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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Bixby on December 13, 2020, 08:31:18 PM

Title: First real life solo
Post by: Bixby on December 13, 2020, 08:31:18 PM
 1969...Citabria.

  Anyone else care to share? I have a few stories to share. I know there are many real life pilots who enjoy this sim.

  Puma44 and many more. Chime in if this topic is of interest to any one else. I'm interested.

  Bixby.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: MORAY37 on December 13, 2020, 09:39:30 PM
1994, Cessna 172.  Best landing, and feeling, I ever had with clothes on.   
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Oldman731 on December 13, 2020, 09:56:18 PM
.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Oldman731 on December 13, 2020, 10:02:15 PM
Got a bit too detailed on that reply.  Cessna 172SP, June 7, 2007.  Took me forever to get the license, March 14, 2008.  Instrument rating was June 3, 2010. 

On my first solo, first landing approach, a coyote darted across the runway just as I was cutting power.  Glad he/she was quick, I had no idea what to do.  Undoubtedly an omen.  On the second landing approach, I failed to correct for crosswind, and was rapidly drifting left off the runway, sort of looking at the grass and thinking that this was not in The Plan.  Hit the throttle, watched the speed, gradually reduced the flaps and climbed out on a very nice missed approach (or go-around, whatever it's properly called).  By the time I came around for the second shot at the second landing, the staff people had revived my flight instructor, who appeared sleepily pleased when I managed the third landing without incident.  I have the picture he drew on my shirt framed in my office (but I don't know how to post photos here any more).

Sort of the way I've flown ever since, both IRL and here in AH.

- oldman
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Busher on December 13, 2020, 10:14:55 PM
July 13, 1964. Fleet Canuck.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Rocco on December 13, 2020, 10:29:28 PM
2002, Cessna 172. Just a few weeks short of my 18th birthday. I did a go around just to make it last longer.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Bixby on December 13, 2020, 10:39:23 PM
Nice story Oldman. I'm sure there are a whole  bunch of us with cool stories. I hope to hear more.

My first solo, we had to chase the cows away to clear the pasture.

Those were the days!
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Bixby on December 13, 2020, 10:42:23 PM
Oh, my uncle (who owned the Citabria) ripped off the back of my shirt! An old tradition.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Puma44 on December 14, 2020, 10:14:07 AM
August 6, 1968, Cessna 150, N8853G.  Private Pilot License the following January. 

Three years after the first solo, was my first experience with a calm wind takeoff and landing.  Always had a left crosswind at my home airport.  To this day, a left crosswind kicks in that long established muscle memory and feels completely normal. 

Sadly, N8853G, new that year, has been deregistered. 

Out of curiosity, was your hourly rental rate at solo?  My C150 was $12 an hour.  My PPL cost was approximately $800, worked off at $1/hour working as a line boy/hangar monkey for my FBO.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Busher on December 14, 2020, 10:33:06 AM
August 6, 1968, Cessna 150, N8853G.  Private Pilot License the following January. 

Three years after the first solo, was my first experience with a calm wind takeoff and landing.  Always had a left crosswind at my home airport.  To this day, a left crosswind kicks in that long established muscle memory and feels completely normal. 

Sadly, N8853G, new that year, has been deregistered. 

Out of curiosity, was your hourly rental rate at solo?  My C150 was $12 an hour.  My PPL cost was approximately $800, worked off at $1/hour working as a line boy/hangar monkey for my FBO.

It's sad what the cost of learning to fly has become. I paid $9/hr for the Canuck. Back then the average working guy could fly as hobby.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Puma44 on December 14, 2020, 10:48:53 AM
It's sad what the cost of learning to fly has become. I paid $9/hr for the Canuck. Back then the average working guy could fly as hobby.

Yes indeed.  During college, I was renting a Military Aero Club Super Cub for $8/hr wet. 
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Bixby on December 14, 2020, 02:23:46 PM
Hey Puma  <S>.

