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

[localflighteast]

So I have a reasonable suspicion that in the next lesson or two my instructor will be exiting the plane

I know he'll brief me on my solo flight and stuff but I'm wondering what factors I might need to consider to prepare myself

I realize that the plane performance will probably be slightly different , apart from a faster climb rate, is there anything else that i should' be considering ?

What are the usual mistakes that first time soloers make ?

Am I over thinking this too much ?
:o

Replies always appreciated !

LFE

[mad_jock]

Am I over thinking this too much ?

Yep.

Your instructor wouldn't send you if they thought you were going to make a mistake.

[thing]

You are over thinking it probably, just fly it as advertised. The only thing I would say is don't cramp your circuit. You won't notice any slight increase in a/c performance; you'll be too busy.

I can guarentee you one thing, you'll never forget it and it's one of the defining moments in your life. It's a bit like going from being a virgin to not being a virgin, there's no going back. You'll be able to write P1 and Captain 'Self'' in your logbook for the first time which is a moment to be justifiably proud of.

[flyinkiwi]

Here's a list of approved actions during first solo's:

1. Talking to yourself while mimicking your instructors voice
2. Singing
3. Whistling
4. Whooping and hollering

I know people (including me) who have done all or some of the above during their first solo.



Seriously, don't overthink it too much. Treat it just like any other trip into the circuit, your aim being to fly that elusive perfect circuit. Your instructor might have a last second tip for you as they get out, that is the best advice you'll get and supersedes anything you read here.

[Jude098]

Re-do your power checks, get your clearance and then enjoy every minute of it.....you'll never go solo ever again in your life. And once you do you've joined the most exclusive club in the world.

An important bit of advice I think is if for any reason you are not happy with your set up on finals by 300ft call a go-around. First solo is not just about landing it but also airmanship......and it will give you time to resettle in the circuit.

Good luck

Jude

[localflighteast]

Impending first solo

Ok so before I get a bit premature it'll not be until next weekend at the earliest
I tend to mark the passage of time by the interval between flying lessons , I forget that there are these things called "weekdays" that come in between !

I know I'm over thinking it, I just want to be prepared
I obsess over small details
I'll get over it I'm sure

[alexbrett]

I think the best bit of advice my instructor gave me before mine was 'enjoy it', and after the initial moment of disbelief as I left the ground (for some reason I seemed to think the aircraft would refuse to take off without the instructor sitting next to me!), that's exactly what I did!

The only other thing to say as others have is don't be afraid to go around if you're not entirely happy - I did as I had a bit of a bounce on my first attempt...

[FlyingLapinou]

Hi LFE,

I know I'm over thinking it, I just want to be prepared
I obsess over small details

Don't beat yourself up about it. I know one shouldn't generalise too much, but I've noticed men and women seem to approach things in a slightly different way. I tend to want to have everything, but everything, straight in my mind before I go out there and do anything. I fret if I don't have the details nailed. In general, men seem to be happier, or simply more confident, about jumping in at the deep end, and seeing how things pan out.

This article rang a few bells with me:

Mars teaching Venus: Differences in learning between male and female student pilots

I like to visualise the circuit in my mind - over and over again Speeds, checks, procedures.. I'm sure you do already.

Have fun! Looking forward to hearing you did it

[Pilot DAR]

Yeah Local, you're over thinking this, but that's understandable...

When your instructor gets out, smile and take a breath - you are NOT being rushed, take your time - and savour the moment. Pause at each change in the phase of flight for a reality check - am I missing something simple? Refer to the checklist. Fly as you were trained, and don't look for differences in performance, you'll notice those later. Do enjoy flexing your right arm well into the right half of the cabin, and putting your kit on the empty seat beside you.

My first first solo came as a big surprise to me, as it was in the very first C 152 in Canada, and that plane had 33 hours total since new (the boss reamed out my instructor for that!). My second first solo was well briefed before the flight began.

As said, your instructor won't send you if it won't be right.... Have fun!

[lenhamlad]

I just imagined that my instructor was in the plane with me (easy as my first trainer was a cub with the instructor sitting behind not alongside). The plane does not know the instructor is no longer in the aircraft and will do exactly what you have been telling it to up until now ie you will fly the circuit yourself. Happy landings.

[Rabbs]

You will be smiling all the way round Only thing I remember (apart from hollering and whooping and smiling) was that the aircraft shot up after take off (due to half the people weight) but you already thought of that.

I'm sure you have been circuit bashing for the last weeks/months - and I expect the instructor has been keeping quiet during a lot of your ccts and landings, so its no different, except you get to do ot all on your own.

