Chapter 9: Solo Flight-Contact 4401

CHAPTER NINE

SOLO FLIGHT - CONTACT 4401

900.

INTRODUCTION

For most students, the Contact 4390 will be the most demanding task undertaken to date in their

aviation career. While the safe-for-solo check is certainly challenging, successful completion is

a rewarding, confidence-building experience.

901.

THE SOLO FLIGHT

Preflight Preparation

Physical preparation. Make sure your body is well rested. The average sleep

requirement is eight hours during each 24-hour period. However, needs will vary

with each individual. Lack of sleep means a lack of awareness. You should have

learned your procedures all along, so do not try to "cram" the night before. Get a

good rest. If you have received your training properly, all that is necessary to prepare

for the check flight is a review. Make sure that your body is well nourished. If you

eat a well-balanced diet regularly, you will have a sufficient energy supply. Do not

depend on a coffee and donut breakfast, or a coke and candy bar lunch. As always,

avoid self-medication if you are sick. Do not hesitate to see the flight surgeon. He is

well aware of an aviator's needs, for the flight surgeon has gone through a special

flight training regimen himself. If you are ill, you do not belong in a cockpit.

Mental Preparation. You must know your Standard Operating and Emergency

procedures before the flight. Since you have passed your check flight, you have

demonstrated that you can safely operate the aircraft without assistance. However,

you must be even more prepared for the solo, as there will not be an instructor to bail

you out of critical situations. Study those procedures, especially those requiring

immediate action. Prior to the solo, plan your flight in order to make efficient use of

the limited time available. Review the course rules for the area in which you plan to

operate. Pay particular attention to location of fields that may be utilized in the event

of an emergency. You should also ensure that you have the proper flight equipment

(I.D. tags, etc.) and checklists in your possession. (The wearing of ear protection on

the flight line is mandatory.) Prior to leaving the FDO's desk, you should find out

which fields are available for solo operations, their status and operating hours. Ask

the flight duty officer if he has any information that may pertain to your flight. And if

you have any final questions, do not hesitate to ask.

Ground Procedures. You will be assigned an aircraft for which you are solely

responsible once signing the "A" sheet. Inspect all the gripes on the aircraft carefully.

Once again, if you have any questions do not be afraid to ask. Take note of any

repeat gripes of a serious nature. Do not accept the aircraft for flight if there are any

outstanding gripes which must be corrected. Maintenance Control retains the yellow

copy of the MAF in the book to indicate that required action on previous gripes have

SOLO FLIGHT:

CONTACT 4401 9-1