Solo Flight
 

I have read numerous posts on this forum submitted solo pilots who claim that they have achieved this goal in a remarkable short period of time. It seems that after less than five flights they are flying unassisted. One poster even claimed that he was performing manuvers beyond that would be expected from an individual who just soloed.
I can't dispute there claims but I find them very supicious in nature. Think about your own learning curve and tell me if there claims appear realistic.

RE: Solo Flight
 

Hey flycatch,

Everyone is different... Same goes with learning curves!!
Dispute their claims.... Why???
Just enjoy the great info you can get here to help you!! Weigh all
the info with more info... And put it to GOOD use!! It really works
and others puts a smile on your face:)
Really it's pretty easy in time to see the threads that may be......

RE: Solo Flight
 

Maybe people tend to post more about their successes then their failures.

I was flying solo after two or three instructional flights back in 1984 (before flight simulators). But I was just barely able to get my Kadet into the air, fly some big circles and get it down in one piece somewhere on the field most of the time.

People learn differently. Some learn to swim by being thrown into the pool, others want extensive training before trying.

I had one student who flew beautifully on the first flight. I guess he decided it was two easy because he lost interest in the hobby right away. Go figure.

I would say the average student pilot in our club has about a dozen assisted flights before soloing, but it varies greatly.

RE: Solo Flight
 

I certainly don't think I'm anything special (in fact, I'm sure some would frown on my approach), but I'm entirely self-taught. And as a result I've probably crashed more than my fair share! Still, I feel very comfortable flying my Hangar 9 Arrow these days, although I know I'm not as crisp as many of the old hands. My guess is, my long exposure to flight simulators over the years helped (not r/c specific, but when you fly MSFS from the tower view, it at least helps you to learn to fly the plane when it's coming at you, which was the hardest part for me to master). I also fly real planes as a hobby, so the physics of the process are no mystery to me either. For me it's just been a series of flights with a variety of end results (kind way of saying I spiked it in once or twice...or three times), but at this point I can comfortably take off (or hand launch if the grass is too tall), fly around, do some light acro, and land (with or without power) without pranging the plane (at least not beyond repair!). Latest project is to convert the Arrow into a taildragger, as has been done with some other trainers here, because the nosegear mount was bent a few flights ago (not the gear itself...just the plastic mount on the firewall). Besides, I like the look of the taildragger better anyway, and I suspect it will be easier to launch from the soccer fields I usually fly from. Anyway, as others have said, everybody's different, and this is a hobby that appeals to each of us in different ways. I hope to be in it for the long haul, and to eventually fly more complex planes and systems (particularly interested in aerial video...how cool is that!), and I appreciate the knowledge I've gained from lurking in these forums.

Regards all,

Dave

RE: Solo Flight
 

I think that some people learn fairly quickly. But I also think some of these (I soloed the first day i got there with no help) stuff is fubar.

RE: Solo Flight
 

I've seen guys show up at my field with a brand new trainer, and perform take off and landings with it the very first day out. It does happen. I've also seen guys take a lot longer. It depends on the person.

So I wouldn't automatically write off anyone who says they "soloed" right off as BS.

(keeping in mind that "soloed" varies a LOT in meaning. For many guys, being able to take off, fly around a little at random, and get the plane back is good enough. My club as a slightly higher standard than that, but it's really not a huge deal).

That doesn't mean that some folks on here aren't making up stories or whatever, they could be, I don't know. But I wouldn't worry about it either way.

If you're one of the guys who didn't pick it up so quickly, don't sweat it. Many very good pilots took a while to learn too.

RE: Solo Flight
 

I had one student solo on his first flight (Several years ago, sims were available but they were crude and this guy didn't have one)

I also know fliers that have been at it for years and still need help.

In general, I think people are soloing much faster these days due to simulators, and the fact that video games have taught many of the the needed hand/eye coordination.

RE: Solo Flight
 

it also sucks when people learn during the fall then stop halfway thru and pick up back in the spring. I have seen two guys who had to stop last year and i met them this year. I have seen both of them crash. (one guy almost nailed himself on a landing) and the other guy hit one of the rebar posts used to hang the fence around the pitts. Both of these guys are really shakey flyers. I'm not a nervouse flyer (not anymore) and i think it's because i learned to solo within such a short time so i can grasp all the info given to me. unlike the guys who probably forgot over the winter.

RE: Solo Flight
 

I read those "soloed on first flight" accounts with skepticism too, especially the ones that purported to be doing aerobatics immediately. UNTIL my brother expressed an interest.

He's been playing those very fast paced video games for years, including those online warbird Sims where you re-enact "the Battle of Britain" and the like. His first "RC" attempt was on my Real Flight Sim, and he was able to take off, land, and do aerobatics; so I said, we have to get you up on the Buddy Box.

His second attempt was on the Buddy Box with my Four Star, and he flew it easily, but didn't want to land it, and I didn't argue. ;)

Now he had been given a Super Hots, which is an older Fun Fly type plane, and his "second" actual flight was with that plane. We couldn't Buddy Box it, so I took off and he took over. He flew it fine (and it's a fast, twitchy plane), he did rolls and loops, then flew it inverted for a couple of circuits. I thought it might be getting low on fuel and asked if he wanted to try to land it, and he did. Bounced it a little, but heck!

So while I don't always fully believe the accounts told, I certainly know they're possible.
Dennis-