I was “ready” to solo for almost a month before it finally happened…in fact, we had the initial endorsements written out and nearly all of our ducks in order. The first attempt, my student cert hadn’t yet arrived and we couldn’t figure out how to print the temporary off IACRA. The second time, traffic was mysteriously insane for a weekday afternoon (we’re talking multiple 747s, a400s and all types of business jets…no, I’m not kidding). THEN we had some wacky crosswinds, followed by a week or so when I was busy with work, etc. There were a couple cancellations due to IFRness in there as well. When I finally soloed for the first time, it was *almost* a non-event because the build up had been so eternal. I wasn’t nervous at all and it actually felt pretty routine, all things considered. I say almost a non-event because it was still awesome and it still made my entire day after I left the FBO…

Great video, I absolutely agree. I actually soloed one day after this video, on Sunday the 27th of February 2022. We flew from my home airport to the training airport nearby. There, we ran an engine failure enroute and on departure, a target landing excercise, a rejected takeoff and I was instructed to react to traffic cutting me off in the pattern. Then we did a landing and rolled off the runway. My CFI asked me how I felt about soloing, left the cockpit and off I was, taxiing back to the holding point. It really hit me when I advanced the throttle on the runway: "Wow, this is all me!". In the end, I did three patterns with relatively smooth landings. Great day! I am from Berlin, Germany and fly out of EDAZ (Schönhagen, near Berlin) with my flight school's Aquila A210. I soloed at EDBO (Oehna, 19nm south of EDAZ) with 18:49 hours of flight time and 81 landings under my belt. I also felt a little pressured to finally solo and advance with the flight training, but it is more important to fly and land the airplane safely and therefore take a few more hours of instruction. My CFI did a good job, he kept my hopes down during the preflight briefing and absolutely surprised me when he thought I was ready 😊👍

This video is hilariously timed. My first solo was Thursday in a Cessna 152 Aerobat. I'm learning in Class C airspace in Ontario, Canada. My training airport is a regional hub where we regularly share tarmac with 737s and other large planes. As well, we are within spitting distance of Toronto Pearson. It's not unusual to be in the circuit and see a very large jet on final several 1000s of feet above you. My HOBBS by the time I went on my own was 28.4 and to be honest, any sooner I wouldn't have been ready. I was having major difficulties with rounding out too high probably until 25, then it seemed to click. Talking to yourself during the first solo is enormously helpful. My GoPro died on the downwind, but my audio recorder kept going. I could tell exactly what I was doing without any visual whatsoever. Do I think I'll have my PPL by the TC minimum of 45 hours? Not a chance as I won't feel anywhere close to ready. I still haven't done any cross country of uncontrolled airfields. Not to mention, 45 hours I think is extremely low. I'll be happy if I get it by 80.

I already did-in 5 hrs. and 29 minutes of dual instruction.Much, much more to learn.

My instructor has begun to start talking about my first solo flights today and I'm at 7 hours. My last lesson (Saturday) was all traffic patterns and performing touch and go’s for the first time and started to get the hang of it after the 4th attempt. Working at my local airport, a former ramp agent for 2 airlines, and talking to ATC when towing aircraft/brakes riding from the gate to the pad has helped out and is all coming together now. My confidence is high and looking forward, studying, watching videos, and listening to ATC every day is helping everyday.

Great topic. My son (17) and I (49) have started this journey at the same time. It was important for us to be understand (and buy into) the fact that one of us may solo before the other. That doesn't mean the other is a bad pilot, we're just different! No 2 people are the same. But we ALL need to be safe. Love the channel and the content! Can't wait to see the finished J3. Favorite plane! Can't wait to see what you've done to it. 65 hp "stock" engine just doesn't seem like enough!

Talking through your actions out loud is great advice and has been such a big help for me. I picked this up from solving problems in job interviews as an engineer. It helps your CFI understand your exact thought process and make corrections or offer advice on better flows.

Love your videos! I'm currently saving for my first plane and every time you post a video It makes it harder to wait LOL!

I came here to see you fly a Grumman! When do we get to see the Traveler????

I recently earned my private pilot certificate. I think your comments are spot on. For me, the biggest hurdle was staying ahead of the airplane. It's ok to get lost in the joy and romance of flying, but not at the expense of staying ahead of the airplane. You can do those things--and enjoy it--at the same time. I think your comments about being prepared for the lessons may be the most important aspect. I always wanted to know what was next so I could bone up on it, and be as prepared as I could be. Lessons cost too much to not be prepared and get the most out of them that you can. I suspect all pilots have a low point in their training. Perhaps it comes before soloing, perhaps after (mine came after). Knowing you're going to have a low point means it won't be as shocking when it comes--and where do you head when you hit the low point? Up!

