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Impending first solo - NOW DONE MY FIRST SOLO 20/10/2012 !!!

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Impending first solo - NOW DONE MY FIRST SOLO 20/10/2012 !!!

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Old 12th Oct 2012, 10:21
  #101 (permalink)  
 
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Heston

I should not have posted this to you specifically but this Lady is a confessed very nervous flyer who has done amazingly well to overcome those nerves.
As stated you are as likely to have a first solo have to divert because of runway closure as you are to have unforecast fog roll in.
In 30 years of flying I have never heard of a first solo having to divert have you?

Pace


I've never actualy taken any medication for anxiety on an everday basis. SO don't worry about undisclosed stuff on my medical. i'm not that silly!
I'm a nervous flyer , valium was suggested. I took them once. It just gave me a headache.

I used to self medicate with alcohol on the plane , didn't help either.

The therapy got me to a stage where I could manage the panic attacks. They only happen in turbulence on large planes . Don't ask me why but the smaller the plane the happier I was!

The underlying issue is a control thing , not a flear of flying. But I'm still damn pleased with myself
She has every right to be pleased as she has changed her mindset on a number of things since the above post in this thread

Last edited by Pace; 12th Oct 2012 at 10:32.
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 11:46
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...done amazingly well to overcome those nerves.
As stated you are as likely to have a first solo have to divert because of runway closure as you are to have unforecast fog roll in.
In 30 years of flying I have never heard of a first solo having to divert have you?
Yep absolutely agree. As I said, she doesnt sound unduly nervous (any more). That's one of the great things about learning to fly - for many people it is as much about whats going on in your head emotionally as it is the actual ability to do it well.

And no I've never known a first time solo student have to divert to another airfield. I have known one have to land on an alternative runway though.

And to the OP - you're clearly doing really well and asking good questions. Trust your instructor and pay attention to what s/he says before the flight (it will be just a few points to help it go well)

Best wishes

H
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 12:05
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Emergencies that I want a student to be able to handle before solo:
- engine failure at any point in the takeoff, circuit or landing, including off airfield forced landing if necessary
- radio failure in circuit
- suitable alternatives if the original landing runway becomes unusable - this could include a divert, landing on an alternative runway if available, or making a precautionary landing off airfield. Which of these depends on local factors, as I said, and would be briefed before the flight.

H
Of course. Otherwise they aren't ready for solo. I believe in doing at least one land away short nav before solo, which is anyway standard practice here in France. I have to say I would not brief a possibility of a precautionary off airfield before solo, my briefing is more on the lines of "ok, just do one circuit on your own,like the last one you just did. If you don't like the approach go round and do another one. You will probably get off the ground a bit sooner without me on board."
Then I go and watch from the tower, radio on in case of need (uncontrolled field, Nordo allowed) but normally all I need to say is "well done!)
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 12:25
  #104 (permalink)  
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Impending first solo

Wow that's what happens when I go to sleep !
The thread suddenly explodes

Ok I will admit that the thought of diverting had occured to me , but not until I read someone else's post essay back in the archives about that happening
Tbh I think it unlikely , I'm actually at a fairly busy controlled airport with a lot of commercial traffic ( CYTZ) and by my reckoning have about 5 hours worth of fuel
I think it's much more likely that I'll end up orbiting for a while than diverting
I have some local navigation experience as our practice area is a good 10 minutes away
And if the worst came to it I could def follow an Atc vector

I am very confident about all my other emergency procedures , I used to joke to my instructor that it would be a lot easier if he stopped breaking things !

The weather has totally sucked this week , I'm hoping to fly on Saturday , even if the conditions are not good for my Solo we can get some
More crosswind practice in !!
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 12:50
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That all sounds good to me. Enjoy it when it comes. Remember to take two seconds (but not longer!) when you are somewhere on the downwind leg to say to yourself "Wow! I'm really doing this!!!" You only get to fly your first solo once in your life.

H
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 20:34
  #106 (permalink)  
 
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stevelup

you commented that my post was "DAFT".

looking at your age, I soloed the year you were born. got that? I've listed my quals before, but in addition to being an airline captain for a very, very large airline, I was also a CFI CFII CFIMEI. Now, maybe you don't know what that means. maybe someone will tell you.

I taught at one of the busiest areas in the United States for both general aviation, military and airline flying. Chances are that my little 2500' runway was shorter than yours...and that a crackup can happen and close the runway. I've watched it happen. As a matter of fact I have seen the runway blocked by an inverted SweringenII, a C152 and a C414...and it took HOURS to open the runway.

So, being able to fly to another airfield, in this hugely busy area is vital. You see, as PILOT IN COMMAND, even on your first solo, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING.

IF you were lucky enough to have multiple runways, hooray for you. But even the biggest airport in the world can be closed due to problems.

There are pilots who can handle things, and there are those who just manage to get by. I know what kind of pilot I am...and I can guess what kind of pilot you are.

By the way, I wouldn't solo anyone who hadn't passed the private pilot written examination.


Soloing today in modern airspace isn't like soloing in the middle of a cornfield in nebraska. There is more to know and it takes longer to know it.


now...think about it...who here is really AFT? you or me?
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 22:40
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civil and polite manner

I do hope the impending first solo person will realize that there are many views about how to fly a plane. being prepared, thinking ahead, and knowledge make the operation safer.

simply saying that something is daft is contrary to increasing knowledge.

