First solo done - not happy, please advise..
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Did the same thing myself on my first solo.
Too much forward pressure on the controls on landing, corrected the swerve with rudder and the left wheel came up slightly which led to my doing some "S" shapes on the rollout for a while. Frightened me a bit but I learnt what happened, why it happened and how to correct/prevent it again. They're the lessons which are the most valuable.
Carry on flying G_String, youre doing fine.
Teroc
Too much forward pressure on the controls on landing, corrected the swerve with rudder and the left wheel came up slightly which led to my doing some "S" shapes on the rollout for a while. Frightened me a bit but I learnt what happened, why it happened and how to correct/prevent it again. They're the lessons which are the most valuable.
Carry on flying G_String, youre doing fine.
Teroc
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Show me someone who hasn't made a mistake and I'll show you someone who hasn't experienced anything in life!
You made a mistake, have learned something from it, but most importantly having done your first solo, you can now officially class yourself as a pilot!
Well done...keep going!
You made a mistake, have learned something from it, but most importantly having done your first solo, you can now officially class yourself as a pilot!
Well done...keep going!
Learn from it the next time.
A first solo which ends on the right airfield, and with the aeroplane being re-useable, was a good one. Well done, don't worry, keep learning.
G
A first solo which ends on the right airfield, and with the aeroplane being re-useable, was a good one. Well done, don't worry, keep learning.
G
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G_STRING,
I've just nearly killed my self driving to work (Woke up behind the wheel staring down the barrels of a Petrol tankers back axle
).
I'm just glad to be alive and looking forward to my next nose wheel shimmy!
p.s. The Tomahawk I've been flying treats both students and instructors alike to a nice shimmy most every flight - I thought it was normal
I've just nearly killed my self driving to work (Woke up behind the wheel staring down the barrels of a Petrol tankers back axle
).I'm just glad to be alive and looking forward to my next nose wheel shimmy!
p.s. The Tomahawk I've been flying treats both students and instructors alike to a nice shimmy most every flight - I thought it was normal
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G-String,
I'll add my congrats on your first solo. For many, it's a personal triumph, for some it's just one more hoop to jump through. To feel that yours wasn't the technical tour-de-forde you'd have liked is far from unusual.
There may be a number of explanations for what you experienced. One of the things you must learn about aviation is that the flying is the only bit you need to do on your own, For all other parts of your aviation career you will have access to the excellent advice of those paid to teach you. If you have, or think you have, a problem then you must discuss it with your instructor. He or she can reassure you if that particular aircraft has a known problem, or a quirk exacerbated by a bit of coarse handling, or guide you if in fact you did something incorrectly. Describe the event fully to your instructor and allow them to use their experience to help you. That's what they're there for.
I've taught many, many like you. The ones I worried about most were the ones that kept it all to themselves in the hope that it would all work out alright. Solos are for learning from, but you must admit the problems if you want to find the solutions.
Best of luck.
I'll add my congrats on your first solo. For many, it's a personal triumph, for some it's just one more hoop to jump through. To feel that yours wasn't the technical tour-de-forde you'd have liked is far from unusual.
There may be a number of explanations for what you experienced. One of the things you must learn about aviation is that the flying is the only bit you need to do on your own, For all other parts of your aviation career you will have access to the excellent advice of those paid to teach you. If you have, or think you have, a problem then you must discuss it with your instructor. He or she can reassure you if that particular aircraft has a known problem, or a quirk exacerbated by a bit of coarse handling, or guide you if in fact you did something incorrectly. Describe the event fully to your instructor and allow them to use their experience to help you. That's what they're there for.
I've taught many, many like you. The ones I worried about most were the ones that kept it all to themselves in the hope that it would all work out alright. Solos are for learning from, but you must admit the problems if you want to find the solutions.
Best of luck.
Thread Starter
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Once again everyone, thanks a lot for all your replies. I certainly feel a lot better about things after reading them - some brilliant advice, and words of wisdom.
Much appreciated
Much appreciated
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Luxury...
You did pretty well to even notice things like that. My first solo was a complete daze and if anything had gone wrong I think I'd have been in a heap of sh@t. Finestkind, keep it up and you'll be fine....
You did pretty well to even notice things like that. My first solo was a complete daze and if anything had gone wrong I think I'd have been in a heap of sh@t. Finestkind, keep it up and you'll be fine....
