First Solo Thread

25th October 2007, 12:07

Well having returned to circuit flying on Tuesday after a couple of weeks off with the flu, I finished the lesson with a complete clunker of a landing doing my first short field approach, lower airspeed than usual, more drag with full flap... closed throttle at usual time and it went down like a ton of bricks.... ooops.

Yesterday I expected to do a nav exercise I missed on Tuesday due to terrible vis but instead my instructor said we were doing circuits. Did three circuits (forgetting my vital take-off checks for the first time ever and needing reminding and also forgetting the carby heat until opening the throttle in the touch and go, a fault I thought I had corrected ages ago). Third landing my instructor said do a 'full stop'. I wondered what I had done to upset him so much... then he hopped out wished me on my way and gave me the thumbs up.

From then on the training kicked in, called taxi for 09, ran through the power checks, remembered my vital take-off checks and called for departure (having remembered to check nobody else was on finals).

Take-off was spirited with just me onboard, climb out was fine, talking to myself all the way, called downwind and realised Andrewsfield was with me on the radio, when I got a reply which isn't usual at an A/G field.

Remembered my BUMFFICHHL which is now burned on my brain, bit high on base, had to throttle her back a lot to get her down a bit, easy approach with the wind helping me out for a change and a pretty good landing. Controlled the braking (my newest problem is getting sea sick when trying to stop due to heavy feet but all was fine today) and there it was, my first solo. For some reason my right leg started to shake uncontrollably whilst I did the post landing checks, but didn't feel the slightest bit nervy while flying, I didn't have time!

As for the grin, what a feeling, ear to ear still the next day.

A big thanks to all those at Andrewsfield who have got me this far, and especially to my instructor, Brian. I was 4 years old when I first put a cardboard box, a plank for a wing and a pair of old pram wheels together on the lawn and dreamt of one day being a pilot, today at 40 years old I am one step closer to my dream!

PS I know I said I wouldn't post again, but a few good people have convinced me that I shouldn't exclude myself from the site, it's way more important to support the other students out there by talking openly about our training and views - and some times things like doing your first solo can make one review ones attitude

EvilKitty · 25th October 2007, 12:13

Quote:

one step closer to my dream!

Stop dreaming - you are a pilot!

Congratulations!

25th October 2007, 12:15

Congratulations, you will always remember your first solo.

In the US they cut the back out of your shirt and put it on the clubhouse wall suitable enscribed. I wish they did a bit more here to celebrate. The idea of cutting the back out is to let your wings sprout!

Well done

BackPacker · 25th October 2007, 12:27

Congratulations, and welcome back!

The inevitable question: What song did you sing to yourself when up there?

BRL · 25th October 2007, 12:50

Great to see you back and many congratulations

sternone · 25th October 2007, 13:00

Glad you are back!! And how!! Re-born as a real pilot! Welcome to the club!!

micromalc · 25th October 2007, 13:02

Many congrats....40 is a good age to start.....to old to be TOO stupid and young enough to try everything......how about some aeros next?

25th October 2007, 16:45

Hurrahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! G-EMMA is back!!!!!!!!!

We missed you.

Oh, congratulations on the first solo by the way.

25th October 2007, 17:30

CONGRATULATIONS.
Only went solo in July so it is still fresh in my memory.
From my perspective age is on your side, I have just got my bus pass!

stickandrudderman · 25th October 2007, 19:15

Quote:

Hurrahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! G-EMMA is back!!!!!!!!!

We missed you.

Did she go somewhere? Can't say I noticed!

maxdrypower · 25th October 2007, 19:24

Well done Gemma and why did you say you would never post again , did I miss something ?
SARM do tell me again how we know the earth to be banana shaped?

shortstripper · 25th October 2007, 20:37

Well done ... It's a moment that never leaves you, and one you should be proud of!

SS

25th October 2007, 20:39

Well done Gemma...

