First actual solo...haha

[goosegagnon2]

So today, I had my first actual solo for my ppl. I solo'd before but that was just staying in the pattern doing touch and goes...not really much to it. This time I actually was to leave the pattern and work on maneuvers and stuff in a practice field about 15 sm from the airport. Well good news is that the cessna and I both made it back in one peice. I goofed up twice though, once on takeoff when I was position and hold on 36, then recieved the call for takeoff, but I freaked out when I saw the plane that took off before me like 600 meters ahead already in the air, so I cut the pattern short (without telling ATC) and didn't finish my upwind....(I thought I was going to hit him from behind) while I thought I was avoiding a potential accident... I actually was about to create one...I was crossing the middle of the downwind..that luckily didn't have any planes coming around. ATC was like "wtf are doing?" I said "uhh student pilot?" then he continued to harass me so I looked like an a$$ on the radio. The next mishap occured when I didn't switch to company freq. and actually gave out my position on the tower freq....once again ATC felt inclined to make me look stupid. but I guess it went well overall and I wasn't as nervous. Anyone else have problems with ATC harrassment?

 

[skidkid]

ATC really only provides harrassment when deserved, sounds like you deserved on both counts, no big deal thick skin and all, did you learn something? did you get home alive? if you answer yes to both then no harm no foul.
"uhhh student pilot" as a response is an open door to more harrassment but he was also probably keeping an eye on you for both your safety and the others in the pattern.

If you think ATC is actually AFU and youa re not jsut say "mark tape"

 

[goosegagnon2]

haha yeah I deserved both of them, I actually laughed about it once I got out to the practice field, but ATC just made my armpits sweat a little more. I definitly learned from it..more importantly though..I feel alot more confident on my own now....mark tape? whats that mean?

 

[gregsivers]

Hey congrats man. My first solo felt like quite the accomplishment to me. First of many on your way to wings.

 

[fighterpfeif]

gagon I still mess up with ATC and pattern work. Just don't hit me in the pattern, ruin an aircraft, or hit something else and if you are going to crash ride the sucker in, because you'll probably ask yourself why you didn't when the FAA comes and ripes you a new one.

Seriously don't freak out. You know I got plenty of hours and trust me over half of those saw me doing something stupid. Today I was flying back from Washington and botched a call and messed up the squence of landing traffic, ATC is like "UH! Standby..." Also the guys in the tower are there to help you. Other here students make worse mistakes, landing on the wrong runway, landing with the gear retracted on a twin while on a FAA checkride. Just let it roll of your shoulder and try to change your voice next time you fly.

 

[mules83]

I have had one comm issue that got me into trouble. When I was flying at Riddle, the school had their own private arrival/departure procedures that approach and tower knew about. Well, one day coming in they asked me to do an arrival and I had no clue so I said that. The person on freq gave me a chewing and when I got back in to ramp in (calling ops), they said the flight supervisor wanted to see me. Apparently they called the flight sup about me so I got double the amount and was threatened with numerous actions. It all turned out ok, a good learning experience.

 

[plc67]

Congratulations from one who got his gold wings 35 years ago tomorrow.
By the way ATC is supposed to lend special guidance to student pilots and I believe you're supposed to identify yourself as a student pilot. Anyway, a huge accomplishment. One down and countless more to go.

 

[hourocket]

My first solo, just staying in the pattern, I had comms failure. Luckily it happened after I was cleared to land and I was on my Base, but it was an interesting expierence hearing the ATC trying to talk and I couldnt do crap. Finally when I was on short final they made me rock my wings to make sure I heard them, fun stuff. I picked up my CFI and she was laughing, but proud I didnt freak out.

 

[ATLien]

My first solo, just staying in the pattern, I had comms failure. Luckily it happened after I was cleared to land and I was on my Base, but it was an interesting expierence hearing the ATC trying to talk and I couldnt do crap. Finally when I was on short final they made me rock my wings to make sure I heard them, fun stuff. I picked up my CFI and she was laughing, but proud I didnt freak out.

Same thing happened to me on my controlled airport pattern solo. My alternator died and I lost all comms. They gave me the green light from the tower. I'm glad they did cause I was landing anyway! Honestly, I never saw their light and wasn't extremely aware of the rules either.

 

[Lawman]

Same thing happened to me on my controlled airport pattern solo. My alternator died and I lost all comms. They gave me the green light from the tower. I'm glad they did cause I was landing anyway! Honestly, I never saw their light and wasn't extremely aware of the rules either.

I got lucky on my second solo with something like that. Went taxi'd out for the ramp check and noticed while at power the alternator was not charging as it should be. Decided to be safe and just down the plane instead of seeing how far I could fly alone with no comms right after takeoff.

 

[Piperdriver]

Happened to me too on a T-45 solo. Went lost comm right after take-off. Squawked 7600 and flew to the initial for the break. The plane still fly's without radios, imagine that.

 

[Steve Wilkins]

haha yeah I deserved both of them, I actually laughed about it once I got out to the practice field, but ATC just made my armpits sweat a little more. I definitly learned from it..more importantly though..I feel alot more confident on my own now....mark tape? whats that mean?

One thing you should consider for any controlled field you fly out of regularly (or into, if you really do fly to the same airport all the time) is to take some time and go meet the folks up in the tower. Ask them to show you around and tell you what they do. Also, ask em how you can make their lives easier.

For your first visit, find out who was working the tower that day you solo'd and caused a bit of a mess for them. Buy whoever was working the tower that day a soda and take it to them. This does two things. One, it shows them that you really do care about doing things correctly, but you happened to screw up that day. Second, they get to see your face and maybe even attach a name to it. The next time you're out flying, they'll remember you and probably be more inclined to help you out. Anyway, something to consider.

 

[MattWSU]

Congrats Man. Not too far from mine.

 

[feddoc]

One thing you should consider for any controlled field you fly out of regularly (or into, if you really do fly to the same airport all the time) is to take some time and go meet the folks up in the tower. Ask them to show you around and tell you what they do. Also, ask em how you can make their lives easier.

For your first visit, find out who was working the tower that day you solo'd and caused a bit of a mess for them. Buy whoever was working the tower that day a soda and take it to them. This does two things. One, it shows them that you really do care about doing things correctly, but you happened to screw up that day. Second, they get to see your face and maybe even attach a name to it. The next time you're out flying, they'll remember you and probably be more inclined to help you out. Anyway, something to consider.

A Baker Zebra to Steve for suggesting this.

 

[Gatordev]

Wow, you are old school.