Tell us the story of your first solo
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Where ever the wind takes me
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Happy to have had two solo's, in two very different pieces of air space.
My first was at Thruxton last August, after only 12 hours spread out over 2 years. We did a few circuits and Bob Cole my instructor took control after a reasonable arrival. Back tracked down the runway, lined up and throttled back. 'Right i want you to go around, and pick me up on the way past'. Pardon? Looks at me with a strange glance, 'it's not hard, go around and pick me up on your way past'. And that was that, time to go solo. I have to admit to almost bottling out. I looked over at him stood at the side of the runway with a what do i do now look. He tapped his watch and waved me away. I remember sitting there thinking what do i do now? I called ready for departure, was given the clearance. Took a deep breath and thought, f**k it!
What an amazing feeling when the wheels lifted off, i was in control of this flying machine. No one else, me. I think they should recored students on there first solo, i talked to my self the whole way around.
I managed about 20 further hours at Thruxton, including 2 solo cross country flights, then moved away. I joined a new flying school located at an international airport. My next solo (which you could class as a second solo) was way more demanding. Having to request start and taxi instructions, taxing past 747's and being on a parallel taxi way to an Emirates A380, and behind a Qatar Airways A320 is something every student should have the chance to experience. Being told to line up and wait behind the landing A320, and then being able to see passengers faces as they speed past while I'm sat there in a PA28 at the holding point. Having to change between ground, tower, radar, approach and tower, do a touch and go at another airfield, then back again. It's safe to say i have well and truly caught the flying bug!
My first was at Thruxton last August, after only 12 hours spread out over 2 years. We did a few circuits and Bob Cole my instructor took control after a reasonable arrival. Back tracked down the runway, lined up and throttled back. 'Right i want you to go around, and pick me up on the way past'. Pardon? Looks at me with a strange glance, 'it's not hard, go around and pick me up on your way past'. And that was that, time to go solo. I have to admit to almost bottling out. I looked over at him stood at the side of the runway with a what do i do now look. He tapped his watch and waved me away. I remember sitting there thinking what do i do now? I called ready for departure, was given the clearance. Took a deep breath and thought, f**k it!
What an amazing feeling when the wheels lifted off, i was in control of this flying machine. No one else, me. I think they should recored students on there first solo, i talked to my self the whole way around.
I managed about 20 further hours at Thruxton, including 2 solo cross country flights, then moved away. I joined a new flying school located at an international airport. My next solo (which you could class as a second solo) was way more demanding. Having to request start and taxi instructions, taxing past 747's and being on a parallel taxi way to an Emirates A380, and behind a Qatar Airways A320 is something every student should have the chance to experience. Being told to line up and wait behind the landing A320, and then being able to see passengers faces as they speed past while I'm sat there in a PA28 at the holding point. Having to change between ground, tower, radar, approach and tower, do a touch and go at another airfield, then back again. It's safe to say i have well and truly caught the flying bug!
Tabs please !
After a first solo at less than 10 hours, the second solo was far more memorable.
The school had recently acquired another PA28 which was well run in and due for a bit of TLC. During a couple of circuits with the instructor, I thought that the engine was performing a little bit "off" but put it down to my imagination. I was sent out on my own and did a touch and go. The climb out was less than spectacular, even more so when one cylinder gave up the ghost. I had a large town in Buckinghamshire straight ahead and it was all woods and hills on either side. RT protocol went slightly out of the window and I remember distinctly saying "I'd like to call a PAN please, the engine is running rough". The girl in the tower was absolutely fantastic and cleared all traffic while I limped around the circuit. I managed to get to 800 feet by the end of the downwind leg and noticed that the oil temperature was nudging into the red zone. You know when you are under a bit of stress as your mouth is so dry that your teeth stick to the inside of your cheeks. I managed to bring the aircraft back in one piece and taxied as instructed to the maintenance hangar. The fault had cleared so it was officially "Fault Not Found". Apparently, the engine had 25 hours remaining and the replacement engine was in the hangar, sitting on a pallet. There was also rumour of a plug change that morning due to lead fouling. I must point out though that the fleet was maintained to a very high standard so it was just one of those things.
