Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Student
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 18; Flight Crew Total 36; Flight Crew Type 36
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Human Factors; Weather
During my first solo cross country flight I became disoriented with my position on the return leg and continued on a pattern to the east following I-70 and realized after traveling for some time that I had passed Terre Haute. When I realized this; I began preparations to head back west towards Terre Haute but realized that I had inadvertently entered Indianapolis airspace when I saw the airport in site and immediately turned back to the west asking Hulman Approach for a squawk code and assistance back to [my intended airport]. Visibility was very poor on the ground and I was navigating only with a sectional map. I assigned incorrect landmarks due to the poor visibility and thought during the flight that I was much further to the West than I actually was. I have reviewed this incident with my instructor in detail and the key training items were noted to prevent a recurrence:-Always maintain radio contact for flight following throughout the flight until your airport destinations are in site.-Do not rely solely on towns or cities as your landmarks but also use things like rail road tracks; towers; and waterways and more unique features of a town/city to determine what city/town you are near.
Launched a student pilot for his first solo cross country. My student obtained flight following but closed it due to leaving Hulman Approach airspace. My student became disoriented enroute and decided to return to [airport of departure; ZZZ]. Because of the loss of current position; haze; and lack of winds aloft my student overshot ZZZ and continued along Interstate 70 east. After overshooting ZZZ my student still believed he was not yet at the Terre Haute area. He then realized he had traveled and subsequently entered Indianapolis airspace. My student turned around and began to contact Hulman Approach to get his present position. He then returned to ZZZ with no further issues. After reviewing the event with my student we found and noted details to prevent a further recurrence.-Always stay in contact with ATC for flight following even if you believe you are on course. Do not cancel flight following too soon. -Notice the smaller landmarks on the sectional. Don't just see a city and assume a position. Identify it and confirm it.-Use all available resources such and VOR orientation; DME; and dead reckoning instead of solely the sectional chart to obtain your current position.
A student pilot and his ground based flight instructor reported a first solo flight that resulted in the student becoming disoriented and committing an airspace violation.