First solos

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 18 Jul 2007, 05:30

Piper Warrior III, Grand Forks, ND, July 2000. Exact date is in my book, but I don't remember as it was all part of 2 months of flying daily to earn my license. I do remember the flight, just not the date. Was different being on my own, but thanks to 2 excellent instructors and in some part FS (specifically SATCO/VATSIM), it wasn't as much as a system shock as I figured it was going to be.

Wish I could say I solo'd in something cool, but it was JAW - Just Another Warrior...

Hot_Charlie · Post by **Hot_Charlie** » 18 Jul 2007, 09:31

Chris Trott wrote: Wish I could say I solo'd in something cool, but it was JAW - Just Another Warrior...

Beats JA, er, 152...

Doesn't quite have the same ring!

Nigel H-J · Post by **Nigel H-J** » 18 Jul 2007, 10:10

Having read the interesting recollections here I would just like to add
another experience with only a few solo flights to my name.

The only title that seems appropriate for this is 'Never Asume'

I had only completed a handful of solo flights and one week-end the weather had turned, the wind was nearly on the limits of flying gusting 25 - 30 knots. Too rough and windy for me to fly solo so our CFI at the time Dave Cockburn, thought that the conditions would be perfect for a dual check in the K13.

Before climbing in he gave me the briefing. He would have control for the initial launch whereby I would take over half way up, same for the landing, I would turn finals but due to the conditions being iffy, he would take control for the last 250ft and land.

The first two flights went without a hitch with the usual "I have control" and "you have control" but then came the third in which my circuit planning turned pear shaped.........Big Time!!

Usually one would aim to pass the launch point at 500 then turn cross wind 400 for finals at 300ft. I did it differently!! Passed the launch point 100ft lower and instead of turning sooner I continued and my crosswind was down to 300 I knew I had cocked up and increased speed for the final turn over and above what it would have normally been, the final turn being made at 200ft and re-trimmed the K13 for landing. It was then that I felt pressure on the stick and knew that Dave had taken control, with no further communications I instinctively released my grip on the stick.

Yes, Dave had taken hold of the stick but not for the landing!! unbe-known to me he was unscrewing it and at around 75ft tapped me on the shoulder with it and said sternly "You do not turn finals lower than three hundred feet" With that I re-took control and landed......Too shaken to say or even admit that I had wrongly assumed he had taken control!!

From that day on I always made sure that all communications were made and understood.

Nigel.

auster · Post by **auster** » 18 Jul 2007, 15:22

Nigel,

Great story! I like 'em like that. Your instructor must have had every confidence in you. Well done!

Ralph

Post by **DaveB** » 18 Jul 2007, 16:34

Like CapnP.. my only solo has been of the nautical variety too, a 900ton deep sea tug that used to be based up at Faslane. I had no idea when I joined the ship that my 'duty position' for a man overboard was at the helm (until the first man overboard exercise) and had received no training.. except what I'd picked up in films!

30deg to larb'd helm.. 30deg larb'd wheel on sir!

Great fun

A tri-corner hat, a wooden leg and a parrot were all that was missing

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Prop Jockey · Post by **Prop Jockey** » 18 Jul 2007, 17:38

RAF Ternhill, 27th July 1988, Slingsby T61 Venture

God Bless the Air Cadets

Captain Pugwash · Post by **Captain Pugwash** » 18 Jul 2007, 18:28

DaveB were you on the tugs in faslane the time rfa olna was towed in to port with major problems. being main boiler's and a steam turbine geny that went on fire and did not want to play anymore with us. i remenber having four tugs pulling us in. i would have said it was in the 1992 ish time period.
i paid off at the naval dockyard and i belive there rfa was told to leave some four weeks later. ( under it's own steam or towed, due to the fact the sumariners did not like this tanker sitting at their dockyard).

Post by **DaveB** » 18 Jul 2007, 18:36

Hiya DB(CP)

No mate.. the tug I was on was HMS Wakeful (grey funnel line) during 1983 and she was Faslane based. We had the distinction of coming out of refit in Govan (Mod tendered out for the job) only to breakdown 30mins down the Clyde towit one of the Faslane tugs had to come out and get us

Nothing major.. just the plummer block moving from side to side :shock:

ATB

DaveB :tab:

Robin · Post by **Robin** » 19 Jul 2007, 18:25

Grob Vigilant - 13th May 2004 - RAF Syerston ACCGS

I had spent the previous 3 days learning the ropes and finally got the chance to go up by myself. I wanted to shout to the instructor that I wasn't ready and was bricking it, but my voice wasn't doing it. I spoke to myself for the whole 20 minute flight and even spoke to the instructor that wasn't there.

DispatchDragon · Post by **DispatchDragon** » 19 Jul 2007, 19:01

I spoke to myself for the whole 20 minute flight and even spoke to the instructor that wasn't there.

Robin I think you will find thats alot more common thank you would think -
Spent the first circuit of my solo talking to an empty right seat - then the next two talking to myself :roll: Take a poll you'll find we all did.

Leif