I know of pilots who soloed in three hours of instruction...and orville and wilbur did it on their own.

but being prepared for just about anything (ok, don't worry about alien abduction, or crossing a transdimensional threshold ) that COULD happen, means it probably WON"T happen.
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 22:43
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Diversion

I remember being briefed on diversion airfield, what heading/time it was from ours and a short visit there.
As a very busy training airport, the risk of someone else 'contaminating' the runway was reasonably real and thought it good advice.
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Old 12th Oct 2012, 23:58
  #109 (permalink)  

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Originally Posted by sevenstrokeroll
...and orville and wilbur did it on their own.
No need for false modesty - I'm sure you were there at the time of the first flight of the Wright Flyer, bellowing bumptious guff through a megaphone at Orville, whilst at the same time slapping Wilbur around the back of the head for suggesting that it was daft to insist that Orville should have planned a diversion in case the turf 120 feet upwind was suddenly closed to arriving traffic.
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Old 13th Oct 2012, 00:30
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eaharding...yes, I was there...but you see, there weren't any other airports available then. but of course you were kidding. that great british wit.
it always amuses me that when someone is right...someone demands the most out of our flying heritage he is attacked.

you have all the charm of joe biden...is that a blarney stone in your pocket or are you just happy to seeme?
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Old 13th Oct 2012, 01:13
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localflighteast

As someone who has sent a fair few folks on their first solo you should approach it the same way your instructor will. A little bit nervous, anxious to do well, but above all confident that you can do this.
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Old 13th Oct 2012, 08:05
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sevenstrokeroll,

Ye gods old chap, you were somewhat harsh to Stevelup, were you not?

In one post you say how much experience you have and were flying before he was born and in another you sat how the Wright brother taught themselves to fly, and low hours pilots can be good.

Personally I am of the opinion that having high hours PIC does not necessarily mean that you are a great pilot, I am also of the opinion that some low hours pilots can be miles better than I will ever be due to their innate ability to fly and to understand all that is necessary to fly.

I would never say that I am a better, or worse, pilot than you as I haven't a clue who you are, nor your abilities.

I am also aware that there can be more than one correct answer and that different solutions suit different people.

I get called names a lot worse than daft. I don't even think that being called daft is rude. Your response was uncalled for and abusive.

As for the Wrights brothers, so they flew, so what. People flew before them. Big deal.

Mods, I can totally understand Stevelups response to Sevenstrokerolls post where Sevenstrokerolls is so abusive to Stevelups. I would feel the same after such a rude abusive posting.

looking at your age, I soloed the year you were born. got that? I've listed my quals before, but in addition to being an airline captain for a very, very large airline, I was also a CFI CFII CFIMEI. Now, maybe you don't know what that means. maybe someone will tell you.
There are pilots who can handle things, and there are those who just manage to get by. I know what kind of pilot I am...and I can guess what kind of pilot you are.

Last edited by hval; 13th Oct 2012 at 08:31. Reason: Clarification of who I consider Abused Whom
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Old 13th Oct 2012, 12:16
  #113 (permalink)  
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Ummmmm,

Wow , OK . I've really got to stop sleeping, bizarre **** happens here when I do

I have a lesson in a couple of hours, there's currently a 90 degree crosswind @ 7kts, so not exactly looking promising.

Plan is to probably go out to practice area and practice some steep turns and stalls, just to mix it up a little.

play nicely boys!
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Old 13th Oct 2012, 13:55
  #114 (permalink)  
 
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Blimey - this sounds a bit different to my first solo. I was told to take off, fly off to the local training area, bimble about for twenty minutes or so, getting the feel of the now lighter plane, find my way back, join circuit and land. I'd have had no trouble going somewhere else.

Is this not typical?

PS I've done loads more than 2 posts - what's happened to the counter?

Last edited by matthew_w100; 13th Oct 2012 at 13:56.
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Old 13th Oct 2012, 14:30
  #115 (permalink)  
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For anyone who is interested I'm about to head out now.
9kt crosswind so no solo for me today I suspect
Nice sailing weather though

Again thanks to all the people who have offered advice. I go up everytime with something different to try,
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Old 13th Oct 2012, 14:38
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Can't remember any blather about diversions when I did my first solo. Mind you it was a glider.
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Old 15th Oct 2012, 23:41
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how did keeping the centerline between your feet work?
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Old 16th Oct 2012, 00:45
  #118 (permalink)  
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Impending first solo

Not so good
Not my finest flight this time round
Nothing majorly wrong or dangerous , just a bit sloppy
90 degree crosswinds , must have been quite variable though as they switched runway in me mid circuit !
Never done a 180 on the downwind before

I think I've flogged the circuit to death at the moment
Instructor reckons if winds are good next lesson ( saturday) then I can solo, if they are marginal we will go do some steep turns and stalls

Still enjoying the flying , nervous about the solo but no more than I should be I reckon

Thanks for asking !
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Old 16th Oct 2012, 02:32
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These things like ATC changing runways mid circuit can and do happen, and you know you are flying well when you can adjust quickly to the change without your brain getting overloaded.

I performed my first dumbbell turn solo (not during my first solo though!) based on what I'd read in the training manual because ATC instructed me to do it. As it was a logical extension of other things I had done dual it wasn't all that big a deal, despite my version not quite matching up to what was in the textbook.
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Old 16th Oct 2012, 10:47
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Impending first solo

Yeah I reckon I've done pretty much everything Atc can throw at me now
I've done 360 for spacing , extended crosswinds, extended downwinds, tight downwinds , last minute switch from 26 to 24
180 for runway switch
S turns on final for spacing , I've followed dash 8s, a group of 7 Harvards , a Lancaster bomber !

Really don't know what else is left
An alien invasion fleet maybe ?
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