The day pilots remember most fondly is the one they first flew an aircraft solo. Ask any pilot and they will tell you that it still ranks as their finest achievement! No instructor – just you, the aircraft and the big sky!
By the time you get to this point, the instructor and the chief flying instructor will have been monitoring you through every step, evaluating you as a pilot and whether you are ready to take to the sky on your own.
It’s hard to put into words what it feels like. It’s a mixture of fear and trepidation, of anticipation and exhilaration, all the time mixed with that inner voice telling yourself that you can do this!
Once you take off, it’s straight into the circuit pattern that is imprinted in your mind. Radio calls, in-flight checks, more radio calls, all the time going through exactly what you’ve been taught. The airfield is always in sight as you fly the circuit pattern.
Then it’s time to land. As you turn onto finals, you will be concentrating on nailing your speed and height as you fly the aircraft to a perfect landing and the perfect day. Flying an aircraft solo is something few people can lay claim to and we believe that it’s something everyone should do.
Think about this way. We’ve been on earth for millions of years, but it’s only in the last 100 years that powered flight has been possible and only in the last 40 years that it’s been opened up to a much wider audience. You owe it to yourself to fly an aircraft on your own. You are lucky enough to live in an age when it’s possible.
Your 15-hour flying package doesn’t guarantee that you’ll fly solo, but most people solo between eight hours and 15 hours. If you keep the lessons regular and don’t have month-long gaps, then you’ll be able to achieve it. We’ve known some people to take much longer, but there’s usually a good reason – that’s why we don’t guarantee that you’ll fly solo, but we think you’ve got a very good chance!
There are a couple of requirements before you can fly an aircraft solo. All student pilots have to have a medical, which your flying school can explain. If it’s the NPPL or NPPL(M) that you are flying, your GP can do it for you. If it’s the PPL, then it has to be done by an approved civil aviation doctor. Your school will be able to give you details of ones in your area. You will also need to pass your air law exam; 85% of people pass this first time, so it’s nothing to worry about. In fact, most pilots will tell you that they found the learning fun.
We suggest that you add the Pooley’s Student Pilot pack to your solo flight, as it includes all the books and study packs you’ll need and it will save you almost £200 contact eleanor@loop.aero for more details.
Cost - £2350
Locations
Almat Flying Club – Coventry
Andrewsfield Aviation – Essex
Anglia Flight – Norfolk
Fly365 – Lincolnshire
Gamston Airfield - Retford, Nottinghamshire
GS Aviation - Marlbourough, Wilts
Merseyflight Air Training School - Liverpool
Pilot Flight Training Aeros, Wellesbourne – Warwickshire
Pilot Flight Training Aeros, Filton - Bristol
Pilot Flight Training Aeros - Gloucester
Soloflight – Humberside
Sibson School of Flying - Cambridgeshire