Finally...

[beefhole]

Well, I finally soloed on Saturday and Sunday.  For the first solo on Saturday, my mom, dad, brother, aunt, uncle and me friend Casey were all there, taping n taking pics, naturally.

Everything went fine, I wasn't even nervous.  In the end, it actually wasn't that satisfying because all my flares sucked.  But, all in all, it was a good time.

Full write-up here. Click on Beginner's Lounge, then btorph lesson 19/20.  I tried linking direct to the thread, it didn't work for some reason.  I know I don't actually have the full write-up there yet, I'm going to write it when I have a bit more time.

Just thought I'd let you gents know

[beaky]

Cheers!! Way to go!!  :)
What was wrong with your flares? Too high? Whatever the case, don't fret over it beyond figuring out where you went wrong. You'll do better someday, and probably will do worse at least once later on...

[C]

Nice one Beefhole! Congratulations!

[exnihilo]

Wow, congratulations!

[Hagar]

Good one. Well done Beefy.

[flyboy 28]

Good one, Beef. I'll keep an eye out in the airspace.

[Ben_M_K]

CONGRATS! I know you've been waiting a while for this one!

[beefhole]

Hey everybody.  Thanks for the replies.

My original problem with flaring was that I was doing it too high, yes.  I have since fixed that (or so I thought).  However, with Matti out of the plane, that little 172 was performing like an F-16, so I ballooned every single solo landing.  In the plane I was in, 53569, the throttle sticks when you try to make small corrections, so I was reluctant to add a little power like you were supposed to.  The result was meh to attrocious landings, but I got it down.

[beaky]

Figured it was the weight difference. It can be surprising. As for the throttle: dumb question, but you realize there's a friction-lock (that knurled ring on the throttle shaft) that allows you to loosen or tighten the throttle, yes? I'll often keep it real loose on takeoff and landing (and keep my hand on the throttle), then tighten it up in cruise, once I've set the desired rpms. Wth a little practice, you'll get good at working the locking ring with your fingers while still keeping your hand on the handle... shouldn't be hard to find a friction setting that allows it to stay put, yet easily be moved quickly and subtly.

[beefhole]

Yup, I jockey the friction lock a lot on the other planes, its 569 that has problems with it.  It's always either too loose, where trying to give it 50 RPMs will give you 75% power, or it's too tight, where you can't make miniscule corrections.  Very annoying (my instructor agrees that it's a problem with that particualr plane).

[Hagar]

[quote]It's always either too loose, where trying to give it 50 RPMs will give you 75% power, or it's too tight, where you can't make miniscule corrections.

[FLYING_TRUCKER]

Well done beefhole...well done

Your adventure is just starting my friend, enjoy it, have fun and learn something new each and every day and then...pass it on

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[Staiduk]

Great job; Beefhole - another step along the path.
Just one warning; because it often happens after first solo: don't get cocky. You're about to enter the 'ego range'; where some students' egos begin to get larger than their abilities. First solo is an incredible feeling and a great accomplishment! There's a long way to go yet.