go around and try again until you get it right.
Good luck and let us know how you get on!! Here is the video from my first solo:
Last edited by mike_foyle; 30th Sep 2012 at 23:23.
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my dear fellow:
you are making too big a deal about it. it is not a life changing event. as a matter of fact I don't enjoy flying by myself..flying is something to be shared...
While I soloed in 1975, it was just a step towards being a better pilot. I don't remember the day. I do recall the "N" number ( as we call the number painted on the side of the plane (N41949)
But by talking about it so darn much...well I really think you need to relax a bit. Sure its possible the engine will quit, catch on fire...heck, its even possible someone with a gun will run up to the plane just as your instructor gets out and orders you to fly him to havana, or dublin, or deip.
But you will probably fly around the pattern (why do you guys call it circuit?)...oh and you will forget to do one thing...probably looking for traffic, or trimming for takeoff or something dumb.
but you will survive.
some first solos in the USA have their undershirt removed and a bit of it cut off and the name of the pilot and date of solo written upon it...then it will be tacked to the wall.
that didn't happen to me and I'm glad my t shirt stayed intact.
sorry to be so much of a let down...it isn't as good as love making, it isn't as good as serving the country you love, it isn't as good as many people will have you think.
One technical piece of advice, as a CFIIMEIATPMEL etc, because the plane will be lighter in weight, there is a slight chance that you will be more likely to land on your plane's nosewheel first. We call that wheelbarrowing which can lead to porposing...so be ready!
you are making too big a deal about it. it is not a life changing event. as a matter of fact I don't enjoy flying by myself..flying is something to be shared...
While I soloed in 1975, it was just a step towards being a better pilot. I don't remember the day. I do recall the "N" number ( as we call the number painted on the side of the plane (N41949)
But by talking about it so darn much...well I really think you need to relax a bit. Sure its possible the engine will quit, catch on fire...heck, its even possible someone with a gun will run up to the plane just as your instructor gets out and orders you to fly him to havana, or dublin, or deip.
But you will probably fly around the pattern (why do you guys call it circuit?)...oh and you will forget to do one thing...probably looking for traffic, or trimming for takeoff or something dumb.
but you will survive.
some first solos in the USA have their undershirt removed and a bit of it cut off and the name of the pilot and date of solo written upon it...then it will be tacked to the wall.
that didn't happen to me and I'm glad my t shirt stayed intact.
sorry to be so much of a let down...it isn't as good as love making, it isn't as good as serving the country you love, it isn't as good as many people will have you think.
One technical piece of advice, as a CFIIMEIATPMEL etc, because the plane will be lighter in weight, there is a slight chance that you will be more likely to land on your plane's nosewheel first. We call that wheelbarrowing which can lead to porposing...so be ready!
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ome first solos in the USA have their undershirt removed and a bit of it cut off and the name of the pilot and date of solo written upon it...then it will be tacked to the wall.
Never actually HEARD of such a happening but hey ho, the Germans use any excuse to cut your tie......
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Impending first solo
Lol
I'm kind of hoping my underwear will stay intact
I only want to worry about my landings bouncing !
Just a tiny bit of background for those of you who ( probably correctly) think I'm making a big deal of this
Six months ago I could barely step on a commercial plane without having a panic attack
I've had to have therapy ( largely unsuccessful ) in order to fly without being medicated
What might not be a huge deal to you is absolutely life changing to me
To go from what I was to being able to fly the damn plane ON MY OWN is massive to me !
I'm kind of hoping my underwear will stay intact
I only want to worry about my landings bouncing !
Just a tiny bit of background for those of you who ( probably correctly) think I'm making a big deal of this
Six months ago I could barely step on a commercial plane without having a panic attack
I've had to have therapy ( largely unsuccessful ) in order to fly without being medicated
What might not be a huge deal to you is absolutely life changing to me
To go from what I was to being able to fly the damn plane ON MY OWN is massive to me !