Finally got to solo

[dmcummins]

And of coarse it suppose to rain and storm tommorow and 25mph winds on Thursday, Monday was cancelled due to freezing rain. I am able to go everyday this week and the weather is not cooperating. Next week he has a three new people starting for either CDI or Commercial tickets so I'll be back to M-W-F.

[rattlsnak]

If you want something that will haul 4, forget the Mooney! I mean, unless you can afford a newer one like an Ovation or such, but even those are very limited. A Bonanza would be a much better choice.

[VINMAN]

I went for my rotorcraft license a while back. Never finished, couldnt afford it anymore. But when I did my solo, honestly, I was terrified.

[dmcummins]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

If you want something that will haul 4, forget the Mooney! I mean, unless you can afford a newer one like an Ovation or such, but even those are very limited. A Bonanza would be a much better choice.

Actually nothing I'm looking at will haul me and three of my buddies. All of us are 200lbs or better. The four would be me and the wife, and my son and his wife. And only for probably trips of less than 2 hrs. I think we could make due in a F or J model Mooney. I havn't got to really look at the Bonanza 35's yet. There is a local guy that said he would give me a ride soon. I'm just looking now, who know's what I'll end up with. Ive got plenty of time.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by slodave

Next step is to get in the plane yourself for the first time! That made me nervous.

I loved every minute of it! Quite the thrill to show up at the airport, and get the keys to an airplane tossed my way! Woo, Hoo!!

[Dantilla]

Four 200 pound guys and enough gas to go several hundred miles.:



The short-cabin Bonanzas can be loaded so that they are tail-heavy if not careful. With four big guys, I would need to leave the baggage area empty.
Besides being good load haulers and pretty fast airplanes, Bonanzas also are good for using relatively short airfields.

I said "airfields"- I know Tim Hancock can use his driveway with his Mini-Max and have room to spare.

[overman]

Congratulations dmcummins...

I soloed a C-150 on 24 Dec 1982. I'll never forget that day! I purchased a 1946 Taylorcraft, Model BC12D just prior to my C-150 solo and had to get another instructor to check me out in the taildragger. That plane was a blast and cheap flying to boot...

My son soloed last August in a C-150 while working an internship with Boeing. He found a flight school on Boeing Field and started his training during his time in Seattle.

[petrolhead611]

I also never have forgotten my first solo and how the 150 jumped off the runway.
First leg landaway airfield for the solo Navigation Flight Test was quite near to a glider field and apparently several students had landed at the wrong place so I was so relieved when I trurned up at the correct airfield although frankly as it had a horse race track right in front of it north and was virtually due east of a big cricket stadium I couldn't understand the difficulty of identifying it.
Flying solo from A to B once qualified became boring after surprisingly few hours hence I usually took a passenger or two.

[widgeon13]

Congrats!

[crustychief]

Congratulations!

[cashflyer]

Congratulations.

Bonanza and Mooney are both fast, complex machines.
Be sure you are ready, and be careful.

[FLYGEEZER]

Congrats on the solo and welcome to club! Stay with a simple airplane. a complex Bonanza or Mooney will get you in over your head in a New York second. Get some time in first and a 50 mission crush in you hat. Good Luck!

[widgeon13]

Good advice. Fast aircraft require planning and using checks religiously.

Congratulations.



Bonanza and Mooney are both fast, complex machines.

Be sure you are ready, and be careful.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

By Dottore: I remember my first solo very well. It is a moment of truth lifting off for the first time without anyone in the seat next to you.

+1 & it lights a fire inside you'll never quite forget. Unfortunately in my case, the attendant costs have kept me grounded for far too long. FWIW, I found the 172 a forgiving aircraft & very easy to fly; a good stable aircraft, especially for 'low-hour' guys. Welcome to the 'brotherhood'

Cheers
JB

[landrover88]

Congrats

I was about 20 on my solo it was one of the highlights of my younger years.

Something I will never forget

[Seahawk]

The first aircraft solo ranks up there with the first, um, "time"...enjoy every scintilla.

Ok, party time is over.

The real learning starts now. The cool thing is you get to decide what kind of pilot you are going to become.

Welcome aboard.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by dmcummins

Actually nothing I'm looking at will haul me and three of my buddies. All of us are 200lbs or better. The four would be me and the wife, and my son and his wife. And only for probably trips of less than 2 hrs. I think we could make due in a F or J model Mooney. I havn't got to really look at the Bonanza 35's yet. There is a local guy that said he would give me a ride soon. I'm just looking now, who know's what I'll end up with. Ive got plenty of time.

First of all, i LOVE Mooneys, but with 4 people, youre talking about maybe a 40 minute range.. (the two wifes are probably only a 50-80 pound difference than 4 males, and thats only @ 10ish Gallons of fuel) And man are they tiny inside. You will be actually rubbing shoulders with the person next to you. A V35 Bonanza is a MUCH better fit for your mission. ( or a Cherokee 6, Belanca, etc)

And yes, i still have my shirt tail and remember that day fondly!

[dennis in se pa]

Congratulations. This is certainly something to be proud of accomplishing. I am happy for you.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by petrolhead611

Flying solo from A to B once qualified became boring after surprisingly few hours hence I usually took a passenger or two.

That would be me and I have to wonder about the guy who could not, did not fly past his 5 mile comfort zone.

I don't SCUBA dive because even though there will be your buddy along side, there is no one to talk to.