FIRST SOLO?
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FIRST SOLO?
I was thinking back to my first solo, the most nerve racking time of my flying career and wondered, could anyone else remember and share with me the first time they lifted off on their own????
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"Vacate next Left at intersection...., contact ground now on 118.90"
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 06 May 2001).]
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"Vacate next Left at intersection...., contact ground now on 118.90"
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 06 May 2001).]
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On downwind the controller came on and asked me: Do you see the traffic on final. At this time I saw ,what seemed to be at that time, a very large plane coming towards me.
I told the controller I had the traffic in sight. As it was coming closer I could see it was a 727. The controller came on again and gave me permission to turn on to base after the 727 had passed me. So I turned to base and to final and was right behind the 727. The controller gave me landing clearance and in addition he said: be aware of wake turbulence. Made a perfect landing right after the 727. Loved it.
I told the controller I had the traffic in sight. As it was coming closer I could see it was a 727. The controller came on again and gave me permission to turn on to base after the 727 had passed me. So I turned to base and to final and was right behind the 727. The controller gave me landing clearance and in addition he said: be aware of wake turbulence. Made a perfect landing right after the 727. Loved it.
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Number 3 to a 747 and a 737 to take off at a busy airport. A couple of comments from the big boys aimed at me over the radio.
Then take off after waiting the required period for wake turbulence followed by a hurried circuit at 500' at the behest of ATC and an exhortation to 'keep the speed up' on finals as yet another heavy was tailing me.
Talk about pressure. Short but sweet.
My second solo was months later at another field and another school and was in fact considered a first solo by all concerned except me. I had barely mentioned the first solo and assumed they knew. I surprised everyone when I told them afterwards.
Technically was that two first solo's?
Then take off after waiting the required period for wake turbulence followed by a hurried circuit at 500' at the behest of ATC and an exhortation to 'keep the speed up' on finals as yet another heavy was tailing me.
Talk about pressure. Short but sweet.
My second solo was months later at another field and another school and was in fact considered a first solo by all concerned except me. I had barely mentioned the first solo and assumed they knew. I surprised everyone when I told them afterwards.
Technically was that two first solo's?
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Here in the good ole US of A, we get three circuits for our solo's.
Quiet pattern, so I was luck not to have the added stress of much traffic. Landings number one and two were okay (no damage and my headset didn't shake off)! - but number three......right on the numbers, a greaser, and I take the first taxiway exit back to the FBO.
I could barely fit my head into the car for the drive home.
Wonderful.
Quiet pattern, so I was luck not to have the added stress of much traffic. Landings number one and two were okay (no damage and my headset didn't shake off)! - but number three......right on the numbers, a greaser, and I take the first taxiway exit back to the FBO.
I could barely fit my head into the car for the drive home.
Wonderful.
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Well I can remember mine like it was yesterday, a cold gloomey day did'nt think I was going to fly (I was hopeing). But as the rule of sod it picked up and up I went down wind at 1000ft then finals was too high full flap decent almost run-out of runway (burnt a lot of rubber that day)!!!that was the most nerve racking time but at the same time I nearly burst with exitement!!! Excellent 
!!!!!!!!!!!!
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"Vacate next Left at intersection...., contact ground on 118.90"
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 09 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 14 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 14 May 2001).]
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"Vacate next Left at intersection...., contact ground on 118.90"
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 09 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 14 May 2001).]
[This message has been edited by Intersection (edited 14 May 2001).]
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Going off topic slightly, My QXC to blackpool just proir to descendind deadside;
me: "XXX overhead"
BPL: "XXX roger, can you please remain in the overhead until further notice? we are just having the Red Arrows depart below you with a low level circuit"
me: "XXX Can stay up here and watch them all day"
BPL: "ha ha, thanks XXX"
Red1: "Many thanks XXX"
me: "XXX, Thankyou!!!"
BPL: "XXX cleared to commence deadside descent, call downwind"
This was by far one of the most exhilarating experiences during my PPL training, and comes a closesecond to going solo for the first time.
