Solo student pilot question

A

azaviator08

New Member
Just wondering if you could give me your opinion. My student is going on his first solo xcross and I told him to get his long one out of the way because there are a lot of easy uncontrolled airports along his route that would work out great. He also wants to make a stop at another uncontrolled airport along the way. So he will be making 2 stops other than his departure and destination airport. I thought that this would be fine. Does anyone think that this is to much for a student pilot to handle? Especially on the first solo xcross. I was doubting my decision a little bit. But, I think it will be great practice for him and both airports are uncontrolled. (He has a lot of recent practice at uncontrolled airports.)
 
How confident are you in the student?

CFIs I have known generally limit the 1st solo cross country to a repeat of a dual cross country. The new pilot leaving the nest gets the benfit of familiarity while still being far, far away from home. Plent of time for the "long" one as the second cross country.

There are exceptions, though. My first solo cross country was via a completely different route an my dual (and it would have qualified as my long one after 1997). Of course, I've always been pretty good at talking my instructors into strange decisions. Between getting lost, a radio failure on the way to a towered airport, diversion to an airport not in my endorsement, and being told "Call your instructor NOW!!!" when I checked in late on the ground with Flight Service, it was a great learning experiece :D
 
That is what I do with most of my students. I make them do an easy one. But, he asked if he could and I don't really see any reason why not. I feel pretty confident about it. But obviously not confident enough since I am asking for advice on here ;) I think I might limit him to one controlled airport on the way home that he is familiar with.
 
I would Probably say no. If you are questioning yourself that means you some doubts (minor or major) as to his skills at this stage. I haven't been doing this long (about 300 dual given) but I've taught myself the hard way that any doubt involving a solo student pilot is a big no go.
 
I would have to agree with the above. If you're doubting your decision a little, then you're doubting your student's ability to be able to handle the extra stop.

Stick with what you guys did together during the dual cross country that way there's nothing out of the ordinary and the route is something he/she has already experienced.
 
Always make the safest choice, IMHO. True, all students are different and the endorsements are your judgement of their abilities. I am definitely much more restrictive when they're not the 'sharpest knife in the drawer'...

My first solo is generally a repeat of a dual x/c as well. I like to keep the mission simple and gradually increase the complexity. I just see that as the simplest and safest way to do it. Likewise, I wouldn't make a first solo student do more than 3 landings his/her first time. Not that they can't handle it, but they're still new at this and as concentration starts to degrade, who knows what can happen.

One thing I would suggest, if it's not already in your school policy, is to have them check in with you at each stop.

-A.S.
 
IMO the only reason to do it is for the ability to say you did it. That being said I see no logical reason to do something that is harder before something that is easier.

Up to you obviously, but I personally will stick to tradition here, learning has been a step by step process from the time it started. We all know skipping steps, even if you will come back to them, usually leaves you worse off than better.

Toss in a little unsure and a little unfamiliar and it is only a matter of time...
 
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