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I went solo yesterday.

S

SirBenn21

Charter Member
I actually stopped after about 20 hours of training last year in May '09 due to various reasons.
Ever since I've been pining like hell to get back into the swing of things.
Yesterday I decided that I had enough and told the missus I'm going up for a joy ride just to cure some of the "pain" of not flying.
I phoned up the school and booked a ride for the afternoon. When I arrived I was happy to see my old instructor was available to take me up. He promptly sent me out to do my pre-flight.
After a small brief we were on the taxiway on our way to runway 27.
The first circuit was atrocious. :redface: It was like I was a complete new newbie. I even landed short of the threshold, which was swiftly addressed by my instructor who made it quite clear he was not impressed. He to my surprise really worked me hard and I quickly improved each circuit to the point I was enjoying it now again. We also did a "loss of power" emergency landing. It was just like old times. :naturesm:
Finally he told me to make a "full stop" on the next landing. It was a greaser! :wiggle:
We came to a stop and he asked me to backtrack (It was a quiet afternoon) all the way to the threshold. I started to get suspicious. Surly he wouldn't! I haven't flown in 7 months I told myself! :icon_eek:
Sure enough. I got the solo brief. Do this, don't do that, go around if you are not sure etc. And out he jumped! :icon_eek:
Heart pounding a little I pushed the throttle to full and was soon up in the air.
View attachment 27560
Man what a feeling. Difficult to describe. Everything went really well. Even the landing. I had to also give the victory HEeeeHAaaaa when safely back on the ground. I was elated. :icon29:

Ben
 
:applause::applause: Congratulations. I don't think there's another feeling in the world like your first solo, especially after a 7 month layoff :applause:
Curt:kilroy:
 
Congrats, Ben! I remember my first solo like it was yesterday. It's nice to hear that laying off for a while doesn't completely wreck your skills. One of these days, I plan to get back in the cockpit and finish up that PPL. Good work! :salute:
 
Congrats Sir Ben. It is indeed a rewarding journey for you, ...from humble civil servant, to knighthood to solo-hood. :salute: Hang in there to make the PPL. We're rooting for you, bud.:ernae:
 
Congratulations Ben :applause:

It's a moment you'll always remember :jump:

I still remember mine from way back in the mid 60's :icon_lol:

Pete.
 
Congrats SirBenn21! I remember my first solo nearly 20 years back. Your description of your solo nearly mirror my own memories. Following tradition, I hope like hell you weren't wearing your favorite shirt??? I gave my cut shirt back to my Father which he had framed.

Best of luck to you in the remainder of your primary training. Keep safe and I will pass you only one piece of advice of 4 words that were given to me by Pilots both family and friends alike, "When in doubt, don't!" You will know what I mean by that if you follow your training and ever see or feel anything isn't right.
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Wow, no sim comes even close to the experience of a 'real' SOLO flight!
Congratulations, and for the first few hours....keep the blue side up :)

Regards

Bernt
 
Congrats Ben. :) It's the most special of all flights, and indeed you'll remember every second of it with a smile.

Cheers.

-Mike
 
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