Aviation Tradition: First Solo...why throw water?

Question

What is the origin of the aviation tradition to dump a bucket of water on a pilot after their first solo flight?

Answer 1

In yeas past, it was a tradition to dump a bucket of water and cut the shirt tail of the new pilot upon the completion of his first solo. I have heard of pilots in Canada getting a bucket of snow dumped on them in lieu of water. I doubt this water dumping is very common any longer, however the cutting of the persons shirt is.

Answer 2

It's an old air force tradition. It's not always a bucket, it can include everything from fire extinguishers to being thrown into a tub of water.



I was soaked in a variety of ways for my first solos in a glider, civilian aircraft, plus a couple different types of military aircraft. I also got soaked when my first student soloed.



I have never heard of the tie or shirt thing until today. Most places in Canada do the soaking. (never heard of the snow thing though)

Answer 3

Civilian is cutting off the shirt tail. We did have a dunk tank in UPT (pilot training) in the USAF for first solo in the T37.

Answer 4

The only traditions I ever heard of were: Civilian - cutting the tail off your shirt and Navy - cutting off your tie. There may be others, such as throwing water, but I am unaware of them.

Answer 5

I never heard of that one. At the flight schools I worked at, we didn't do any sort of tradition other than maybe a pat on the back.

Answer 6

I don't know. In the military, it's done on the last flight of a military career, or what's referred to as the fini-flight.

Answer 7

we kick the azz of the fresh PIC.



think of it as of legal bullying. anything is allowed.



ehm. i had a can of engine oil spilled over my back. 5th of 12 in the class to solo.

Answer 8

Never heard of that one, we used to cut the back out of the student's shirt, or cut their tie off if they were wearing one.

Answer 9

In the Navy it was after your last flight. Maybe someone is dyslexic

Answer 10

I never heard of that one. They cut off my shirt tail and hung it on the wall of the FBOs office

Answer 11

Neither do I know. They cut slices into my skirt and told me to wear trousers.... :-) ... and when I did, they told me to wear skirts.