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: May 2001
Location: UK
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6.40 G-BJYD Teesside 1984.
Very lucky with weather. Started training Monday....solo by Saturday.
And the Queen was paying which was even better....
Sorry to the crew of the training Dan-Air 146 who were sent around after I turned onto finals before they had passed!!!
OOps
Very lucky with weather. Started training Monday....solo by Saturday.
And the Queen was paying which was even better....
Sorry to the crew of the training Dan-Air 146 who were sent around after I turned onto finals before they had passed!!!
OOps
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Vancouver, Canada
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I beat you all
It took me 33 hours in Cessna 150 until solo, because my instructor did not want to send me even though I completed all the training.
Hence, it wasn't sweaty solo for me at all.. I was more relieved at that point when instructor got outta plane.
People say solo is very memorable experience, but not for me :-/
Still working on Rec Permit passing 40 hours, money is not an option..
It took me 33 hours in Cessna 150 until solo, because my instructor did not want to send me even though I completed all the training.
Hence, it wasn't sweaty solo for me at all.. I was more relieved at that point when instructor got outta plane.
People say solo is very memorable experience, but not for me :-/
Still working on Rec Permit passing 40 hours, money is not an option..
PINKS WORLD THROUGH ROSE COLOURED SPECS
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Happy and content again back in the house on the beach ,baking on the AGA and flying around my highland home . emmmmmmmm
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just a local thing
HI
bcfc
I'ts true,I did solo before my air law.But since the furore it caused,I have since found out that I was legal and that air law is only recommended,to be done before a solo.
I must have appeared confident or competant as I didn't have a say in the matter.FL just pulls of the main runway and tells you to go fly.
I hope that has stopped you wondering.
Any way did you tell us how many hours you took your first solo in.?
ps
I do not wish to repeat myself (and get into trouble,as it is on the pink head set thread )but I have now passed my air law.
(sorry big red L if your the moderator,but bcfc made me say it)
see ya
PINK-AVIATOR
bcfc
I'ts true,I did solo before my air law.But since the furore it caused,I have since found out that I was legal and that air law is only recommended,to be done before a solo.
I must have appeared confident or competant as I didn't have a say in the matter.FL just pulls of the main runway and tells you to go fly.
I hope that has stopped you wondering.
Any way did you tell us how many hours you took your first solo in.?
ps
I do not wish to repeat myself (and get into trouble,as it is on the pink head set thread )but I have now passed my air law.
(sorry big red L if your the moderator,but bcfc made me say it)
see ya
PINK-AVIATOR
PINKS WORLD THROUGH ROSE COLOURED SPECS
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Happy and content again back in the house on the beach ,baking on the AGA and flying around my highland home . emmmmmmmm
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HELLO AGAIN
bcfc
16 hours is great ,and your right it shouldn't matter how long it takes to qualify,as long as you are enjoying the flying.
I how ever have been flying 4 or 5 times a week and feel that I will feel personally let down (by myself if Ido not seem ready for my skills test before long, as what will my excuse be, apart from
"just not good enough,didn't pay enough attention,or just couldn't master the skills required.
CRAZY Attitude perhaps, but I can understand people flying once a week taking longer to assimilate it all.
PINK-AVIATOR
bcfc
16 hours is great ,and your right it shouldn't matter how long it takes to qualify,as long as you are enjoying the flying.
I how ever have been flying 4 or 5 times a week and feel that I will feel personally let down (by myself if Ido not seem ready for my skills test before long, as what will my excuse be, apart from
"just not good enough,didn't pay enough attention,or just couldn't master the skills required.
CRAZY Attitude perhaps, but I can understand people flying once a week taking longer to assimilate it all.
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took 9 hrs in a weightshift microlight, then some years later - after a total of 1.5 hrs conversion to 3 axis flight, seriously wondered who was more crazy, me or my instructor, as I was climbing away solo.