Don't worry - go enjoy - its the best experience, followed closely by your first solo land away, followed by passing the test

[rolling20]

Good Luck! Make sure ATC know its your first Solo.
My first Solo, I was cleared for a Left hand turnout, when all I had done were Right hand ones! I made it known it was my first Solo and was duely cleared for a Right hand circuit.
Dont be afraid to communicate with ATC on anything you are unsure about.

[FANS]

1. You never feel ready for solo, but it’s about getting the aircraft around safely.

2. Try and relax. Such an easy thing to say, but often quite useless advice!

3. Don’t feel the pressure of trying to go solo. Some students are so desperate to go solo, their flying seems to deteriorate just beforehand!

4. Don’t chance the weather. Your instructor shouldn’t anyway, but if there’s e.g. a 10 knot x-wind, it might be better to wait until it drops for your first solo, as it’s a lot about confidence.

5. Let us know how you get on!

[maehhh]

Make sure you FI takes a picture of your very first solo landing
And as already mentioned you will probably not stop smiling for the rest of the day!

happy landings

[localflighteast]

So thanks for the replies. I guess nothing i didn't know deep down ...

FlyingLapinLOu - is it that obvious I'm female? I don't recall mentioning it , but the article did strike home to me too

DAR - good point about not rushing , I may want to pick my time when there is not a lot of commercial traffic around. I've had to do some crazy things to maintain spacing behind the big boys before

FANS - I take your point about the weather , the trouble is I'm hyper conservative . If I wait until the perfect day I'll be old and grey!

KIWI - any recommendations song wise? I must make sure I'm not hanging on to the mike trigger at the same time

A couple of you mentioned about telling ATC that its my first time (be gentle with me ? ) . Ok so now you've given me somethign else to obsess over

what do I say?
when do I tell them , as I request taxiing ? takeoff? in the air? when they tell me to do something I don't wanna?
doesn't it sound a bit sad to broadcast that over the air?
why do I care?

See, completely beyond help

[Echo Romeo]

I would suggest you be careful when handling the plane as the blade is very sharp,

Sorry, some folks bugbear is spelling or grammar, mines referring to an aeroplane or aircraft as a plane,

Hope all goes well and good luck

[localflighteast]

Echo Romeo


yup , guess I fell into that one (not literally).

I concede your point

[ggargan]

I just did mines about two weeks ago, i found the most nerve wrecking thing actually leaving the ground on takeoff. But talked to myself the whole way and tried not to let any bad thoughts in.
My instructor always made me constantly call out Picture, Power, Speed on the approach which really helped, and it was probably the best landing that i have done.
Found myself trying to reach takeoff speed in the car on the way home
Make sure you enjoy, as you will always want to go back to this day and re-live it!

[strake]

I'm sure you will enjoy it and remember the event for ever. Not sure how many dual hours you have but here's an extract from an article about a young WW2 trainee pilot you might find interesting:

The chance to learn to fly an aeroplane was probably a factor in why many young men joined the Air Force in WWII. Those lucky enough to pass the tests and be selected for pilot training would soon have found themselves at a dusty Elementary Flying Training School, climbing aboard at a bright yellow Tiger Moth for what would be, in many cases, their first ever flight.

“This afternoon we had our first flying experience, a trip of about 1/2 hours duration. It was a very interesting business and it was just sufficient to demonstrate just how difficult a business it is to fly. The controls vary greatly in sensitivity and to the beginner in changing your attention from one thing to another it is very easy to loose [sic] control completely.” – Phil Smith, in a letter to his father written 14NOV40 (A01-125-001)

Despite spending a week in hospital with influenza (he had a temperature of 101 degrees – A01-126-001), it did not take Phil long to go solo for the first time. “When I recommenced flying on Monday [following hospitalisation] I found that I could do everything except land”, he wrote to his father on 28 November 1940, the day of his first solo (A01-132-001). “All my flying time since then has been in picking this up. I still don’t make good landings but they say I am fairly safe. So, this morning I did my first solo flight. Altogether I made three solo flights and landed satisfactorily each time.” He had about eight hours flying time in his logbook at this stage.

Phil Smith « Something Very Big

[lenhamlad]

what do I say?
when do I tell them , as I request taxiing ? takeoff? in the air? when they tell me to do something I don't wanna?
doesn't it sound a bit sad to broadcast that over the air?
why do I care

You say almost exactly the same things at the same times you have done in the lead-up to your first solo. The only difference is that you preface your call sign with the word "student". That way, ATC (who should be aware anyway) but more importantly other pilots in the circuit, are aware that you are a student soloing and will be helpful in ensuring your circuit is uneventful and more importantly, enjoyable.