The school did charge me the full amount which I thought less than charitable but I guess it was quite an education.
The school had recently acquired another PA28 which was well run in and due for a bit of TLC. During a couple of circuits with the instructor, I thought that the engine was performing a little bit "off" but put it down to my imagination. I was sent out on my own and did a touch and go. The climb out was less than spectacular, even more so when one cylinder gave up the ghost. I had a large town in Buckinghamshire straight ahead and it was all woods and hills on either side. RT protocol went slightly out of the window and I remember distinctly saying "I'd like to call a PAN please, the engine is running rough". The girl in the tower was absolutely fantastic and cleared all traffic while I limped around the circuit. I managed to get to 800 feet by the end of the downwind leg and noticed that the oil temperature was nudging into the red zone. You know when you are under a bit of stress as your mouth is so dry that your teeth stick to the inside of your cheeks. I managed to bring the aircraft back in one piece and taxied as instructed to the maintenance hangar. The fault had cleared so it was officially "Fault Not Found". Apparently, the engine had 25 hours remaining and the replacement engine was in the hangar, sitting on a pallet. There was also rumour of a plug change that morning due to lead fouling. I must point out though that the fleet was maintained to a very high standard so it was just one of those things.
The school did charge me the full amount which I thought less than charitable but I guess it was quite an education.
First solo was in a 172R on 20 Nov 2004, 0830hrs. Perfect flying morning, no wind, no cloud, no traffic in the circuit. The clubs head instructor asks me when he gets in the plane if I have soloed yet and acts surprised when I say no. After 3 passable circuits together he keys the mike on downwind and asks ATC for a full stop landing. He gets me to taxi back to the hold point at which time he undoes his belts and tells me he wants three more circuits like I just did then to bring the plane back to the club. I remember his last words to me before he closed the door, "...just appreciate that the aircraft will perform differently with only one person in it." I remember being too busy to be nervous, there is so much to do in the circuit and you are not allowed to miss anything. I heard my instructors voice in my headset the whole way around the first circuit, it wasn't till I was on very short final that I realized I was talking to myself! The last landing was one of the best ones I had done to date. My wife tells me I didn't stop smiling for several weeks.
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Colchester, Essex
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I remember mine like it was yesterday (it was only a couple of years ago). I felt I was nearly ready to solo, and on a beautifully calm and clear day, I went up with my instructor. I did 3 touch and go's (1 x normal, 1 x flapless (not my best landing ever) and 1 x glide approach) - on the last one, he told me to make it a full stop. We taxied back to the holding point, and he simply told me that with less weight in the plane it will handle differently. He then told me to do another 3 touch and go's, unplugged his headset and jumped out.
I was quite nervous, but after telling myself I could do it (otherwise he wouldn't be letting me), I went for it. I remember the plane accelerating what seemed to be much quicker than usual, and I was airborne. As I was turning downwind, I got a nice little red flashing light and a low fuel warning, so I called downwind, then informed them of the situation. I was told I'd be fine for the 3 I had to do, so I proceeded and did them. Don't think I stopped talking/singing/humming to myself for the whole time, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was quite nervous, but after telling myself I could do it (otherwise he wouldn't be letting me), I went for it. I remember the plane accelerating what seemed to be much quicker than usual, and I was airborne. As I was turning downwind, I got a nice little red flashing light and a low fuel warning, so I called downwind, then informed them of the situation. I was told I'd be fine for the 3 I had to do, so I proceeded and did them. Don't think I stopped talking/singing/humming to myself for the whole time, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Barbados
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Tuesday this week my first solo flight in three years - first leg of my trip from KFXE to TBPB.
From KFXE to MYLS - lovely, sea and sharks below
Last year in Feb I did a complex add to my FAA PPL and I did an hour in a 152 for my BFR in June; did a couple of hours of touch and goes with a very, very good instructor at KFXE.