One step closer to the upside downy stuff, for you!!!

madgav

Hi All
I joined this forum in July but haven't posted yet. Today seems like the day for that to change though as today was the day of my first solo.
Can only agree with Gemma's comments, this stupid grin just won't go away
For anyone interested in yet another ppl diary, I wrote it up here: http://www.madgav.org/
Regards,
Gavin.
PS: Congratulations!

IRRenewal · 25th October 2007, 21:43

Gemma, Gavin,

Well done to both of you. You have now achieved what only few people have done. You have flown an aircraft on your own, without any help (or interference) from your instructor. In my book that makes you a pilot.

Gemma, I am still convinced you were crying when I heard you on the radio.

Gavin, from your web pages:

Quote:

I didn't tell the instructor but I completely forgot my downwind checks

Try calling them pre-landing checks, rather than downwind checks. They need doing before you land the A/C, rather than specifically downwind. One day you will do a straight in approach somewhere, there will be no opportunity to do 'downwind checks'.

stickandrudderman · 25th October 2007, 22:00

MDP
(He's a very naughty boy!)

25th October 2007, 23:11

Quote:

PS I know I said I wouldn't post again

I thought the same myself a few times.
It's like a bad hangover..... Never again !

25th October 2007, 23:29

Quote:

Gemma, I am still convinced you were crying when I heard you on the radio.

It was just the silly grin taking over, still have it

Good point BTW regarding pre-landing checks, when I came in with Brian once dead side for a tight circuit I completely froze when it came to doing the checks, I went totally blank because I wasn't in the usual place in the circuit, funny how these things happen when flying. Brian had to prompt me to get me going with it.

Congratulations Gavin good to hear about another first solo, I'm told the grin lasts for a long time PS welcome to posting

MDP and SARM - you are banned from turning this into another MP thread.

Astral_Flyer · 26th October 2007, 02:06

What can I add!

Other than to say that it will be one day that you will never forget. You dealt with the changes that happened without the 'passenger' by your side. You got the aircraft down safely..

Keep posting. You have said a lot of good things in the past. I for one would miss you. There are very few of us young ladies around.. The fella's I'm sure would miss you.. Perhaps I will see you at the next Gatbash. I have no doubt the grin will be still there

Well done

Astral

26th October 2007, 09:13

Well done!

maxdrypower · 26th October 2007, 09:18

Gem , OK

stickandrudderman · 26th October 2007, 09:26

**26th October 2007, 09:33**

Thanks for the comments/advice , much appreciated!
Off on holiday for a week now, nice way to go having just completed my first solo
Gavin.
PS still feels great this morning, silly grin still well & truly present

sternone · 26th October 2007, 09:45

After i solo'd i told my wife what she tought about sex with a pilot, and she replied me : "it's been a while i had a pilot.."

26th October 2007, 10:14

I thought you had gone

Still glad you are back (despite my earlier comments) and very very well done.

Most of us have felt like going from time to time !!

formationfoto · 26th October 2007, 12:43

G-EMMA - I flew the plane immediately after your first solo (doing a CRI course) and I can confirm that it was all in one piece!.

I did my first solo there with Carol around 18 years ago I think....

Despite logging a number of 'firsts' since then solo number one remains a great memory.

By the way before you go any further with the Bulldog thoughts you should try a Chipmunk. Lower powered and less capable but much nicer machine

26th October 2007, 12:49

Congratulations G-EMMA, well done!

27th October 2007, 08:32

Congratulations!

There are lots of great experiences in flying, but nothing beats first solo.

skyhawkm · 28th October 2007, 21:20

Yep well done, here in Australia we'd cut a piece out of your shirt and pin it on the board with a congrats.

Regards
Hawkm

Cumulogranite · 29th October 2007, 09:06

Congratulations, Captain Gemma !!!

Stop the dreaming, having been the commander of an aircraft in flight you are now a pilot, well done!

