First solo!

[Snowy]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to make a quick post to share that I had my first solo today out of Windsor (CYQG) in a 172R...

Kind of windy, but a great day for flying... excellent experience!

I don't post often, but read daily and want to thank you guys for all of the knowledge posted, etc... it's a great resource for someone just starting out!

Adam

[ctmorawetz]

Congrats Adam! It's a flight that won't forget any time soon. Good luck with the rest of your training.

[PAJ]

Congratulations! I bet you feel on top of the world today - and, for good reason.

[Cougar]

That's great!

Congratulations!!

[mathewc]

Way to go!

[YOWza]

cool!

[old_man]

Congrats Adam!

Keep up the hard work.

[The Old Fogducker]

Adam:

That's one flight memory that will never leave you, and it signifies that you have taken the first of many steps toward becoming a pilot.

That's the first time you've placed your life in your hands and used what has been taught you. Its a really big deal, and something which sets you apart from the general population, even if you never go near an airplane again.

Almost 40 years ago, I solo'ed Cessna 150 CF-XNL at Pitt Meadows, BC.

Mr "Buzz" Bivar had been strangely silent for the 4 or 5 circuits at Pitt after being quite chatty all the way from YVR, and I wondered if I had done something wrong to upset him. I was surprised when he said "make the next one a full stop," I cleared the runway, he opened the door and got out. I was clueless as to what was happening and I'm sure my facial expression said a thousand words ... all of them confused.

He said, "time for first solo" and gave me a few little tips, told the controller I was a first solo, then he closed the door and walked away across the ramp ... yikes.

That airplane seemed so much more powerful on the takeoff roll, that extra couple of hundred feet per minute rate of climb made it seem like I was on the front end of a rocket launched from Cape Kennedy, and the radio call to Pitt Meadows tower on downwind where the controller told me I was "number 9 to a Cherokee in front" is as clear as if I'd just heard it ten seconds ago.

Because of the traffic volume, I had a few extra moments to reflect on the empty seat ... up till then, I'd been too busy to take a look at the spot where Mr. "Buzz" Bivar had been just a few minutes earlier.
The seat seemed pretty empty and I told myself to look away, get back to work and check everything again, while keeping my eyes on the Cherokee and counting airplanes on final and base leg.

The "number 9 for landing" part was kind of funny ... as I was on extended downwind over Maple Ridge for a few moments, a segment of "The Beatles - Revolution Number 9" from their "White Album" spun around in my head. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqUTd2TKdGU

Then before too long, it was my turn to turn base, then line up on final, and recall how "Buzz" had told me it would float a little longer than I was used to. After flaring once a little too high, I just took my time and then greased it on....followed by a really, really loud "Whooppeee!" ... well ...whooppeee is a paraphrase of the actual epithet ... LOL

It was then that I knew exactly what I wanted to do, and that absolutely nothing was going to ever stand in my way of becoming a Commercial Pilot.

Thanks Buzz ... wherever you are now flying your Mark 9 Spitfire again....without flak, nor enemy fighters over the channel.

In a few decades, you'll still be able to replay every moment Adam .. so enjoy it, and congratulations on joining us as a fellow aviator.

All the best,
The Old Fogducker

[joco]

Congrats Adam, that is a big step for you and you deserve it! Like OFD says you will never forget that flight. For sure I did not. Good job Adam.

[Randleman]

Atta boy Adam!!! Super happy for you! Celebrate!! You'll remember it forever, and its the start to a wonderful career, whether for pleasure or for work. Great to see such positive comments on this thread and no one ripping it! This is the reason i stay in the industry (among others)

[loopa]

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to make a quick post to share that I had my first solo today out of Windsor (CYQG) in a 172R...

Kind of windy, but a great day for flying... excellent experience!

I don't post often, but read daily and want to thank you guys for all of the knowledge posted, etc... it's a great resource for someone just starting out!

Adam

Good Job !!!!!!!!

It had been a while since we saw first solo's on here. Good for you. Now work hard and get'er done.

[Snowy]

Thanks guys... Such a high today... I don't think I can even explain it to someone who hasn't experienced it...

Looking forward to sharing the skies with you guys soon!!

[CanterburyTail]

Congrats. I did my first solo on the 10th January. 172R again, and out of Toronto City Centre. (CYTZ). The strangest feeling. I didn't get the massive performance boost everyone talks about, the weather was already rather cold and my instructor is actually a lot littler than most instructors, so there wasn't as large a weight difference.

Now just working towards my hours and getting ramped up to do my cross country and prepping towards flight test.

[Snowy]

Congrats. I did my first solo on the 10th January. 172R again, and out of Toronto City Centre. (CYTZ). The strangest feeling. I didn't get the massive performance boost everyone talks about, the weather was already rather cold and my instructor is actually a lot littler than most instructors, so there wasn't as large a weight difference.

Now just working towards my hours and getting ramped up to do my cross country and prepping towards flight test.

That's awesome - Congratulations to you as well! CYTZ is one of the destinations I'd love to fly into... Can't imagine a first solo there!!

What stage are you at now?

[CanterburyTail]

That's awesome - Congratulations to you as well! CYTZ is one of the destinations I'd love to fly into... Can't imagine a first solo there!!

What stage are you at now?

I've done all my flying out of CYTZ. Means I've learnt to deal with ATC from day 1. The busy traffic doesn't bother me anymore.

I'm getting some more solo hours, about to do my first solo out to the practice area. I've got my emergency procedures down and we're planning on our first cross country. Also studying for my final exam. Should have the license in the next 2-3 months at current rate, maybe sooner.

Need 7 more solo hours, 3 more instrument hours.

[Snowy]

That's awesome - Congratulations to you as well! CYTZ is one of the destinations I'd love to fly into... Can't imagine a first solo there!!

