Where are they now? ... first solo aircraft

[ZuluMike]

G-BASL now residing at Turweston I believe, been there a couple of times but never seen it

[BEX]

Summer 1985 at Hurn, Cessna 152 Aerobat, G-BILJ (universally referred to as “Bilge” at the time.... actually quite a nice aeroplane... well, I thought so!)

Usual first solo memories, seared deep into my brain, probably like everyone else.

After a few very average, but presumably safe (-ish!) circuits, The Oracle directs me to park over by the tower. He then asks me to idle the engine, opens the door and proceeds to get out. “Where the **** is he going?” thinks I, but all is revealed when he sticks his head back in and says “off you go, one circuit and meet me back here”

Gulp.

Off we (the aeroplane and I) trundle, down to the RWY 08 hold. Adrenaline and excitement. A heady concoction.

Cleared to line up and take off.

Power set, and … wow, this thing accelerates much, much faster without The Oracle's **** sat next to me... and we're airborne. Whoa! We're climbing much faster as well. Note to self : check actual mass of Oracle, rather than what he Says.

Downwind. Pinch self. “Am I really doing this?” Lift wing a little. Yep, Bournemouth is still there, so I must be. Little “yee haa” ! Before realisation that I now have to get back on the ground, without damaging either me or aeroplane, hopefully.

Turn final rwy 08. There is the unmistakable shape of a Dan Air HS748 at the hold, ready to depart. ATC advise him that this is my first solo, so he elects to wait...and watch. Wonderful. Now I have an audience. No pressure then.

… and I do one of my best landings ever (well, up til then). Lots of congrats on the radio, and I vacate towards the tower to collect The Oracle.

It takes several days for the silly grin to wear off (and I still get it when I think of this particular flight)

… and G-BILJ soldiered on, until being sold in Eire in 2008 where it's still flying

[Dave W]

It takes several days for the silly grin to wear off (and I still get it when I think of this particular flight)

Recognise that.

[VOD800]

This is a nice thread. Mine was 14th November 1991 at Skegness with Dave Coulson in an Auster, G-AMMS, now up for sale at Eggesford...



Those were the days - learning to fly in the winter! It did get very cold from time to time but it was a fantastic experience and I really enjoyed Dave Coulson's instructing.

[JWL]

Mine was in a Warrior, G-BLVL, blue and white at CSE in Oxford, Summer 1991 on a flying scholarship.

It was the same aircraft that Fergie (of Royal and toe sucking fame rather than Man Utd) learnt to fly in. It had a royal crest on the door! The left hand seat was a bit worn down, but I'm not saying that the broken springs were anything to do with her.......

Apparently still in service a Manston now.

[foxmoth]

I really enjoyed Dave Coulson's instructing.

Dave instructed alongside me in Blackpool many moons ago, is he still going?

[Pete L]

That name rings a bell from Cranfield - he must have got about a bit.

[Aerobat152]

I fly G-BLVL regularly out of manston!

Solo, QXC and test all in G-BGAB still at Manston

[mick w]

That name rings a bell from Cranfield - he must have got about a bit.

I flew with Dave in G-AJAM , a J2 Arrow , from Sturgate in 1977 , when he was on his way to his CPL /Instructor rating .

[TorqueSplit]

Forgot to mention earlier that my Bulldog first solo in 1975 was from Hamble.

Are there any other forumites with first solo flights/memories of that lovely airfield

[The Kid from Red Bank]

My first glider solo was 18th July 1982 in Slingsby T31 XN246 at Manston. This glider is now in the Solent Sky museum at Southampton.

My first power solo in Victa Airtourer G-ATEX at Southend on 8th October 1983. Last saw it at Halton a few years ago with an expired CofA.

Happy days

[Avi8tor]

My 1st solo was from Headcorn in G-RBIN, DR400 on 15 August 1984. Chief Instructor Mike McRobert was the very fine gentleman who opted to get out and let me aviate a single circuit alone. I still remember that the reality of being alone didn't really set in until downwind checks were complete and there was a short space of time to take stock of what I was actually undertaking.

Sadly the aircraft went to the aviation scrap yard after EFATO out of Rochester some time later.

[VOD800]

That name rings a bell from Cranfield - he must have got about a bit.

I believe Dave was at Cranfield. Is he not with Cranfield Flying School?

[Paul_Sengupta]

Hi Vince, it's nice someone else remembers her

G-TOMS. We have at least one of its owners (Leia) on here at the time of its demise. I believe another of the owners who used to post on here has given up flying.

Thread on the accident:
http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=67255

Thread on the AAIB report:
http://forums.flyer.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=69078

My first solo was in C172 N73668 at Bartow in Florida in um, April or May 1996.



It was painted in a different paint scheme then, with "AT&T Patrol" written across the top of the wings. I used to fly it when I went back to Florida for many years and have flown it in its new colours.

It's registered to someone in Michigan, but is showing "Cert Terminated".

[mick w]

That name rings a bell from Cranfield - he must have got about a bit.

I believe Dave was at Cranfield. Is he not with Cranfield Flying School?

According to this , he's still there , must have some shiney shoes by now ??.
http://www.cranfieldflyingschool.com/