First solos

auster · Post by **auster** » 17 Jul 2007, 02:38

As you know, I am a green newcomer to the site. Has a thread about first solos ever been posted?

If it hasnâ€™t, would it be of any interest if we did it now?

It would certainly be of interest to me.

Ralph

Hot_Charlie · Post by **Hot_Charlie** » 17 Jul 2007, 10:19

Cessna 152, Manston on my 18th birthday...

(I've had several others since!)

Scorpius · Post by **Scorpius** » 17 Jul 2007, 10:21

Cessna 152 25th August 1994, at Halfpenny Green.

Post by **Trev Clark** » 17 Jul 2007, 13:10

Slingsby T-21 Sedburgh at 623 Gliding School at RAF Tangmere on May 25th 1974, aged 16 and 3 months.

Jon.M · Post by **Jon.M** » 17 Jul 2007, 16:55

Slingsby T31 Mk3. 19th April 1976.
636 Gliding School, Swansea airport.

3 solos

Never flown solo since. :crying:

Jon

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 17 Jul 2007, 16:56

Cessna 150 - Biggin Hill 1974

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 17 Jul 2007, 19:10

East Midlands RAF GSA Gliding Club.

10th March 1971 - K4 - RAF Swinderby.

Once I had released the cable and made a 90 deg left turn I turned my head and just had to look to make sure that the back seat was void of an instructor!!

What a wonderful but strange feeling that was, I was quite happy to do two left hand circuits but then came the third flight........I am left handed and by nature felt much more at home doing left-hand circuits, was not a happy bunny at having to do a right hand one....somehow, to me, it did not feel right.

The worst thing that happened after flying ceased was having to stand a round in the bar.......I swear that all the members had been informed of my up-coming solo in advance as that night it was packed solid! :sad:

Nigel.

Chris558 · Post by **Chris558** » 17 Jul 2007, 20:02

The ever faithful 152, G-WACA, Wycombe Air Park (Booker) 14/06/94 - years before I had a PC and FS to help me!

G-WACA was written off not long after - NOT BY ME though, I hasten to add!!

kit · Post by **kit** » 17 Jul 2007, 22:22

Slingsby T-21 Sedburgh (notice a thread starting here...?) RAF Bicester some time in 1958 (or '59, can't remember now)

I managed 4 launches that day and never managed that many again ever.

To celebrate Andy Gough took me up in a Blanik (a really high performance glider in those days) and on landing said 'If a Blanik doesn't sound like a tin of beans when you land, you're not coming down firmly enough'.

Captain Pugwash · Post by **Captain Pugwash** » 17 Jul 2007, 22:30

I'll never forget my first solo, so will the officer on watch and others that came to my rescue. :redface:
completed my ten hours of steerage and was let lose for approx 20mins, never to grace the wheel again. ( the wheel was fixed to a tanker of 36,000 tons and at the time in the middle of a convoy exercise. i went in a perfect circle as i was chasing the compass. (rfa olwen)
sorry chaps never flown a real plane, did plenty of fire cover at an aerodrome near manchester but none of the pilots would take me for a flight. :sad: