I had a misunderstanding for the solo requirements but I've got more than one cross country done including 6.1 out of the 10 hours needed prior to earning my license. Double-checked Part 61.109 for the helicopter and now all i need is about 4 hours general solo time, YAY.
Flying alone is very different, and considerably more stressful. The first cross country flight I did by myself was very stressful and it was quite rainy out, but I did it nonetheless. Every day this week I've flown and only once with an instructor. I was so stressed my first flight I could feel the pressure behind my eyes. By the second and third flight, I was much less stressed. Then I found out from my instructor I could do whatever I wanted after my first cross country, so I just did more patterns at a couple airports thus unknowingly knocking out the rest of my pattern/take off/touchdown requirements.
I get a little nervous prior to flights wondering what the traffic will be like, but once I'm in the air I do quite well, my confidence is definitely in check and I know its about time I got off them training wheels!
The only thing I gotta focus on when alone is looking out for traffic, the rest I'm not too worried about. I get a taaaad bit nervous when I cant figure out where someone is right away, and seeing how I fly an R22, I have to yield whenever I don't think I'll make it to a runway before other fixed wing. I also prefer our red helicopters over the white one because theyr'e so much easier to see...It makes all the difference to someone who's not used to flying alone!
Tomorrow I'm taking the helicopter to Alpine Air (Alyeska Helicopter's parent company) for its 100-hour inspection. I'm looking forward to a short, easy flight. I NEED a break this weekend! Flying solo reminds me that I can't get cocky when flying around near airports, anything can happen at any time and any location. It's a Friday and things will probably be busy at Merrill Field (its in the dead middle of anchorage) so I gotta keep my eyes alert! May need shades. At least the flight will be much shorter than my others this week...
