And I thought 1st solo was nerve racking!...
Guest
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And I thought 1st solo was nerve racking!...
Well, today I was back up with my instructor (dual) doing the PFL exercises. This is my first time away from the circuit since doing my first solo. Apparently next lesson I may venture to the training area solo. I am VERY worried about this. When we were coming back my instructor asked me where we were and to be honest I didn't have much of a clue. The only thing that is not making me completely bottle leaving the circuit solo is that I know I can normally get a training fix if I become "temporarily unaware of my position = lost". I am more nervous (a hell of alot more nervouse infact!) about going solo to the training area than I was when I did my first solo circuit. Did anyone else have these nerves?
Regards,
Simon
Regards,
Simon
Guest
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I remember the first solo in to the local area yes, very nervous I was, before I took off I tuned the VOR and selected the OBS on to the runway heading so that I could get back if I got really lost, also at Cranfield the M1 was a big player if you became a bit unsure, where are you training??
Guest
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Yes it is a bit unnerving, however my first solo into the local area (many moons ago) was at Blackpool, pretty safe, there's a damn big tower somewhere...unless of course you're really in the c*ap in which case when you land everyone speaks French !
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I'm training with BAFC at Wycombe Air Park. Apparently, there are alot of distinguishing features that aid you getting back to the field but I still don't feel totally confident in being able to identify these. I'm sure it's one of those things that come with time and practice but even still, that knowledge is doing very little to calm my nerves!
Regards,
Simon
Regards,
Simon
Guest
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Mark a map clearly with radials and ranges from your airfield on it. A quick check of nav kit and you can see roughly where you are on the chart, then find a good feature and try to see it on the ground.
If you do this regularly, at least every 10 mins, there's no way you'll get lost! It worked for me on bulldogs.
If you do this regularly, at least every 10 mins, there's no way you'll get lost! It worked for me on bulldogs.
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I was very nervous before and during my first solo trip away from the circuit. I had to get myself to overhead a town 20 nm away across fairly featureless terrain. I decided to follow a long, straight drain (East Anglia - lots of them!) but half way there, my route was blocked by a large cloud. I thought it would be an easy matter to go 'right a bit' and then 'left a bit' and so on, to get back on track, but in the midst of this manoeuvre, I completely lost my bearings and my line feature. To cut a long story short, I was on the point of calling 121.5 when I found something I recognised and I managed to get there and back in one piece.
The moral of the story is......if you have to deviate from track, do it properly using correct navigational techniques - and don't forget that you can always orbit over a feature until you've sorted everything out and you're ready to move on.
Good Luck!
The moral of the story is......if you have to deviate from track, do it properly using correct navigational techniques - and don't forget that you can always orbit over a feature until you've sorted everything out and you're ready to move on.
Good Luck!
Guest
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I had much the same reservations, but once I worked out how to tune and use an ADF(RBI), I was confident I could get back to the field. If you're really nervous ask to do the Radio aids bit before going out alone, at least you be able to use VOR(S) (and or DME) to determine you current position.
Does your home airfield provide VDF ? If it does this will be an an enormous help..
Does your home airfield provide VDF ? If it does this will be an an enormous help..
Guest
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Learn to read the map. It's a skill which is definitly worth having. It's fine on a day with loads of viz, but when you're flying and can only see 5 miles, you really need to know how to read the map and ground features correctly.
Also look for any land marks, and work out what radial the airfield is from them. i.e. 'Fly along the quarry to the road end, and the airfield is in the 2 o clock position'.
Could also take along a handheld gps(if you're allowed to), set to point at the airfield AS A BACKUP. The chance of is going wrong is slight, unless the bateries go flat or you programme it wrongly! DO NOT get into a bad habit of relying on it though.
[This message has been edited by Release (edited 26 June 2001).]
Also look for any land marks, and work out what radial the airfield is from them. i.e. 'Fly along the quarry to the road end, and the airfield is in the 2 o clock position'.
Could also take along a handheld gps(if you're allowed to), set to point at the airfield AS A BACKUP. The chance of is going wrong is slight, unless the bateries go flat or you programme it wrongly! DO NOT get into a bad habit of relying on it though.
[This message has been edited by Release (edited 26 June 2001).]
Guest
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I had exactly the same feeling - it was far more nerve-racking than the first solo. After having spent so long in the circuit , being a good couple of months since getting out into the local area, I got myself into a bit of a tis about whether I was going to a)get lost and b)follow the right procedures re-joining the circuit. Consequently I bottled the first time (which made me more nervous when I came to try again). However, next time I was in a much better frame of mind and it turned into a complete non-event & anti-climax, with absolutely no problems.
Easier said than done, but don't worry about it. Just make sure you know how to use the nav aids - you probably won't need them but it gives you peace of mind.
Easier said than done, but don't worry about it. Just make sure you know how to use the nav aids - you probably won't need them but it gives you peace of mind.
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Well, I'm glad that this fear of going solo away from the airfield for the first time seems to be a reasonably normal thing. I'll just make sure I have a good study of the map beforehand and mark off the obvious landmarks. Also, making a note of any adf stations near where I'll be flying.
So moments that have caused me worry (before doing them) so far on this course have been 1) First solo circuite and 2)First solo (out of site of the airfield). What's number 3 likely to be?
Simon
[This message has been edited by Simon W (edited 26 June 2001).]
So moments that have caused me worry (before doing them) so far on this course have been 1) First solo circuite and 2)First solo (out of site of the airfield). What's number 3 likely to be?
Simon
[This message has been edited by Simon W (edited 26 June 2001).]
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First solo into a controlled airport is always fun. Nobody else has a clue your a learner and don't take any prisoners.
I fact if your a bit unsure phone them first and let them know your callsign so that they don't try and slot you in between a couple of fast twins.
MJ
I fact if your a bit unsure phone them first and let them know your callsign so that they don't try and slot you in between a couple of fast twins.
MJ
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No. 3 has got to be the Qualifying Cross Country. By this point your flying and nav skills will be razor sharp but still doesn't stop you cr#pping yourself.
Personally I found QXC to be a far more rewarding experience than the first solo, a real sense of achievement.
Personally I found QXC to be a far more rewarding experience than the first solo, a real sense of achievement.
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Well, I survived the first solo session away from the airfield (local area). I found it to be far more nerveracking than first solo circuit, however, I did manage a bit of a grin when main wheels finally touched down back at base.
Thanks for the re-assuring comments from people.
Onwards and upwards,
Simon
Thanks for the re-assuring comments from people.
Onwards and upwards,
Simon
