Solo on Friday 13th !
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Gravesend Kent
Solo on Friday 13th !
Well I finally did it ! I've gone solo at last.
I was a little concerned at the date (Friday 13th) but I had my lucky rabbits foot , 4 leaf clover and I'd avoided all ladders for the last week !!!
But the real deciding factor was the weather ! it was so good I bunked off work and booked 2 lessons this morning.
After my last lesson a couple of weeks ago which was a bit of a nightmare on the landing front I was expecting to spent a few more hours bashing the circuit trying to get the landings sorted. But after about 45 mins in the circuit and a couple of landings that surprised me (i.e. they were actually reasonable ! ) Bob ,my instructor, got out and I had a C152 and runway 28 at Manston to myself. The actual circuit was uneventful apart from the fact I was talking to my self all the way round !, the landing was OK as well , no fillings loosened and the aircraft was usable !
The second lesson was even better I spent 35mins solo (including about 10 mins orbiting while a 747 cargo plane landed) and 3 reasonable landings.
The only problem is I may have to have surgery to get rid of this silly grin I've had on my face since I climbed out of the aircraft !
Anyway it's only the start of the process but it's a great confidence booster.
I must say a big thanks to my Instructor Bob whose patience has got me this far.
Regards to all
Peter
I was a little concerned at the date (Friday 13th) but I had my lucky rabbits foot , 4 leaf clover and I'd avoided all ladders for the last week !!!
But the real deciding factor was the weather ! it was so good I bunked off work and booked 2 lessons this morning.
After my last lesson a couple of weeks ago which was a bit of a nightmare on the landing front I was expecting to spent a few more hours bashing the circuit trying to get the landings sorted. But after about 45 mins in the circuit and a couple of landings that surprised me (i.e. they were actually reasonable ! ) Bob ,my instructor, got out and I had a C152 and runway 28 at Manston to myself. The actual circuit was uneventful apart from the fact I was talking to my self all the way round !, the landing was OK as well , no fillings loosened and the aircraft was usable !
The second lesson was even better I spent 35mins solo (including about 10 mins orbiting while a 747 cargo plane landed) and 3 reasonable landings.
The only problem is I may have to have surgery to get rid of this silly grin I've had on my face since I climbed out of the aircraft !
Anyway it's only the start of the process but it's a great confidence booster.
I must say a big thanks to my Instructor Bob whose patience has got me this far.
Regards to all
Peter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 176
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From: UK
Peter
Congratulations !
Im close to solo too and cant wait - i have two hours booked tomorrow so who knows.
Only downside is my "normal" instructor is away and the one im flying with tomorrow hasnt flown with me since i was doing straight and level so im worried im going to waste a few circuits with him getting used to me and getting to find out what im doing well and what im struggling with !
We will see by this time tomorrow, congratulations again and best wishes for the rest of your training.
rt
Congratulations !
Im close to solo too and cant wait - i have two hours booked tomorrow so who knows.
Only downside is my "normal" instructor is away and the one im flying with tomorrow hasnt flown with me since i was doing straight and level so im worried im going to waste a few circuits with him getting used to me and getting to find out what im doing well and what im struggling with !
We will see by this time tomorrow, congratulations again and best wishes for the rest of your training.
rt
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 768
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From: Paros, Greece
Does everybody do that?
Well done Peter. I remember it like it was yesterday - know what you mean about the grin. You're really lucky in that you got to start your solo consolidation on the same day - that extra 35 minutes solo, so soon after your first time will have really helped your confidence. I had to wait several months (due to money) before 'second solo' - and it showed.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 303
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From: Almost Scotland
Further congratulations - well done.
You never, ever will forget it.
Ref. talking to yourself all the way round: never lose the habit - it really helps in automatic recall in times of stress. (Even if you're not aware, fully consciously, of what you're saying, your brain will alert you if there is anything unusual - its a useful feature of being human!)
Seriously: enjoy your flying!
You never, ever will forget it.
Ref. talking to yourself all the way round: never lose the habit - it really helps in automatic recall in times of stress. (Even if you're not aware, fully consciously, of what you're saying, your brain will alert you if there is anything unusual - its a useful feature of being human!)
