View Poll Results: After how many hours of training did you go for you first ever solo?
10-12 hours
197
33.91%
13-15 hours
107
18.42%
16-18 hours
62
10.67%
19-21 hours
47
8.09%
22+ hours
53
9.12%
Less than 10
115
19.79%
Voters: 581. This poll is closed
After how many hours did you go for your first solo?
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: UK Work: London. Home: East Anglia
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7hr 10min, PA28-161. But in previous decades I'd had the benefit of some gliding, air cadet Chippie rides etc.
When I did my cadet gliding course in the late 70s, most of us went solo in what look like ridiculously short times. I don't have it to hand but I think it was something like 90 mins total time, spread over a week. Of course, that was mostly in four-minute flights, so lots of launches and landings :-)
When I did my cadet gliding course in the late 70s, most of us went solo in what look like ridiculously short times. I don't have it to hand but I think it was something like 90 mins total time, spread over a week. Of course, that was mostly in four-minute flights, so lots of launches and landings :-)
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Paros, Greece
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BRL. No, I only started last year and I'm probably a bit older than you were (32). also, I'm no scouser!
Pilot 16. Don't worry about the extra hours - you are still learning stuff while you're waiting you know! So what if it takes a little longer? When you get a license the first thing you'll do is..... Go flying and spend more money anyway!
I had to wait 2 weeks until I'd done my medical and we moved on to some of the advanced stuff in the training area. Is this an option for you?
Pilot 16. Don't worry about the extra hours - you are still learning stuff while you're waiting you know! So what if it takes a little longer? When you get a license the first thing you'll do is..... Go flying and spend more money anyway!
I had to wait 2 weeks until I'd done my medical and we moved on to some of the advanced stuff in the training area. Is this an option for you?
Join Date: May 2001
Location: New Jersey Shore
Age: 92
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Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: All over the shop and sometimes BEHIND YOU !
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5 hours 39 mins including the solo time (I think)
Over 2 weekends at Swanton Morley in 1986.
Mind you that was when I was 17 years old !
After not flying again for about 13 years it took me quite a bit longer the 2nd time around !!!
But its not a race !
Things like your solo time have quite alot to do with luck with the WX and money to be able to do fly reguarly.
Enjoy !
Over 2 weekends at Swanton Morley in 1986.
Mind you that was when I was 17 years old !
After not flying again for about 13 years it took me quite a bit longer the 2nd time around !!!
But its not a race !
Things like your solo time have quite alot to do with luck with the WX and money to be able to do fly reguarly.
Enjoy !
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: never never land
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beat that please
3hrs and a bit!
Incase no one replyed to air law question, don't need it to go solo it's just advisable. all you need is a medicle and to satis the instructor.
The nearest ppl solo i found to mine was 4hrs 50, obviously olden days first go was first solo but i,d b interested in knowing whos done in less than three. It was a JAA licence also!
Incase no one replyed to air law question, don't need it to go solo it's just advisable. all you need is a medicle and to satis the instructor.
The nearest ppl solo i found to mine was 4hrs 50, obviously olden days first go was first solo but i,d b interested in knowing whos done in less than three. It was a JAA licence also!
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Canada
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26 hours for me. I could only fly on some weekends and then when I could fly, I had several weather cancellations. Figuring out how to land took me a bit longer. Never had much of a problem with anything else though.
Some people must really be gifted if they can solo in a few short hours...
Some people must really be gifted if they can solo in a few short hours...
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: UK
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7 hours 10 minutes, 29th Feb '96, having started on 5th Feb. Did it on my lunchbreak, went back to work with huge smile and cleared everyone for straight in approaches for the rest of the day!
Join Date: Jan 2002
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Well I took 66 hours but only 7 hours on the type I soloed in. All the rest prior to that were at a different airfield on a different type. I still have yet to solo the type that has given me most of my hours, maybe one day...
Just another number
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: UK
Age: 76
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#1 son soloed in 7h 00m at Dundee in 1993.
#2 son soloed in 3h 40m at Clacton (Super Cub G-ARAM) in 1994.
#3 son soloed in 7h 10m at Southend in 2000.
Airclues
#2 son soloed in 3h 40m at Clacton (Super Cub G-ARAM) in 1994.
#3 son soloed in 7h 10m at Southend in 2000.
Airclues
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Manchester
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28 hrs to solo inc 5 different FI's, anyone know the a???hole at EGNH might get my drift, 26 hours from solo to completion with one FI and further ratings with same guy.
Moral as has been said before if u get on with person in LHS stick to them like glue if possible.
Moral as has been said before if u get on with person in LHS stick to them like glue if possible
.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Germany
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19.5 hours
- flight school policy - they wouldn't let me solo earlier
but believe me, i was ready after my first flight - had a frasca 141 (sim) flight before that too, though - .
- flight school policy - they wouldn't let me solo earlier
but believe me, i was ready after my first flight - had a frasca 141 (sim) flight before that too, though - .
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: staffordshire
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Hi everyone, new to the site I'm just flicking through the topics this seemed an easy one to start with.
I did a little under 17 hours for my first solo, at a rate of one lesson a week.
I did a little under 17 hours for my first solo, at a rate of one lesson a week.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Shoreham West Sussex
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Hours to solo is not necessarily an indication of ability, since the instructor has such a huge influence. My instructor said I would never get a licence - such arrogance from a 24 year old with all of 400 hours!! Because he was such a useless instructor - e.g. screaming at me and grabbing the controls and never any sight of a pre-flight briefing- I nearly gave up twice. Eventually went solo aged 32 after a change of instructor and a change of aircraft, eleven months after first lesson and 20+ hours. But hey so what?? I have an ATPL and nearly 5000 hours, FIE etc. so does it really matter??