First Solo!!!
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First Solo!!!
Yay, had to tell someone who cares (even if its just a little!)!!
Did everything right, just a little slow on late final! Its a little different with no instructor sitting next to you. I reckon I flew my best circuit ever.
Did everything right, just a little slow on late final! Its a little different with no instructor sitting next to you. I reckon I flew my best circuit ever.
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Originally Posted by On Track
Well done.
Ahead of you there's an almost endless road with more milestones to pass.
Each achievement will bring immense satisfaction. Enjoy the journey.
Ahead of you there's an almost endless road with more milestones to pass.
Each achievement will bring immense satisfaction. Enjoy the journey.
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Congratulations, and although you will have more milestones along the path, the first solo is the most satisfying and the one flight you will never forget.
P.S nice to see a fellow aussie in this part of the forums.
P.S nice to see a fellow aussie in this part of the forums.
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Anti-spin Training
G'day Andy_P,
Congratulations on your first solo; that's the one flight above all you will remember for the rest of your life.
In regard to anti-spin training, I think this modern practice of training people, who have never experienced a spin, how to avoid something they have only read about is creating an irrational fear of even anti-spin training, not to mention the spin itself.
may I suggest that it would be a good idea to take just one flight with an aerobatics instructor in a proper aerobatic aeroplane and let him/her demonstrate a couple of fully developed spins. And then show you how spinning should be avoided.
Good luck Dig!
BP.
Congratulations on your first solo; that's the one flight above all you will remember for the rest of your life.
In regard to anti-spin training, I think this modern practice of training people, who have never experienced a spin, how to avoid something they have only read about is creating an irrational fear of even anti-spin training, not to mention the spin itself.
may I suggest that it would be a good idea to take just one flight with an aerobatics instructor in a proper aerobatic aeroplane and let him/her demonstrate a couple of fully developed spins. And then show you how spinning should be avoided.
Good luck Dig!
BP.
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Congratulations Andy_P!
I found after your first solo the next several become less stressful.
I remember you had a thread up about what was holding you back (the whole flare thing)...did you ever figure out what were the issue(s) and what your cure(s) were??
I found after your first solo the next several become less stressful.
I remember you had a thread up about what was holding you back (the whole flare thing)...did you ever figure out what were the issue(s) and what your cure(s) were??
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Originally Posted by BroomstickPilot
G'day Andy_P,
Congratulations on your first solo; that's the one flight above all you will remember for the rest of your life.
In regard to anti-spin training, I think this modern practice of training people, who have never experienced a spin, how to avoid something they have only read about is creating an irrational fear of even anti-spin training, not to mention the spin itself.
may I suggest that it would be a good idea to take just one flight with an aerobatics instructor in a proper aerobatic aeroplane and let him/her demonstrate a couple of fully developed spins. And then show you how spinning should be avoided.
Good luck Dig!
BP.
Congratulations on your first solo; that's the one flight above all you will remember for the rest of your life.
In regard to anti-spin training, I think this modern practice of training people, who have never experienced a spin, how to avoid something they have only read about is creating an irrational fear of even anti-spin training, not to mention the spin itself.
may I suggest that it would be a good idea to take just one flight with an aerobatics instructor in a proper aerobatic aeroplane and let him/her demonstrate a couple of fully developed spins. And then show you how spinning should be avoided.
Good luck Dig!
BP.
The idea of doing a lesson with an aerobatic pilot has been in the back of my head for a while now. For me, I think it would be beneficial. In fact I think several hours would be better.
One of my instructors did a couple of incipient spins and it freaked me out. But then again, 2 weeks ago I was ****ting my self just letting go of the yoke. Today we did half a circuit (till base) with no hands on the controls, only rudder and trim, and I was totally at ease. That was an exercise to force me to relax.
FWIW, I am just shy of 40. 15 years ago there is no way I would even set foot in a jet aircraft, let alone a 4 seater! The only reason I got on a plane, was because it was either that or lose a job. The fear is totally irrational, I understand the aircraft from a technical perspective, and I know that a Cessna 172S is a very stable aircraft. So for me its just a matter of conquering those demons. I am pretty proud of where I am now, and it may take a while to get my PPL, but I will get there!
