There we go! I completed my first solo flight in a helicopter! After a flight with a lot of different exercises, emergency procedures and questions about system failures, the instructor said: “land over here, I am happy to say you can go solo!”.
I landed next to the H and let Simon out of the helicopter, he attached the seatbealts to the left seat and informed me my call sign was now “Student Helicentre 20” instead of “Helicentre 20” (to inform ATC this is my first solo) and that I was going to be just fine! He closed the door and walked to the H, giving me a thumbs up.
So this was it, my first solo! I did my last checks, did a 90 degree turn to the right to check behind me. Everything clear! So I did the radio call, this time using my student callsign, and after they acknowledged my call, I took off.
After entering the circuit I looked to my left and had to tell myself I really was flying alone now, it felt quite awesome. After the circuit I did my approach and landed in front of Simon, next to the H.
Last couple of days were amazing not only because my solo. Maaike was here again! We enjoyed everything as much as we could and had a beautiful time together!
I passed all my exams now except for my practical radio test. The scholarship deadline has been delayed to july the 31st so I got some more time to get where I need to be! Now that I am solo, I have to fly at least 10 hours solo, and do a navigation flight as well as a cross country flight with land aways, so a lot more stuff to get in to!
I’ll keep in touch!
6 Comments
Ids · June 10, 2014 at 11:18 AM
Jop, it is really exiting to see that you are making so much progress in a such a short timeframe!
I’m confident you will get your PPL before the new deadline. Have a great day, Ids
I Flew my 700th Flight Hour in Helicopters ‣ Pilots Who Ask Why · April 18, 2022 at 10:40 AM
[…] stuff to do. To read about how it all started and my first solo flight in a helicopter, check out this post. Speak […]
Completing my Solo Cross Country Flight ‣ Pilots Who Ask Why · April 18, 2022 at 10:30 AM
[…] To read about my first solo flight experience, check out this post. […]
My PPL Training Progress ‣ Pilots Who Ask Why · April 18, 2022 at 10:26 AM
[…] To read about my solo flight experience, check out this post. […]
More PPL Flying and Theory Exams ‣ Pilots Who Ask Why · April 18, 2022 at 10:23 AM
[…] After my exams the amount of flying hours a week will increase a lot. So I am really looking forward smashing the last three exams in order to boost my flying skills! To read about my experience during my first solo flight, check out this post. […]
The Private Pilot Licence Exams ‣ Pilots Who Ask Why · April 18, 2022 at 10:17 AM
[…] Stay tuned, and to read about my first solo, check out this post. […]