oh, i have slipped the surly bonds of earth
I soloed today.
I’ll just share some pictures for the time being. My mind is still racing from the day and I can’t relax even though I know I should be able to on a Saturday night. But about the solo–It was all rather anticlimactic after all the buildup and anticipation. My instructor and I did about three landings together—which I did flawlessly, I might add—after which he got out and I took the plane up for three more takeoffs and landings by myself. My instructor stayed on the ground with a walkie-talkie and my digital camera and communicated with me on occasion. The plane performed very differently without the extra weight of the instructor. My first words immediately after I had cleared the trees on the first takeoff were, “Holy crap.” The plane just tore upwards, propeller knifing into the cold morning air, and I must have been at least 500 ft above the ground by the end of the runway.
Anyway. On to the pictures:
Taxiing back to the end of the runway. I’m flying Skyhawk N6371F, the “queen of the fleet,” as it were. Very nice-flying airplane. Stable and controllable.
After I’ve taxied back and radioed my intentions, a picture-perfect takeoff.
Flying past my instructor and the camera, on the way up. See the top of this page for the picture of me climbing away.
I climbed to 1500 ft (pattern altitude), turned 180° so I was flying back parallel to the runway, and then turned 180° again to land the same direction I took off. The montage is me making the second about-face and coming in for a nice soft landing.
Me and “Seven One Fox,” post-solo. I wish I could have flown some more. It was exhilarating. Stay tuned.
Hey, congrats man! The first solo is always a rush for student and instructor alike! That’s one helluva small runway…must have been exciting. Nice looking 172 “Scudhawk” too, it it an N model?
Training on a 25′-wide runway is pretty cool. You’ll be able to land just about anywhere.
Congrats!
way to go, matt!!
Awesome :)
Congrats on your first solo. Nice aircraft by the way. Hopefully you continue your success.
:) So amazing, M. I’m so happy for you!
Thanks :) Yes, it’s an N. Two of the four Skyhawks in the training fleet have the long-range (50-gal) tanks, but not 71F.
Thank you :) We joke that the runway at Sugar Valley (31A) is about as wide as the center stripes on larger runways…
Thank you Erica :)
Thanks D. I’ll take you and Rachel up at the end of next semester :)
Thank you :) We keep the Skyhawks clean!
Thanks Em. Your encouragement means a lot :)
Better than at my airport. They let me leave w/ a bum radio (it had known problems w/ transmitting), and on my first solo cross country, it QUIT transmitting. I was pretty pissed. But I’m glad your solo went well. What was the scariest part, or was it just pure excitement?
No good. Did you have to squawk 7600 and look for the light gun?
There was nothing really scary about it, actually… I was a little high on my last approach and had to dive-bomb the runway a tad, but I got it down. Coming over the trees on short final the plane “gets the sinkers,” so I have to anticipate that, but overall… Not too bad.
I chose not to squawk 7600 for the fact that i was not under VFR flight Following, or going through any controlled airpsace. Also the airport i was landing at was about 10 minutes away when it quit, and it’s a CTAF, so i was just EXTRA EXTRA careful. it def. taught me to go and get a Transceiver. By the way i’m a 17 y.o pilot. i think ALL cessna’s “get the sinkers” if they fly pretty much anything CLOSE to the ground. i know i get that about 300 ft. off the centerline of my airport we have buildings and we drop an easy 50 feet.
wow! :)
that is SO fabulous!
However, you are missing some essential gear:
1) well-worn/patched leather flight jacket
2) aviator glasses (fortunately they should be easy to get as they are “in” at the moment)
3) one of those wacky leather caps, just because
:)
My mother, when getting onto the plane from Detroit to Beijing, looked up at the pilot as he walked by only to discover that it was our old family friend (who we hadn’t seen in 15 years!)
She felt much safer knowing that he was flying and he came back several times during the flight to chat with her, I’m so glad that serendipity was on her side :)
So how much would I have to pay you to fly my private jet some day?
Congratulations, you’re a proper pilot now. It’s a great feeling isn’t it. Onward to the flight test. Keep us posted.
J.
/es/\\e
HAPPINESS! I meant to call you to get the report but… deep breaths seemed to be all I had time for.
Still wearing the same green fleece I see… =) Yes I agree we must see you in at least the leather jacket and aviator glasses.
So proud of you! Can’t wait for a ride!!
Thanks Elyse :) Apparently I need to grow a mustache too… They seem to be de rigeur for pilots.
And about flying your private jet: Sustenance, honey, sustenance. A pittance. I would do it for free but a guy’s got to eat :)
Thank you. Yes, it is a great feeling, although to be fair I don’t think I’ll identify myself as a proper pilot until I have my PPL :)
Thank you, Leslie :) Yes, I think I’ll be buried in that green fleece… hahaha
Hope you had a lovely weekend!
Aww wow congrats! Those pictures brought a tear to my eye, remembering back when I did my first solo in the old Cessna 152 :)
I cannot wait to be able to spread my wings once again! Not much longer now!
Woohoo!
Congrats!
ah yes, a mustachio is a *must*
so… would you do it for free if I provided food and a place to live? ;)
Surely. Home + food + airplane = I’m there. Does Paul have connections or something? You make it sound like you’re really offering me a job :)
this has nothing to do with Paul… we all know that I’m gonna be a starlet someday soon-ish, so yes, keep your resume prepared should I ever come asking you for it ;)
(and of course, I’d provide a nice little stipend for you, too)
Fair enough, fair enough… I just hope I have my commercial license by the time your ship comes in, as it were. And…that I’m type-certified to fly whatever kind of private jet you decide to purchase. If I may humbly cast my vote in favor of this one.
:)