I was ****ting myself today. We did a full stop and the instructor said to taxi back out to the holding point. I thought we were going to practice an aborted take off! I was totally surprised when he jumped out. I guess I did not have time to take it all in at the time, but I was shaking after I landed. My first take off was the same!
Originally Posted by MyMeowCat
Congratulations Andy_P!
I found after your first solo the next several become less stressful.
I remember you had a thread up about what was holding you back (the whole flare thing)...did you ever figure out what were the issue(s) and what your cure(s) were??
I found after your first solo the next several become less stressful.
I remember you had a thread up about what was holding you back (the whole flare thing)...did you ever figure out what were the issue(s) and what your cure(s) were??
So the problem is thus, and still is:
Fear: Death grip on controls. You cannot control a motorbike if you have a death grip. Same goes for aircraft. I have since learned to relax a lot. This is easier for younger people, cause they have less fear. On a gusty hot day, this is still a problem for me, but I am learning to deal with it. You have to relax and trim the aircraft, something I dont do enough of.
Throttle control: managing speed on final with the updrafts and downdrafts. Not so much of an issue when there is no wind and the air is cool. Our airport is at 07, typical wind is 040 or 140 depending on the time of year. Its coastal, so typically you take off over water, land over land. Lots of turbulence on base and final. This is still a big problem for me, I am having issues with crosswinds and updraft/downdraft. The instructor today said I almost have it sorted.
Target Fixation: Yup, sometimes I still look at the lines on the runway, not the horizon. Look where you are going. This will kill you on a motorcycle, and it will kill you in a plane also. Its such a simple thing, but so hard to accomplish at times. Its also heavily associated with fear ( a common factor with all my issues).
One thing that has helped, is that many times I wanted to do a go around and the instructors encouraged me to keep trying. Some resulted in poor landings, some resulted in go around. When solo, if I am not comfortable I will ignore any advice and go around though!
I must admit, a lot of ppl here pointed me in the right direction. Got to give some credit to Flare Pilot though!
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Congratulations! First solo is (certainly was for me) THE most significant step in flying. Far more significant than passing the GFT (I think they call it a 'skills test' now) as by the end of the PPL training you have got used to being 'pilot in command'.
As others have said, lots to learn ahead and lots of fun to be had learning it!
As others have said, lots to learn ahead and lots of fun to be had learning it!
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Congratulations, bet you won't stop smiling for a week, I know I didn't.
However as others have said, there will be other milestones, the next "big one" will probably be your first solo cross country, that is when you'll truly feel like a pilot, sitting alone, master of all you see, responsible for getting from A to B and back again.....
However as others have said, there will be other milestones, the next "big one" will probably be your first solo cross country, that is when you'll truly feel like a pilot, sitting alone, master of all you see, responsible for getting from A to B and back again.....
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Andy - congratulations on your first solo! It is something that you will never forget.
Regarding incipient spins, I think that you may mean incipient stalls which are part of the PPL course.
Regarding incipient spins, I think that you may mean incipient stalls which are part of the PPL course.
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I'll add my congratulations to the pile - you just got the vote of confidence from your instructor that your standard of flying is god enough to undertake this important exercise as well as the confidence boost from actually proving your new skills to yourself.
I too suffered from squeezing the yoke far past the point at which it was giving me any useful feedback on the forces acting on the aircraft which makes an assessment of how to react to those forces (light touch / heavy correction) more difficult as you're relying more on visual input.
Strangely I too rode motorbikes (& quite frankly am not generally a great fan of heights).
I used to (and still do if I find the workload greater than usual) have to make a conscious effort to hold the yoke with finger tips rather than the whole hand - it improved things for me no end (apart from anything else it helps me relax & concentrate much better, particularly during the approach phase) & has the added advantage of not ending every flight with cramped hands.
Well done again.
I too suffered from squeezing the yoke far past the point at which it was giving me any useful feedback on the forces acting on the aircraft which makes an assessment of how to react to those forces (light touch / heavy correction) more difficult as you're relying more on visual input.