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G String. I really wouldn't worry too much about the first solo landing. It may actually have done you some good to realise that there is always scope for improvement.
My first solo went really well, and I walked away quite confident. The next (dual) lesson with a different instructor I managed to park the a/c on the runway in a very firm manner several times.
That made me realise that you can do a good landing without really appreciating exactly how you would replicate it. That is where the experience bit comes in. Also of course no two landings are the same, as demonstrated by high hour pilots getting caught out from time to time.
My first solo went really well, and I walked away quite confident. The next (dual) lesson with a different instructor I managed to park the a/c on the runway in a very firm manner several times.
That made me realise that you can do a good landing without really appreciating exactly how you would replicate it. That is where the experience bit comes in. Also of course no two landings are the same, as demonstrated by high hour pilots getting caught out from time to time.
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G-String. I think you're right on track by being concerned and thoughtful about it. The day you stop thinking about information being presented to you whilst flying, things like a lowering cloudbase ahead, unusual engine noise, less-than-usual performance on takeoff roll etc etc is the day a person becomes less safe. No question or concern is a foolish one in aviation, no matter how "uncool" you might feel by raising it.
Keep it up, and enjoy the rest of your PPL training! I really enjoyed the nav exercises. Finally going somewhere!
Keep it up, and enjoy the rest of your PPL training! I really enjoyed the nav exercises. Finally going somewhere!
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Congrats on the Solo. The problem with things like this is the variables or possibilities of things that could happen are endless…I was told after a very scary incedent, where the oleo broke and the shimmy was so bad it shook the doors open on a 150… if you are alive your training was good, if you saved the aircraft your training was great.
SX
SX
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i didn't think my first solo was so great when i did it either
i took me a few hours to get to it
and so i just felt that i should have done it already and so i didn't like appreciate or enjoy it as much as i probably should have
i took me a few hours to get to it
and so i just felt that i should have done it already and so i didn't like appreciate or enjoy it as much as i probably should have
Safety First!
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Going solo is a huge achievement for anyone. It really doesnt matter how long it takes, if you really wanted to do it, it would have been great to eventually go. At least you didnt fly to Cuba by accident like that Pizza guy.Well done.
Kermie
Kermie
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Don't feel bad, I did three landings on my first solo flight and let's just say the wings were NOT paralell with the ground for a good bit of the time while I was on the runway!
I only have about 8 solo hours. I did my first solo after 10 hours of dual instruction.
I have developed this bad habit of clutching the empty right seat with my right hand during rough solo landings (instead of keeping it on the throttle where it should be)! I need to kick this habit before the instructor gets back in the airplane with me.
Seriously, when I feel the airplane swerving like it's about to tip over on the runway, it's easy for me to panic. I'm just glad the 172 I'm using has high wings. Even though the runway is 100 ft wide, on occasion I feel like I'm about to go off the side!
I only have about 8 solo hours. I did my first solo after 10 hours of dual instruction.
I have developed this bad habit of clutching the empty right seat with my right hand during rough solo landings (instead of keeping it on the throttle where it should be)! I need to kick this habit before the instructor gets back in the airplane with me.
Seriously, when I feel the airplane swerving like it's about to tip over on the runway, it's easy for me to panic. I'm just glad the 172 I'm using has high wings. Even though the runway is 100 ft wide, on occasion I feel like I'm about to go off the side!
The Original Whirly
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dingducky, that was basically my problem too. I was comparing myself with people who'd done it so much quicker than I had. And were doing it better, or so it seemed. Then of course there were those who'd learned in places with 3 km runways with displaced thresholds and no obstacles, while I had to land on 800 metres, 18 ft wide, between hills which caused turbulence, with a main road on the undershoot. But I didn't understand all the ramifications at the time, so it didn't seem to me like an achievement All I could do was criticise myself and want to get on and get my PPL. Nothin wrong with being ambitious and/or self-critical, but you're allowed to enjoy the steps along the way too.
And think about it - we can fly!! How many people EVER manage to do that? It's an achievement no matter what.
And think about it - we can fly!! How many people EVER manage to do that? It's an achievement no matter what.