Blackknight
me: "XXX overhead"
BPL: "XXX roger, can you please remain in the overhead until further notice? we are just having the Red Arrows depart below you with a low level circuit"
me: "XXX Can stay up here and watch them all day"
BPL: "ha ha, thanks XXX"
Red1: "Many thanks XXX"
me: "XXX, Thankyou!!!"
BPL: "XXX cleared to commence deadside descent, call downwind"
This was by far one of the most exhilarating experiences during my PPL training, and comes a closesecond to going solo for the first time.
Blackknight
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On visiting Cardiff for my QXC, I called Approach and they said they would come back.
5 minutes later - nothing - called them again - "we will come back".
By this time I am over Barry Island for the docks VFR approach.
Then, " G** cleared to Land Three Zero".
Where is it??
Looked down to the right - damn - there it is!!
After nice touch down and taxi along the r/w I get " G** please expedite quickly next left".
I did this and as I looked back over my right shoulder I saw a JMC 757 come wizzing down the r/w - scary or what!
757 Fodder - yuk!
PFO
5 minutes later - nothing - called them again - "we will come back".
By this time I am over Barry Island for the docks VFR approach.
Then, " G** cleared to Land Three Zero".
Where is it??
Looked down to the right - damn - there it is!!
After nice touch down and taxi along the r/w I get " G** please expedite quickly next left".
I did this and as I looked back over my right shoulder I saw a JMC 757 come wizzing down the r/w - scary or what!
757 Fodder - yuk!
PFO
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Well I only did my solo last summer - at Manston, Kent - I was on the RAF Flying Scholarship!!!
first few days of Septemeber - after a few days of really bad crosswind when we couldn't fly then we had a beautiful day - around 19:00hrs, the sun was low in the sky - burning bright, orange ball, lowering small patches of cloud reflecting the light - so I lined up, started rolling BUT didn't feel like the little Cessna was accelerating properly so I had to abort and do a taxi check!!
It all turned out fine - next I lined up 65kts and I was up!!! Singing like mad, then to realise that the take off was optional and landing is mandatory!!!!! The circuit was perfect - everything went right - flew out just over the coast - another soloist also in the cicuit!
Then on to base leg, start of descend, turned onto finals daed on 500ft, perfect glide path and an excellent landing - can remember every move in the circuit!!!!
Taxied back - was so happy when I got out (with my cushion cos I'm quite short!)started hugging everyone, tears of joy, it was definitely a real high point of my life - exhilarating and will never be forgotten - hopefully many more experiences to come!!!
I'm now 38hrs into my PPL and enjoying it like mad!!
I'm in my last year of A-levels,18, female, going to Bristol uni in September to do Biology and just accepted a uni bursary from the RAF but in the Air Traffic Control branch (my arms were too short for pilot) - however this leads to a 6yr short commission in this branch - but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for any airline sponsorships and keeping my doors open because I LOVE FLYING, I've wanted to be a pilot since I was seven and I will get there, eventually, even if I've deviated a bit on track!! Maybe after the RAF - I'll be 27/28 - then I may be able to fund licence and get into commercial! - lot to think about but I think I've got my plan sorted!!!
first few days of Septemeber - after a few days of really bad crosswind when we couldn't fly then we had a beautiful day - around 19:00hrs, the sun was low in the sky - burning bright, orange ball, lowering small patches of cloud reflecting the light - so I lined up, started rolling BUT didn't feel like the little Cessna was accelerating properly so I had to abort and do a taxi check!!
It all turned out fine - next I lined up 65kts and I was up!!! Singing like mad, then to realise that the take off was optional and landing is mandatory!!!!! The circuit was perfect - everything went right - flew out just over the coast - another soloist also in the cicuit!
Then on to base leg, start of descend, turned onto finals daed on 500ft, perfect glide path and an excellent landing - can remember every move in the circuit!!!!
Taxied back - was so happy when I got out (with my cushion cos I'm quite short!)started hugging everyone, tears of joy, it was definitely a real high point of my life - exhilarating and will never be forgotten - hopefully many more experiences to come!!!
I'm now 38hrs into my PPL and enjoying it like mad!!