Solo’ed at 18h. I definitely felt ready by then. Got PPL cert at 56h. Definitely could have used more training but I did it. Flying is an ongoing learning experience anyways.

It does take time for me, I went through 2 Flight Schools and the 2nd one was probably a better decision for me. I took a break from flying for a year and only had 8 hours. I got back into it and my first instructor would just yell at me (1500 CFI's that disappear). I could not learn from that and thankfully I had the choice of other instructors that helped me accelerate through training. I made my smoothest landing today and it finally clicked to me on landing's. Wasn't on the center line lol. I felt like I wasted 15 hours not making progress from one crappy instructors and breaks. Currently at 27 hours. I think 10 more hours or less I can be ready to solo.

The idea of soloing still makes me a bit nervous, even though my instructor tells me often that I'm doing well. I think my instructor will think I'm ready to solo long before I will. He may not expect perfection from me, but I do.

My first solo was where I trained at, down the road from you, at Falcon. Just went out and practiced maneuvers and came back. First solo landing and a mile out or so and tower had me move to the right side of the runway and go around. Wel that was a first. Seems somebody I front of me was so far off they were flying over the dirt between the parallel runways. Oops. 2nd or 3rd solo I came back toward Falcon and called to ask for touch and goes in a Cherokee and little did I know my radio was a .1 digit off and I was asking Sky Harbor for touch and go's. Hahaa. Oops. They were nice about and had heard me call for Falcon Field instead of Phoenix. Lesson learned. Didnt do that again.

I just recently had my first solo to the practice area and had this video in my recommended. In fact I never got to talk about my first solo yet. It was around the evening and my instructor signed my logbook, briefed on what to do and hopped out, I literally got stuck behind an Airbus being pushed back and while taxiing. I had to avoid the wake turbulence and did 3 landings each to a full stop. There was actually another student in the pattern following me doing his first solo!! I remember going around on my first landing because the plane was so much lighter I flared too much, the last landing was silky smooth I didn't feel the mains touch. Also it got darker the city lights came on, the blue taxi lights also came on too. I still remember thanking the controller for being a big help because I definitely needed it 😂. Boy it was the experience I had been waiting for months!

Just got my solo endorsement yesterday. Can't wait!

👍☑️ another good and informative Carl. TKS

I really want to do my solo on my 16th birthday. I want to fly 2 instructor flights week so I can get the practice and hours in. I am told I am way ahead and I am not even in my flight training. My pilots on some of my Southwest flights said I had the dedication to get though flight school, the owner of my program says I was very smooth on my second flight, and a PPL pilot told me I know way way more than she knew when she started. She is the top of my program, I hope to take that position. I was always scared when I heard how many flight students drop out, I didn't want to be one of those because I love flying, but hearing that I am not a normal flight student was nice to hear. I hope I can get my solo on my birthday, that's just this October!

"How To Know You’re Ready". I found out when I was about to add full power for take off and my instructor said wait a minute. He unplugged his headset, opened his door and got out. He smiled and said you're ready, do three take offs and landings, closed the door and walked away. I didn't feel ready but guess I was.

The avionics are a blessing but much steeper learning curve

Nailed it!

GREAT JOB! KEEP TEACHING!

I recognize that airplane at 0:37

Had to watch as I’m about 25 hours pre solo!

Great video as usual 👍

I’m about 7 hours in and have done pattern work twice (2 hours) and I feel like my landings suck! I know im just starting out but it’s really discouraging me. My instructor says im doing good and have been progressing through these 7 hours but I feel like he’s just saying that. Known issues when landing; my vertical speed and airspeed is off. He tells me pitch for airspeed and throttle for altitude. Any tips from anyone? I really don’t want to give up.

Nice content. Awesome video

my instructor crush with my own sport aircraft right before my solo so yes now i cant trust my skills and my instructor too

I started flying with a club in an ARSA, now class C, it took a half hour just to fly into and out of the airspace…

Solo here at 15hrs. Everyone is different.

Question: should your first student solo be a touch and go or full stop with taxi back???

I may never solo…I’ve been waiting on a special issuance medical since early August….

I’m the. Guy from Ks😂

Hey so I solo this morning on my MSFS 20 and I almost nailed it if it wasn't for that stupid cat crossing on the runway in front of me.

1:03 whoa, did you lose a track of audio? (it's better than anything I've done, just surprising)

*you're

You light up the room, want to be youtube friends?