Student Pilot - Solo Flight

Objective

• To practice normal flight operations and emergency procedures in preparation for the student's first supervised solo flight.  After the student has demonstrated ability to perform normal flight operations and a smooth landing the instructor may exit the basket and allow the student to continue in solo flight.

Elements

• Fly with instructor to build confidence prior to start of solo portion of flight

Equipment

• Airworthy balloon

Instructor's Actions

• Observe student's ability to confidently perform flight maneuvers within specified tolerances
• Allow student to continue in solo flight taking into consideration wind speed, availability of landing sites, and flight performance
• Specify length of flight and maneuvers to be performed in solo flight
• Maintain radio contact

Student's Actions

• Perform each maneuver as directed
• Practice selected maneuvers previously introduced
• Inflate and launch with instructor on board
• Ascents, descents and level flight (± 100 fpm for private)
• Normal approach and full landing
• Solo (you are alone)
  • weigh-off
  • Ascents, descents and level flight
  • Normal approaches and landings
  • Deflation
• Landowner relations
• Post-flight discussion 

Completion Standards

Prior to solo flight, the student must demonstrate the ability to confidently perform the maneuvers of the pre-solo portion of this lesson plan within specified tolerances.