First Solo
As pilots, we always have certain memories about flying, but one that almost all of us never forget, is that first solo flight. Seeing earth from above with your instructor is one thing, but experiencing it alone is an extraordinary moment and you’ll want to do everything you can to make it extra special. I remember mine like it was yesterday, a sunny clear August day in a Cessna 152, a memory I will always carry with me the rest of my life.
There is no set number of hours required to fly solo and there are many different factors that affect how long it takes to reach it. If you learn to fly at a remote airfield where no communication is required and has very little traffic in the airspace, you may be able to fly solo within less than 10 hours. However, if you fly at an airfield with a populated airspace, with various communication procedures and have to fly 20 miles to reach a safe area to practice manoeuvres then it could take you 30 hours or more. You may also have to take breaks between training for various reasons or have a more effective instructor or simply just have a knack for learning to fly. No two students are the same and everyone learns at different paces so don’t feel pressured to go solo in the shortest time possible and avoid comparing your time to solo with other students as it can take away the fun and enjoyment of the day.
My understanding of my first solo flight was very limited. In my head, I thought I would do the check ride with my instructor and he would sign me off for solo, then my next lesson I would go up and do some circuits on my own. But this wasn’t the case. Instead the day went like this... I arrived at my training centre and met my instructor who briefed me on the flight I was going to do. Before you can fly solo you have to have passed the Air Law exam so after my brief I decided to sit the exam to avoid any delays in flying solo. This was my first ground school exam so I was nervous at the time, but I knew I studied hard for this exam which in the end paid off as I scored 100%. Exam complete it was time to check out the aircraft. I did my walkaround and taxied the aircraft to the pumps for refuelling. At the pumps my instructor met me and we taxied to the hold to do the power checks. The brief for the flight was to perform 3 touch-and-goes, so up I went and flew the circuit pattern doing 2 touch-and-goes with no issues. You practice a lot in the pattern and by now should have performed many take off and landings so you should be comfortable with the procedure. On final for my third touch-and-go my instructor told me to make this a full-stop landing and taxi down to the hold. As I reached the hold my instructor told me that it was time for my solo flight. It didn’t fully sink in that I would be flying alone until my instructor said on the radio... “G-BNJC, now changing to Student G-BNJC”. It was at this point I understood that I was about to do my first solo flight and boy was I ready for it.
“OK George, you ready? Take off, one circuit, land and taxi back to the clubhouse.” My instructor jumped out and it was time to be pilot in command, on my own, for the very first time. I was already at the hold so I performed the power and pre-flight checks then lined up on the runway. The adrenaline was running high and the feeling was great. Staring down the runway, just me and the Cessna; it was a dream come true. As I climbed out, I looked out to the right to check for any aircraft crossing Stapleford’s ATZ and I remember how clear and easy it was to check as the seat next to me was empty. I flew the circuit and landed on 04L and my first solo flight was over. I taxied off the runway and performed the after landing checks before taxiing my way to the clubhouse to park the aircraft. As I parked up ATC congratulated me on my successful solo flight and I was met by my instructor for a photo in front of the aircraft.
When performing your first solo, don’t be tempted to share the moment with your friends and family. You don’t need to have an audience for this experience; it’s called a solo for a reason. That goes with cameras as well; capturing your first solo is a great way to relive the special day, but if the camera is likely to distract you from the 3 fundamentals of flying (Aviate, Navigate, and Communicate) then don’t use them. The first solo is one of the most special moments in your flying career and perhaps even your life. Give that moment the attention it deserves. Your adrenaline levels are bound to run high, but try to sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.
If you have been lucky enough to experience solo flight then comment below and share with everybody the most memorable part of your flight or if you are coming up to performing your first solo and have any questions with this or your training/exams, comment below or message me directly through the about me section of this page. Thanks for reading and happy flying!
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