Weird thing is that after such an enforced lay-off I seem to have got "better", smoother flying and just "better" - my landing very much so.
It's just not 'supposed' to be that way(?)
From KFXE to MYLS - lovely, sea and sharks below
Last year in Feb I did a complex add to my FAA PPL and I did an hour in a 152 for my BFR in June; did a couple of hours of touch and goes with a very, very good instructor at KFXE.
Weird thing is that after such an enforced lay-off I seem to have got "better", smoother flying and just "better" - my landing very much so.
It's just not 'supposed' to be that way(?)
Join Date: Dec 2014
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I soloed after about 20hrs, and was quite nervous. Went to a narrow 800m airstrip, did some T/Gs with my instructor and then he jumped out and asked me to do 3 takeoffs and landings, and I could choose if I would like touch and goes or full stops.
I decided to make nr 1 a full stop, and if everything was going well the next one should be a touch and go.
The first round was fine, and I remember I was surprised how light the 172 felt
Backtracked and went for another round.
The second landing was a greaser as well, and full of confidence I somehow "blacked out" and pushed full power before reducing flaps to 10.
The aircraft, still in a fast roll, jumped into the air, pitched up and banked quite a bit to the left..
I dont remember the details what I did, but I managed to hold the the nose down, build up some more speed and then perform a kind of ugly missed approach take off, and reducing flaps.
Did the last round in the pattern and landed OK.. a bit shocked over the events, but happy that I had developed some instincts regarding keeping the nose down and stay calm. My instructor didnt think it looked -that- bad, though
So, lesson learned.. and a day I will always remember.
I decided to make nr 1 a full stop, and if everything was going well the next one should be a touch and go.
The first round was fine, and I remember I was surprised how light the 172 felt
Backtracked and went for another round.The second landing was a greaser as well, and full of confidence I somehow "blacked out" and pushed full power before reducing flaps to 10.
The aircraft, still in a fast roll, jumped into the air, pitched up and banked quite a bit to the left..
I dont remember the details what I did, but I managed to hold the the nose down, build up some more speed and then perform a kind of ugly missed approach take off, and reducing flaps.
Did the last round in the pattern and landed OK.. a bit shocked over the events, but happy that I had developed some instincts regarding keeping the nose down and stay calm. My instructor didnt think it looked -that- bad, though
So, lesson learned.. and a day I will always remember.
I went solo in a glider aged 17 on the 1st day of a 5 day week gliding course so was able to spend the rest of the week flying by myself in the Slingsby Swallow when I wanted to fly instead of being in the trainer. The Swallow has a poor glide angle but you could centre in thermal cores and out climb most other gliders!
Join Date: Jan 2009
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My first solo was in a K13 glider at Booker, High Wycombe; aged 50. It had taken 80 or more instructional flights, and when the instructor got out and said go by yourself, but I will be watching from the ground, and I want to see you do a stall and recovery.....! ! ! !
I thought "If I am P1 and by myself, I certainly do not intend to do a stall and recovery, I will do exactly what I want...and I will never forget the elation driving home on the M40, thinking all those arrogant drivers can stuff their attitudes, I am a SOLO PILOT!
(and after that flew more than 3,000 hours....as instructor, PPL, tug pilot, competition pilot....what fun altogether! Still flying, but now a safety pilot is required to suffer with me)
Sadly, many people cannot afford to fly power much after going solo, due to lack of cash or lack of time. And to tell the truth, flying in a straight line from A to B is boring!
I thought "If I am P1 and by myself, I certainly do not intend to do a stall and recovery, I will do exactly what I want...and I will never forget the elation driving home on the M40, thinking all those arrogant drivers can stuff their attitudes, I am a SOLO PILOT!
(and after that flew more than 3,000 hours....as instructor, PPL, tug pilot, competition pilot....what fun altogether! Still flying, but now a safety pilot is required to suffer with me)
Sadly, many people cannot afford to fly power much after going solo, due to lack of cash or lack of time. And to tell the truth, flying in a straight line from A to B is boring!
