Earning My Wings:
a video blog about learning to fly

UPDATE: Now that I’ve earned my wings, I’m still flying, still learning and the cameras are still rolling. This blog will remain open and active for those interested in the flight training process. However, if you want to see what I’ve been up to since becoming a sport pilot, come on over to EAA.org/abinitio to watch videos of my most recent flights. - Brady

Recent Comments
I have found that the hardest part of learning to fly, is finding an....

Congrats Brady! Loved reading about your first trip with your wife. ....

Hi Brady,
Can't tell you how much I enjoyed your first passenger....

Hey Brady, I'm going through this exact phase right now. I've had 13....

Brady.... Love what your doing.... only viewed a few of you videos....

Recent Posts
I'm going to learn to fly!!
About this video blog
Getting started
Selecting an instructor
I have an instructor!
Waiting...actively waiting
First day of school
In the Remos G3-600
Flight 01: First flight!
It's not a do-list, it's a checklist
Flight 02: steep turns, slow flight
Safety Seminar
Flight 03: Stalls, steep turns, slow flight
Flight 04: Stalls, stalls & more stalls
Flight 05: Ground Reference Maneuvers
Flight 06: Talking to the Tower
The Wonders of Weather Watching
Flight 07: Practicing Emergencies
Flight 08: Landings
I'm Official!
Flight 09: More Landings
Flight 10: Stalls & Crosswind Landings
Flight 11: The Learning Plateau
Studying
What's it like to solo?
Flight 12: Back in the air
Flight 13: Landings
A different point of view
Flight 14: Gaining Confidence
Flight 15: 1st SOLO
Flight 16: Making Good Decisions
Read, Study, Sleep
Written Test: PASSED!
Under the wing of the B-17
Recording in-flight video
Good News!
A Thorough Look-Over
Just For Fun
Flight 17: Back in the Air
Flight 18: Stalls, Slow Flight and Landings
Flight 19: Crosswind Workout
Flight 20: Practice, Practice, Practice
Flight 21: First Cross-Country
At the End of Taxiway Alpha
Flight 22: Short, Soft Field Landings
Schedules and Spring Showers
Flight 23: Class C Airspace
Flight 24: On the Numbers
Flight 25: 2nd Solo
Flight 26: 1st Solo Cross-Country
Flight 27: Solo Landings & Heavy Traffic
Flight 28: Feeling the Heat
Flight 29: Practicing Short, Soft Field Landings
Flight 30: Solo Review
Oshkosh Tower visit
Tough Decisions
Flight 31-32: Final Review for Checkride
I'm a Pilot!
Checkride: Passed!
My First Passenger
License to Learn

Thursday, June 11

Flight 25: 2nd Solo

By Brady Lane at 1:00 PM

Flight log to date Hours flown: 26.3 | Days since I started: 240 | Cost: $4,136.80

I've only soloed once before and it was five months ago, so in many ways this felt like a first solo all over again.

The first time you solo, there is a lot of attention and celebration, but the second time, there will likely be nobody watching (most times not even your instructor).

The fact that nobody is keeping an eye on you is an interesting feeling — a great feeling of responsibility.

Do other student pilots have this same feeling the first time you fly with no one else watching?

Even though it's been a while, I knew what to expect. Or at least I thought I did. I remember the plane climbing faster and the amazing view from being able to see out the entire right window, but there was one thing on landing I didn't notice on my first solo. You can really feel ground effect on landing. In fact, you have to prepare for it, because without the extra weight of a passenger the plane just wants to float about 5 ft. above the runway for a long time. I started to get the hang of it by the third landing, but also realized that the plane flies and lands quite a bit different without a passenger.

I mention in the video there was a temporary flight restriction just a couple miles north of Oshkosh for President Obama's visit to the area.   I checked right before our flight to make sure I had the latest information. Here is a PDF of the TFR.

map

Even though there wasn't a crowd gathered at my second solo I was just as thrilled when I taxied back to the hangar. And the fact that nobody was watching was strangely a great feeling as well.

10 comments: View - Post your own comment

Posted by Adam Smith @ 08:04 AM, June 16
The grass is a lot greener than the first time you soloed! Like you my flight training was interrupted by a maintenance problem. There was a six month gap before I soloed again in a different aeroplane (C150 vs Cub). I always felt I sort of had two solos... but really there is nothing to match the very first time.

Posted by Russ Hearn @ 04:44 PM, June 16
Brady! I'm in man! I passed my flight exam today and now I can finish ground school and start flying too. I was really sweating the exam because of my age(55) and I am sure glad it's over. God bless your flying!

Posted by Brady Lane @ 05:14 PM, June 16
That's awesome Russ! A big congratulations to you!

Posted by Brett Campany @ 07:58 AM, June 17
Great to see you're back on the solo track mate! Nothing like getting up there on your own. Shouldn't be to long now before your training's done isn't it?

You've got a great record of your training but I also highly recommend other students record their training as well. I've got this page up with a blog and heaps of photos here in Australia, check it out and to those new students, keep a record of your training because you'll love looking back on this time!

http://brettscollection.shutterfly.com/

Posted by Christine P. @ 02:44 PM, June 17
There's definitely a feeling of responsibility flying solo. I can't help but think, "What if something goes wrong? Will I do the right thing at the right time?" Of course, that's what all the training is for! But to go with the responsibility, there's a tremendous excitement and sense of freedom, too. We're very lucky as fliers to get to experience that feeling and that freedom.

Posted by Garrett @ 03:30 PM, June 17
Good Job Brady.. Looks like you are well on your way! The XC is gonna be a blast I bet. I have been planning XC's like crazy just for something to do..

www.mypilotchronicles.com

Posted by John G @ 01:16 AM, June 18
We want to see the planning in the vid!(time lapsed)
I have my Flight Test (Check Ride) tomorrow!
Excited and nervous as hell!

Posted by Lyn @ 08:58 PM, June 19
Wow! Fun to share the trip with you! Hope you keep this on your page for a bit. I know my husband will want to watch it.

Posted by Richard Jacobs @ 06:07 PM, June 28
Brady
6/27, red letter day for me! Check-ride and one hundred degree temps in Dallas. Watching your blog instilled some confidence and info when the going got tough. Just to let you know - YOU CAN'T BELIEVE THE FEELING YOU WILL EXPERIENCE GETTING THAT TICKET. Hooray, I'm a pilot!
Thanks for being there ...
See you in Oshkosh.
Dick

Posted by Brady Lane @ 09:38 AM, June 29
Richard: Congratulations on your certificate! ...and to take your checkride in 100+ temps is impressive. I'm glad to hear the blog helped you out on your journey. Please continue to chime in with tips and advice. Was your checkride what you expected it to be like? Be sure to stop by the learn to fly center at AirVenture because Jason and I will be doing a few forum Q&As during the week. I'd love to hear more about your experience.

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Earning My Wings: a video blog about learning to fly

Earning My Wings:

a video blog about learning to fly

Earning My Wings:
a video blog about learning to fly