1st Solo tips?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 38
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From: Ireland
1st Solo tips?
Hey, have been reading loads of posts and ive been getting some really great tips.
Im going to be doing my 1st solo in a few weeks, and Im wondering if anyone could maybe give me some advice, like what to expect.
My instructor has said to watch for a quicker pick up, and that it tend to lift backwards, with less weight up front.
Any other tips for things to look out for?
Thanks
Al
Im going to be doing my 1st solo in a few weeks, and Im wondering if anyone could maybe give me some advice, like what to expect.
My instructor has said to watch for a quicker pick up, and that it tend to lift backwards, with less weight up front.
Any other tips for things to look out for?
Thanks
Al
Joined: Sep 2004
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL(H)
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 877
From: Canada
A- excercise jaw muscles so that large smile will not strain face.
B- Relax
C- It will tend to hover nose high.
D-Relax
E- It will be a lot more quiet without all that "RPM" "Speed" "Trim" jabbering going on.
F- If in doubt go around.
G- Have bottle in car to present to long suffering instructor - heavens knows he deserves it.
B- Relax
C- It will tend to hover nose high.
D-Relax
E- It will be a lot more quiet without all that "RPM" "Speed" "Trim" jabbering going on.
F- If in doubt go around.
G- Have bottle in car to present to long suffering instructor - heavens knows he deserves it.
Hovering AND talking
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,711
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From: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
When I said to my instructor, after my first solo, that I missed his couple of hundredweight next to me, he thanked me for the compliment 
The difference in weight was such that I just shot upwards at much less power and in the hover, flew very much left skid low (Hughes269 - LHS PIC).
As was said before, if in doubt, go around. But I'll buy you a beer if you do a go around just for the hell of it. You are the captain, so if that is your decision, then your instructor should understand that! I chickened out and landed as I was told to!
But you'll be fine; if you're not ready, your instructor won't let you go. Good Luck.
Cheers
Whirlygig
The difference in weight was such that I just shot upwards at much less power and in the hover, flew very much left skid low (Hughes269 - LHS PIC). As was said before, if in doubt, go around. But I'll buy you a beer if you do a go around just for the hell of it. You are the captain, so if that is your decision, then your instructor should understand that! I chickened out and landed as I was told to!
But you'll be fine; if you're not ready, your instructor won't let you go. Good Luck.
Cheers
Whirlygig
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 338
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From: UK
You'll certainly notice the difference the "empty seat" makes, not only by the difference in response to power and a slight change in pitch attitude, but you should also notice a slight difference in lateral attitude as well due to the c of g change.
Above all, treat the flight just the same as any other flight with the instructor on board. i.e. Don't let it go to your head until after you have landed. Then you can really enjoy yourself!!
Good luck
PS: You'll also notice your instructor becomes very responsive to an invite to join you at the nearest bar for a drink.
Above all, treat the flight just the same as any other flight with the instructor on board. i.e. Don't let it go to your head until after you have landed. Then you can really enjoy yourself!!
Good luck
PS: You'll also notice your instructor becomes very responsive to an invite to join you at the nearest bar for a drink.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,330
Likes: 74
From: White Waltham, Prestwick & Calgary
If it's anything like mine (a long time ago!), you'll be too busy to enjoy it until you get into the bar - I had to force myself to memorise every bit.
Good luck and well done!
phil
Good luck and well done!
phil
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Townsville Australia
I agree with PACO... just remember to check and double check, slow everything down (so you don't miss anything and so you can really savour the feeling) and enjoy yourself.
I didn't really feel the rush until I walked away from the aircraft and then the adrenalin wore off and I started to 'come down'.
You'll have a great time!
I didn't really feel the rush until I walked away from the aircraft and then the adrenalin wore off and I started to 'come down'.
You'll have a great time!
Joined: May 2002
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
Posts: 18,633
Likes: 1,072
From: Downeast
Lordy....fellows....we will have the poor fellow all confused here....why not just remind him of how cheap this solo flight will be....sans big mouth in the other seat and all that expense that bit of talking ballast costs.
We have warned him about the post-flight gratuity payment in the form of some nice adult malt beverage....which could wind up costing much more than the saved cost for the flight!
But pay attention young lad...if he asks for that gratuity upfront before the flight.....
We have warned him about the post-flight gratuity payment in the form of some nice adult malt beverage....which could wind up costing much more than the saved cost for the flight!
But pay attention young lad...if he asks for that gratuity upfront before the flight.....
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 240
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From: UK
1. If the 22 gets to be a handful, don't panic, keep right arm resting on right leg or you'll overcontrol it with a waving right elbow!
