This post is the second of a series written by Jason, from www.m0a.com. He describes how the first solo of a student looks like from the instructor point of view. I wrote one about the same thing seen from the student point of view for his blog. Check the links at the end of this post.
Let’s be honest, first solos are stressful, for the student, and for the instructor. But the ultimate reward makes the high stress levels worth it. Having soloed many students I’ve been fortunate to share this reward with many pilots.
Most instructors will not tell their students when they will solo. I usually give them a very vague time frame. Just enough to get them excited but not to go to their head. Flying in Jacksonville, FL out of Craig (KCRG) is stressful enough. It’s very busy for a class D airport. So for the sake of my sanity and for my students I usually take them to a less congested uncontrolled airport.
On the day of solo we start early, before any other pilots are awake, and before mother nature throws her Florida winds on us. I explain to the student” If you can get me to airport XYZ, enter the pattern, and make 3 unassisted landings without me saying a word, we’ll make today the day.
Most students light up with excitement, and then put their serious faces on because they understand the task at hand. Upon completion of these landings we make a full stop and usually get out to let them cool down in the FBO, while I endorse their logbook. As an instructor it is crucial to make all proper endorsements and don’t forget your students medical!
On the ground I arm myself with a handheld radio and camera. Carefully monitoring my student via the radio. Thankfully I usually stick to taking pictures as all of my students have had uneventful solos.
My favorite part of seeing my students solo is watching them taxi in and shutdown. Upon opening the door most of my students look like they just got out of a sauna.
The Shirt cutting has long been an aviation tradition, mine still proudly hangs at my old flight school. Sharing a solo with a student is an awesome moment, it’s something they will always remember you for.
Click here to read about first solo from the student perspective from Vincent, from plasticpilot.net
Click here to read the previous post in the series: First flight
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Flew my solo a week ago. It was actually my second, but my first was 51 years ago. Marriage, family and mortgage intervened. It still was very exciting to crank it up and call St. Augustine (FL) tower for clearance, fly my three take offs and landings. The next night we flew a night flight to Kay Larkin (28J) and shot seven touch and go’s and returned and landed at SGJ. It was magical. With my trusty instructor by my side I was fearless. Not sure how it will be solo. Flew my first cross country to GNV. NOw there will be a Christmas interlude, a knee replacement, and probably six weeks before I can get in the air again. Can’t wait.
@FRD: conrats for your second first solo, and for sharing. I wish you the best for your interlude and hope you’ll get airborne again soon.