As for the smile, it ever really leaves you. I did my first solo some years ago, but due to money only passed my skills test a couple of months ago. I remember the first solo better that the skills test, it was more of a milestone and bolt out of the blue!

Well done again!

1st November 2007, 18:12

Congrats Gemma.

I just completed my first Solo X-Country this morning, another great feeling but doesn't beat the very First Solo.

See you at FPGS, another 100% from you I bet

1st November 2007, 18:29

Quote:

See you at FPGS, another 100% from you I bet

I had best stop nattering on here and open the book, not started yet

I'm really looking forward to my first solo nav, you had great weather for it, congratulations in return

25th October 2007, 12:07	#1
G-EMMA Here to learn not to inform Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Essex UK Age: 40 Posts: 389	First Solo Well having returned to circuit flying on Tuesday after a couple of weeks off with the flu, I finished the lesson with a complete clunker of a landing doing my first short field approach, lower airspeed than usual, more drag with full flap... closed throttle at usual time and it went down like a ton of bricks.... ooops. Yesterday I expected to do a nav exercise I missed on Tuesday due to terrible vis but instead my instructor said we were doing circuits. Did three circuits (forgetting my vital take-off checks for the first time ever and needing reminding and also forgetting the carby heat until opening the throttle in the touch and go, a fault I thought I had corrected ages ago). Third landing my instructor said do a 'full stop'. I wondered what I had done to upset him so much... then he hopped out wished me on my way and gave me the thumbs up. From then on the training kicked in, called taxi for 09, ran through the power checks, remembered my vital take-off checks and called for departure (having remembered to check nobody else was on finals). Take-off was spirited with just me onboard, climb out was fine, talking to myself all the way, called downwind and realised Andrewsfield was with me on the radio, when I got a reply which isn't usual at an A/G field. Remembered my BUMFFICHHL which is now burned on my brain, bit high on base, had to throttle her back a lot to get her down a bit, easy approach with the wind helping me out for a change and a pretty good landing. Controlled the braking (my newest problem is getting sea sick when trying to stop due to heavy feet but all was fine today) and there it was, my first solo. For some reason my right leg started to shake uncontrollably whilst I did the post landing checks, but didn't feel the slightest bit nervy while flying, I didn't have time! As for the grin, what a feeling, ear to ear still the next day. A big thanks to all those at Andrewsfield who have got me this far, and especially to my instructor, Brian. I was 4 years old when I first put a cardboard box, a plank for a wing and a pair of old pram wheels together on the lawn and dreamt of one day being a pilot, today at 40 years old I am one step closer to my dream! PS I know I said I wouldn't post again, but a few good people have convinced me that I shouldn't exclude myself from the site, it's way more important to support the other students out there by talking openly about our training and views - and some times things like doing your first solo can make one review ones attitude

25th October 2007, 13:02	#7
micromalc Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: london Posts: 64	micromalc Many congrats....40 is a good age to start.....to old to be TOO stupid and young enough to try everything......how about some aeros next?

28th October 2007, 21:20	#29
skyhawkm Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Australia Age: 54 Posts: 1	G-emmas Solo Yep well done, here in Australia we'd cut a piece out of your shirt and pin it on the board with a congrats. Regards Hawkm

25th October 2007, 12:15	#3
Zulu Alpha Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Anglia Posts: 318	Congratulations, you will always remember your first solo. In the US they cut the back out of your shirt and put it on the clubhouse wall suitable enscribed. I wish they did a bit more here to celebrate. The idea of cutting the back out is to let your wings sprout! Well done

25th October 2007, 12:27	#4
BackPacker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 852	Congratulations, and welcome back! The inevitable question: What song did you sing to yourself when up there?

25th October 2007, 12:50	#5
BRL Moderator Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Brighton. UK. (Via Liverpool). Posts: 4,157	Great to see you back and many congratulations

25th October 2007, 13:00	#6
sternone Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brussels - Mooney - We Love to Fly Fast Age: 35 Posts: 530	Glad you are back!! And how!! Re-born as a real pilot! Welcome to the club!!

