by "PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
Published 06/14/2017 at 01:28
by "PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
Published 06/14/2017 at 01:28
Tags: Planelopnik
STARS: 8
Right, then!
So, in every student pilots life, there’s a time when he/she will be told to solo. This is more directly known as “Flying the plane without the guy.” (If your instructor happens to be a guy).
Welp, that time, for me, was this evening. After a noted aborted attempt (see here ) I had one more non eventful lesson, and then this evenings lesson.
I’d been monitoring metars all day, watching the wind slowly climb (as it does in The Bay Area), thinking that I was going to have just another hour in the pattern. About the fifth lap, my instructor asked how I felt about soloing in 17 kt winds, and I responded that I’d prefer there to be a few less knots. Then I said “Say I had already soloed; what winds would you let me out in?” He responded: 15 kts. As if on cue, KPAO tower came on and said “Winds 310 at 15.” I had to ask “Did you tell her to say that?” Regardless, I knew that I was there and this was about to happen.
I dropped him off on the apron, he gave me a few instructions and off I went. Surprisingly, it was not in the least terrifying. In fact, it was like the prior 15 or so hours of flight. One time I was a little high on final; once I was a little low. All landings were fairly decent. It was emptier in the cabin, and quieter. “You noticed I wasn’t there criticizing you?” “Well, I noticed, but I knew you were on the ground silently judging me.” That got a laugh. In the end, it was three take offs and three landings to a full stop. 0.4 hours as pilot in command of a Piper Warrior II, N81020. And that’s that. Now, I have another lesson to polish some maneuvers, and then a phase check with another instructor...then I can go out for limited practice.
He took pictures:
"Wagon Guy drives a Boostang" (gimmeboost)
06/14/2017 at 01:39, STARS: 1
Congratulations!
"PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
06/14/2017 at 01:42, STARS: 0
Thanks!
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
06/14/2017 at 01:45, STARS: 0
I remember the very first time I drove on my own. Before that it was either the driving instructor or my mom in the passenger seat. I dropped my mom off at work and I drove home... on my own. I was kind of nervous, but I eventually got used to it.
I’ve been thinking about getting my pilots license since I want to get into the aerospace industry. What’s it like? I’ve heard that flying a light aircraft is easier than you’d expect.
"Svend" (svend)
06/14/2017 at 01:50, STARS: 0
Nice one, well done.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
06/14/2017 at 07:30, STARS: 1
Whoo hoo! Congrats! !
He was obviously pretty comfortable that you were ready- 15kts is fairly breezy for a first solo.
Great job!!!
"PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
06/14/2017 at 09:08, STARS: 1
Do it! If flying is your thing (and if you’re thinking about it, it is) then it’s awesome! It can be challenging to translate some concepts into actions, but nothing insurmountable.
I don’t have any experience like with LSA, but I would image that the same general concepts apply. LSA are a little simpler in that I dont think they have flaps, so one less thing to deal with, though I’m willing to be corrected on that.
"PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
06/14/2017 at 09:08, STARS: 0
Thanks!
"PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
06/14/2017 at 09:08, STARS: 0
Thank you!
"PyramidHat" (pyramidhat)
06/14/2017 at 09:57, STARS: 0
Yeah. In the Bay Area winds only get worse in the summer during the afternoons. Better in the morning but, then there’s fog. I figure if we waited for perfect conditions, we’d be waiting until fall.