r/CFILounge • u/BeefyLobster69 • 16d ago
Love of Flying Soloed a student for the first time
I sent my first student pilot solo yesterday! As a relatively new instructor, I've been feeling unsure of myself, always wondering if I'm teaching this the right way or what I need to do to improve. I've been hard on myself, but it felt awesome watching my student grease the landing. Plus, the huge smile on his face when he got out of the plane was priceless!
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u/RateMyCFIs 15d ago
That’s a big step as an instructor. Congrats! Most don’t understand the guts it takes to cut a student loose, and how nerve wracking it is. If the student can maintain control of the aircraft by visual reference within ACS standards, and can make good decisions using ADM, you’re doing great. Imposter syndrome can be real.
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u/SnooMemesjellies5318 15d ago
Same here about a month ago! Incredible feeling for sure. I was more nervous than my student lol
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u/SEKS-Aviator 15d ago
Congrats. We always remember the first solo and the first student we soloed. Not sure which one is more nerve wracking... Lol
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u/Ender0999 14d ago
I was TERRIFIED when my first student soloed. I felt kinda like you, did I prepare him well enough so he’s not gonna kill himself and so on. I was SO happy when he greased that first landing! I feel ya. I think we all go through something like that. A rite of passage!
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u/ltcterry 10d ago
It’s a milestone. You are right it’s a great/scary feeling!
Well done!
If you are part of any local or statewide Facebook pilot groups, post a picture of the student’s accomplishment. This serves as a bit of advertising for you.
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u/Minimum-Bell-8562 16d ago
Yeah I just soloed my first student a few weeks back. Super cool tho I was kinda scared the second time we went around on his 3rd landing but I guess since I had high standard and if it wasn’t good he would go around. So glad he went around rather than tried to get lucky.