I'm in my last year of A-levels,18, female, going to Bristol uni in September to do Biology and just accepted a uni bursary from the RAF but in the Air Traffic Control branch (my arms were too short for pilot) - however this leads to a 6yr short commission in this branch - but I'm keeping my eyes peeled for any airline sponsorships and keeping my doors open because I LOVE FLYING, I've wanted to be a pilot since I was seven and I will get there, eventually, even if I've deviated a bit on track!! Maybe after the RAF - I'll be 27/28 - then I may be able to fund licence and get into commercial! - lot to think about but I think I've got my plan sorted!!!
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Well - whilst I remember my first solo (age 16 no less - scary stuff) I remember with much greater clarity *sending* my first solo.
Trust me - sometimes the instructor is more nervous than the student. A sometimes we have an even cheesier grin...
WWW
Trust me - sometimes the instructor is more nervous than the student. A sometimes we have an even cheesier grin...
WWW
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11th November 2000, at 11am. In America, where the first solo is three circuits. Take-off was fine, then came the ghastly thought I'd have to land it by myself!
Upon walking back to the building after landing, I got soaked with a bucket of freezing cold water - a tradition of the flying school I was at even though I was just a 'visiting' English student and not there full time.
Went straight to a tattoo parlour and also got my first tattoo the same day.
Upon walking back to the building after landing, I got soaked with a bucket of freezing cold water - a tradition of the flying school I was at even though I was just a 'visiting' English student and not there full time.
Went straight to a tattoo parlour and also got my first tattoo the same day.
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The best bit about my first solo was as I was climbing out turning round to talk to my instructor and just getting the view out of the window. I sat there and realised that I was flying on my own 100%.
What a feeling. Took me about 10 mins to stop talking at about 500 words per min after I landed!!
What a feeling. Took me about 10 mins to stop talking at about 500 words per min after I landed!!
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The only thing I remember about first solo was the instructor turning the radio down to give me wise words before setting me off on my own.
I couldn't understand why the ATCO wouldn't answer me and why a previously busy radio channel had gone dead. Luckily I worked it out before I made too many blind calls.
I couldn't understand why the ATCO wouldn't answer me and why a previously busy radio channel had gone dead. Luckily I worked it out before I made too many blind calls.
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Hmmmm, first solos......well, First solo in a glider, Cadet Mark III, RAF Kenley, Summer of '75.....Noticed aircraft was MUCH more rapid on the launch.....A quick glance at all of London before me, before I was back on the ground....Only 16, and not even started work.....Thanks Air Cadets, and Thanks Clive....
Second first solo, Powered this time, at Alliance Field, Fort Worth, Texas.....Three solo circuits.....with heavies from American Airlines everywhere....Took off, got to circuit height, (I seem to recall 1500) and could STILL see the runway under the nose...
Came back to Earth knowing I could do it....That was 11 years ago, and I havent looked back.
So, thanks to those instructors who believed in me more than I did.....Woody (Norfolk Gliding Club) Bill Davidson (EX RN, now with Continental) Ajay, and Harry.
Tailwinds
Second first solo, Powered this time, at Alliance Field, Fort Worth, Texas.....Three solo circuits.....with heavies from American Airlines everywhere....Took off, got to circuit height, (I seem to recall 1500) and could STILL see the runway under the nose...
Came back to Earth knowing I could do it....That was 11 years ago, and I havent looked back.
So, thanks to those instructors who believed in me more than I did.....Woody (Norfolk Gliding Club) Bill Davidson (EX RN, now with Continental) Ajay, and Harry.
Tailwinds
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I know RAF Kenley myself.
Went solo after 7hrs on an RAF Flying Scholarship at Southend. Legs were shaking like mad whilst taxiing to the runway. Can't explain what happened when the wheels lifted off the ground, - sheer emotions!!! The beast got on the ground without a crash, so the landing can't have been that bad!!
My plane was: G-BPME, aka 'The Beast'
Went solo after 7hrs on an RAF Flying Scholarship at Southend. Legs were shaking like mad whilst taxiing to the runway. Can't explain what happened when the wheels lifted off the ground, - sheer emotions!!! The beast got on the ground without a crash, so the landing can't have been that bad!!
My plane was: G-BPME, aka 'The Beast'