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G_STRING
Obviously you stuffed it up completely! If I were you I'd give up flying, and take to the bottle! Drink yourself silly and that way you'll be able to get over the humiliation of your FAILURE!!!
Edited for absolutely TRASHY spelling; I think I'll take to the bottle again...
[ 06 August 2001: Message edited by: 126.9 ]
Obviously you stuffed it up completely! If I were you I'd give up flying, and take to the bottle! Drink yourself silly and that way you'll be able to get over the humiliation of your FAILURE!!!
Edited for absolutely TRASHY spelling; I think I'll take to the bottle again...
[ 06 August 2001: Message edited by: 126.9 ]
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G String;
Boy your post brings back memories. I did my first solo 21yrs ago. I also got a shimmy; however I wasn't able to keep it on the runway. Got over it though (stuff happens). Good thing too; now Im left seat on a B727.
Remember: Anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Boy your post brings back memories. I did my first solo 21yrs ago. I also got a shimmy; however I wasn't able to keep it on the runway. Got over it though (stuff happens). Good thing too; now Im left seat on a B727.
Remember: Anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Flies for fun
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G_string, congratulations are the order of the day. A wheel shimmy isn't the end of the world, a 150 that I was flying solo shimmied so badly that I thought the engine and prop was going to shake off! The problem is most likely to be due to a really worn out aircraft. I found the cure was to ease off on the brakes and pull the yoke full back. Only pull the yoke back when your are firmly on the ground otherwise the nose may come up off the ground again. It's flying the junk that makes you appreciate a quality airplane once you fly one. Much better than learning on a new one in my opinion.
No consolation, but worse things will probably happen to you, that's the thrill of flying!
No consolation, but worse things will probably happen to you, that's the thrill of flying!
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Well done G string,
Provided you touch down in the first third of the R/W, try not to go straight for the brakes. Let the nose settle, and just stabilise the aircraft (along the centreline). Once the aircraft is under control, lightly apply the brakes until adequate braking is achieved. If the wheels do 'lock-up' let off (the brakes)! and re-apply. If the aircraft floats way down the r/w before touch-down, and things start to look tight, just Go Around.
I too used to JUMP on the brakes the second the nose-wheel touched down. (Used to the braking sensation you get with reverse-thrust on jets)!
Don't even think about packing it in! You have overcome the first major step. Now build on that and practice as much as you can.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Provided you touch down in the first third of the R/W, try not to go straight for the brakes. Let the nose settle, and just stabilise the aircraft (along the centreline). Once the aircraft is under control, lightly apply the brakes until adequate braking is achieved. If the wheels do 'lock-up' let off (the brakes)! and re-apply. If the aircraft floats way down the r/w before touch-down, and things start to look tight, just Go Around.
I too used to JUMP on the brakes the second the nose-wheel touched down. (Used to the braking sensation you get with reverse-thrust on jets)!
Don't even think about packing it in! You have overcome the first major step. Now build on that and practice as much as you can.
Good luck, and enjoy!
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Well done G-STRING!
As you’ll probably realise by now, you’ve (a) done something that most people can only dream of – i.e. gone solo, and (b) parked the aircraft with 3 wheels still attached, i.e. gone solo successfully. I’ve got a whole 2 hours of P1, and I’d cheerfully settle for getting it down in one piece – finesse will come later.
A BA146 FO recently mentioned to me that his very first commercial job was on the F27, and in a whole year he managed 1 landing that he was happy with, so I suppose its all relative . . .
Oh yes, and on the subject of first solos, I managed no less than 3 bounce-induced go-arounds before I remembered how to land (to be met by a hugely relieved instructor). As the cliché goes, any landing you can walk away from . . .
As you’ll probably realise by now, you’ve (a) done something that most people can only dream of – i.e. gone solo, and (b) parked the aircraft with 3 wheels still attached, i.e. gone solo successfully. I’ve got a whole 2 hours of P1, and I’d cheerfully settle for getting it down in one piece – finesse will come later.
A BA146 FO recently mentioned to me that his very first commercial job was on the F27, and in a whole year he managed 1 landing that he was happy with, so I suppose its all relative . . .
Oh yes, and on the subject of first solos, I managed no less than 3 bounce-induced go-arounds before I remembered how to land (to be met by a hugely relieved instructor). As the cliché goes, any landing you can walk away from . . .