First solo!

[rezaf_2000]

I did my first solo yesterday, right at the 20th hour! Woohoo, what a thrill!

It was a very calm day, and when my instructor said he feels I'm ready, I decided to go for it. I did three touch and goes before a full landing, and when I got back I couldn't stop grinning! Here's the video, with the mandatory cheesy music.

I had done a handful of simulated engine failure landings before, but I should thank the lord for not throwing me a curveball during my first solo! Also thanks to the support from the forum members here.

[CTLSi]

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[SportPilot]

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[rezaf_2000]

I did my first solo yesterday, right at the 20th hour! Woohoo, what a thrill!

It was a very calm day, and when my instructor said he feels I'm ready, I decided to go for it. I did three touch and goes before a full landing, and when I got back I couldn't stop grinning! Here's the video, with the mandatory cheesy music.

I had done a handful of simulated engine failure landings before, but I should thank the lord for not throwing me a curveball during my first solo! Also thanks to the support from the forum members here.

Congrats on your achievement.

The requirement is for three full stop landings and a taxi back to the start of the runway between each. I see you are on grass so I assume you were not expected to do that...

Well the CFI asked me to do 3 touch and goes and one full stop (four landings) and that's what I did I hope it's what he needs. In my logbook, he wrote "great job!". I guess that would work as some sort of endorsement?!

Did your CFI sign you off to fly your solo cross country now?

No, I think he wants me to do the dual cross country with him first.

[BrianL99]

The requirement is for three full stop landings and a taxi back to the start of the runway between each. I see you are on grass so I assume you were not expected to do that...

Did your CFI sign you off to fly your solo cross country now?

There is no such requirement.

As long as he maintained coordinated flight, so he couldn't stall

Almost every time I read a CTLSi post, I'm reminded of the famous quote ... "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt"

Congratulations Rezaf

[FastEddieB]

Color me impressed!

Great job!

Later you will reflect on the anxiety your instructor probably felt. I never turned anyone loose until I was sure they were ready, but there's always that lingering doubt and you never know for certain how the student will do all by his or her lonesome.

But you did him proud! Another hurdle passed.

And the Sting Sport looks like a great trainer - good choice there as well.

Go get 'em!

[Merlinspop]

There aren't too many things that come with the same sense of accomplishment as the First Solo. Congrats!

Now go get that piece of paper.

[MrMorden]

It's at the point of the solo where you should really start to consider yourself a pilot. You can now safely takeoff, fly, and land an airplane...if that is not a pilot, I don't know what is! The rest of your training will be refining those skills, adding new ones like navigation and decision making, and gaining experience in different conditions.

Congrats, this is a really big step in your flying!

[Jack Tyler]

Reza, you did a very nice job - congratulations! Looks like a nice training airport, too.

So...now comes one of those student challenges that goes beyond flying itself, which in fact affect all of us as winter looms. Namely, keeping up the training regimen with the onset of increasingly hostile weather. So become a Weather Hawk, keeping a lookout on the upcoming weather, and working with your instructor to insure you keep training. Winter's doubly tough because you also lose early evening/late afternoon flight time after a conventional work schedule of 8-5. You may want to talk with your work supervisor about this, if you have a regular work sked, as winter training up north usually requires some flexibility from the employer.

Good luck to you!

[drseti]

It's at the point of the solo where you should really start to consider yourself a pilot. You can now safely takeoff, fly, and land an airplane...if that is not a pilot, I don't know what is!

Actually, I tell my students that achieving first solo makes you an airplane driver. (Still a great accomplishment). Come back for the post-solo training, learn the weather, navigation, flight planning, cross country operations, unfamiliar airport procedures, basic instrument survival skills, etc., hone those skills, pass your knowledge and practical tests, and then you will be a pilot.

As Obi-Wan said to Luke, "Impressive. But you are not a Jedi yet."

[FastEddieB]

As Obi-Wan said to Luke, "Impressive. But you are not a Jedi yet."

Still, I sense the power strong with this one is.*



* Karen says my hairy ears entitle me to like Yoda speak.

[BrianL99]

It's at the point of the solo where you should really start to consider yourself a pilot. You can now safely takeoff, fly, and land an airplane...if that is not a pilot, I don't know what is!

Actually, I tell my students that achieving first solo makes you an airplane driver. (Still a great accomplishment). Come back for the post-solo training, learn the weather, navigation, flight planning, cross country operations, unfamiliar airport procedures, basic instrument survival skills, etc., hone those skills, pass your knowledge and practical tests, and then you will be a pilot.

As Obi-Wan said to Luke, "Impressive. But you are not a Jedi yet."

I have about 500 hours & an IR, but I'd never consider myself a "pilot". I tell people I'm legal to fly the airplane, but far from considering myself a "pilot".

FastEddie and a few others on here ... now they're pilots!

[Wm.Ince]

I did my first solo yesterday, right at the 20th hour! Woohoo, what a thrill!

Congratulations rezaf_2000 . . . well done and welcome to our club! . . .

[MrMorden]

I have about 500 hours & an IR, but I'd never consider myself a "pilot". I tell people I'm legal to fly the airplane, but far from considering myself a "pilot".

FastEddie and a few others on here ... now they're pilots!

Well, there are pilots and there are pilots.

[SportPilot]

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