 I remember renting a Cessna 150 for $15 an hour back around 1972 ish. And 172s were around $20-25 I think.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Bixby on December 14, 2020, 02:35:21 PM
I'm not really sure but when did the oil embargo occur? Around 1973 maybe? That affected the cost of aircraft rentals. It was about that time that my flying time took about a 7-8 year break.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Shuffler on December 14, 2020, 02:49:13 PM
Around the Houston area it looks like a Cessna 172, depending on how it is outfitted, will run around $120 to $140 an hour.
 
INSTRUCTOR RATES
SINGLE ENGINE – $60/HR
SINGLE ENGINE INSTRUMENT & COMMERCIAL – $65/HR
MULTI-ENGINE – $70/HR
CUSTOMER-OWNED SINGLE ENGINE INSTRUCTION – $80/HR
CUSTOMER-OWNED MULTI-ENGINE INSTRUCTION – $90/HR


Depending on where around Houston...... Some are as high as $200 and hour to rent.

This place even puts check list, for the planes they have, online   http://www.westhoustonairport.com/aircraftrental/aircraftrental.shtml (http://www.westhoustonairport.com/aircraftrental/aircraftrental.shtml)
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Rocco on December 14, 2020, 03:18:53 PM
If I remember right it was about $90/hr for a 172, $60/hr for a 150 aerobat back in 2002. It's $170-$190/hr here now depending on the loadout and school. Canadian dollars.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Bixby on December 14, 2020, 04:14:53 PM
Shuffler <S> Sir.

Your 38J costs $15 a month. Multi engine. That's a good deal.

I'm only single engine rated. If I see you online, I may ask to join you in flight. You are the best 38 pilot I know.

there is guy...AckAck?...pretty darn good also.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Busher on December 14, 2020, 04:33:40 PM
All I can say is that Puma and I (and few others - chime in guys) were blessed to get paid to fly other people's airplanes.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Bixby on December 14, 2020, 05:12:29 PM
Busher...getting paid to fly is fantastic...except when some else getting paid to fly is trying kill you...that is why I Salute you and all the other pilots who have risked it all.

Forever grateful to all of You!  Words are not enough!
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Puma44 on December 14, 2020, 06:52:00 PM
All I can say is that Puma and I (and few others - chime in guys) were blessed to get paid to fly other people's airplanes.

And, that’s definitely the way to do it!👍
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Shuffler on December 15, 2020, 10:09:27 AM
Shuffler <S> Sir.

Your 38J costs $15 a month. Multi engine. That's a good deal.

I'm only single engine rated. If I see you online, I may ask to join you in flight. You are the best 38 pilot I know.

there is guy...AckAck?...pretty darn good also.

I was once pretty decent in the 38. I was off a year when Harvey flooded our home. Coming back I feel I have lost the edge. I still enjoy it a lot though.

As for you joining when I am on.... any time you like. Bring your own chute.  :rofl

<S> Bixby
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: hitech on December 15, 2020, 11:37:27 AM

Mine was extremely uneventful , Do to a hang up in getting my Med Cert I had about 60 Hours Duel  when I finally got to solo.
I had already purchased and picked up the RV In Bullhead City and flew it back to DFW.

3 Quick Landings followed by start building the 10 hours solo required. 1 Week later I did my check ride.

HiTech
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Busher on December 15, 2020, 03:52:34 PM
Mine was extremely uneventful , Do to a hang up in getting my Med Cert I had about 60 Hours Duel  when I finally got to solo.
I had already purchased and picked up the RV In Bullhead City and flew it back to DFW.

3 Quick Landings followed by start building the 10 hours solo required. 1 Week later I did my check ride.

HiTech

HT, does your RV have the little wheel on the tail...I have never seen a photo. And if so, did you get some dual on a TG before you picked it up?
Thanks.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Arlo on December 15, 2020, 03:56:28 PM
1980 C152.
Title: Re: First real life solo
Post by: Windycty on December 15, 2020, 05:02:51 PM
2007, C172 pretty uneventful at DPA.