My instructor and I had discussed my solo as probably taking place at Aurora or McMinnville, which much wider and longer, as well as having visual approach slope indicators, making them easier in many ways than Twin Oaks. When both Aurora and McMinnville were fogged in, I figured it would not be the day I'd solo.
Twin Oaks was clear and beautiful, so it would be a great day to fly anyway.
Heatherle came along for the first few trips around the pattern, and we let her off to practice with no weight in the back, which would be closer to how the airplane would handle solo. My instructor and I made several more trips around, throwing in a go-around and engine out for good measure.
After the sixth landing, my instructor asked how I was feeling. "Great" I responded. "Good, because I think you are ready to solo". Wait, solo? Here at Twin Oaks?? How about one more time around the pattern?
After landing number seven, we pulled into the grass and shut down. My instructor says "Well? I know you can do it... but we can wait until tomorrow and hope to get into Aurora if you'd like" I sat there for a minute or two, said I was ready, and began plugging my headset back in and flipping back to the pre-start checklist. As he was endorsing my logbook I looked back out the windshield and thought "Wow, I'm actually going to do this, in a few minutes I will be in the air, and alone! How would this go...." A hand shake from my instructor, a word of encouragement, and the door closed leaving me alone.
I started 4KU up, and taxied out.
A deep breath to relax, and I was soon at full throttle heading down runway 20, and then into the air. "Oh Wow!" I said to no-one.
I turned upwind (Twin Oaks is calm wind takeoff on 20 and land on 02 with no touch and go's) for runway 02, looked out the right window at Mt Hood in the distance, and thought how strange it is to be able to see out that side without looking around my instructor.
I was a little high as I turned final, but was able to bring it back to idle and get back on track for a nice smooth touchdown. "Yah Baby!" I said to no-one but myself.
As I cleared the runway, my instructor congratulated me on one of my better landings, and I could see Heatherle jumping up and down.
The second trip around involved watching for inbound traffic, as well as a flock of feathered friends, and ended with a slight bounce on landing, but on the centerline and under control.
The last time around I stole a glance around the cabin, as well as outside, just to burn the moment in memory, and ended with a landing closer to the first than the second.
After my third and final landing I taxied to the fuel pumps, shut down, and sat for a second. My instructor and Heatherle arrived with congratulations and my solo was done.
Back at the office my insturctor cut the back off my t-shirt, which is a common tradition. The decorated t-shirt tail will be given back to me when I earn my certificate. I logged 1.3 hrs of instruction, and my first logged time (.4hrs) of PIC (Pilot In Command).
Absolutely incredible! Three months ago I was near terrified to be in the air, and now I have flown an aircraft as the sole occupant.
This quote from Tom on The Purple Board forum sums up well the feeling of the moments prior to solo:
....A moment in time where you see clearly your immediate future and know full well that you'll be imminently responsible for your own life, no one else can help you out, it's totally your own responsibility... and then you push on the throttle and take off, anyway... wow. There's nothing else like it.
Well said.
1 comment:
Steve, I found your site from AOPA Forums and I have been enjoying your journey. Congratulations! You will never forget the feeling of solo...keep up the good work and this site is great - we all feel your excitement and enthusiasm!
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