Join Date: Oct 1999
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10.2 in C-152 NZ-FPG about a month ago, after four instructors and three months. The CFI came out with the legendary just one circuit and a full stop. Got down wind and was sent around on a orbit of a local spot (which I had never done!) because the TWR wanted to get an Air NZ ATR out (and I held up the sky divers from being dropped . Caused be to be too far out on the downwind, but hung on the float it in. For some reason I falred and flared and flared and eventually got it down. The sweat marks are still evident in that shirt!
Join Date: Apr 2002
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I had to do a couple of orbits on my first solo too. Unfortunately, there was a shift-change for the controllers (I never noticed the change in voice) and the new controller wasn't told i was soloing! I thought he was just being a git at first but as I taxied back to the GA apron he apologised and congratulated me 
Enjoyed telling that story to everyone that night, although not as much as getting drunk and falling over, heheh
Wily
Enjoyed telling that story to everyone that night, although not as much as getting drunk and falling over, heheh
Wily
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solo in about 10 hours, 1983, in a power glider at the time. I didn't know anything about weight limits (flight instructors job at the time, right?). There's a minimum weight requirement of 60 kilos for the pilots in a TMG (Falke SF 25)... I only weighed 47 at the time!! no extra weights added in... I did about 5 solo patterns before the instrutor realised I should have a weight cushion added (borrowed one from the gliders). Noticed the difference and got shaky knees when I learned in ground school the importance of the weight limits!! 
guess I did ok or I may not be here today! 
the following I think are important factors:
1) number of traffic patterns practiced! doing lots of dual x-crountry adds hours but doesn't make time until solo shorter... but so what
2) personal attitude... the younger wannabes seem to be anxious to solo... ego trip? older students aren't often that eager... older = wiser?
3) time invested... if you can fly nearly everyday (job, family, weather) you'll solo sooner then someone who only flies occasionally
4) instrutor... some are really out for hour building.. I know of one new instructor who had his students still flying dual with over 50 hours! when they changed instructors, they nearly soloed immediately! and of course, the instructor has the responsible and HE/SHE decides if the conditions and/or students abilities all fit
5) air field/air field traffic... as has been said before by others, flying at a busy commercial air field might delay a solo while at a small, sleepy air field it might happen sooner
so, don't push it... just let it happen when it's time!!
WestWind1950
guess I did ok or I may not be here today! the following I think are important factors:
1) number of traffic patterns practiced! doing lots of dual x-crountry adds hours but doesn't make time until solo shorter... but so what
2) personal attitude... the younger wannabes seem to be anxious to solo... ego trip? older students aren't often that eager... older = wiser?
3) time invested... if you can fly nearly everyday (job, family, weather) you'll solo sooner then someone who only flies occasionally
4) instrutor... some are really out for hour building.. I know of one new instructor who had his students still flying dual with over 50 hours! when they changed instructors, they nearly soloed immediately! and of course, the instructor has the responsible and HE/SHE decides if the conditions and/or students abilities all fit
5) air field/air field traffic... as has been said before by others, flying at a busy commercial air field might delay a solo while at a small, sleepy air field it might happen sooner
so, don't push it... just let it happen when it's time!!
WestWind1950
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19.4 hours at age 25. Thought I was capable at about 16hrs but I suppose the instructor has to be sure before letting you go.
Strangely I wasnt nervous at all. I was much more nervous about my first solo cross country flight.
I learned how to fly at a small airfield which does the occasional Medevac flight.
When I landed an ambulance was sitting waiting on the apron
Strangely I wasnt nervous at all. I was much more nervous about my first solo cross country flight.
I learned how to fly at a small airfield which does the occasional Medevac flight.
When I landed an ambulance was sitting waiting on the apron
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Did my first solo on Saturday after 13 hours !!
Marvellous feeling - still havn't got over it....reckon I'll be smiling for at least a week.
Spent most of the weekend celebrating.
Guess I've still got a long way to go though before I get that license....
Marvellous feeling - still havn't got over it....reckon I'll be smiling for at least a week.
