Stefen's First Solo

BECOME A PILOT WITH ANGLE OF ATTACK

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.
. It's that time -- First Solo. This is when you solo an airplane after going through your initial flight training toward a private pilot license. Stefan has been flying a lot, and as his CFI I've been giving him flight lessons to prepare her for this day. Truly this is a big day in his aviation journey.

Traditionally, the flight instructor (CFI) goes up for a few laps around the traffic pattern to make sure the student pilot is in the good head space. In this case, Stefan and I did a few touch and goes in N2423U. Then, verifying what I already knew, I jumped out of the airplane (on the ground of course) and he went for a rip!

We'd like to do something fun in the comments section - RATE EACH LANDING! Let us know how you think Stefan did with each landing down in the comments.

You could tell he was flying the aircraft well and had control the whole time. Even confidence I would say. And this IS a huge confidence builder, doing this first solo. From here, really, the aviation journey accelerates with all of that energy and confidence. The end of the private pilot training goes very quickly.

Stefan ended up doing 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in our newly upgraded Cessna 172. When Stefan got back, I 'cut his tail feathers'. Lots of people ask about that tradition. In the olden days of aviation and flight training, the CFI sat behind the student in a tandem aircraft. They'd tug on the shirt of the student to convey certain messages, like turn this way, or listen up. By cutting the feathers, it signifies that the CFI no longer needs to give those instructions to the student pilot.

Of course there are still many things that the student pilot needs to learn during flight training, but the first solo is still a huge day in their aviation journey.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
0:31 Meet Stefan
0:42 CLEAR
0:58 Flying with the Student
1:28 Takeoff
1:54 Rate Each Landing
2:13 First Landing
3:38 Second Landing
4:12 He's On His Own
4:57 First SOLO Takeoff
5:42 First SOLO Landing
6:33 Second SOLO Landing
7:16 Online Ground School
7:38 Third SOLO Landing
8:30 HE DID IT
8:47 Taxiing Back
10:38 Cutting the Tail Feathers
11:23 Final Comments
12:00 End Credits

#firstsolo #flying #studentpilot

[OortCloud]

This video was perfectly timed. My first solo falls tomorrow morning. I am excited!

[SeamusHilleary]

That’s a “CLEAR!” That makes Chris proud.

[mikeaarestad]

Good job. My first solo in 1972 was in a 150 and at the end of the runway I noticed the slap of the rudder cables for the first time. Also I was high on the landing with the instructor not in the plane. I went on to be a pilot/mechanic for the next 50 years. All good.

[WDMJ]

Nice Job! I am glad to see the tradition of the tail feathers is still observed.

[matthewstuckings]

I did one of the best landings ever on my first solo ... and of course my instructor wasn't with me to witness it! Huge sense of accomplishment. Congratulations to your student!

[hpruijs]

Solo landings: 7/10, 9/10, 8/10. Unlandings 10/10 every time. Congrats Stefen!

[cvmbdsp]

Excellent flying skills Stefan. You never forget your solo landings. My radio popped out of the panel on my first solo landing. I will never forget that for sure!

[lorrainehallett]

Congratulations Stefan, great effort,

2nd landing was great and yes you should talk to yourself more. I did my first solo last week and did something you also didn’t do - when you were congratulated by the atc, you said thanks but forgot your call sign after it. I did exactly the same in all the excitement.

Once again great job, thrilled for you both 👏🏼👏🏼

Scott, England.

[onebravotango]

What an incredible milestone, Stefan! 🛩✨ Your first solo flight marks a pivotal moment in your aviation journey. Your dedication and hard work have truly paid off. Each landing showcased your skills and control, proving that you're more than ready for this new chapter. Rating each landing sounds like a fun idea! I'd give them a solid 10/10 – impressive stuff! 🙌✈ Keep soaring high and building on this confidence. When I was a student pilot, my first solo gives a great feeling of accomplishment and joy. 🌟🚀

[TibDriver]

That 2nd landing was MONEY!! Nice job Stefen. Chris, you just do this so dang good!! I love these!

[enchantingmizoram]

Very good job. My 1st solo in a 152 back in 1982 in Delhi, lndia. It was awesome 😁👍👍👍

[CraftinglifeintheBush]

I’m about 7 hours into my PPL, and just did my first landing yesterday. His landing’s were pretty darn good. I’ll update when I do my first solo. Love your channel, God Bless You!

[jtflypegasus]

Congrats and that will be in your top 5 life experiences you will never forget!

[bryancozad]

Great job! I remember that day like it was yesterday. Keep going! 😎😎😎

[mochileroxpress]

I will be taken my PPL with AoA for sure. Great instructor, thanks for sharing this... throttle on!

[kevincollins]

Perfect flight congratulations way to go!

[r.k.williams]

Stefan CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST SOLO !!! Remember keep the rubber side down ! R. K. Williams 👍👍👍

[jamestharp]

After 45 years of teaching flying there is still nothing that is quite as exciting as the first solo of one of my students.
I remember my first solo as if it were yesterday. The corn was over 7 feet tall on either side of the runway and I didn’t quite know how to use rudder petals. The touchdown was with one wheel on the grass and one on the pavement. I thought for sure I was going to take out some of the corn with the left wing. Very quickly I realized that I had to step on the right rudder pedal to get back on the runway.
I think all of his landings were a 10 out of 10. Mainly because the airplane was totally reusable without having to do any repairs. Keep up the great work Chris. See you next year.

[TexasMidds]

Well, let's see. All landings occurred without damage to the plane, pilot or passengers. All 10s!
Well done!

[aviate]

WOW. Brings me back to my first solo. Similar situation... instructor hopped out, said to run the checklists and have fun, and off I went. I remember instantly feeling that something was just different in the cockpit when I started taxing and that's when it hit me that I was completely responsible for this airplane... after that initial "shock" it was like a switch flipped and I just did everything the way I was taught and made three laps around the pattern. I landed, shut down, and my friends and family were there to greet and support me on the ground. Really glad I decided to record it with my gopro... that's a memory I'll have forever.