2. Remember the carb heat
3. Be amazed at the stunning rate of climb when you take off
4. You'll think you're nearly in auto when you try to descend without that chunky instructor
5. Keep cyclic forward and left on pickup
6. Whatever happens keep flying it all the way to the ground....
.... and celebrate.....
BW
2. Remember the carb heat
3. Be amazed at the stunning rate of climb when you take off
4. You'll think you're nearly in auto when you try to descend without that chunky instructor
5. Keep cyclic forward and left on pickup
6. Whatever happens keep flying it all the way to the ground....
.... and celebrate.....
BW
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 338
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From: UK
Forgot to mention this in my first post:--
If you smell something rather nasty during the flight - remember you are on your own this time!! This is probably a signal to relax a little more and enjoy the flight. You'd best check the instruments and for any other signs from whence the aroma might be coming if you are sure that you are relaxed.......
If you smell something rather nasty during the flight - remember you are on your own this time!! This is probably a signal to relax a little more and enjoy the flight. You'd best check the instruments and for any other signs from whence the aroma might be coming if you are sure that you are relaxed.......
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 68
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From: NE
Hi
pickup to hover and landback again a couple of times before you get airborne to higher altitudes/make patterns .....a couple spot turns maybe , too...
this will help you to "feel" the "new" flying attitude, and get a visual picture how it should/will look like on final/landing stage...
make your W&B (you allways should check it), and revise if you don't need some ballast
good luck
regards
pickup to hover and landback again a couple of times before you get airborne to higher altitudes/make patterns .....a couple spot turns maybe , too...
this will help you to "feel" the "new" flying attitude, and get a visual picture how it should/will look like on final/landing stage...
make your W&B (you allways should check it
), and revise if you don't need some ballastgood luck
regards
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 467
Likes: 2
From: Earth.
I remember my first solo, a while back like!
The R22 gets quite twitchy, so as a previous post said just relax and keep that arm rested on your leg.
It will be very quick at getting off the ground! TIP:- Raise the lever so slowly and you can't go wrong!
Remember too it will be very nose up in the hover and on lifting, so put the cyclic forward a bit before you lift to reduce the chance of moving backwards, it's ok if you slide forwards remember!
After a while of solo flights you'll be able to "feel" the aircraft off the ground and bring it up nicely!
Last but not least, enjoy the experience!
The R22 gets quite twitchy, so as a previous post said just relax and keep that arm rested on your leg.
It will be very quick at getting off the ground! TIP:- Raise the lever so slowly and you can't go wrong!
Remember too it will be very nose up in the hover and on lifting, so put the cyclic forward a bit before you lift to reduce the chance of moving backwards, it's ok if you slide forwards remember!
After a while of solo flights you'll be able to "feel" the aircraft off the ground and bring it up nicely!
Last but not least, enjoy the experience!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 22
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From: SW UK
Maybe it's just me, but I remember on my first Solo the feeling that the helicopter was not slowing down, and that I had to really pull back to stop.
This is obviously down to the nose up attitide due to the lack of weight up front, but do be aware as it feels very unnatural the first time.
As many others have said, enjoy it and remember not to hit the xmit while you are singing
Cheers Dan
This is obviously down to the nose up attitide due to the lack of weight up front, but do be aware as it feels very unnatural the first time.
As many others have said, enjoy it and remember not to hit the xmit while you are singing
Cheers Dan
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 38
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From: Ireland
Thanks for all the tips guys.
Im sure i'll be too nervous to be excited till after I land.
I think the first solo will only be hovering, with maybe some circuits, but I think they wait to see how the student does with the solo hovering.
Ill let you know how it goes anyway.
Cheers
Al
Im sure i'll be too nervous to be excited till after I land.
I think the first solo will only be hovering, with maybe some circuits, but I think they wait to see how the student does with the solo hovering.
Ill let you know how it goes anyway.
Cheers
Al
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Well I was a while waiting, with crappy weather and holidays, but I finally did it.
That was brilliant, flew out to the airport with the chief instructor, did a hover-auto and some spot turns, he signed me off, back to collect my usual instructor and back to the airport again.
I took it slow and watched everything as I was lifting the collective, but it just wants to go up.
It was weird I could actually see the other collective when I looked left
Thanks for all the advice people.
That was brilliant, flew out to the airport with the chief instructor, did a hover-auto and some spot turns, he signed me off, back to collect my usual instructor and back to the airport again.
I took it slow and watched everything as I was lifting the collective, but it just wants to go up.
It was weird I could actually see the other collective when I looked left
Thanks for all the advice people.