First solo nav
 

Don't know if this is the right forum as I am new to this and just did my first solo nav. Felt strangely alone so just wondered what others experiences were like.

Congratulations! I recall my first (fixed-wing) cross-country solo not being fun at all. I was just relieved to be home. Of course, with the advent of GPS flying is so much more fun now.

When I felt lost I just had a look at my phone and the cell id that was displayed, which usually was the village you were hovering above. :rolleyes:

Well done - it's a great feeling isn't it. You will now feel as though you fly much better and you have the freedom to go solo whenever you want. Enjoy.

My first solo nav was scattered clouds and more thermals than I'd ever had before. Combined with light weight, the sudden rises and falls in an R22 were quite daunting.

Spent most of the trip trying to remember what I'd forgotten all the time....

BW

I can't really remember mine it was so easy. My instructor was newly arrived from out of town and didn't know the area, so picked a few towns on the map and said fly from here to there to there.

I had spent half my life driving round and round that country so I knew where every spot was in relation to others. (albiet from a different angle) I was able to fly around just confirming the numbers I got from the compass and watch etc fitted with where I was. and had been.

I do remember it was mostly just a joy flight. Didn't do me any harm as have flown thousands of miles round Oz on trips now and haven't got lost - .......yet!)

kissmysquirrel, you're definately making too many assumptions here. As you might know, cell id is displayed automatically on most phones. If you think that it's stupid to cross-check the map-reading on your first solo nav I don't know what your problem is.

Do the instructors mind you using the GPS when you start solo navs?

R22Flyer, I had a similar feeling during my first solo nav a couple of weeks ago. I remember thinking "what if the engine really does quit now" - a very different feeling to previous dual and solo flights where I've been taught to almost mechanically continually think "thats where I'm going to land if the engine quits" - it suddenly felt all a lot more real.

I always find it refreshing to see that others have been through similar training experiences.

Pommie

Martin1234, I am with kissmysquirrel on this one. If you seriously check your cell phone to work out your position you are mental. I assumed you were taking the p**s.

chopperchav, you're absolutely right. I am mental. I'm telling you about my first solo nav where I was happy to reach my intented point. As a very inexperienced pilot I liked the satisfaction when I happen to look at my phone, readily displayed in the cockpit, just to confirm my first successful leg. :D

I'm really sorry that I share my feelings about my first solo nav. I hope that everyone here complaining was highly skilled and experienced pilots the day they were born.

Instructors would prefer that you not use GPS for navigating when you first start. Start with the basics, then add GPS. That way should you lose the GPS you'll have other skills to fall back on.

Jammed pedals was first thing that came to my mind. Would be impressive to conclude first solo nav with run on landing or hovering auto.

Do I need to point out that I verified my location using the map but also liked the fact that the name appeared on the phone, as a symbol of my successful navigation?

I do, however, agree with the fact that you should get cold feet if someone says that their navigation depends upon cell id. :\

Oh, I do know how cell id works and I do know that the phone was secured. What I now also know is that everyone doesn't seem to understand the meaning of a smiley.

kissmysquirrel, you seem like a very self-righteous instructor!

Please excuse my naivety here but I thought mobile phone signals interfered with navigation equipment. I always have mine switched off in my back pocket.

I was once coming into approach and Tower said, "G-XXXX, have you got your mobile on?" "Negative", "Well somebody has!!"

Secondly, around here, I know that 01603 covers a huge area and really wouldn't help me at all. Oh yeah, I'm somewhere in the vicinity of Norwich. I really would hope that my nav is never THAT bad that I could, for example, mistake Great Yarmouth for Lowestoft (01493 for 01502).

So sorry Martin1234, I'm with KMS and Chav here; you're nuts!! :ok: ;)

Cheers

Whirls

KMS you miserable git ! Come on remember how to :O

TFS

Children.....Children.....please! Time outs for all.....get a cell set....use your headset for the phone....much safer.

Why does everyone assume I'm in the UK? Is it because "oh, he's nuts and therefore must be one of our compatriots"?

This thread just strengthens Steve76's argument. Grow up everyone.

You might want to make sure that the mobile phone doesn't interfere with the radio, if it's needed. An analogue or CDMA phone is much better than a GSM phone on that matter. The VHF radio on-board or a handheld should actually disturb the aircraft more than the phone.

There are many advantages from having a mobile phone on-board while flying. Under normal circumstances and if no legislation is prohibiting it I see no problem using the phone while flying, at least if you fly VFR and can do it safely.

That risk can be minimized by using common sense.

Just give me one reason why not to use a phone if it's secured?