The Experience of Soloing: My Journey and Advice

I had 20 hours of flight time before soloing, and I owned my own plane. So, I accumulated another 80 hours of solo flying before taking my checkride. This experience, shared below, offers insights into the challenges and joys of solo flying.

Solo Flight at 8 Hours

I got my first solo flight at 8 hours into my training. The aircraft was a unique Australian-designed and built Victa Airtourer, an aerobatic aircraft powered by a modest 115hp engine.

The weather in Darwin, Australia, was always hot, which affected engine performance. Despite these challenges, taking off from the 12,000-foot runway was a breeze. As we performed a touch-and-go with the sun setting, my instructor remarked: "I powered up and the aircraft leaped off the ground. Total elation as it climbed like a rocket, with just 40 liters of fuel and 230 pounds less weight due to the instructor!"

This moment occurred in 1968, and I recall it vividly to this day. The exhilaration and freedom of the experience were indescribable.

First Solo Flight in the PA-38 Piper Tomahawk

My first powered aircraft solo was completed in 4 hours and 20 minutes, setting a record at the time. I was 16 years old and a cadet pilot at an air-force base when I was officially signed off to solo.

The instructor who signed me off was a senior check-captain for a major airline, responsible for evaluating the proficiency of other captains. My tiny PA-38 Piper Tomahawk used the main runway at the... It's a rewarding experience to share one's journey in aviation and gain valuable insights from it.

A Special Case with ADD

I'm unique in that my medical was deferred for about 18 months due to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). I soloed around 50 hours, but this wasn't because of poor flying skills. Most of the instructors I worked with during that period wanted to solo me.

My advice to anyone who gets deferred due to a medical issue is to be patient. Trying to rush the process by completing all dual flying and then attempting to finish solo flying just before the medical clearance can backfire. Flight instructors (CFIs) move quickly in and out of training, and there's no immediate follow-up if they can't solo you, especially if your deferment lasts six months or more. By the time you're cleared, they may have moved on, and the new instructor won't be as impressed.

Ultimately, I completed my checkride around 80 hours, albeit over budget. According to my final instructor, "they just dicked around in the airplane with you." However, on the bright side, I'm well on my way to meeting the minimum requirements for a commercial pilot certificate. Soloing is a challenging but rewarding milestone in any aviator's career.

The experience of soloing is not just about the technical skill but also about the emotional and psychological journey. It pushes you to your limits and requires patience, perseverance, and determination. If you're aspiring to solo, keep these experiences in mind and embrace the journey with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.