I Soloed Today!

Not the autocross kind

Today was my first Solo flight in an aircraft. N702G, a 1968 Cessna 172I. 3 Takeoffs and Landings, 2 of which were really good, and 1 less than ideal.

I think the shirt needs explanation to us non-pilots...

Any landing you can walk away from is a good one!

Congratulations! It's on my bucket list.

In reply to pinchvalve:

From wikipedia:

In American aviation lore, the traditional removal of a new pilot's shirt tail is a sign of the instructor's new confidence in his student after successful completion of the first solo flight. In the days of tandem trainers, the student sat in the front seat, with the instructor behind. As there were often no radios in these early days of aviation, the instructor would tug on the student pilot's shirttail to get his attention, and then yell in his ear. A successful first solo flight is an indication that the student can fly without the instructor ("instructor-less" flight). Hence, there is no longer a need for the shirt tail, and it is cut off by the (often) proud instructor, and sometimes displayed as a trophy.[2]

Cool! Congrats. I eas not aeare about the shirt tale tradition. Funny.

Right on! Congrats! I soloed back in '98 with Civil Air Patrol.

Congratulations!

It's an awesome feeling when your up there and realize 'I have to land this thing'.

Did they tell you about the shirt deal beforehand?

Congrats! Someday I'd love to get my private pilot's license. Well done.

Congrats! Any landing you can walk away from... Bonus if the airplane's still usable afterwards!

Never wear a shirt you like on solo day.

Congrats, you're 50% done, 90% to go.

Congrats! Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man.

Landing is the first.

Clearwater airpark for the win! If you want to stop renting a plane I've got a buddy who has a Cessna 150 there that he is willing to sell cheap!

And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight.

— E. B. Jeppesen

Od feeling isn't it, working without a net?

Congratulations.

Congratulations!

Well done. Do not rest on your laurels, keep up the hard work and get your certificate.

I am so jelly. All I ever wanted to do was fly.

That is so awesome.

So, how much does this really cost? Lets say that I'm starting from scratch, zero experience. I need lessons, and licensure, and insurance(?)? What else? How much and how long does all of this take? How many people can ride with me? How often do you have to re-up the license?

Ok, now I'm able to fly. How much is it to rent a plane for a day? A week? How much is maintenance on a small cesna, and storage costs?

Congrats! Instructor must have been very proud to take almost the entire back of your shirt..

mtn wrote: That is so awesome. So, how much does this really cost? Lets say that I'm starting from scratch, zero experience. I need lessons, and licensure, and insurance(?)? What else? How much and how long does all of this take? How many people can ride with me? How often do you have to re-up the license? Ok, now I'm able to fly. How much is it to rent a plane for a day? A week? How much is maintenance on a small cesna, and storage costs?

I'll let someone else answer that in more detail. I only have a vague idea. It's not cheap! Track days are a cheap alternative to owning and maintaining a plane.

So, how much does this really cost? I'll let someone else answer that in more detail. I only have a vague idea. It's not cheap! Track days are a cheap alternative to owning and maintaining a plane.

This is when I got full fledged into autocross. My flying budget was consumed by my new car payment (Yes, it was a new FX16). Well, I have a car now. Just need a helmet.

My David Clark Headsets got used for mowing the lawn. They were great!

Why do I keep thinking this thread is titled, "I pooped today"?

In reply to trucke:

My father has two planes and wanted me to get licensed. I like flying planes, but not enough to pay for gas, chip in on maintenance, storage, consumables, etc.

If you're starting cold, with no help, or discounts, I'd guess you'd be spending close to 10 grand by the time you're done.

In reply to mtn:

I can tell you that I've had 13 lessons so far, and spent $3899.42 to get to Solo. $3238.29 were just on lessons. I have 14 1/2 hours Logged so far out of the minimum required of 40. However, soon I wont have to pay for an instructor for every lesson, which is $50 an hour. So, that should give you a rough idea of how much it could cost.

I'm taking 2 hour lessons 3 times a week, I started June 10th. I expect if I keep up the same training regimen, I can probably take my practical exam end of August, beginning of Sept.

You can't take any passengers while you are a student pilot, once you have your Private Pilot Certificate, you can take as many people as will fit in the seats of whatever plane you fly.

Cost for planes is always going to depend on the plane. www.tampabayaviation.com is the place I'm training at, they have the costs for renting their planes on the website, ranging from $80 an hour to $300 an hour for small planes, and up to $850 an hour for some of their helicopters! They also have some graphs that can show you the expected cost of a Private Pilot Certificate and the breakdown of what you are paying for. Prices in your area will probably vary a little bit, but I expect it wouldn't be that far off.

I do recommend it though, its a whole ton of fun!