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ddt
Jun 27, 2007, 2:59 AM
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I'm about to do my first solo and I'm nervous. Who else has gone through pilot training? Any tips?
DDT
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traddad
Jun 27, 2007, 3:40 AM
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When I soloed I was doing a bunch of touch and go's and on one, the instructor said to pull around to the hanger, he got out, said "take 'er around a few times" and shut the door.
I really had little anxiety. I was a little embarrassed when I found out I had the mic keyed while singing "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines" at the top of my lungs on take off.
I used to sit in the plane while it was tied down, visualize and practice my checklists and emergency procedures. If you know your shit you'll be great.
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cantbuymefriends
Jun 27, 2007, 12:00 PM
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Do not cross your rudders...
Well, I guess I can't tell you anything you don't already know.
Maybe the RAF "4 most useless things to a pilot:"
1. The sky above.
2. The runway behind.
3. Yesterday's forecast.
4. The fuel left in the bowser...
Remember to relax and enjoy it. There's only one first time for everything!  You'll be great!
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rogue10186
Jun 27, 2007, 2:05 PM
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Flying is easy, it's the landing thats hard....
Also remember it's not that long fast downward spiral that hurts, just the flaming inferno of twisted metal at the bottom!
Ah you'll do fine, I never actually went through and got my license(to damn expensive for a broke ass student) but I did take a few lessons, so I kinda know where your coming from... just remember for the landing, "white on white you're high as a kite, red on white you're alright, red on red you're dead.." Happy flying 
(This post was edited by rogue10186 on Jun 27, 2007, 2:07 PM)
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ddt
Jun 27, 2007, 3:26 PM
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rogue10186 wrote: Flying is easy, it's the landing thats hard....
Hehehe... true indeed. I've been doing a reasonable amount of pattern work, and I feel very comfortable with everything right up to those final few moments of flaring and touching down. It just doesn't feel "easy" and comfortable yet. Maybe a few more will get me into the groove.
I must say the whole exeprience has been amazing and actually I can't wait to do the solo!
DDT
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climb_eng
Jun 27, 2007, 4:23 PM
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ddt wrote: I'm about to do my first solo and I'm nervous. Who else has gone through pilot training? Any tips? DDT
I've had two 'first solos' one in a glider, and one in a Cessna 172. I gotta say, my biggest tip is RELAX, and do everything the same way you did it with your instructor. You're instructor won't cut you off your leash until your good and ready.
Take off, sit back, sing, follow all the procedures you've learned to a tee (speeds, altitudes, attitude) and you'll do just fine.
On my second solo in a power airplane, there was an emergency and they closed the airport while I was in the circuit! I had to flow 10 miles from the airport and circle a point with several other airplanes. It was exciting and scary, but I did fine.... you will too.
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OverspeedCowboy
Jun 27, 2007, 7:32 PM
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Your Instructor is not going to cut you loose until he/she sees consistent good landings. I remember my first solo and it was scary because I didn't have anyone to back me up but at the same time I just did my thing the way I was taught. Goodl uck and Have fun. Oh yea the plane flys way better without the weight of the instructor and floats a little more in the flare.
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limeydave
Jun 27, 2007, 9:57 PM
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ddt wrote: I'm about to do my first solo and I'm nervous. Who else has gone through pilot training? Any tips? DDT
Awesome!
I did mine aged 17 in England after 9 hours.
Instructor got out, told me to take it around and land it again, and went home. Just me and the folks on the tower on a gorgeous English summers evening.
Of course I bounced the thing down the runway like a pogo stick landing it, and all I could hear was the tower guys laughing at me over the radio, but it was classic.
This moment you'll never forget.
Savor it.
And we want to see a trip report!!
Good luck. Dave
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beyond_gravity
Jun 28, 2007, 3:58 AM
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The trick is to have a good attitude
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lisamariewillbe
Jul 2, 2007, 9:16 AM
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Im about to start soonish ... I have no advice except dont wreck or anything...Good luck have fun and post a pic
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traddad
Jul 2, 2007, 1:11 PM
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Damn you and your toxic, bioaccumulative initials. There you went and FORCED me to get quotes for picking up my sailplane rating. Here....take my wallet. Lucky me someone around these parts does winch launches.
There's something about flying I really miss.....and YOU had to dig that up.
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lisamariewillbe
Jul 2, 2007, 4:20 PM
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I dont think personally Ill like it, well I hope I dont. Me and my damn "trying" shit. I think flight is a beautiful thing and the mechanics of it interest me. After my inital lesson I am hoping I dont like it then I can get more backpacking gear and another pair of shoes
Nathans got some flight time (about 8 hours I think) as well. Hes completely obsessed.
Let us know how the solos go.
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ddt
Jul 6, 2007, 5:35 AM
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I did it!
I went out this afternoon... first with my instructor for three touch-and-go landings, and then he stepped out of the plane and I and did another three landings solo. What a thrill!
Everything went really well. It was a relatively quiet day at Livermore Municipal (KLVK) with little traffic, and calm conditions. The only issue was that it was extremely hot... 104 F to be exact. Still, it didn't really bother me. I was focused and calm and really enjoyed the experience. Interestingly I wasn't really nervous in the end, and the three trips around the pattern felt just like they did before. I could almost hear my instructor saying "patience, patience" every time after I flared and waited for it to touch down. The landings weren't as good as as some of my previous ones, but hey, I was safe now I can fly solo!
Cheers,
DDT
PS: I'll post some pics later.
(This post was edited by ddt on Jul 6, 2007, 5:36 AM)
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traddad
Jul 7, 2007, 4:29 AM
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Congrats!
Welcome!...I dug my pilot's license out of storage this morning....gotta start scamming on tows.....
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reno
Jul 7, 2007, 4:45 AM
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Well done, ddt. Well done.
In reply to: the three trips around the pattern felt just like they did before.
A sign of a good instructor.
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miademus
Jul 7, 2007, 7:52 PM
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I played flight simulator a lot
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chouinard16
Jul 11, 2007, 12:43 AM
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ddt wrote: I'm about to do my first solo and I'm nervous. Who else has gone through pilot training? Any tips? DDT
DON'T CRASH. <-----good advice from me
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philbox
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Jul 11, 2007, 3:54 AM
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chouinard16 wrote: ddt wrote: I'm about to do my first solo and I'm nervous. Who else has gone through pilot training? Any tips? DDT DON'T CRASH. <-----good advice from me
Take offs are optional, Landings are compulsory. <--------More helpful hints and tips.
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ddt
Jul 13, 2007, 9:50 PM
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lisamariewillbe wrote: ...or are you just slacking in getting it attached lol ?
Indeed. I am just slacking. My instructor took a few pics and I haven't even asked him for it yet.
DDT
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lisamariewillbe
Jul 14, 2007, 1:14 AM
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Men jeesh.... Ill only be doing my first lesson and will have a whole roll taken 
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reno
Jul 14, 2007, 1:50 AM
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philbox wrote: chouinard16 wrote: DON'T CRASH. <-----good advice from me Take offs are optional, Landings are compulsory. <--------More helpful hints and tips.
The aviation industry has a perfect record: They've never left a plane up there. The Naval submarine fleet can make no such boast.
But this is all beside the point.... everyone knows that the only REAL pilots left are helicopter pilots. The rest are just airplane drivers.
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trebork2
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Jul 14, 2007, 2:31 AM
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I'm not pro or anything but what's the worst that is going to happen... your going to crash the 152 or 172 and maybe die. Big deal
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