3 minute read
My First Solo Ben Atkinson
Ben Atkinson actually owned a nominal piece of the aircraft in which he first soloed… Words by Yayeri van Baarsen
Solo stats: Radio presenter Ben Atkinson vlogs about lessons learned, and mistakes made, on his YouTube channel, which is all about learning to fly. When: 25 February 2019 Where: Cotswold Airport Aircraft: Skyranger Swift Hours at solo: 13 Hours now: 62
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How did you get into aviation?
Although I loved getting on an aeroplane as a kid, I’d never considered the possibility of becoming a pilot myself. Aviation seemed like such a different world. In 2015, my family bought me a Cessna flight experience which I loved. Immediately afterwards I researched learning to fly, but financially this was out of my reach. A few years later, my friends gave me a microlight trial flight. During that lesson I knew I had to continue flying.
How did your flight training go?
I trained at Kemble Flying Club in a kit-built Skyranger Swift. At the time, you couldn’t learn in a kitplane unless you owned part of it, so I paid £1 and hold a nominal share. Learning to fly wasn’t easy but I was very enthusiastic. My instructor David Young was great.
Why did you film your flying?
In order to debrief myself. I have a terrible memory, so by filming my flight it meant that I could sit down afterwards and process everything my instructor had said, which I hadn’t taken in. I could go through the lessons again, take notes and remember all those golden nuggets of information.
What was your first solo like?
It was unexpected. When halfway through the lesson David asked, “How do you feel about going solo?”, my reply was a nervous laugh. During his briefing, my brain was overloaded and after take-off, my first words were, ‘wow, that’s fast!’ – the aircraft just shot off. The flight itself is all a bit of a blur in my mind. It felt like I was on autopilot. I’m so glad I have it on camera as it’s one of my greatest experiences.
I was in two minds about releasing that video though. Without the instructor you lose some confidence, so I got David to review the footage to see if I did everything OK and add some commentary. This gave him the opportunity to experience a first solo from a student’s perspective.
Why do you show your mistakes in your videos?
The whole premise of my channel is learning to fly, and making mistakes is such a big part of learning. Nowadays lots of vloggers cover up their mistakes, but that way you don’t learn much – and your viewers won’t learn anything. If only one person picks up a single thing from watching, those hours of editing have already been worth it.
What vlogs are on your wish list?
I’d love to visit the Isle of Wight, head up to the north-east coastline or fly to Cornwall. The approach at Perranporth Airfield looks amazing. I’d also like to do another lesson in a Cessna and see how I get on.
And even though I’d probably get sick, I’d like to give aerobatics a go once and try a loop the loop.
What are your tips for pilots who want to film their flying?
First, record your audio. The reason my first three lessons aren’t on my channel is that I hadn’t recorded any audio. This leaves you with a lovely video, which is useless for learning. I’d also recommend leaving your mistakes in and be yourself without worrying about how you come across on camera. Finally, check out some other channels. Rory on Air, The Jodel Flyer and Flight Chops have been a huge inspiration to me.
If you could have any aircraft in your ‘fantasy hangar’, what would it be?
A Spitfire and a Hurricane, because of the history and the emotions they evoke. The Spitfire is the aircraft I clearly remember from airshows when I was a kid. It was such an advanced aeroplane for the 1940s, and 70 years later it’s still amazing. I’d love to fly one. Seeing R4118, the last surviving Battle of Britain Hurricane still flying, up close, was a dream come true. A beauty, they don’t make them like that anymore.
What do you love most about flying?
Finding the headspace of forgetting everything else in the world and only concentrating on one single thing. You have to focus solely on flying. You’re living to the max with all your senses in overdrive. It’s a great feeling, and one I never felt stronger than on my first solo. l Watch Ben’s first solo on YouTube.
