Simviation Forums

...to the joys of "flying"...>>>

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-ox ... e-20915906

Well done, that Lad!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

Paul.... ...!

Well done to him (it's not his fault that EASA have brought along some idiocy), but...

...It's all well and dandy until a 14 year old goes and kills themselves. UK VFR airspace is exceptionally busy compared to some other EASA nations, and the thoughts of some of these aircraft being captained by people who've barely escaped puberty is, for a professional user of airspace which in the summer months made very congested by glider traffic, astonishing.

Mind you, some of the new rules and regulations brought upon us by EASA are beyond belief anyway. For example, all military pilots have had almost all of their civil license accreditations removed (a European standardisation of course). Yet they've allowed 14 yr olds solo.

Would I have let myself solo at 14? Not a chance. Being able to do it with someone with you is one thing. Once you're up there by yourself, it's another thing entirely.

As I say, just wait until the first 14/15 year old gets in wrong, and it appears in the Daily Mail...

Mind you, some of the new rules and regulations brought upon us by EASA are beyond belief anyway. For example, [glow=yellow,2,300]all military pilots have had almost all of their civil license accreditations removed[/glow] (a European standardisation of course). Yet they've allowed 14 yr olds solo.

I find that astonishing. However, being allowed to fly solo in the vicinity of the airfield doesn't make one a pilot. I assume that he will still be supervised by an instructor for some time yet in the same way as a student pilot in a powered aircraft. I believe the minimum age for the first solo in a powered aircraft is 16 (actually 15 1/2) but the minimum age for a PPL is 17. It's not unusual to qualify for a PPL on one's 17th birthday.

Things have changed a lot since my day. I got my A & B gliding licence (which I still have) at the age of 16 after 3 solo circuits of the airfield. Happy days! 8-)

I find that astonishing. However, being allowed to fly solo in the vicinity of the airfield doesn't make one a pilot.

It does make one captain of an airborne vehicle though. A lot of responsibility for such a young, potentially mentally quite immature, person.

I assume that he will still be supervised by an instructor for some time yet in the same way as a student pilot in a powered aircraft.

You'd hope.

I believe the minimum age for the first solo in a powered aircraft is 16 (actually 15 1/2) but the minimum age for a PPL is 17. It's not unusual to qualify for a PPL on one's 17th birthday.

And long may it stay that way.

The tragic case of Sam Cross

and here too

Unconvinced. But then again, a lot of things that come out of Europe are unconvincing.

I find that astonishing. However, being allowed to fly solo in the vicinity of the airfield doesn't make one a pilot.

It does make one captain of an airborne vehicle though. A lot of responsibility for such a young, potentially mentally quite immature, person.

I assume that he will still be supervised by an instructor for some time yet in the same way as a student pilot in a powered aircraft.

You'd hope.

...................

Unconvinced. But then again, a lot of things that come out of Europe are unconvincing.

In practice nothing much has changed. These are the current BGA regulations. http://www.gliding.co.uk/forms/lawsandrules.pdf

Note: BGA Operational Regulations
[glow=yellow,2,300]Minimum Qualification to Fly Cross Country. The pilot in charge of a glider may not deliberately undertake a cross-country flight unless he holds a Bronze Badge with cross-country endorsement or higher qualification and carries with him charts marked clearly with the controlled and regulated airspace
[/glow]
"Solo Endorsement
Age
The minimum age to qualify for the Solo Badge is 14.

Requirements
Minimum Experience;
a) Completion of the pre-solo elements of the training syllabus
b) One solo circuit in a glider or motor glider in unpowered flight after the launch, followed by a satisfactory landing; and
c) An appropriate level of knowledge of rules of the air and local airspace restrictions must be demonstrated to the supervising instructor at the time of the first solo flight

[glow=yellow,2,300]Bronze Endorsement
Age
The minimum age to qualify for the Bronze Badge is 16.[/glow]

Requirements
Minimum Experience;
a) Completion of the training syllabus; and
b) 50 solo flights in a glider or 20 solo flights and 10 hours flight time (a mix of dual and solo flying) in a glider. Subject to specific agreement on an individual basis by the BGA, the 10 hours may be reduced by 50% for applicants with prior relevant experience."

I am constantly amazed by "youngsters", when it comes to flying...
..especially when I read of stories about the very young teen-age pilots flying highly complex single and multiple-engined military aircraft during WW II, following very little training!
I try to compare them to myself, at the same age... ...!
...very brave, capable Lads!

Paul... ...!

I am constantly amazed by "youngsters", when it comes to flying...
..especially when I read of stories about the very young teen-age pilots flying highly complex single and multiple-engined military aircraft during WW II, following very little training!

Trained at a high intensity with good continuity though. Makes things a bit easier.

Thank heavens solo x-country is at 16!