Well last Monday I went to the flying field for only the third time of actual flying. I went up two times on the buddy box that day doing touch and goes then before I took off for my third flight that day my instructor took off the buddy cord. I stood there looking dumb founded. So I said "I thought we were going up again". My instructors reply was "you are...not me." I asked him if he was serious and he said I was ready for it don't you think you are? still standing there in amazement i said "i guess so". So i stood there with my instructor just of to the side of me and i took off. did a couple of circuts, figure eights and came in for a landing (a little bumpy). I don't know if I should consider that flying solo cause my instructor stood beside me the whole time. but man was it nerver racking...

That qualifies. Congratulations!

good job. Keep the rubber side down!

SWEEEEET. Now you just need to learn the "secret handshake"

Way to GO! That must be an instructor "thing". I had much the same experience, except I was already airborne when he said "ok, land it!" VERY nerve racking. Good news is...it gets easier. Again...way to go. Have fun.

Congrats Righty. Feels great doesn't it?

The "nerve wracking" part will get a bit easier over the next 10 or 12 trips to the field, but I'll give you one little piece of advice; be very careful the next few trips to the field. You will be extremely nervous trying to get the plane ready to fly, and then actually getting to the point of taking off.

Do NOT get careless because of those nerves! This is one of the times when doing things step by step are really important; like remembering to plug in the ailerons when you put the wing on, checking the control throws and the trims, and keeping your fingers out of the prop!

Good luck, and most of all, have fun!
Dennis-

I find it helps a lot if I visualize exactly what my flight is going to look like in my mind with the radio in my hands, flying it thru the entire flight. Takes some of those nerves away. 'Course, MOST of it will go away the first time you crash....[]

Good luck and remember to HAVE FUN--it's what you're there for!

thanks guys.

my intsructortold me he wants to have one more day of flying with me before he cuts me loose to show me how to do some loops and rolls. the good thing is that he is an actual airforce pilot so he uses some of the same standards as the military. I find it easier that way because it gets me into a routine when I get to the field. I have seen other instructors with their students talk away with other flyers at the field while the student is wondering what to do. I guess i lucked in

WOW!!! NJ MAN!!! that is sooo AWSOME! You learned fast, were you on a simulator?

My instructor never told me that I was going to land. It was my first flight he had me do a couple figure eights and then two touch and go's. On the third time around for a touch and go he told me just to let it float in and when I was just inches off the ground he said pull back a little and before I knew it I had landed it( no buddy box). I didn't know what happened I just kept waiting for him to tell me to aad throttle and pull out. He said he likes to do it that way because you don't expect it so your not nervous about landing it.

no simulator... ive flown three days for a total of 11 flights...

Way to go!!!!

Ed

Congrats -- I soloed last week too. Exactly 7 days ago actually.

The next day I went out and flew through 3/4 a bottle of fuel. The Nerve-wracking thing gets me, still, but only after I get the plane int he air,a nd for the first 5 mins or so of that flight. Once I am 100% sure everything is trimmed out right and the engine is running strong, I'll start loops and rolls and Split S's and stuff and I forget about worrying about keeping the plane in the air, and just start flying the thing.

It's been windy lately so I've been having fun playing with climbing stalls and such into the wind.

Just remember to have fun, and practice makes perfect.

Well i got some pics of me an my instructor... check it out

Me getting my certificate


Me and my instructor

Congratulations and welcome to the hobby.