25th October 2007, 16:45	#8
Whirlybird The Original Whirly Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Just W of TNT, Peak District, UK Posts: 3,879	Hurrahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! G-EMMA is back!!!!!!!!! We missed you. Oh, congratulations on the first solo by the way.

25th October 2007, 17:30	#9
Retired Redcap Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester Posts: 12	CONGRATULATIONS. Only went solo in July so it is still fresh in my memory. From my perspective age is on your side, I have just got my bus pass!

25th October 2007, 19:24	#11
maxdrypower Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: North Posts: 634	Well done Gemma and why did you say you would never post again , did I miss something ? SARM do tell me again how we know the earth to be banana shaped?

25th October 2007, 20:37	#12
shortstripper Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chichester, England Age: 42 Posts: 895	Well done ... It's a moment that never leaves you, and one you should be proud of! SS

25th October 2007, 20:39	#13
Mad Girl Join Date: May 2006 Location: Down South Posts: 166	Well done Gemma... One step closer to the upside downy stuff, for you!!!

	#14
madgav Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: N Ireland Age: 39 Posts: 3	Another first solo...... Hi All I joined this forum in July but haven't posted yet. Today seems like the day for that to change though as today was the day of my first solo. Can only agree with Gemma's comments, this stupid grin just won't go away For anyone interested in yet another ppl diary, I wrote it up here: http://www.madgav.org/ Regards, Gavin. PS: Congratulations! *Last edited by madgav : 25th October 2007 at 21:06.*

26th October 2007, 09:26	#22
stickandrudderman Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sth Bucks UK Age: 44 Posts: 302	<silenced>

25th October 2007, 22:00	#16
stickandrudderman Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sth Bucks UK Age: 44 Posts: 302	MDP (He's a very naughty boy!)

26th October 2007, 09:13	#20
IO540 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: England Posts: 6,103	Well done!

26th October 2007, 09:33	#23
madgav Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: N Ireland Age: 39 Posts: 3	Thanks for the comments/advice , much appreciated! Off on holiday for a week now, nice way to go having just completed my first solo Gavin. PS still feels great this morning, silly grin still well & truly present

26th October 2007, 09:45	#24
sternone Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brussels - Mooney - We Love to Fly Fast Age: 35 Posts: 530	After i solo'd i told my wife what she tought about sex with a pilot, and she replied me : "it's been a while i had a pilot.."

26th October 2007, 10:14	#25
Fuji Abound Join Date: May 2001 Location: UK Posts: 2,040	I thought you had gone Still glad you are back (despite my earlier comments) and very very well done. Most of us have felt like going from time to time !!

26th October 2007, 12:43	#26
formationfoto Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Norfolk Posts: 398	G-EMMA - I flew the plane immediately after your first solo (doing a CRI course) and I can confirm that it was all in one piece!. I did my first solo there with Carol around 18 years ago I think.... Despite logging a number of 'firsts' since then solo number one remains a great memory. By the way before you go any further with the Bulldog thoughts you should try a Chipmunk. Lower powered and less capable but much nicer machine

26th October 2007, 12:49	#27
Captain Smithy Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Edinburgh Age: 20 Posts: 114	Congratulations G-EMMA, well done!

27th October 2007, 08:32	#28
G SXTY Supercharged Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Land of the white sock Posts: 523	Congratulations! There are lots of great experiences in flying, but nothing beats first solo.

29th October 2007, 09:06	#30
Cumulogranite Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Between a Rock & A Hard Place Age: 37 Posts: 52	Congratulations, Captain Gemma !!! Stop the dreaming, having been the commander of an aircraft in flight you are now a pilot, well done! As for the smile, it ever really leaves you. I did my first solo some years ago, but due to money only passed my skills test a couple of months ago. I remember the first solo better that the skills test, it was more of a milestone and bolt out of the blue! Well done again!