RECREATIONAL PILOT CERTIFICATE: Lesson #8 - Solo check flight + First solo!

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

That day has finally come when the instructor hops out of the aeroplane and lets me take the plane up in the air for a circuit, by myself! All I have to do is pass the solo check flight and I'm good to go:

 

 

 

 

Very happy with how far Ive come...it was only 4 or 5 lessons ago when my landings were all over the place. The Jabiru is harder to land compared to her GA counterparts, but much rewarding and satisfying when it all clicks and you start to nail those landings. Can't wait for the next stage in my training. So much more to learn ... thats what I love about flying :)

 

ABOUT ROMEO JULIET WHISKEY:

 

I'm a student pilot learning to fly in my spare time. I originally received 30 hours of flying instruction 17 years ago and now I'm back in the cockpit and learning how to fly all over again.

 

Currently flying out of Wollongong (YWOL), Australia in light sport aircraft such as the Jabiru and Pipestrel alpha with Fly Illawarra:

 

Fly Illawarra: Fly Illawarra

 

Jabiru aircraft: Home - Jabiru Aircraft & Engines Australia

 

 

[DGL Fox]

Well done on your 1st solo RJW, you even had the issue with the flaps and you handed well...congrats mate..

 

David

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Thanks David. Its awesome feeling flying by yourself. That sense of freedom that you get is probably the main motivation to fly for me.

 

 

[Soleair]

WELL DONE!! Beautiful landing, sir. Especially with no flaps. Now it's time to consolidate, with regular solo flights. I'm off for one today :)

 

Bruce

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Thanks Bruce. I was holding on to that stick pretty tightly Looking forward to more solo time. It's a different feeling when the instructor is not there. Surprisingly I felt more relaxed up there by myself.

 

 

[Fishla]

It's nice how the thing leaps off the ground without the weight of the instructor isn't?!

 

 

[Soleair]

Yes, I know what you mean about flying without the instructor. It is more relaxed - assuming nothing goes wrong! And the little Jab shoots up in climb one up. At our strip I'm almost at circuit height by the end of the runway.

 

I've just come back from a brief flit or 4 around the circuit, just to build on my skills. Lovely day - had a little play with some baby cu :)

 

Bruce

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

It's nice how the thing leaps off the ground without the weight of the instructor isn't?!

Ive got a skinny instructor ... not sure if it made much difference