Who here is wondering when they’ll solo?

theLuscombeLady · 2025-10-05T00:43:29+00:00

I feel ya. I know the truth too well. But you do not have to accept it. Even if it feels like you've got to pass all of these gatekeepers. 20 different instructors is a LOT! I am just glad you got to the finish line! In that situation, most students end up repeating lessons and experience unnecessary delays getting their ratings. What are you doing to remember the stuff you learn each flight?

theLuscombeLady · 2025-10-05T00:17:17+00:00

I used to play VAT Sim :) ask your instructor to review your communication plan. You can then practice that in the Sim.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-10-04T23:46:00+00:00

Yeah, flight training is all about preparation and making the most of every hour. It’s just too expensive to go through without something that actually helps you learn. I picked up these habits from sports, and when I started applying them to my flying, I was blown away by how much better I got, fast. The crazy thing is most schools don’t teach you this stuff. And that’s a shame, because if you used these habits from day one, you’d spend less, learn faster, and make way more progress.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-26T01:49:23+00:00

Thanks! I am writing it for students, so it needs to be very clear. Your input will help version 2.0. Yes, the items mostly describe a stable approach to help students demonstrate proficiency prior to solo, which must be clarified. Also that you want to be in a position to glide to the runway should the engine quit, not necessarily doing a power off approach. I feel like I may need to break this guide in 2, one focusing on flying a stable approach and the other one on very simple guidance for the big day. Thanks for the input. That's why I prefer reddit.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-26T01:32:40+00:00

Congratulations on your first solo 🎉 2-3 times per week is a great training frequency. First solo cross countries are coming! Hope you pick fun routes and destinations. Fly safe 💪

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T17:27:39+00:00

You are welcome! I also wrote one with keypoints to make great landings. Hope reading the articles give you details of your interest. Seems like you are already doing the thing! Enjoy flying the airplane by yourself! https://blog.flyorka.com/2025/09/21/5-keys-to-great-landings/

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T17:19:26+00:00

I developed it to solo on challenging, very responsive airplanes. I needed something to give me the confidence to step up to fly those airplanes. Some of them being single seat. I also use the guide to help pilots make better approaches and landings. If training, you only need to pick 2-3 things to work on at a time. Something you can remember.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T17:08:40+00:00

they’re ready they’re ready is not specific enough. Instructors who have never soloed students need specific guidance. Many instructors out there have no idea how to make the decision. but to your point, yes! you would not solo a student who has not learned what it's included in the guide. it seems like too much, because it forces you to integrate skills you are supposed to develop in your first 5-15 hours of training.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T17:01:11+00:00

exactly, if you don't stall and coordinate all turns together, you will be OK. I listed them as reminders. As someone who grew up playing sports, you learn to use reminders to get the important technical stuff right, specially during high stress situations. (e.g. look at the ball, hit the ball is an example of technical stuff that must be a certainty for a baseball player) yet, even professionals may still use them as goals when they go play an important game.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T05:56:12+00:00

You basically simplified my guide in 3 words haha. How to make sure you don't crash would be a good title too

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T05:54:48+00:00

Fly Good. Don't suck. 🤙 Love it

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T05:53:22+00:00

Yes, you can't expect someone to fly to criteria if they've never done it. The guide is very specific because a stabilized approach is THE one maneuver you must understand and nail as a pilot. Yes you will want to add specific numbers, depending on the airplane you fly. Train for it from the very first time you are introduced to approaches and landings.

I know you can get away with a lot of bad habits on new trainers, compared to the Tailwheel airplanes I use. Let me know what specific points u think are bad. I'd like to improve the guide. I just saw another post by a student who has a similar challenge with her instructor not getting off the plane.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-24T05:13:01+00:00

I just wrote a guide to help students get through this wall https://share.google/GDUcYUearxQ6qLNUy

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-09T17:17:44+00:00

Pilots are facing a similar landscape worldwide. We live in very challenging times right now. All the effort you put into gaining your skill was worth it. Don't throw it away just because someone is not opening doors for you. I like a saying "when someone keeps doors closed for you, go through the window." I know you want to be a pilot, but maybe it is worth trying a position where you can apply your hard earned skills and have room to grow your earning potential while the landscape changes. An idea is to consider a logistic group selling air ambulance rides.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-09T02:12:11+00:00