What stage are you at now?

I've done all my flying out of CYTZ. Means I've learnt to deal with ATC from day 1. The busy traffic doesn't bother me anymore.

I'm getting some more solo hours, about to do my first solo out to the practice area. I've got my emergency procedures down and we're planning on our first cross country. Also studying for my final exam. Should have the license in the next 2-3 months at current rate, maybe sooner.

Need 7 more solo hours, 3 more instrument hours.

That's awesome - keep us updated for sure!

I'm from Chatham (CNZ3) but do my flying out of CYQG for the same reason... I no longer have the same fear of other traffic in the circuit, and talking to ATC that I did when I started...

Good luck on the solo to the practice area!

[Old Dog Flying]

Congratulations Adam. A great feeling no doubt...I soloed at YQG, 8 July 1952 in a Fleet Canuck CF-EAO.

Barney

[cessna 150]

Hey congratulations man! the first solo is for sure something you will remember for a long time in your flying career.

I remember when I had my first solo about 4 months ago and it was at CYOO. Boy was it exciting, until i got soaked in cold water when the temperature was about -5 which wasn't cool lol.

[Sulako]

My first solo, written in stream-of-consciousness mode

I'm in a 152, approaching 15 hours total time...

Hmm, circuits are going well. I haven't bent the wingspar for at least 3 landings. Now if only I could get over my crippling fear of heights, I'd be set. The guy sitting next to me is saying something, so I'd best smile and nod. On final, I'll try to flare this time. Ahh, that was a nice touchdown, I bet I looked exactly like Tom Cruise if he flew a 152. Wait a minute, what did he just say? Let him out here? But we are in the middle of the runway. Umm, okay. I'll just shut down the airplane then. No?

Sweet zombie jebus, I'm alone in the airplane. Aight, remember the basics. Do I need carb heat on takeoff? Got..to...think! Push the red knob forward and steer with my feet. Ahh there I go, I'm already up to 20 knots. Now 30! This thing is a monster! 60 knots now, so I think I'm supposed to pull back. Yup, that did the trick, I'm now airborne and all alone! This is sa-weet! I now have the power of life and death over all those puny mortals walking and driving their cars below me! Wait, I'm supposed to do something now.

//(high-pitched, squeaky voice) "Zulu Charlie Tango, downwind for a full-stop, cleared to land"

Wait, was I supposed to say that last part? Whatever, I'm flying solo! Aight, I should do the downwind checklist 'cause this thing is pretty damn fast and it's a handful to fly, and I don't want to get behind the airplane at a critical moment. carb heat on, rpm back to 1,700. Aight, I'm set up for landing. I think I'll land without flaps, I don't want to overload myself. Damn, this runway is small. When I fly a jet I hope I don't have to land on any puny 8,000' ones like this, I'll go off the end for sure. Aight, here I go. All alone, I'm going to pull this off. The runway is coming up fast fast fast, I can barely react in time.

Nice, I think I only bounced once! The instructor said I should taxi in after one circuit, and I agree. I'm exhausted! Aight, here's the ramp area, so I guess I'll shut 'er down and walk in. I won't forget the parking brake this time.

Hey guys, thanks for having the confidence in me to let me go solo! Sure, I'll stand outside to get my picture taken. Captain Sully at your service! You want me to slowly back up against this wall while you get your camera in focus? Certainly, I'll think of a nice pose for the....egad! I can't breathe, icy cold water is all over me. Wtf? Oh, nice one guys. The old "bucket of cold water dropped from the hangar roof" trick. Ahh, what do I care. I may be damp, but I'm a 152 Captain!

23 years later, I can still remember every detail.

[iflyforpie]

Yup, remember mine like it was yesterday too... wait... wasn't it yesterday?

Dusting off the old iflyforpie logbook number #1 from a few years of dust in the hangar office, I see that it was May 6th, 2001 that I logged my first 0.3 as PIC. It was in good ol' GHYG, a 172N, from Carson Air. I didn't really remember the runway at YLW seeming that short or narrow (that would be YVK, next week ), but I was wary after GZDD running off the edge and flipping on it's back a few weeks before...

I remember the aircraft feeling very light to taxi, that rotation speed came way before I expected it, and that the plane climbed like a rocket. I found myself talking aloud through the intercom because I felt the need to verbalize everything without the instructor there. I didn't bounce or balloon, but it certainly wasn't the best landing I've ever done. Before I knew it, it was over.

No water for me or certificate either, or even a congrats from ground or tower. It's all business in Kelowna...

Still was an amazing feeling to believe that I had flown and landed an aircraft by myself...

Congrats Adam!!

[Truckpilot]

Congrats, I can't remember that far back to my first solo...

[CanterburyTail]

The big thing to remember if you do fly into CYTZ. If you hear a Porter coming in, stay wide. You don't want to be the one written up for setting off their TCAS.

[RFlyer]

Adam:


Almost 40 years ago, I solo'ed Cessna 150 CF-XNL at Pitt Meadows, BC.


The Old Fogducker

Hi "Barney", is it? My name is Rory, FYI.

Orange on White, right?

Coincidentally, I had the opportunity to buy that plane back in about 1987. A guy named Dennis Henschel inspected it for me and gave it a clean bill of health - except the engine was on condition at the time. No matter. What sunk the deal for me was trying to push the price to an unrealistically low level. At first the guy accepted, but on the day of the deal, changed his mind. I _Still_ don't own my own plane

Anyhow, just wanted to reminisce.

Thanks for the first-solo story, too, BTW. A good read.

My first solo was with a guy named Craig Hall who taught me on the RX-550 at Sun n Fun on 152nd st. in 1985. That's the place where Francois Leh started out too.

Cheers

Rory