So you’ve decided you want to stretch your wings and explore the clouds. How exciting! Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of being in control of a commercial plane. Or maybe you’re drawn to the idea of being able to spend a weekend enjoying the sights below as you soar over the countryside with a friend or loved one.

Whether you want to fly for fun or for a career, one of the major milestones along the way will be your first  solo flight training. Your initial training will be undertaken with an experienced instructor by your side in the cockpit. As you build your knowledge and grow your confidence, your first solo flight is the next step towards really spreading your wings. You will then spend a significant amount of your training building hours while flying solo.

Even experienced pilots will tell you that they still clearly remember their first solo flight. It’s a huge moment when your instructor tells you that you are ready, and steps out of the cockpit. Nothing beats the feeling of being in control as you smoothly take off from the runway, guiding the plane as you climb higher and higher into the skies.

What happens on my first solo flight?

On your first solo flight, you will taxi to the runway, take off and fly a complete circuit pattern around the aerodrome before landing and coming to a full stop. Your instructor will not be in the aircraft at all – the plane is entirely yours!

How do I train for my first solo flight?

Everybody starts by learning the basics of aerodynamics and flying. In the lead up to your first solo flight, your training syllabus will likely include:

  • Overview of controls (primary, secondary, and auxiliary)
  • Climbing, descending, and flying straight and level
  • Turning (while climbing/descending and while flying straight)
  • Circuit training (flying a circuit pattern around the aerodrome)
  • Take-off and landing
  • Stall recovery and emergency procedures

Once you master these things you will have the confidence to embark on your first solo flight!

How quickly can I do my first solo flight?

The most accurate answer to this question is that you will complete your first solo flight when you are ready. This is different for each student. Being “ready” involves a mix of both skill and confidence. You need to feel ready, and your instructor needs to feel that you are ready. Some students are over confident, while others have the skills but may be fearful of their instructor leaving them.

On average, students will attempt their first solo flight after around 15 hours of flight training, but some do it in as little as 10. Once you have successfully flown solo, the sky is no longer the limit! The feeling is something that will stay with you forever. You will have the confidence to fly longer and further, and power through your flight training.

Whatever your long term goals may be, your first solo flight is a key stepping stone to getting you there.