Some questions regarding first solo cross country

[Dish]

As most of the lads know Im still getting on with my license and I believe that Solo Cross Country is looming quite soon.

Im a bit worried about that?? Should i be?? For example when we all started driving goodness knows how long ago, Perhaps some nerves crept in when faced with the possibility of venturing into CBD traffic... Does this Solo Cross Country thing get a tad easier as you gain hours ???

Stupid question, of course it would.... but im still nervous

Comments??? I know i can respect Demon and Griffins Opinion?? And Griffin -- Be nIce

[Morph]

My advise, make sure you find your way back

Do your planning properly, the Challenger does not have much space for knee boards and such so now think of a way of being able to store your maps and calculations etc somewhere where it won't slip between the seats etc. I used to put mine on the RHS between my handbrake and the fabric. Yes mine had a volla handbrake. I also had the little box between my feet. Alternatively wear one of those sleeveless hunting jackets with lots of pockets. Here you can put pens, sweets, etc in the various pockets and have easy access to them. Additionally you can simply slide all your papers between the jacket and the clothes underneath.

Relax,

Take your time,

Enjoy it,

Have fun,

Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it

Be prepared.

Try a route you have done before, that you are familier with

Have a mate or the instructor fly in another plane shadowing you just in case,

Again have fun.

Finally of course it gets easier, in fact eventually you will be doing cross countries primarily

[skybound®]

Have a mate or the instructor fly in another plane shadowing you just in case,

We used to do that often. Works well as the student does not feel 'alone' and know that someone experienced (or with GPS ) is close at hand to assist.

I think the solo xc is probably one of the scariest prospects for any student - if you weren't hesitant/anxious then I would be worried.

After a few minutes into the flight you begin to settle down and start to realise it is not all that bad without the instructor and actually you begin to enjoy it - especially the peace and quiet - no damn instructor barking in your ear

[Dish]

Thanks Morph,,

So its okay to have a mate or intsructor shadow / stay close to you?? If thats the case, half of Rhino will fly out in a squadron..... Someone told me it has to be an hour out and an hour return???

I think whats also interesting for me, is that driving, the simplest places seem so far away. Eagle1 and i drove to the Rustenburg Fly in and it seemed sooooo far. Rudi told me it had taken him a little over an hour... Perception wise, rustenburg seems miles, flying, its pretty close?

Same as (again Perception) from Rhino to springs or petit seems like a hell of a journey, but its not really is it?? Its only twenty minutes or so..?? ( i speak under correction)?

Finally - re the planning, your right, I will get and rig myself plenty of places to store maps and stuff....

Thanks for the input again...

[Morph]

So its okay to have a mate or instructor shadow / stay close to you??

Sure

driving...places seem so far away....flying, its pretty close?

Straight line speed makes a big difference. If I get in my car and drive CT to JHB it takes 14 hours. My BB at 90mph about 8h30

But what is very significant is if you do have to put down for whatever reason then you are on the ground and very far away. Always carry water with you.

Gr8-dad and I delivered a BushBaby from Loeriesfontein to Goedverwacght. By road 3.5 hours, by air, under 2 and over the most inhospitable region of the country.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Relax and trust your training. Instructor would not send you solo unless you were capable. Don't change anything you have done thus far at this late stage. ENJOY IT. It is after all supposed to be fun. Making it too technical can spell disaster. (I took 2 stop watches, 2 maps clip board and extra paper as well as spare hand-held compass. None of which was necessary)

TRUST YOUR TRAINING.....


FYI (Did I mention DON'T CHANGE WHAT YOU KNOW)

Following things that I do when I fly X country. (Size/Speed of machine makes no difference to the principals. The faster you go the easier to get "lost")

What works for me is to orientate myself from the word go before you even get into the plane. Check the wind and mentally reherse what the wind will do to you on the flight. (Simple left right is OK.) Which runway in use and which way will I turn after take off. I face the way I am going to fly and have a look if the map lines and waht I see make sense. (Mine dump is where it should be etc) Also direction of the wind and effect on my body. It will push plane in same direction. So say first leg is South and wind from East. On first leg it will push me right of track (West). On second leg it will push me... On inward leg it will be head/tail wind which affects my eta's. Not serious but just note them as it forces me to think. Will I be late or early? If I am expecting to be late at TP1 then there is no panic when it does not appear at the given time on the flight log. So before you even start the pre flight your mind is focussing on the elements and how they will affect today's flight vs the sterile planning environment.

