How long does it take to solo?

ifresh21 · Starting to 'Torque Joined: Aug 10, 2010 Posts: 25

Hey,

I am considering flight training in R22s. I have pre solo experience in cessna 172s (about 14hrs) and am good but am waiting till I turn 16 at the end of the year so I can solo.

But anyways how many hours does it take someone to solo? Like low average and high estimates kinda thing.
How long did it take you? to those who have done it

Im just trying to find out for cost reasons

Thank you very much

rjc · Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject:

Should not make any difference when you go solo for costs when training, as even solo flights are charged at the dual rate until you have passed your PPL.

Seems odd, but technically you are being supervised hence the dual rate.

ifresh21 · Starting to 'Torque Joined: Aug 10, 2010 Posts: 25

Thanks for the quick reply

Forget what I said about cost then. I just want to know how long it takes. Please Smile

oi_martin · H Addict Joined: May 06, 2005 Posts: 671 Location: Didcot

I dont fly myself but the answer is probably how long is a piece of string, depends on how quickly your instructor thinks you are competent to go solo.
There is a lot more to know about flying helicopters than planes.

Always good to go along to a school and have a trial lesson, see what you think from there. Think most people on here got hooked from the trial lesson.

LoachBoy · H Addict Joined: Mar 03, 2010 Posts: 253 Location: Devon

If memory serves me correctly, I think there is a 25hr minimum (it may be 20 - sure someone will correct me if so), before you can solo.

You will also have to have passed a couple of the theory exams, and obviously completed a number of the flying exercises to a satisfactory standard prior to your instructor stepping out.

Think I went solo at 27hrs (flying once a week).

flip2 · High Flying 'Torquer Joined: Sep 05, 2009 Posts: 225

Which country you are flying in will also have a bearing:
This forum has a UK bias.
The responses on Bladeslapper have an Australian bias.
If you were to try Just Helicopters you'd get a US bias.

The reason the country has an impact is because of local legislation (eg the US 'SFAR 73' requires a minimum of 20 hours dual for Robinsons), different syllabi, different training environments (complex and/or busy airspace) and, to an extent, some institutionalism.

This is on top of:
Insurance minimums
Frequency of training
Competence
School policies
Differing opinions of instructors

PilotWolf · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:05 pm Post subject:

lancsman · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 3:11 pm Post subject:

flingingwings · H Addict Joined: Apr 12, 2008 Posts: 280

Ifresh21,

Who cares? It's not a race.

When an Instructor feels a student is ready then they'll solo. Some places do 'it' once a student has just about managed the basics, others wait a few hours longer : a) to stop any ego competitions b)to further safeguard that in the unlikley event of an incident the solo student stands a higher chance of responding correctly.

lancs - if there was an incident/accident it would be fair to assume that the CAA/AAIB would be taking a close look at training records and the FI's decision making if prevailing conditions or pilot ability were in question.

Another reason for the dual rate logic may well be that as FIs are predominately paid per flying hour only, and whilst supervising they can't really go off and do (earn) anything else, it safeguards an FIs income. My pet hate is charging dual rate for tests and a test fee too Rolling Eyes

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W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.

rjc · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:06 pm Post subject:

WhirlyGirl · Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject:

Flinginwings is absolutely right, it is not a race and whilst I'm sure the original poster is only curious, I have come across people who have all but TOLD me when they are planning to go solo! I even came across a student once who booked in and said that he would cancel if the weather conditions were not good enough as he HAD to go solo on that day.

I don't get annoyed very often but people who think they know better and think they can influence your judgement as an instructor shouldn't be flying. Same goes for people who tell you they are going to complete the course in 45 hours no matter what when they have only done about 10 and have absolutely no qualification to make that decision!

Do they want to be released into the sky with minimal knowledge and skill? I wouldn't want any student going out there without having thoroughly covered the relevant exercises and emergencies. Having myself gone solo at just 13.9 hours and finished the PPL in 45, I know how much can get left out and how many holes there can be in one's training if corners are cut! Scares the crap out of me when I think about what I DIDN'T know as I bimbled around the circuit at 14 hours!

Don't rush... better to be safe than sorry.

Sarah
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CPL(H) / FI(H) - Cabri G2, R22, S300, R44, B206
Flight Examiner (H), Ground Examiner (H)

ifresh21 · Starting to 'Torque Joined: Aug 10, 2010 Posts: 25

PilotWolf · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2010 9:29 am Post subject:

ifresh21 · Starting to 'Torque Joined: Aug 10, 2010 Posts: 25

flingingwings · H Addict Joined: Apr 12, 2008 Posts: 280

You need a dictionary Cool

Solo -a flight in an airplane (or helicopter) during which the pilot is unaccompanied by an instructor or other person.

So 16 or 116 its basically the same.

I wonder if you're missing the point though. It's not you that decides when you'll solo. It's your instructor. Your attitude is just as important (if not more so) than your ability.

Are you merely looking to fly until you've flown the 1st solo?
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