First Solo In Actual Conditions

"David Brooks" wrote in message ...
On Saturday I had my first opportunity to fly solo in actual since my
IR checkride. One of my biggest concerns since getting the rating was
how I would make my first entry into actual without the benefit of an
instructor at my side. With about ten hours of actual during my
training I had always felt comfortable in that environment. But I
knew the true test would be doing it alone, or almost alone. Another
pilot who had just gotten checked out at my FBO and who had passed his
instrument checkride about a week earlier wanted to go up, so I
figured it would be a great opportunity to get some simulated
instrument time, knock off a little rust , and get an approach or two
in for currency.

Congratulations on making this a true workout and well planned experience.
But...

Because the other pilot was only checked-out in
planes with normally aspirated engines, we had to use one of the older
172s.

You do understand that FAA regulations would not have stopped you using any
single-engine plane? (you don't specify the difference) If he couldn't be
acting PIC, you would have been acting PIC even while right seat. I'm
assuming it's club regulations that forbade him either to be SP or left seat
in the other plane.

-- David Brooks


David,

Since we wanted to switch seats at the destination, he wouldn't have
been able to fly left seat without being checked out.

Dave