PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flights?!

[Bumblebee]

Re: PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flight

I told him as far as the solo was concerned it wasn't possible.

this would have been helpful information in the first post....


good call, it is prohibited. You should be very firm with him about it, and depending on the situation (how well you know him) talk to his instructor about it as well. It's a solo for a number of reasons, mostly assumption of the risk should only be on the person who is learning (a unknowing passenger may think it is safe) additionally, the solo pilot needs to be completely focused on the task at hand, much easier when you are not concerned about another person.

 

[Adrock]

Re: PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flight

This kid could bring you (a CFI) along for a trip, but then it would also not be solo

 

[Lunchbox]

Re: PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flight

I believe the responsible thing to do is to go to the student's instructor and talk with him about what has happened and proceed based upon what that conversation reveals.

Isn't that a little childish? I mean, the student is probably a grown man. Just tell the student directly that's illegal, show him the reg and tell him to show the reg to his instructor incase he really was oblivious to it.

 

[trafficinsight]

Re: PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flight

Isn't that a little childish? I mean, the student is probably a grown man. Just tell the student directly that's illegal, show him the reg and tell him to show the reg to his instructor incase he really was oblivious to it.

I don't think so. It's possible that the student misunderstood his instructor. In which case if you take the student to task he may think the instructor is wrong/ignorant. I agree that the right thing to do is approach the instructor about what his/her student is telling people. Give the instructor the chance to clear it up, or if the student is blatantly ignoring regs, drop the student. Beyond that, it's not really my business.

 

[flyingbum]

Re: PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flight

I saw this happen back in 2007. A kid working on his Private took his GF along on a solo XC. The student said to me' "it's not a big deal". I asked the instructor about letting him take a passenger. The instructor replied, "I trust him". That's it, you trust him. I kept my mouth shut after that, If the instructor is willing to put his cert on the line then let him. I wouldn't want to hear any crying about it though when something goes wrong. I can't remember the guys name, but I think he is at Skywest now.

 

[Lunchbox]

Re: PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flight

I don't think so. It's possible that the student misunderstood his instructor. In which case if you take the student to task he may think the instructor is wrong/ignorant. I agree that the right thing to do is approach the instructor about what his/her student is telling people. Give the instructor the chance to clear it up, or if the student is blatantly ignoring regs, drop the student. Beyond that, it's not really my business.

Okay. I just figured that if the student really did misunderstand his instructor his training is over now with that instructor. Who would want to continue to teach a student when you get approached by another CFI who tells you that your student is indirectly telling other CFI's that you are teaching illegal practices. If the student made an honest mistake by misunderstanding and apologized to his CFI who decided to keep this student, there is going to be a pretty awkward vibe in the cockpit for a while.

 

[germb747]

Re: PPL student allowed to fly with "Friends" on Solo flight

I don't believe the instructor taught the student that he could bring friends along during solo flights. What instructor out there would be so careless with his ticket?

So, either the student is making this stuff up altogether, or the CFI told him it was legal for him to fly with you (since you're a rated pilot). But then, of course, you are the PIC and he is merely a passenger. He doesn't get to log jack (much less solo time) unless you want to give him instruction and then it's dual.

Either way, this student shouldn't be flying around solo if he doesn't understand the privileges and limitations of his student pilot certificate, and he really shouldn't be cleared to fly solo if he doesn't know the definition of the word solo. This understanding should be clearly documented on the pre-solo written test.