so what all does a new pilot have to do to qualify as soloed? I may be wrong but here is what I think we have to do to qualify as soloed, take the plane off the ground fly a circle and land wheels down on the runway, is there any thing else that needs to be demonstrated during this test to get one of those atta boy thingys??

I think some clubs are much more stringent with their solo policies including safety stuff and all. At a minimum, take off, landing, traffic pattern in both directions, simulated engine out landing, demonstrated proficiency in straight and level flight as well as right and left turns.

As a long-time instructor, I prefer the student show me a little more. I like to see basic aerobatics and recovery from inverted flight. I also like t osee controlled dead stick landings and spin recovery. Spins, inverted, and dead stick are the three worst situations a novice can find himself in, and he should know how to save the plane in those situations.

Dr.1

Before my name goes on a solo ticket they have to do the following: take off go to a safe alt. and fly the pattern in both directions, then do 2 figure 8's one in each direction, do a loop then a left and right roll, a touch and go then go to alt. and cut the eng and glide back and land on the field. That's after we have gone over all safety issues. Hard ?? I don't really think so, I think it makes for better and SAFER pilots. I think a lot of clubs ( instructors ) are to soft or lazy and don't spend enough time doing a GOOD job. Now to step on the student: I think a lot of them want to run before they can walk and don't give the instructor an Honest chance to try to teach them as much as he can.

SOLO is just a word, it isn't even close to being a PILOT.

I saw a case this weekend where a club said a student was soloed and could fly on his own. The first flight by himself had most of the people looking for a place to hide. A few more flights with help and he probably could have done quite well. ENJOY !!!! RED

we are similar to red....

pattern, several touch and gos.... figure 8's, rolls, a couple loops, deadstick practice (don't make us shut if off though just in case)

club A) 3 touch n goes and a full stop without killing the engine.

club B) It is all up to you, you feel comfortable taking your plane up without assistance, then go for it. Most people learn to respect the models while training and generally are a bit shy about flying without an instructor anyway.

Well, my experience, as I said above, has been the minimalist approach, but I would rather see a lot more requirements. Problem with our club is that we don't have a regular training night, so, I think we sort of try and get people soloed with minimal requirements to be safe, so that the people don't need to try and make arrangements to be with an instructor.

My experience is that I often find myself running for cover. The worst is when I am up flying and someone that I don't trust fires up and takes off. That is when I know it is time to make a quick approach, land and get behind the fence The other day a guy comes out with a radio that had been sent in for service and forgets to check the trims. HOLY COW did he scare the crap outta me. I am up flying and he comes out takes off and proceeds to call for our club expert with this fear in his voice. I had to get the heck down and to safety in a hurry. Turns out his elevator trim was 30% off and aileron trim was 40% off. After our expert had it trimmed he flew around a little and then proceeded to bring it in and stall it about 10' over the runway... didn't have to worry about his plane in the air the rest of the day.

Anyhow, my point is that with more stringent solo requirements, safety is increased for everyone in the club.

Patrick

My club has it well defined. Each "school" student gets a scorecard. It has lines for the date, instructor, maneuvers completed and a score. The regular school lasts eight weeks and the student logs all their flights on their sheets. Every student has a mentor and an instructor. The mentor is basically a ground/pit crew who assembles, checks and fuels the plane and demonstrates & explains pre-flight safety and technique to the student. Also gives a second-check for the instructor that the plane and buddy-box is set up correctly. Ever seen an instructor take a plane off the box only to find the switches are reversed or the trim is way off? Not pretty for instructor or student.

Three levels of score. 1.) Attempted, did not complete 2.) Completed with assistance 3.) Completed satisfactorily. Every student is "supposed" to complete three "satisfactory" grades on all maneuvers before a solo is attempted.

Going from memory, I think the maneuvers are: start engine safely, takeoff, left level turn/right level turn, racetrack pattern, figure of eight pattern, loop, roll, landing. A lot depends on the instructor. Some insist a satisfactory loop or figure eight ends at the exact altitude it begins, the loop is round, etc. Obviously, some interpretation is allowed (some planes need a down hill entry to loop, etc.).

The solo involves the full plate and, generally, if the student gets them completed without pieces breaking off or making holes in the ground it is judged a success. For most members, the unwritten rule is that if the student takes the initiative to call for a solo (the field courtesy is that they are granted free air) they are ready whether their scorecard is completed fully or not. We've had 'em that take two years and others that are pretty much set after their third flight. Lots of different backgrounds, temperaments and abilities out there. That also works well for new members who claim to have experience.

Guests are always given the benefit of the doubt and taken at their word, and it is up to the safety officer or angry mob to judge their abilities. By amazing coincedence, they generally get their first flight in without company at the flight line.

The school is voluntary, free and open to any member or family. Any other time of the year members can also do a one-on-one with any willing member.

I belong to a second "restricted" club that has no such program.

I'd agree with the instructors here, that you ought to be able to do simple aerobatics and recovery from inverted. You should be practicing that kind of stuff anyway. A young man at our field lost his trainer this weekend--got disoriented with the plane upside down and spiraled in. He'd been signed off the week before. Our only requirements for solo are procedure turns both ways, and a landing, which the kid could do fine. (Fortunately, the young man's dad negotiated for a new trainer before they left the field, so we didn't lose a pilot).