Thanks for the kind remarks everyone!! A more detailed report is below, stolen from my blog.
Received my solo endorsement today. What a thrill.
Managed to get to the airport today around 12:45. Rob wasn’t there yet, but I got the clipboard and keys for my date with N332JC. Walked out, took a look up, and saw how beautiful the sky was. Fair weather cumulus popping up at about 3000ft, clear as a crystal ball outside. Bottom line, it would be a perfect day to solo.
Rob showed up a few moments after I finished pre-flighting the aircraft. I walked into the FBO to say hello and see how things are going, etc. He then asked me if I was ready for the pre-solo written exam. I felt I was, at least after 4 days of studying it.
He gave me the written, and it took me about 20-30 mins to take it, and for him to look over it (grade it). After that, we headed out to the plane, untied the tie downs, got strapped in, started her up, and made out taxi out to 22. Only other traffic we had today at Fairfield Co were two agricultural Cessnas. These guys were pretty cool to watch. They come in on 22, or actually the grass to the right of 22 between the RWY and taxiway. Then after they were filled up with whatever it was they were dropping, they’d just turn around and depart off the grass the opposite direction. You can imagine my amazement when we were downwind for 22, and here goes one of them rolling down the grass towards 22 from RWY 4. These guys never got above 200ft on departure, so they weren’t much of a risk to us as we turned base and final.
After 7 patterns, two ending up as go arounds, and one as a simulated engine failure, we made a full stop and cleared the RWY. After clearing Rob asked if I was ready to solo. I said I was if he thought I was. Well, I already knew his answer and he told me to taxi up to the FBO and drop him off. During the taxi he was filling out my endorsements in my logbook and medical certificate. That’s when it slowly started to settle in.
I was about to fly an airplane, by myself. . .it finally set in 100% as he hopped out and began walking away from the plane.
I made three uneventful left patterns for RWY 22. The last of the three, on my downwind the two agricultural guys were calling 3 and 5 mile finals respectively. I somehow managed to squeeze in between them as the 5 mile one ended up coming around me on my 6 for final. In the end, I landed after the first one by about 3 minutes, while the second guy landed about 2 minutes after I did.
Eventually I make it back to the T tie down spots, shut her down, and Rob and Huck (Rob’s golden retriever) had come out to congratulate me.
Today was great. Flying has always been a very near to my heart activity. Couple that with the disappointing ATC prospects, and a very supportive wife . . . it’s becoming more of a reality, and something I can easily see myself doing for a living.
Thanks Ashley!! Thanks Rob - you too Huck!!
There will be pictures. Just have to wait for Rob to e-mail them my way.
Take care!
