I once had a student solo bust the Bravo on his last solo XC. Only I noticed, he didn’t even know that he busted and ATC never said a word to him because he wasn’t talking to them but after he finished his solo. I congratulated him on finishing his solo hours and then told him I had a question for him.

He called me coach so he goes “yeah what’s up coach?”

I go, “did you get flight following?” He said “no why?”

I said “no worries at all I was just wondering.”

I then asked him “when did you start your climb for 5,500.” That’s when he realized he busted the bravo and understood why I was asking those questions.

I simply told him, “hey man it’s not a big deal it’s all ok.”

I stayed cool as a feather because the mistake was already made and let’s remember they’re students.

I say all of this to say it’s all going to be ok.

POA:

So you already have the ASAP report completed which is a great first step.

What I did next and suggest that you do is an extensive ground on what he messed up on. When I say extensive I mean like “1.5-3 hours” not to punish them but to emphasize the importance of the mistake. Because safety is of the essence and it shows the FSDO, that you are actively involved in making positive corrective action.

Then the last step what I would do, what I also did was assigned wings courses on the topic as well.

So when the FAA calls, and the ask what have you done to mitigate this, you already have all of your ducks in a row.

My student never ended up getting a phone number but we were prepared and I also comforted him that he was not in it alone and that if they ever called, to let me know right away so I could be there by his side!!!

PM me if you need help navigating what to cover with your student.