How to Prepare for Your First Solo Flight
By Zack Baz | Baz Aviation | CFI at Gillespie Field (SEE)
There’s nothing quite like your first solo flight. The moment your wheels leave the ground without your instructor on board is unforgettable — it’s the day you officially become a pilot in command. But how do you know you’re ready, and what can you do to feel confident when the time comes?
As a flight instructor here in San Diego, I’ve walked many students through their first solo. Here’s what I recommend to help you prepare — mentally, technically, and emotionally — for this huge milestone.
1. Master the Pre-Solo Knowledge
Before your instructor signs you off for solo, you’ll need to pass a pre-solo written exam that covers:
Airspace and VFR Weather Minimums
Airport operations (radio calls, taxi procedures, traffic patterns)
Aircraft limitations (POH-specific)
Emergency procedures
Regulations specific to student pilots (14 CFR § 61.89)
💡 Tip: Knowing your local procedures cold will help you feel much more prepared in the cockpit.
2. Be Comfortable With the Basics
You don’t need to be a perfect pilot to solo — but you do need to consistently demonstrate safe, competent control of the airplane. This includes:
Consistent landings: Within safe margins, with good judgment and stability.
Pattern work: Knowing where to turn, when to configure, and how to adjust for wind.
Radio calls: Clear and confident comms with ATC or CTAF.
Situational awareness: Keeping your eyes outside, scanning for traffic, and always having a plan B.
✅ If you’re still hesitating on the flare or struggling in gusty winds, that’s totally normal. Talk to your instructor. We’ll work it out together.
3. Build Confidence, One Flight at a Time
The biggest hurdle for many students isn’t skill — it’s confidence. That’s why I often tell my students:
"If I’m confident enough to get out and send you up, you should be confident enough to go."
Ways to build confidence:
Fly regularly: Momentum matters. If possible, fly 2–3 times a week in the weeks leading up to your solo.
Ask questions: There’s no such thing as a dumb question. The more you ask, the more you’ll understand.
Visualize success: Mentally rehearse your pattern, your radio calls, and your procedures before each flight.
4. Know What to Expect on the Day of
Your solo day is typically low-stress. Here’s what it often looks like:
Normal flight lesson with some pattern work.
Instructor hops out once they’re confident you’re ready.
You complete 3 takeoffs and landings (or more) on your own.
Instructor debriefs, signs your logbook, and takes a photo of your grin.
Some instructors even cut your shirt tail or dump water.
5. What to Do If You Get Nervous Mid-Flight
It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous. Here’s what to remember:
Fly the airplane first. Aviate, navigate, communicate.
Go around if needed. It’s not failure and not a sign of a bad pilot — it’s professionalism and safe.
Take a breath. You’re trained. You’ve got this. Your instructor won’t let you fly unless they know you are ready
Final Thoughts from a CFI
Every pilot remembers their first solo for the rest of their life. It’s a moment of pride, freedom, and confidence. As your instructor, my job is to make sure you’re safe and ready — and when I say you are, believe it.
If you're training here in San Diego and want a program built around your goals, feel free to reach out. We fly out of Gillespie Field (KSEE), and we specialize in personalized, efficient flight training that puts you in control from day one.