Lesson 17: FIRST SOLO!!!

The winds were picking up to about 12 knots from 170 degrees. Gusty crosswind? At Bay Bridge? NO! So my flight instructor asks if I want to go to Easton. I'll be honest, I knew we were going to Easton so I read through radio communications with ATC since it had been awhile since I had visited Easton. No problem. I can handle talking to ATC. It was a great flight there and the landings were comfortable and my wings were level since I didn't have to execute a side slip as there was hardly any crosswind. After a few touch and goes and go-arounds my flight instructor asked me to taxi to the terminal. She hopped out and the plane was mine! She took a two-way radio with her in case I needed some advice and so she could listen in to my flight. I called up ground control and received clearance to taxi to runway two two. I then called up the control tower and received clearance to take-off! By myself. For the first time :)

I was up in the air, smiling ear to ear, flying an airplane all on my own!

I talked myself through the checklist and came around for my first landing. Go-around and on my second attempt also go-around. I'm getting used to how the plane flies alone. After three go-arounds my flight instructors voice crackled over the radio and she reminded me that the plane would maneuver differently since it was minus one human...my flight instructor. She also reminded me to come back and pick her up since I was her ride back to Bay Bridge.

Finally, I'm on a much better approach and I held the plane off the ground until the wheels just kissed the ground. One of my nicest landings and I was all alone!

I contacted ground control and received clearance to taxi to the terminal where my flight instructor was doing a celebratory dance!

I successfully soloed!

We flew back to Bay Bridge as a gorgeous sun began to set. My final landing of the night was into a familiar crosswind and the wheels touched down. I was home a new person.

The feeling of being in total control, on my own, and having the time of my life in an airplane 1,100 feet above Easton airport was outstanding :) I LOVE FLYING!!!