Getting close to SOLO

[MiragePilot]

I read a couple stories on here of people's training, and just thought I'd share mine. I originally started flying back in Spring of 03' and couldn't afford it so I put if off. This time I did it right. I just got the loan and went to the airport to sign up. I started flying again a couple weeks ago in a Grumman Cheetah (AA-5A)and I love it. I keep hearing that I'm real close to solo. I have the pre-solo written completed in my hand. I'm sure its just a couple flights to go. I'm excited and nervous as well. I hope to update you guys as soon as I solo.

 

[Medicryan]

Good luck, keep it going!!!

 

[MTpilot]

Awesome! Don't worry you'll be ready in no time.

 

[Flechas]

Good luck man, just enjoy it and it will be just fine!!

 

[Captain4242]

Good luck, Mirage! Your CFI wouldn't cut you loose unless you were prepared.
Just wondering...who keeps telling you that you're close to solo? As a CFI, I NEVER told my students when it was going to happen; it seemed to put too much pressure on them.

 

[MiragePilot]

Captain, He hasn't told me exactly when I'm going to solo. He just keeps saying things like. I think you're ready. You're looking real good. So Monday of next week I'm suppose to do a "check" with another flight instructor, and then I could solo any time after that as I already have the pre-solo written finished. Yesterday I made my best landing yet, my instructor was trippin'.

 

[minitour]

As a CFI, I NEVER told my students when it was going to happen; it seemed to put too much pressure on them.

I've got one that's pretty close...probably 2 flights away, and I haven't said a thing...

But I am getting hella nervous...any tips cap'n? I don't wanna end up having this guy ready for an ATP ride before I let him solo, but I want to make sure I know and he knows he's ready...

so, Mirage...if it makes you feel any better...I'm nervous too and I'm not even the one going to solo...

-mini

 

[Lead Sled]

I've got one that's pretty close...probably 2 flights away, and I haven't said a thing...

But I am getting hella nervous...any tips cap'n? I don't wanna end up having this guy ready for an ATP ride before I let him solo, but I want to make sure I know and he knows he's ready...

FWIW Mini, when I soloed my first student I was much more nervous than when I first flew solo. Things do get easier with experience. Now my attitude is if they die they die.

I don't wanna end up having this guy ready for an ATP ride before I let him solo, but I want to make sure I know and he knows he's ready...

Seriously though, there's nothing wrong with training your students to a higher standard. I've always trained my students to hold headings and altitudes "on the money" - not within 50' or 100' or +/- 5 or 10 degrees or whatever. Train your private students to commercial standards and your instrument students to ATP standards and you'll never go wrong by them.

As far as when is your student ready to solo. In addition to what the regulations require, they have to be competent at the various manuevers - not perfect. What I really look for is their ability to promptly and accurately correct themselves when they get themselves crosswise with the airplane. I remember one student (now a 2nd generation United Captain) who was truly a natural born pilot - the only one I've ever known in 39 years of flying. You only had to show or tell this guy something once and he had it down. I finally had to induce some problems in the pattern inorder to see how he would recover. He'd never got crosswise with it on his own.

'Sled

 

[Dr Pokenhiemer]

I always looked for consistancy. The first few I soloed, I was probably more nervous than they were. I never told them they were close, or that I would try to solo them during the next lesson. Doing touch and go's, I would be thinking to myself, "Two more landings like that and I'm getting out!" It would always be a suprise to them when we taxied clear of the runway and I asked to see their logbook. DON'T get so carried away and excited that you forget to sign the solo endorsement in the logbook!!! A lot of people forget that the first time because they are caught up in the excitement too. Like I said, the first few were nerve-racking, but after that you are just happy to be able to give another person the same opportunity that our instructors gave us once upon a time.

 

[Dr Pokenhiemer]

BTW, Good luck Mirage. You'll have a great time flying the pattern by yourself for the first time! You will never forget that!!!!!