Every pilot needs solo time as a requirement for either a commercial pilot license or even a private pilot license and many would prefer doing it on a single engine airplane. For some, it might be a job to fly solo on a single engine. Even students spend half of their training time flying solo cross countries to build up their experience. But flying solo, that too on a single engine airplane might not go as simple as it sounds. There are a lot of human + environmental factors that can make it unsafe for flying.
Look around you
While you are looking at some amazing views from the top, always keep an eye on the best places to land, in case you experience an engine failure. When flying on a single engine airplane, if you lose the engine, you lose the complete thrust, unlike a multi engine airplane, where you still have enough thrust to land at the nearest airport. With no power, you can simply glide towards an airport or maybe you will have to make a forced landing on a field. That is why it is crucial to look around your surroundings while flying, and flying solo means there’s no one to help you out in the cockpit. If you are in IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions), always keep an eye on the nearest available airports and the time required to glide towards it.
Choose a higher altitude
As we discussed in the previous point, if a single engine fails, we need time either to head to the nearest airport or field and to troubleshoot the problem meanwhile. Flying at a higher altitude can give you enough time to complete your checklists and glide to the nearest airport. It is also a good practice to fly at a higher altitude while flying over lakes, swamps, forests, or where a forced landing if attempted, might risk your life and decrease the chances of survival or end up completely damaging the aircraft. Make sure not to violate any airspace restrictions while choosing a higher altitude.
Decision making
Decision making remains the most crucial part regardless of flying a single engine or multi engine airplane. But when you are flying solo, it’s all by you. You are alone in the cockpit. So whatever decisions you make has to be correct. There’s no one up there finding your mistakes or helping out to plan your things accordingly. Use all the available resources and make a perfect decision for the required problem. Flying a single engine will give you time, but not enough if you lose the power. Losing an engine could make you panic which can affect your decision making skills.
Stay well hydrated and eat properly
Always carry enough water with you while going on a flight, especially on a cross country on a sunny summer day. Lack of water intake might cause dehydration. Dehydration can lead to dizziness, headache, fatigue which not only impair your decision making skills but also your flying skills, which is a major hazard when flying solo. Make sure to eat something before a long flight, as an empty stomach can also distract you from doing your job.