Flying alone
- Thread starter frfly172
- Start date
Shepherd
Final Approach
Probably more than 90% of my time in the plane is spent alone.
But then, I'm a crotchety old curmudgeon.
But then, I'm a crotchety old curmudgeon.
rbridges
En-Route
When I was asking about planes and useful load, someone told me 90% of my flying would be alone or one other person. They were 100% correct.
Sometimes you just need you and the plane. It makes sense.
bullwinkle
Pattern Altitude
I resemble that remark.
steingar
Taxi to Parking
Still want a one-seat aircraft for the social experience.
Bill Watson
En-Route
I like flying alone.
I prefer flying with my SO. I'm very lucky.
I prefer flying with my SO. I'm very lucky.
cgrab
Pattern Altitude
I took the backseat out of my Cardinal to lower the insurance. Never missed it.
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Bro do you even lift
I've mostly been splitting flights with another pilot bud of mine. last time I took 2 non-pilots up and both of them talked like talking is the last thing they'll ever do. they wouldn't shut the F up. it definitely increased my workload. I got to thinking that I might need some alone time in the plane lol.
NickC99
Pre-takeoff checklist
Sounds like you need an audio panel with Isolate Mode.
"Uh... I have some important instructions coming from ATC, so I'm going to split the intercom so I can understand clearly."
Stewartb
Final Approach
Solo flying has been an after work stress therapy session for me more times than I can count. I've always been able to compartmentalize piloting from the pressures in my life and I occasionally use that as a getaway tool.
I am the same way, I like to take people who are interested in coming, but a lot of my flights are solo as well.
BigBadLou
Final Approach
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Lou
How much did it hurt your CG? Cardinals are notorious for being nose heavy as it is, let alone with no back seat. A bag of cement in the cargo compartment helps marginally.
geneseib
Line Up and Wait
Alone in plane 45.7% of the time.
SixPapaCharlie
May the force be with you
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Sixer
I like flying alone. Especially at night.
Just up there in your box with the glow of the panel, watching the lights below.
Just up there in your box with the glow of the panel, watching the lights below.
Even back when you had the Stinson? That's not been 20 years has it? Gosh we're getting old.
I do like flying alone. There's something really peaceful and free about it. Of course, I usually have Margy along but frankly, I'm happy to sit in the right seat and look out at the world going by as well.
For me the percentage depends on whether you're counting hours or counting landings and the difference is rather large.
cgrab
Pattern Altitude
I never noticed a difference. You can overload the front with some really big guys but one in the front and full fuel is fine.
In fact, I was able to fill the back up with camping gear for OSH last year with no problem in the aft CG either.
I have a PSEngineering intercom. I flip the ISO switch. Works wonders.
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Bro do you even lift
danhagan
En-Route
wanttaja
En-Route
Yep...bought the current Fly Baby in summer 1996. In the ~18 months prior to that, with the partnered Stinson, I'd flown 37 Young Eagles.
It's hard to nail down, but there's a sense of "rightness" in flying a single-seat airplane. Everything's there for *you*, not lying fallow waiting for some second person to sit down.
Ron Wanttaja
wanttaja
En-Route
On one of my Young Eagles flights in the Stinson, I had three kids and board. As we rolled out onto the runway, the two in back discovered they could get weird audio effects if they both went "Weeee---owwwww----youuuuu" into the intercom at the same time.
I just dropped my hand down and turned down the volume on the intercom. Over the engine noise during the takeoff roll, though, I could hear both kids shouting "HEY MISTER WE CAN'T HEAR OURSELVES!"....
Ron Wanttaja
wanttaja
En-Route
I've got $100,000 passenger liability coverage in my Fly Baby's insurance. It's easier just to leave it. Even if eliminating the clause would reduce my premium by 10%, we're just talking $25 or so.
Ron Wanttaja
brcase
En-Route
Glider is a single seater, never fly alone I always fly with at least one other glider. Average flight time is usually 4 hours, turn down the radio if I really want to be alone.
Brian
Last edited:
jspilot
Cleared for Takeoff
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jspilot
I fly alone a lot. I tell anyone who will listen that this is the time in my life when I'm most at peace. It's exceptionally awe inspiring to be in a small plane by yourself on a beautiful day( especially at sunset).
Challenged
Pattern Altitude
Ideally I would own 2 planes, something like an RV for 95% of my flights when it's just me and then maybe an A36 when I take the family somewhere. I really enjoy flying my family on vacation, but it's kind of annoying to have to own one compromise airplane for both missions.
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Sent from my XT1045 using Tapatalk
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Velocity173
nosehair
Cleared for Takeoff
Good for my soul to see there are still flying souls out there. So many of the content of the coments have been "why do we have to have solo time in training for certification?".
Maybe this thread might make some answers.
Maybe this thread might make some answers.
denverpilot
Tied Down
docmirror
Touchdown! Greaser!
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Cowboy - yeehah!
Geez, I thought it was just me. Seems like everyone is on the alone bandwagon. Er - I mean everyone wants to be alone. Um - I mean we all want to be together in being alone. Oye - well, you know what I mean.
I wrote one of those questionable threads a few months back about the feeling of seclusion, even a small bit of paranoia on those long desert trips solo at 11-14k. I look down at the desolation, and realize that there is nothing under me at all except a few bars of Al and a lot of air. It can be disquieting, and someone posted a very nice study on the effect which I can't recall right now. I still enjoy it, but there is a sense of disconnectedness that is hard to define right.
I wrote one of those questionable threads a few months back about the feeling of seclusion, even a small bit of paranoia on those long desert trips solo at 11-14k. I look down at the desolation, and realize that there is nothing under me at all except a few bars of Al and a lot of air. It can be disquieting, and someone posted a very nice study on the effect which I can't recall right now. I still enjoy it, but there is a sense of disconnectedness that is hard to define right.
Fastglas
Pre-takeoff checklist
I just flew a light sport from Naples, FL to Minneapolis, MN alone for 12.4 hours. Very relaxing. Crank up the tunes and enjoy!
falconkidding
Line Up and Wait
I hate flying alone, well not really but flying cessnas isn't rocket science and honestly kind of dull other than landing. Other people make it fun I like teaching and watching them have fun. Now if I had access to an aerobatic plane I'd enjoy flying alone more.
FlySince9
En-Route
I'm not sure if I'm lucky or not but I seem to never get to go alone... My girlfriend loves to fly and always wants to go; gets mad if I go and don't tell her... My dad was a pilot, lost his medical years ago... when girlfriend not able to go...he steps up... now my nephew has the bug! where does it end???? I'll never solo again...
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Velocity173
Nope, Velocity 173. I do plan for 160 kts though. Didn't quite get it this time with a slight headwind but was easily doable with 13 gals to spare.