First solo flight

Depending on the country, there may be a requirement for some minimum number of training hours to have been completed by the student pilot before they are allowed to solo.

In most countries, it is assumed that such students will be familiar with (and may have to pass an examination on) the relevant air laws or regulations, and will have completed exercises in handling aircraft in normal conditions, and also what to do in the case of engine failure on takeoff, in flight, and before landing.

However, the regulations do require that a student pilot show competency in several specific skills to include, for example, the ability to forward slip.

Typically, it takes from 10 to 30 hours of flight time before a pilot has the instinctive feel of an aircraft to be safe flying solo in other than perfect (no wind) weather.

[3] Various traditions or rites of passage have developed around "soloing", including drenching the student with water,[4] or cutting off the back of their shirt.