the Kentish fledgling flies solo
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Norfolk
Just had a phone call from Ed to say that he solo'd this morning at Rochester on his 16th birthday.
Ed can not post for a couple of days as he intends to get too aerosol'd to type! (such behaviour would never have been condoned in my day.....
)
I understand that the wind at Manston was 18G20 and across the runway so the decision was made to go to Rochester. Upon arrival at Rochester the first 5 of 7 circuits were done in slight drizzle and circuits 6 and 7 were done in far better conditions.
Ed' s used to 2752 meters of tarmac at EGMH but quickly became accustomed to the EGTO's 827m of grass.
How all he has to do is wait a year before he can apply for a PPL, take pax and go foreign! I can almost envisage the application stating 100hrs PIC!
Very well done Ed or congrats tKf
Stik
Ed can not post for a couple of days as he intends to get too aerosol'd to type! (such behaviour would never have been condoned in my day.....
)I understand that the wind at Manston was 18G20 and across the runway so the decision was made to go to Rochester. Upon arrival at Rochester the first 5 of 7 circuits were done in slight drizzle and circuits 6 and 7 were done in far better conditions.
Ed' s used to 2752 meters of tarmac at EGMH but quickly became accustomed to the EGTO's 827m of grass.
How all he has to do is wait a year before he can apply for a PPL, take pax and go foreign! I can almost envisage the application stating 100hrs PIC!
Very well done Ed or congrats tKf
Stik
The Original Whirly

Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
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From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Kentish Fledgling,
I've been following your progess with interest since you started posting to the Flyer List when you were barely a fledgling...just hatched I guess. Always knew you'd do it sooner rather than later. CONGRATULATIONS ED!
I've been following your progess with interest since you started posting to the Flyer List when you were barely a fledgling...just hatched I guess. Always knew you'd do it sooner rather than later. CONGRATULATIONS ED!

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 902
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From: Dorset
TkF - was down at Broadstairs yesterday - shame I couldn't stay to witness the event (although as I was without transport, the shift from EGMH to EGTO would have scuppered any plans to witness the event!!)!!
Welcome to the world of the hangover
Welcome to the world of the hangover

Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,068
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From: Brighton. UK. (Via Liverpool).
Well done mate, thats great news. I know you were looking forward to it so much, you must be over the moon (or on it depending how much ale you have consumed.) 
(Happy Birthday too.!!!!!!)

(Happy Birthday too.!!!!!!)
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 293
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From: Dorchester, Dorset
I witnessed it!! (Kind of)
I first flew Ed about 3 years ago, when he was nobbut an egg really. His mother met me at the time, and she looked a bit worried - not half as anxious as she looked this morning in Rochester's excellent caff......
I managed to get permission for the family and freinds to watch from the tower, so they had a pretty special experience of it as well.
Happy birthday Ed
Well soloed Ed
(will you come back and actually drink this coffee?)
Steve R
I first flew Ed about 3 years ago, when he was nobbut an egg really. His mother met me at the time, and she looked a bit worried - not half as anxious as she looked this morning in Rochester's excellent caff......
I managed to get permission for the family and freinds to watch from the tower, so they had a pretty special experience of it as well.
Happy birthday Ed
Well soloed Ed
(will you come back and actually drink this coffee?)
Steve R
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,102
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From: E Anglia
I feel very proud that as the originator of Ed's handle TFK I have witnessed his slaughtering of Ex 14 on his 16th B'day.
This young fella has a long way to go in aviation and I look forward to the day when , relaxing in the back of a 747 to JFK,
I hear - ' bing-bong... this is Captain Ludlow welcoming you on this flight to JFK'.
Well done Ed, cherish the moment and roll on 25.7.04........the time will fly by (pun intended)
Safe flying
Cusco.
This young fella has a long way to go in aviation and I look forward to the day when , relaxing in the back of a 747 to JFK,
I hear - ' bing-bong... this is Captain Ludlow welcoming you on this flight to JFK'.
Well done Ed, cherish the moment and roll on 25.7.04........the time will fly by (pun intended)
Safe flying
Cusco.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,498
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
I suppose the name will have to change - how much longer can he be a "fledgling"?
Anyway, well done that man, hope the hangover wasn't too bad, and I'm sure we'll see you around plenty. Any time you want a seat in an aeroplane...
Quite a few of us have a sort of vicarious pleasure in having watched tKF progress from keen RHS to pretty competent pilot. I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Anyway, well done that man, hope the hangover wasn't too bad, and I'm sure we'll see you around plenty. Any time you want a seat in an aeroplane...
Quite a few of us have a sort of vicarious pleasure in having watched tKF progress from keen RHS to pretty competent pilot. I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 603
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From: Kent
Thanks everyone :O
Many thanks everyone for your kind comments re my solo, especially stik for passing the message on in the first place.
Rest assured a full "report" will appear here soon, I've got to try and recall it in full first
tKF
Rest assured a full "report" will appear here soon, I've got to try and recall it in full first

tKF
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 308
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From: Edge of the fens
tKF - Well done fella! I solo'd again a couple of weeks ago after a nine year break, so I kinda know how you feel.
Reading a lot of the comments on this thread, you've obviously made quite an impression on people, and by the sounds of it your success yesterday is well deserved. All the best for the rest of the course, and whatever you choose to do afterwards. I'm sure you'll be a success.
Reading a lot of the comments on this thread, you've obviously made quite an impression on people, and by the sounds of it your success yesterday is well deserved. All the best for the rest of the course, and whatever you choose to do afterwards. I'm sure you'll be a success.








