Microlighters

Has anyone made a major cock-up on his first solo ? I wanna know.

I am still a few hours away, but the honest truth is: I am terrified !! With every hours' training I am an hour closer to going solo.

Did some training Friday in a stiff crosswind - and hats off to my instructor. I almost had to bring my gyro back on a trailer. Sh!t like this makes me want to fly with an instructor forever.

What is extremely important is to maintain a positive attitude. Don't set yourself up with the knowledge that you could fail but rather that you will pass.

Going solo means you will be completely alone up there, although the instructor will be in radio contact and unless you are 100% confident that you will ace it DON'T DO IT. If you are terrified then there is a reason for it. Find that reason, fix it first then move forward.

This must be an exciting experience not a terrifying one.

Any decent instructor will not send you solo until they are very happy with your skills and confident that you will be successful.

Good luck and have fun

Ldel, you shouldn't be terrified, but rather nervous. If you not nervous, you're not uman. I'm sure I speak for EVERY person that flies, but every time I fly, I am a little nervous. Not in a bad way, but also not to allow "bravery" to get in the way.

Let nobody fool you, going solo is a big deal and you have to feel ready before you go solo - Ask yourself, will I be able to take control and land even in the event of an engine out? - If the answer is yes, you are ready - If not, take it easy, it is not a race

PS: Enjoy and keep us posted

D

Ldel wrote:Has anyone made a major cock-up on his first solo ? I wanna know.

Yes, quite a few. Baron van Richthoven, winner of the Iron Cross, WW1 fighter ace of note, indeed the same legendary Red Baron pranged on his first solo attempt.

However, I guarantee that your “destructor” won’t send you off in less than perfect conditions. Calm morning, quiet circuit and a quick solo check-out are prerequisite.

It’s a very crappy feeling when you see your instructor walking towards you with a radio in his hand.

Keeping the pointy end facing forwards and the whirly thing on top – after that it’s easy …

Good luck - will soon read about that smile that won't go away.

Regards
John ZU-CIB

Just think about it like this..No more whinging instructor sitting with you !!!

Your fears are unfounded, you will have no problems, hope your radio is fine now..

Good Luck

zulu1

When you are ready you will actually WANT to go solo. Your belief in youself and in your own ability will be a lot different from how you feel at present.

In my short flying experience the best and most consistent landings I ever did was those ones just prior going solo, from there onwards only downhill.....

Sure you will cream it, when your instructor sends you solo, its because he knows you are ready for it.

Can't say I have evr heard of such a person.

Hi Ldel

It will be fine, the instructor will not let you go unless he is sure it will be (looks bad for them if a student prangs on his/her solo).

Speaking for myself I thought (my instructor may have thought differently) that it was unremarkable. The next two hours practicing solo circuits were interesting though. At one stage my instructor and I debated putting large tyres on the Magni because I insisted on landing next to and not on the runway.

Go for it, and the feeling of achievement makes all the time, money and effort so far so, so, so worth it!!

Enjoy :D

Nervous is fine, but if you're really terrified do another couple of hours. No one will force you to go solo. You mention that you have another few hours to go, perhaps by then it will all come together and you'll be more confident.
Cock-ups happen but I think that most first solo students are concentrating sooooo hard on getting that landing right, that they don't have a problem. :D
That first solo is the most memorable flight of most pilots' careers. The adrenaline rush keeps you on a high for hours and days afterwards. And the plane really leaps into the air without that extra baggage! Strange though I still seemed to hear that nagging instructor in my head

Sometimes it's a confidence you wake up with. After completing my last dual hour I thought solo soon but didn't feel ready. Next day after 1 or 2 circuits went solo. Prayer helps - BEFORE you takeoff solo...would hate to close my eyes on finals.

In my experience towards the end of your dual hours you will have good landings and some bad landings BUT your instructer will not have interfered with any of them. You can get the aircraft down on the ground safelyon your own. The landings might not all be greasers but you will be surprised at how well you fly at this stage.