Any Certified Flight Instructors here??

[bongodriver]

Here in Europe they have to be full stop, I can't say with confidence if the FAA is the same but I imagine it is, a long runway makes this less of a pain.

[Oldschool61]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

Here in Europe they have to be full stop, I can't say with confidence if the FAA is the same but I imagine it is, a long runway makes this less of a pain.

Question? In USA you need 20 hours with instructor minimum. Is that whats required to solo or the minimum total to get PPL? Is soloing strictly up to flight instructors opinion or can you solo at any point after a certain amount of time with instructor? I know that when soloing you cant have passenger (before PPL), but what if passenger has a PPL?

[bongodriver]

The minimum hours are for licensing, if during training your progress is really good and you have covered all lessons up to first solo then it is the instructors discretion as to when to send you solo, this can be achieved in as little as 10 hours approx.

[Oldschool61]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

The minimum hours are for licensing, if during training your progress is really good and you have covered all lessons up to first solo then it is the instructors discretion as to when to send you solo, this can be achieved in as little as 10 hours approx.

When you are aloud to solo are you only able to take planes from the flight school your using or do you get to use any rental plane from other sources??.

[bongodriver]

You are only allowed to fly an aircraft the instructor has authorised you to because technically you will be flying on the instructors license.

Another point to note is that the first solo sessions will only release you into the circuit for take off and landing practice, you won't be released to do any form of cross country or local area flying until you have done dual sessions dealing with navigation and practice forced landings, some instructors may even like to touch on some basic instrument flying too just to cover all bases, it can be an anxious time for us instructors sending students off solo, so we like to know everything has been covered.

[MB_Avro_UK]

I have a fair mix of experience. And I'm not an instructor.

I'm delighted that you and your family enjoyed your experience.

But being a pilot is not just about flying in clear blue skies in sight of the ground. Yes, that's great fun. But as soon as you move away from this scenario, flying becomes a lot tougher and demanding. A whole lot more.

Best Regards,
MB_Avro.

[Oldschool61]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

You are only allowed to fly an aircraft the instructor has authorised you to because technically you will be flying on the instructors license.

Another point to note is that the first solo sessions will only release you into the circuit for take off and landing practice, you won't be released to do any form of cross country or local area flying until you have done dual sessions dealing with navigation and practice forced landings, some instructors may even like to touch on some basic instrument flying too just to cover all bases, it can be an anxious time for us instructors sending students off solo, so we like to know everything has been covered.

I watched several videos on youtube by a guy in the UK who goes by the name neutrinoghost (youtube name) he has some really good cross country videos in HD. Ive watched them a few times and the cross country looks really simple.
Same stuff Ive done for years in FSX. I know the real planes flys different but it looks very simple, check this video out and tell me if hes knows what hes doing..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFwBiTS5cKA

[bongodriver]

The guy said he was on his CPL qualifier, so he is already at an advanced stage of flight training to a higher qualification, I didn't watch the whole video but my impression is he is competent.