for the First Solo
Definition | Required Exercises | Emergency Procedures | PSTAR | Radiotelephony Certificate
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Medical | Identification
| Age | Student
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Long? | Stories
What is the First Solo
The "first solo" is the first time a student flies the airplane
the flight instructor, or anyone else, on board. Many people are
to learn that occurs before completion of training. Students
a huge importance to their first solo, and many pilots remember it in
detail even after many years of other flying.
There is no minimum instruction time requirement for a first solo in
When you have completed all the pre-solo requirements, and your
feels you are ready, he or she will have you land, get out, and send
flying on your own. At most schools, the first solo is just one
one take-off, about five minutes in the air, and then a landing. As the
continues, students go on longer solos, even to other airports.
It's obvious that to fly solo, you must be able to take off and land,
you must also be able to cope with a number of specified situations.
be able to avoid, recognize and recover from stalls, spins,
and spiral dives. You must know how to execute an overshoot,
a crosswind landing, and a runway change. And you must
and be able to demonstrate the correct procedures in the case of emergencies
such as an engine failure, a fire or a communications
failure. Your instructor will initial the front of your PTR as you
Memorizing the emergency procedures is part of the required exercises
above, but I am listing it as a separate item, because it is something
can do on your own. If you have not been given an emergency checklist
the airplane you fly (it may be on the back of the normal checklist),
can find the emergency procedures listed in the aircraft flight manual.
your instructor to explain anything you don't understand, then memorize
It is more important that you memorize the actions than the
Some students practise them by sitting in the airplane on the ground
the engine turned off, and putting their hand on each required control
The PSTAR is a multiple
test of air law and basic procedures. Everything you need to prepare
it is on this website in Robyn's
If the airplanes you fly are radio-equipped, you will need to earn a
Operator's Certificate. To do this, study the guide
from Industry Canada
and then write the exam your school has for you. The exam is terrible
annoying, but you only need to get 70 percent on it. There are some
on the exam that aren't covered by the study guide for the Aeronautical
but are only present in the general
guide. Look at the section on lead acid
storge batteries near the end of this guide. If
Industry Canada site is unavailable, try this copy,
from Smithers Secondary School.
Some schools do not administer the exam, and award the certificate
on instructor recommendation. Ask your instructor before you invest the
Your school may require you to complete some additional paperwork or
in order for you to be covered on their insurance as a pilot.
Usually you will have to complete and sign a rental contract, agreeing
operate the aircraft only in accordance with the procedures and laws
been taught, and to pay the deductable if you damage it. You will
also write a small test, using the aircraft POH, to show you know how
the important speeds, carry out emergency procedures, and calculate
take-off and landing distances.
Some schools have a local area knowledge test, to ensure that you
remain clear of restricted areas and busy control zones, and know which
Your flight instructor should be able to tell you what other paperwork
must complete before solo.
A pilot's medical certificate is possibly his or her most valuable
It's a small beige piece of paper certifying that he or she meets the
standards required to be a flight crew member. You need to have one of
own before you fly solo, and you must have it with you every time you
an airplane. The six digit number on your medical certificate is your
Canada file number, and will become your pilot licence number for all
licences in Canada.
Don't wait! Start the process
getting a medical right away.
You must show the school a valid (non-expired) passport OR Birth
OR a Citizenship card that has a photograph of you. If you do not have
of the required documents you will have to obtain one. This Government
webpage gives information on how to obtain one of these documents.
drivers licence is NOT enough.
You must be fourteen years old to fly solo. Some students
training at twelve or thirteen, and then fly solo on their fourteenth
There is no maximum age. If you are under 18 you will need a letter of
from your parents.
After all the exercises are complete and all the paperwork has been
an authorized person can issue you with a student pilot permit. Your
instructor knows where to find (or might be) an authorized person. All
have to do is check that your information is correct, and sign the
when it is ready. You must be carrying a student pilot permit with you
all solo flights.
Your instructor will not get out until you personally are ready to fly
You wil be pilot in command for that flight, so you yourself must also
that you are ready. Don't feel pressured. If you turn down the first
your flight instructor will work with you until you feel ready.
Your instructor wants your first solo to be a safe, enjoyable
so even if you are ready to solo, you probably won't on a day when the
could make you anxious or make aircraft control more challenging. If
is extremely busy with traffic and the air traffic controllers are
to scream at people and tear their hair, it may not be the best time to
a student pilot. Don't worry, though: it WILL happen.
How Long Will It Take?
Everyone always wants to know this. My best answer is "it
For an amusing look at the factors affecting the time before you
solo, have a look at the Dauntless
Software Time to Solo Calculator. It's based on American
so some of the questions are not applicable in Canada.
Delays in solos due to weather are common. I have personally seen
solos delayed by crosswinds, terrorist attacks, illness, delayed
low clouds, an instructor who couldn't fly because he slammed his hand
the door of a Learjet, mechanical problems with the aircraft, fog, a
birth certificate, and students who were otherwise ready to fly solo
having a bad day.
I am working on a page with accounts of first solos. I'd love to hear
Robyn's Flying Start
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This page written 10 December 2002 by Robyn
Stewart. Last revised 9 August 2004.