Strangely I too rode motorbikes (& quite frankly am not generally a great fan of heights).
I used to (and still do if I find the workload greater than usual) have to make a conscious effort to hold the yoke with finger tips rather than the whole hand - it improved things for me no end (apart from anything else it helps me relax & concentrate much better, particularly during the approach phase) & has the added advantage of not ending every flight with cramped hands.
Well done again.
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Andy,
I would suggest make sure you fly again soon.
My first solo was 4th December and what with Christmas, work and weather did not fly again until today. Took three or four circuits with instructor (one go around) and although after the full stop landing he would have let me go solo again I was not sure. Did a final cicuit with him in the plane (and greased it).
I too used to hold the yoke tightly. One thing that helped me was when I was taught to keep the plane trimmed all the time. Feels like I'm trimming continuously in the circuit - climb, straight and level, 2 stage flaps on base and full flap on final - current instructor leaves carb heat on after downwind checks - so can need yet another trim but does mean only finger tips are needed to control the plane.
Would not worry about coming upto 40 - Life is just about to begin! I was given a trial lesson was for my 40th birthday and my next lesson was 12 years later.
Chris
I would suggest make sure you fly again soon.
My first solo was 4th December and what with Christmas, work and weather did not fly again until today. Took three or four circuits with instructor (one go around) and although after the full stop landing he would have let me go solo again I was not sure. Did a final cicuit with him in the plane (and greased it).
I too used to hold the yoke tightly. One thing that helped me was when I was taught to keep the plane trimmed all the time. Feels like I'm trimming continuously in the circuit - climb, straight and level, 2 stage flaps on base and full flap on final - current instructor leaves carb heat on after downwind checks - so can need yet another trim but does mean only finger tips are needed to control the plane.
Would not worry about coming upto 40 - Life is just about to begin! I was given a trial lesson was for my 40th birthday and my next lesson was 12 years later.
Chris
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Originally Posted by Chase_BHX
Andy,
I would suggest make sure you fly again soon.
My first solo was 4th December and what with Christmas, work and weather did not fly again until today. Took three or four circuits with instructor (one go around) and although after the full stop landing he would have let me go solo again I was not sure. Did a final cicuit with him in the plane (and greased it).
I too used to hold the yoke tightly. One thing that helped me was when I was taught to keep the plane trimmed all the time. Feels like I'm trimming continuously in the circuit - climb, straight and level, 2 stage flaps on base and full flap on final - current instructor leaves carb heat on after downwind checks - so can need yet another trim but does mean only finger tips are needed to control the plane.
Would not worry about coming upto 40 - Life is just about to begin! I was given a trial lesson was for my 40th birthday and my next lesson was 12 years later.
Chris
I would suggest make sure you fly again soon.
My first solo was 4th December and what with Christmas, work and weather did not fly again until today. Took three or four circuits with instructor (one go around) and although after the full stop landing he would have let me go solo again I was not sure. Did a final cicuit with him in the plane (and greased it).
I too used to hold the yoke tightly. One thing that helped me was when I was taught to keep the plane trimmed all the time. Feels like I'm trimming continuously in the circuit - climb, straight and level, 2 stage flaps on base and full flap on final - current instructor leaves carb heat on after downwind checks - so can need yet another trim but does mean only finger tips are needed to control the plane.
Would not worry about coming upto 40 - Life is just about to begin! I was given a trial lesson was for my 40th birthday and my next lesson was 12 years later.
Chris
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By now, I trust you have flown by yourself several times, and are happy to get rid of the sadist in the right hand seat! Don't worry about interesting maneuvers, take the instructor with you and ask if you can just mess around at altitude in some safe location, getting the feel and the fun out of it.
As for stalls, incipient or full, any good landing (others will dispute this) is a STALL near the ground! in other words, your nose comes up until the wings no longer are effective at creating lift. So you've already done lots of stalls!
The cure to recover from a stall (which is what happens BEFORE it spins)
you know, of course. Don't you?
