Vindicated0721 Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 My first solo is this Friday. I am real excited and nervous of course. Any wise words of wisedom? Other than don't crash. Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clay Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 relax and enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikemv Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 You should not know when your first solo is. It should not be scheduled and you should not have time to worry about it. When you are ready, your CFI should send you up after flying with you. Enjoy it and continue forward. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yzchopper Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 You should not know when your first solo is. It should not be scheduled and you should not have time to worry about it. When you are ready, your CFI should send you up after flying with you. Enjoy it and continue forward. Mike My thoughts exactly. I will let my students know when they are close but do not give an actual day. Something like " you should ready to solo sometime next week". Then if they are ready on Monday or say Friday I will fly with them thru all the normal pattern, radio, and maneuver stuff then have them land. I get out and they go fly their solo flight. Oh as the students gets closer to their solo flight I start carrying a hand held radio and it could be days before their solo so they do not know when it is. They do not have time to get nervous or be worried. It worked well for my students. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pohi Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 To the OP: What everybody else said. It's pretty different, but just remember what you were taught, two stage pickup etc..., and order the keg soon for the after party. With regards to the surprise solo theory, I really do not go about things in that manner. The student should know when the solo is getting close, especially in a Robinson where there is the 20 hour dual mark they have to hit first. I get the student prepared and briefed for the solo, get all of the endorsements completed, make sure Mother Nature is cooperating, make sure they have their required documentation for solo flight, do a few laps in the pattern, and then solo them. I am a huge fan of the preflight briefing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r22butters Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 I knew beforehand when my first solo was, and it was no big deal. If it happens to be warm enough that you have the doors off (like we did) just make sure your instructor doesn't leave anything behind that could come loose and fly out. Bring a camera, so he can take a picture of you, I didn't think of it until my first unsupervised solo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselBoy Posted April 21, 2010 Report Share Posted April 21, 2010 Take some Orajel with you, your cheeks will start hurting from the perma-smile. I'd just take into account that the left side of the helicopter will now be a lot lighter without your instructor. On the initial pick up the left skids should come off the ground more than you are used to. Seriously though just relax, you already know what you're doing, you will just be doing it alone now. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
67nov68 Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 had my 1st solo tuesday total suprise but like others said ,instructor said i was getting close so I knew it would be any day.was really relaxed did not feel any pressure for sure it takes off skid light on rght side with out inst. there .kinda treeted it like a slope landing slope take off have fun dude you worked for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrilsekr Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Don't forget to Breathe! And don't be afraid of a bit of a running landing if you need it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Ditto that the skids will be light on one side...depending on the ship you are flying. Also you may notice the nose comes up quite a bit, just depending on your W&B. Best advice I read is treat it like a slope landing/ take off...nice and slow and keep it level. Other than that, you've done everything else before, so don't sweat it. I remember my solo the tower asked me to extend my first downwind for traffic...about 3 added miles, I thought I was in the air forever! Relax....dont grip anything hard, especially the throttle in an R22/44. Fly safe, Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotorrodent Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 My first solo is this Friday. I am real excited and nervous of course. Any wise words of wisedom? Other than don't crash. Lol Follow your SOP and do what you have been trained to do. Above all......have fun and smile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inferno Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Just don't ball it up! That crap goes on your instructors record. Pressure........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Posted April 22, 2010 Report Share Posted April 22, 2010 Wear a crappy shirt. Some schools, usually “old” schools, will cut out the back of the shirt and write something silly commemorating the occasion…. Otherwise, have fun..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vindicated0721 Posted April 24, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 ***update*** just had my first solo today. It was awesome...don't know what else to say. Just somewhat speachless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 ***update*** just had my first solo today. It was awesome...don't know what else to say. Just somewhat speachless. OK, I'll let you in on the great helicopter secret. It gets more fun It gets more addictive As your skills expand you actually become a better pilot An old helo pilot told me once....just wait till you get about 200 hours,then it really gets fun. I found out he was right. Lastly, if you want to keep having fun...and keep living, then never stop learning and never stop practicing. Fly safe, Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick McWilliams Posted April 24, 2010 Report Share Posted April 24, 2010 C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S!! You're an official rotorhead! And, yes, it only becomes more fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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