Solo Trainee Limits

Question 1

When should an ab initio trainee solo flight be planned to land at Valley wrt ECT if not night current?

Answer 1

Landing time at Valley should allow for a transit and landing at the diversion more than 30 minutes before the end of ECT.

Question 2

On your first solo, which radio calls do you need to suffix with the words “First Solo”.

Answer 2

The taxi and take-off calls.

Question 3

What are the X-wind limits for 1st solo?

Answer 3

Max X-wind at Valley AND diversion is 10kts, or 15kts if cleared.

Question 4

What is different about the first cct on your first solo?

Answer 4

First cct must be to go around.

Question 5

What is the limit on consecutive ccts on solos.

Answer 5

A maximum of 3 consecutive ccts (inc. go-arounds) before departing and rejoining via initial.

Question 6

What are the weather limits for a solo trainee to practice ccts during the day?
Cloud base
Visibility
Maximum Windspeed.
Maximum X-wind.

Answer 6

Minimum cloud base: 1200ft
Minimum Visibility: 5km
Maximum Windspeed: Mean of 30kts or gusts to 35kts.
Max X-wind: 20kts (or cleared solo limit <20kts).

Question 7

What are the weather limits for a solo trainee to practice ccts at night?
Cloud base
Visibility
Maximum Windspeed.
Maximum X-wind.
Cloud type.

Answer 7

Minimum cloud base: 1500ft
Minimum Visibility: 5km
Maximum Windspeed: Mean of 30kts or gusts to 35kts.
Max X-wind: 20kts (or cleared solo limit <20kts).
Cloud type: Ab initio trainees not to fly solo at night when CBs forecast in area.

Question 8

When solo on XXV(F) sqn, what is the maximum number of other aircraft in the cct if you want to do a VRIAB?

Answer 8

2 other aircraft.

Question 9

When solo, when is the earliest you may start the break on a VRIAB?

Answer 9

No earlier than 1/3rd of the way down the runway.

Question 10

What is the latest landing time wrt ECT for a non-night current solo student?

Answer 10

30 minutes before the end of ECT, plus diversion transit time.

Question 11

Is simulated IF permitted when solo?

Answer 11

No.

Question 12

What type of service do you require to descend below SALT whilst IMC when solo?

Does this still apply when in formation and the leader is an instructor?

Answer 12

Deconfliction service.

Yes

Question 13

Can you perform a visual inspection when solo?

Answer 13

XXV(F): No

IV(AC): Yes, but from echelon and line astern positions only.

Question 14

In what scenarios should the “trainee” callsign prefix be used?

Answer 14

1) If you feel you are not receiving enough support from ATC.
2) On initial contact with diversion airfield in the case of a genuine diversion.

Question 15

I am flying solo, and there is a royal flight in permanent class A or C CAS near to where I will be operating. How far must I remain from this airspace laterally? Am I allowed to fly underneath this airspace?

Answer 15

At least 5nm laterally.

Flight underneath permitted, as long as lower limit of airspace is at least 3000ft above MSFL.

Question 16

I am flying solo, and temporary CAS has been set up to accommodate a fixed wing royal flight near to where I will be operating. How far must I remain from this airspace laterally?

Answer 16

At least 10nm laterally.

Question 17

I am flying solo, and a rotary royal flight has a planned route near to where I will be operating. How far must I remain from this planned track?

Answer 17

At least 10nm laterally, or at least 3000ft above it’s max planned cruise altitude.

Question 18

Where would I find the usual (i.e. non-solo trainee) limits on royal flights?

Answer 18

The FIH (yellow book).

Question 19

What does the number in the brackets after the flying phase mean? e.g. Phase 3(20).

Answer 19

The number in the brackets is the crosswind limit, declared when the crosswind limit is over 10kts. E.g. Phase 3(20) means that it is phase 3, and only solo students with a x-wind limit of 20kts may fly solo.