I recommend to avoid turbulence and thermals, fly first thing in the morning. Or try night flying! that's usually calm air, (unless thunderstorms are part of the forecast).
As for stalls, incipient or full, any good landing (others will dispute this) is a STALL near the ground! in other words, your nose comes up until the wings no longer are effective at creating lift. So you've already done lots of stalls!
The cure to recover from a stall (which is what happens BEFORE it spins)
you know, of course. Don't you?
I recommend to avoid turbulence and thermals, fly first thing in the morning. Or try night flying! that's usually calm air, (unless thunderstorms are part of the forecast).
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Congratulations on the solo..the recollection really does stay with you forever! The white knuckles syndrome is definitely improved by disciplining yourself to hold the yoke with only two fingers, and consciously making yourself relax. After a while it becomes second nature.
In the Aust PPL you are officially doing incipient spin training - how to avoid a full spin based on the signals in fully developed stalls. As BroomstickPilot rightly says, it's rubbish. How are you going to recognize a spin if you don't ever experience it? Easy enough to find an instructor who can demonstrate the whole thing and appropriate recovery. There are people who can do a passable effort in getting a spin out of a C172 (with a bit of persuasion) but you might also find a willing local with a C15x or a 'proper' aerobatic aircraft. But anything is a lot better than nothing.
It doesn't need to be some arcane bolt-on to your training, either. No reason why you can't ask for some basic aeros as part of the PPL training. I was a bit hesitant at first but am eternally grateful to my instructor for taking this approach. It's a great developer of stick and rudder skills, and an excellent way of building confidence. Good luck!
In the Aust PPL you are officially doing incipient spin training - how to avoid a full spin based on the signals in fully developed stalls. As BroomstickPilot rightly says, it's rubbish. How are you going to recognize a spin if you don't ever experience it? Easy enough to find an instructor who can demonstrate the whole thing and appropriate recovery. There are people who can do a passable effort in getting a spin out of a C172 (with a bit of persuasion) but you might also find a willing local with a C15x or a 'proper' aerobatic aircraft. But anything is a lot better than nothing.
It doesn't need to be some arcane bolt-on to your training, either. No reason why you can't ask for some basic aeros as part of the PPL training. I was a bit hesitant at first but am eternally grateful to my instructor for taking this approach. It's a great developer of stick and rudder skills, and an excellent way of building confidence. Good luck!
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Hi Andy P
I'd like echo the others in wishing you a hearty pat on the back for going Solo mate. Congratz & wait till you topple the dual X-country Navs that lay ahead & go Solo on your qualifiers....Ear to Ear grin guaranteed
I'd like echo the others in wishing you a hearty pat on the back for going Solo mate. Congratz & wait till you topple the dual X-country Navs that lay ahead & go Solo on your qualifiers....Ear to Ear grin guaranteed
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Congratulations and well done!
The only way is up!
er....
Until you want to land, then downwards (gently) is general considered to be a good way
The only way is up!
er....
Until you want to land, then downwards (gently) is general considered to be a good way
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Originally Posted by JG321
Congratulations! If it weren't for the weather today I'd have my third hour! Feels like such a long way away I'll be able to post this, but I plan to enjoy the journey!
But today, 20 knots crosswind. So up with the instructor to practice crosswind landings. It was all going ok, but there was 2 helicopters spraying for mosquitos at the downwind. Its pretty typical in south east queensland, so we just do our thing and keep an eye on them and make sure your broadcast your intentions. I am on final, about 500feet and I pass over a helicopter. The wash pushes me up and screws up my approach. This is no problem, just go around. I was about halfway down the runway at about 200feet in the go around and I got hit by a massive gust that rolled the plane about 45 degrees. I tried to roll the plane back, but only with ailerons. Instructor took over immediately.
So the instructor said it was rotor wash from the second helicopter. Probably was, I dont know. But it rattled me enough to call it quits for the day. I am already a nervous flyer, and I worry that in a situation like that I would not be able to handle the plane. So now I am sitting here seriously doubting myself.
Anyway, got plenty of time to digest it all. I have surgery next week, so will be out of action for a while. Going to study for my BAK exam whilst I am out.