Spent most of the weekend celebrating.
Guess I've still got a long way to go though before I get that license....
Join Date: Mar 2003
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I went solo at just over 21 hours if i remember without looking at my logbook.
I was 21 when i was learning and was flying almost everyday until i took my test 4 weeks after starting (in the UK!!)
I thought being young, learning intensively and having a fair few hours all over the place before hand would put me in good stead for a minimum time to solo.
I was wrong and it was hearing about all these very low 'typical' times that made me feel behind and probably got to my subconscience and consequently take longer. Of course at the time i didnt take into account that i was completing GH exercises that could have been done after the solo.
So despite all this waffling, my point is although it bugged me at the time, i passed after 18 days in just over 50 hours. Now it means nothing, so for those that are/were concerned, it really does have no affect on your overall flying ability. That aside it is an amazing feeling and will never forget the day (5 or 50 hours regardless)
I was 21 when i was learning and was flying almost everyday until i took my test 4 weeks after starting (in the UK!!)
I thought being young, learning intensively and having a fair few hours all over the place before hand would put me in good stead for a minimum time to solo.
I was wrong and it was hearing about all these very low 'typical' times that made me feel behind and probably got to my subconscience and consequently take longer. Of course at the time i didnt take into account that i was completing GH exercises that could have been done after the solo.
So despite all this waffling, my point is although it bugged me at the time, i passed after 18 days in just over 50 hours. Now it means nothing, so for those that are/were concerned, it really does have no affect on your overall flying ability. That aside it is an amazing feeling and will never forget the day (5 or 50 hours regardless)
Gliding:
initially about 20 launches in T21/T31s (RAF Hemswell, 1970).
14 years later about the same in K13s (Lasham)
F/W:
Shortly after the second gliding "first" solo, about 6:30 in an AA5A (Eastleigh)
R/W:
A couple of years ago, 5.7 hours (surprised everyone, including me) in an R22 (it was a personal challenge to reach solo but the cost is too high to justify going any further). Thruxton.
Everyone is different, it varies with frequency, aptitude, relationship with instructor. application, age.....
Earlier this year I sent my son solo (in a Bulldog) after about 10 hours but we'd had to fill time until his 16th Birthday so had been spinning, aeros, steep turns, etc for a couple of hours. Plus I found that he had to be a lot better than most students before I would send him off - one of the hardest things I've done!
initially about 20 launches in T21/T31s (RAF Hemswell, 1970).
14 years later about the same in K13s (Lasham)
F/W:
Shortly after the second gliding "first" solo, about 6:30 in an AA5A (Eastleigh)
R/W:
A couple of years ago, 5.7 hours (surprised everyone, including me) in an R22 (it was a personal challenge to reach solo but the cost is too high to justify going any further). Thruxton.
Everyone is different, it varies with frequency, aptitude, relationship with instructor. application, age.....
Earlier this year I sent my son solo (in a Bulldog) after about 10 hours but we'd had to fill time until his 16th Birthday so had been spinning, aeros, steep turns, etc for a couple of hours. Plus I found that he had to be a lot better than most students before I would send him off - one of the hardest things I've done!
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Rather a silly question, insofar as it provokes unnecessary feelings of inadequacy and macho competitiveness. Also it leads to endless justifications / rationalizations ("but I could have done it in much less time except for the bad weather / poor instruction / scheduling problems / work or family commitments / etc."). Let's focus on things that are more fun and interesting.
MLS-12D
P.S. Anyone who feels that it is taking them too long should take heart, as time to solo is of no real importance. Reading David Garnett's classic A Rabbit in the Air: notes from a diary kept while learning to handle an aeroplane may provide a helpful sense of perspective.
MLS-12D
P.S. Anyone who feels that it is taking them too long should take heart, as time to solo is of no real importance. Reading David Garnett's classic A Rabbit in the Air: notes from a diary kept while learning to handle an aeroplane may provide a helpful sense of perspective.