You know the area around your field. On ground make sure you know where all the landmarks will be when you get airborne. Some gys are so focussed they get lost over the field just afte take off as they are not looking at the bigger picture. (Tower on left (say East), Mine dump on right (say west) & following river going south. Break the trip down into segments each with identifiable landmarks on them and orientate the map in the direction you are flying.

We do it in the air race at 150kts at 100feet. Takes some getting used to but if you are constantly looking for the landmarks to come (ie ahead of you) rather than below and behind you always know where you are.

Also the use of minute markers (maybe 5min in trike) are very useful. Mark every X minutes on the intended map and keep your finger on the last known point. Keep a stopwatch running with total airborne time. Example to help illustrate.

07:00 Depart Rhino
07:05 Abeam railway
07:08 Fly over R25
07:12 Abeam Baps
07:16 Petit

Then if you miss a check point you simply return your finger to the last know one and you can only be X minutes from there.

Mark anything you need to know on the map. Freq, fuel tank changes estimates etc. Maps are consumables and direct from govt printers are less than R20. I budget to use 1 per flight, but often you can re use them.

If you are late at the first checkpoint and you feel you have flown straight (usually you should be able to id your first checkpoint from takeoff it would indicate a headwind, so anticipate being late at all the others. Visa versa for being early.

Included a easy plan map and log for a flight from Rhino to Petit and then to Baps.

What are they teaching at them moment? Is it any different?

PS
I was never told any of this. Most of it comes from flying buddies and some competitive (unsuccessful) flying I have done.

ENJOY IT....

[Rudix]

As most of the lads know Im still getting on with my license and I believe that Solo Cross Country is looming quite soon.

Im a bit worried about that?? Should i be?? For example when we all started driving goodness knows how long ago, Perhaps some nerves crept in when faced with the possibility of venturing into CBD traffic... Does this Solo Cross Country thing get a tad easier as you gain hours ???

Stupid question, of course it would.... but im still nervous

Comments??? I know i can respect Demon and Griffins Opinion?? And Griffin -- Be nIce

Howzit Uncle Dish :D

Ha, the first solo cross country is the beginning of the real adventure ! Being nervous is normal but as soon as you are settled it becomes fun.

It is a good idea to get someone to shadow you, just don't do what I did My instructor was following me in a X-Air (Rotax 618) and I was flying the Rans, guess what ? There was no way that he could keep up and he disappeared into the distance :D At least that proved a point !

I would be happy to be part of the gaggle to shadow, would be great to share the adventure with you. Depending on what your instructor wants there are a few nice routes starting from Rhino.

Rhino-Petit-Springs is just a hop ! But you are right, the same route via road feels very long and a real shlep ! Once you start flying cross country more often you will see that distances shrink.

Good luck :D

Hope to see you at the field soon,
Fly safe,
Rudi

[Dre'man]

I think the guys have given very comprehensive answers. Just enjoy. A lot of the training you have been trying to memorize. Now you put it into practice and it makes sense. I also google earthed my waypoints so you can get a feel for the terrain you will be flying over.

When you get back you will think piece of cake, what was the stress about?

[grostek]

Relax Dish,

You will be fine and will wonder, when you land back at base, why you got yourelf all emotional about it.

Go and have fun.

Kind regards,

Gunter Rostek.

[Dish]

:D

Gentleman - A massive thanks to all of you who had input. This is a perfect example of why I love this site. There are always people willing and able to share there ample experience... so thanks again.

Im sure I will be fine, As my mates at Rhino know I am horribly meticulous when it comes to this sort of thing. I know it will get easier and I KNOW i will love it... just gotta cross that hurdle...

Thanks for the input Gents

RUDI my man... were almost there :D

[Dish]

Oh you do Love that GT dont you ??/ :D

Whats your cruising speed In that thing??

Thanks for the input again... always enjoy hearing the opinions..

[Dish]

Ha ha - I KNEW you would have something to say about that.... so reeaaallyyyyy not quicker than the challenger - Excellent !!! I can keep up with you...

Show me the way to go Hoooommmmeee - :D