Seriously: enjoy your flying!
Rainbow Chaser
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: At home, mostly!
CONGRATULATIONS!! PeterJFrancis and AdamUK - just reading both your posts reminded me of my first solo umpteen years ago!
Have to warn you that the silly grin will stay on your face for quite some time and... yes ... talking to yourself is good!!
Have to warn you that the silly grin will stay on your face for quite some time and... yes ... talking to yourself is good!!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Yorkshire
Well done indeed
I was hoping to go Solo Tuesday but wind too strong !!
Keep your fingers crossed for me for this Tuesday..... I can't wait, worse than being a kid and looking forward to Christmas.
I talk myself thro the circuit on my way to the club and I talk (in my head) as Im doing it, cant say it out loud as my instructor would probably think I was certifiable !!
I was hoping to go Solo Tuesday but wind too strong !!
Keep your fingers crossed for me for this Tuesday..... I can't wait, worse than being a kid and looking forward to Christmas.
I talk myself thro the circuit on my way to the club and I talk (in my head) as Im doing it, cant say it out loud as my instructor would probably think I was certifiable !!
PINKS WORLD THROUGH ROSE COLOURED SPECS
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,268
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From: Happy and content again back in the house on the beach ,baking on the AGA and flying around my highland home . emmmmmmmm
Well
congratulations again.
I soloed only a couple of weeks ago ,and I remember the elation I felt when I had landed.,and was high and jumping for joy.
I was not smiling or grinning at all on the solo circuit though, and I orbited and orbited,and didn't speak to my self but was talking to and asking for guidance from my instructor in my head.
Really glad you enjoyed it,well done.
PINK-AVIATOR
congratulations again.
I soloed only a couple of weeks ago ,and I remember the elation I felt when I had landed.,and was high and jumping for joy.
I was not smiling or grinning at all on the solo circuit though, and I orbited and orbited,and didn't speak to my self but was talking to and asking for guidance from my instructor in my head.
Really glad you enjoyed it,well done.
PINK-AVIATOR
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 19
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From: Gravesend Kent
Thanks for all the good wishes. It's been 2 days and I still can't quite believe it.
Thanks for the advise to carry on talking to myself from John Farley and DRJAD.
AdamUKCongrats & well done
Rupetime & Deanofs I've got my fingers crossed for you , don't forget to post when you do go solo
Pink_aviator How long does it take for the silly grin to wear off ? I can't go to work tomorrow like this , they'll lock me up ! Funny you mentioned about hearing your instructor in your head I could hear mine telling me to get the aircraft on the centre line, I have a bit of a problem landing on the centreline , I'm always off to the left
Thanks for the advise to carry on talking to myself from John Farley and DRJAD.
AdamUKCongrats & well done
Rupetime & Deanofs I've got my fingers crossed for you , don't forget to post when you do go solo
Pink_aviator How long does it take for the silly grin to wear off ? I can't go to work tomorrow like this , they'll lock me up !
Funny you mentioned about hearing your instructor in your head I could hear mine telling me to get the aircraft on the centre line, I have a bit of a problem landing on the centreline , I'm always off to the left
PINKS WORLD THROUGH ROSE COLOURED SPECS
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,268
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From: Happy and content again back in the house on the beach ,baking on the AGA and flying around my highland home . emmmmmmmm
GRINNING FACE
HI
Grins can be infectious so wear it to work,and then you can tell people the reason you are grinning when they ask why ( you must be dying to tell all )
I drove home via tescos and told the check out girl,then the petrol station and the kiosk assistant, and because it was a sunny day,I had the roof down on my little smart cabriolet,and even told the work man while driving slowly through road works.(oh I was a proper little show of. But as you well know ,what a great sense of achievment you felt.)
PINK-AVIATOR
Grins can be infectious so wear it to work,and then you can tell people the reason you are grinning when they ask why ( you must be dying to tell all )
I drove home via tescos and told the check out girl,then the petrol station and the kiosk assistant, and because it was a sunny day,I had the roof down on my little smart cabriolet,and even told the work man while driving slowly through road works.(oh I was a proper little show of. But as you well know ,what a great sense of achievment you felt.)
PINK-AVIATOR