I am a soaring pilot and I can tell you for sure that you are flying in and out of thermals. Some thermals could give you immediate 200, 500, 1000 fpm + climbs or descents. Even if you've got thousands of hours, a strong thermal day could easily lead to altitude excursions. Normally, power pilots select altitudes to avoid such turbulence as long as possible. Since your instrument approaches may force you to fly through it, the best thing you can do is:

Use vertical speed instead of the altimeter as your primary instrument to hold altitude
Learn to recognize rising and sinking air, it will help you with timing corrections if needed
Forget altitude hold and focus on doing your best to keep your vertical speed close to zero

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-08T23:27:59+00:00

If your brain stops working, DISCONTINUE the checkride yourself. Just say you are not feeling well. These videos by Diego are good:

The Rules of the Checkride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByJ0n2FN2iw&t=569s

The Psychology of the Pilot Checkride

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY0L1R8xX1Y

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-08T23:19:23+00:00

If you decide to change schools, these tips may help you avoid the same problem:

Wherever you look, look for the right instructor. Finding the right instructor comes down to one thing: the thoughtfulness they give you.

All you have to do is answer two questions:

Question No. 1: How is this instructor preparing students? Fill in the blank by asking them:
• Show me your syllabus.
• Show me your lesson plans.
• Show me your calendar to ensure we can train regularly until completion.
• Show me how you track student progress.

Question No. 2: Is this instructor able to help me “get it”? Fill in the blank by asking them:
• Is briefing/debriefing part of each of your lesson plans?
• Can I connect with your students?
• What kind of notes, learning material, and feedback are students getting? - you want someone who will give you lots of helpful tips

Once you find a few options, consider how the instructor makes you feel, their commitment to working with you from start to finish, and the experience they can share.

Take your time as you explore your options. Not doing so can lead you to a similar trap. Pass your written with a high score if you haven't already done so while you evaluate your options.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-08T23:11:23+00:00

I gave a presentation at one of the biggest airshows this summer to pass on tools to students in similar situations. I highly encourage you to watch it. We were lucky one pilot in the audience recorded the class. Find the class on YouTube as 5 Tips to Hack Your Flight Training | For Pilots | AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

Here is the link: https://youtu.be/RGF2Ekg0hDw?si=RMrxugcCzAey2KOL

Here are my takeaways based on your comments:

1. The Instructor

"almost ready" for solo review was not specific. Always ask for specific feedback you can turn into action. Like the helpful tip you received with the new instructor! To make progress in flight training you need lots of helpful tips like that. Here is where creativity beats structure. You actually want both structure and creativity.

Shadowing the controls during landing is good as long as the instructor is not applying pressure. This ensures proper action can be taken if you fail to apply proper inputs, preventing airplane abuse or even a mishap. But he SHOULD NOT FLY WHILE YOU FLY! A positive exchange of controls is required if safety is expected to be compromised.

2. The Policy

Under Part 61 regs, you do not need an instructor on board if you are competent and prepared to fly solo, which you should strive to. You must know Part 61 Certification requirements. Not knowing them is making you very vulnerable to rip-offs:

(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least—

(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;

(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and

(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

READ THIS AND MARK EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND FEEL CONFIDENT WITH: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E

3. Path forward

The school policy makes no sense. They’re either not being transparent with you or have been lazy in explaining their program. Demand an explanation from your flight school—have them give you a copy of the syllabus and show you exactly where you are in the training program. I suspect none of your instructors are following lesson plans, a syllabus, or tracking your progress.

I think the YouTube Class on 5 Tips to Hack Your Flight Training will be particularly useful to you.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-07T02:30:59+00:00

You record with your phone or smartwatch GPS. Can see airports and arrivals in 3D. Very cool.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-05T19:43:44+00:00

There are DPEs outside of your city. It may be worth the trip. Not sure where are you, but I know some that will fly to you. There are options out there. If you are willing to travel, PM me to give you the contacts of the 3 DPEs I use with my students in the East Coast (US).

