My First Solo Flight!

I want to thank everyone for the well wishes for my first solo flight. I started my flight training back in November of 08. At times slow going because of weather, but I am starting to make good progress now that summer is here.

Without trying to sound too over dramatic, it really is one of those awesome life experiences that I will never forget (all pilots say the day they solo is something they never forget). I really hope anyone that is about to solo has as much fun as I did!! One thought that popped into my mind as I was pushing in the throttle was, yes I am nervous, but I don't have time to dwell on that, I need to focus on the task at hand of flying this plane as there is no one else to cover for me. It was great, it was awesome, and I will savor the moment forever!!

I wrote this in an email to a friend mine the next day, he likes a good story with details and you can tell my excitement


What a way to end a Thursday. Work was a non-eventful day, so there was no stress as in other times I have flown after work. Just off to the airport to practice pattern work (take offs and landings). I had no idea my instructor was going to ask me to solo, so I do like the way it happened (didn't have much time to think about it). I had two good landings, then we did a simulated engine out landing, I nailed it!!

As soon as I touch down I quickly reconfigure the plane for take off then hit full throttle and off again, as I am rotating we start to climb my instructor says "ok I want out so on your next request ask ATC for a full stop landing so I can get out." I'm like "seriously?" "Yes...you are ready, you've been ready" He said "do at least 3 take offs and landings with full stops. And if you feel like it, you can do more." I was thinking I'll just do three and that's IF the first one goes well :-) ----- So we completed the current flight pattern and landed (thankfully that landing (last one with the instructor) was good. I then taxied over to let him out, he signed and endorsed my Student Pilot Certificate and my Flight Log. He said "now keep this on you at all times flying, this IS now your Student Pilot License" Ok....as my mind is going a million miles an hour. I said "ok Dan, any last minute tips or advice?" (instructor's name is Dan as well) "Nope! you know how to fly, just do what you been doing, what you have trained to do" Good luck and have fun!!" and the door shuts, I'm alone and off I went to runway 31 (am I really about to do this??)

Me: (excited, and thinking am I really doing this, yet I know I MUST stay focused, no time to stress! Go over Checklist: carburetor heat is off, flaps are up, trim set for take off, all gauges look good): Lancaster Tower Cessna 68727 on three one ready for departure, will stay in the pattern, student pilot first solo

Lancaster Tower (in a friendly voice): Cessna 68727 you are cleared for takeoff on 31, left pattern and report at mid-field ...

Me: Cleared for take-off on 31, report mid-field...Cessna 68727

Full throttle, I starting rolling down the runway 20 knts...30 knts...40 knts..50 knts..start rotation and then suddenly I am airborne...flying and climbing and yes all a lone (plane does feel liter).....So I climb upwind to about 800 feet and start my left turn while still climbing to pattern altitude which is 1402 ft at the Lancaster Airport. (I am also happy to be learning at a controlled field as I am getting good training flying in controlled airspace, talking to ATC and dealing with other traffic.)

Coming on downwind looking down at the runway, looking all over Lancaster (it's beautiful today! I am thinking to myself), now back to checking my airspeed, I'm like W O W I am the PiC (Pilot in Command), then reality kicks in again, It's only ME and I am alone and will have to make this landing, there is no one here to bail me out or suggest corrections....

Me: Lancaster Tower, Cessna 68727 reporting mid-field for full stop on runway 31

Lancaster Tower: Cessna 68727 you are cleared to land on runway 31

Me: Clear to land runway 31, Cessna 68727

Ok....I see the key, time to start my descend, Pull back throttle to 1500 RPMs....pull the carburetor heat on!! ....Watch my IAS (Indicated Air Speed) wait for 85 knots (white range) once I'm within 85 knts I add one notch of flaps (10 degrees)

I make a left turn onto base, I add another notch of flaps (20 degrees)...keep the runway in sight, I remember looking out the right window and seeing Rt 272. WOW this is so awesome, so cool, now Dan just nail this landing I say to myself, make sure your airspeed is good, nail your round out and most importantly the final flare. AsI am eye up the runway I make another left turn from base to final approach, ok...I see all white lights on the VASI (Visual Approach Slope Indicator), somewhat typical for me, I tend to like height on base, all is cool....add the last notch of flaps (30 degrees) and deepen my descend. I am completely lined up with the runway, one hand on yoke and the other on throttle (I am extremely diligent of my airspeed!). Great, I now see red lights over the white lights on the VASI (Rule: Red over white, is all right) YES! I am in the glide path. I'm at about 70 knts....ok bring her down to 60-ish (landing is 55-65 knts)....ok I am almost over the runway (YES! I am lined up nicely) add back pressure and start round out......now forward pressure to bring the nose down and get the plane as close to the runway as possible, ok start to flare (nose up) (back pressure, forward pressure....) I have the nose up and feel the back wheels touch...YES! I slowly reduce back pressure bringing the nose down so the front wheels touch (you are basically riding a wheely - as the back wheels must take all the shock and not the front wheels) touch down!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW I did it!

I taxi off the runway on delta and hold short....Lancaster Tower: Cessna 68727 what are your intentions?

Me: Would like to depart from 31, Cessna 68727
(I did my first solo flight, I am on cloud nine, very excited yet still somewhat nervous (was it a fluke I landed so well or do I have this thing down...) regardless, I was going for it!

Lancaster Tower: Cessna 68727, taxi up to runway 31 via Delta Alpha and stay on same frequency

(more excited, still a little nervous, still...is this really happening)

Me: Wilco, Cessna 68727

(Wilco means will comply) and off I go to runway 31 and once again make my call...

Me: Lancaster Tower, Cessna 68727 on 31 ready for departure, will stay in pattern...

Lancaster Tower: Cessna 68727 you are cleared for takeoff on 31, left pattern and report mid-field ...

Me: Cleared for take-off on 31, report mid-field...Cessna 68727

And off I went to do 4 more solo flights, 5 in total racking up about 45 minutes of solo flight time.

On the fifth flight once I transmitted I was done and wanted to head back over to pick up my flight instructor, I got a BIG Congratulations from the ATC guy. He was extremely nice and helpful.