Solo Flying

Ok so maybe we've jumped ahead a little here but essentially all lessons leading up to the first solo flight are intended to get you to operate the aircraft in a safe manor. In a professional flight training school however we are expected to be "checklist fluent" and show a developing commercially expeditious technique. It all sounds rather complicated and it is at first, though essentially this is just being able to operate the aircraft accurately, safely and to good time. The first solo was just a simple full flapped landing with a preceding circuit. Nothing out of the ordinary. Not to forget though we need to be aware of wind limitations and other eventualities such as:

• Diversions due to weather or airfield closure
• Engine problems
• Aircraft wake turbulence
  
• Spacing and holding procedures.

After all, "you have control!"

Effects of control

So the first lesson is fairly simple - the effect of controls. Essentially learning How each control works in its primary and secondary function. I've added a video to show what goes on more clearly. The weather on the day was typical of out here... baking hot and no clouds. Sometimes the wind can exceed our limitations and also the aircrafts. That is a maximum 13kts and 17kts respectively across the runway and no more than 30kts total wind speed.


With my flying partner in the left hand seat and our instructor in the other, I was left to filming in the back.

The "Mighty " PA28-161 Warrior II

Ok, maybe this is a little late but non the less... lets kick off with the primary flight training aircraft, the Warrior. Of course the company has other aircraft but for the time being we will only concern ourselves with this one.

Im going to spend alot of time facing these instruments. This is the standardised fit for all the aircraft here. Equipped with HSI, RMI, transponder mode C, Rnav, 2 altimeters and a few other buttons and levers.