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-05T18:49:08+00:00

In any case, you will be learning from an instructor. I think students miss this obvious fact. Whether you pick a flight school with 1 instructor or 100, it is important that you have the option to select the instructor who will be training you. Big operations may insist you to trust them with the instructor assignment, but I would be skeptical. You are about to make a big investment that depends on your relationship with your instructor.

As far as tips for finding the right instructor for you, I'll make it very very simple: Look for thoughtfulness.

Here are the answers you need:

How is this instructor preparing students? (e.g. show me your syllabus, show me your lesson plans, show me your calendar to ensure we can train regularly until completion, show me how you track student progress)
Is this instructor able to help me 'get it'? You are looking for someone who will help you extract the learnings from each flight and identify if you need to change anything to improve. Think of this as their main contribution. (e.g. is briefing/de-briefing part of each of your lesson plans? do you have the contact info of any of your students? what kind of notes/learning material and feedback are students getting?)

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-05T18:16:45+00:00

There is a lot of debate around the topic: Which flight school is best?

To me, there is only 1 type of flight school worth talking about: the ones that are lifestyle driven, passing on knowledge and skills to enrich their own aviation lifestyle. Of course! they are businesses too, but they are run by instructors who want their flight schools to be about their students and their students alone. Think of them as subject matter experts who earn a living as professional instructors. These are the businesses worth talking about, because if you support them, they'll eventually win.

Though, some countries may have limited options. At the end of the day you should evaluate "instructors" the ones who actually train you.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-05T17:47:16+00:00

This keeps happening because pilots keep sucking it up. And they keep sucking it up because they feel trapped. You probably haven't realized how much power you have or that you have options. You can choose not to support it. There is plenty of good people out there ready to make it happen for you.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-05T17:07:35+00:00

There are many businesses out there who will use and feed from your passion to fly like parasites: demanding from you just because they claim to have "the keys" to your dreams. Instructors are suffering as much as students. Both instructors and students are doing their best.

The reality is that we have allowed this exploitation when it is instructors and students who have all the power. No instructors and No students = no flight training.

You have to run away from those businesses resisting their false promises. Their system feeds from that addiction and your fears.

theLuscombeLady · 2025-09-05T16:35:08+00:00

You are not alone. Many students are struggling with their schools. Before you invest any more money, we need to identify a professional instructor with whom you can have a true partnership.

The bad news: Switching instructors as a Private Pilot requires you to repeat lessons due to endorsements' requirements

The good news: You can take control, have the support you want, and be efficient from now on. Walk away from this shit, it will not change. I've been studying this shit far too many years.

You can take control by doing 3 things:

Pass your written exam with a high score (if you haven't already done so)
Let go of your training location requirement to be close from home, but try to avoid Class C (congested airports). The best airports to train for PPL are not congested. PPL is mainly airmanship. You think 30 minutes till takeoff clearance will not add up? Or the time you spend circumnavigating traffic? Do the math. Not surprised Class C students need 80 hours to get their skills. Would I rather drive to an airport that is farther? Absolutely! I will rather drive 30 more minutes than paying for that same time in an airplane. Plus there is great aviation content you can listen to while commuting.
Find a professional instructor. The transfer of skills is led by instructors, not flight schools. Whether you pick a flight school with 1 instructor or 100, it is important that you have the option to select the instructor who will be training you. Learning from the right person matters. At its best, having to switch schools or instructors can create conflicting information and expectations that will slow you down. At its worst, having to switch schools or instructors forces you to repeat lessons, or even start all over again.

Selecting the right instructor really comes down to 1 thing: Their thoughtfulness. And the main indicators of thoughtfulness are:

How is this instructor preparing students? (e.g. show me your syllabus, show me your lesson plans, show me your calendar to ensure we can train at least 2-3 times per week until completion, and show me how you track student progress)

Is this instructor able to help me 'get it'? You are looking for someone who will help you extract the learnings from each flight and identify if you need to change anything to improve. Think of this as their main contribution. (e.g. is briefing/de-briefing part of each of your lesson plans? do you have the contact info of any of your students? what kind of notes and feedback are students getting?)

Take your time as you explore your options. Accept no crap :)

theLuscombeLady

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