First Solo! (kinda long)

AZBigDog · August 3rd, 2007, 13:28

Yesterday I did my first solo flight, man what an awesome feeling! I was on cloud nine the whole day long.

I've had my solo endorsements for a while now but had yet to get out there and get it done. The weather here in Arizona was the biggest factor, then scheduling.

My instructor and I met at 5:30 AM and we did our preflight. Now for a little twist, the control tower doesn't open until 6:00 AM, so until then, the field is uncontrolled. Here in AZ during the summer months, most people try to get their training done real early in the morning as to avoid the summer heat. So by this time the field is abuzz with traffic. With a little coaching from my instructor, we did our first lap in the pattern with a full stop just so my instructor knows I'm up for my solo. We taxi back to the FBO and he hops out and off I go. Thankfully, by this time the Tower is open again and that is one less thing to worry about.

At first, it was a surreal feeling, almost a bit frightening. After a few seconds of regaining my focus, everything I did seemed to happen naturally. I taxied to the run up area to double check my mags and got in line for take off. There was a bit of delay before my takeoff due to two other planes on final. I'm instructed to taxi into position and hold onto runway 4R as the second plane clears the runway.

The clearance for takeoff is given and I apply full throttle. The mighty 172 that I'm flying accellerates nicely down the runway with just minute rudder adjustments to keep her down the centerline. I rotate at just over 55 kias and climbed out to 2200 ft TPA. I enter left traffic and transition over to 4L. There are 3 other planes in the pattern with me so I keep a watchful eye out for them.

As I turn final from base I realize that the picture I am seeing is completely different from what I am used to seeing because I have only landed in this direction one other time, all other times I have been using 22L/R. I focus on keeping my airspeed correct and aim for the numbers. My first landing I'll rate as good. Just a little float in ground effect and a nice touchdown. The second of my landings was the best one. Almost a greaser, little to no float and soft touchdown.

The third landing was different though. By this time the wind was picking up and I definitely notice it on final. The nose is pointed to the right of centerline, so a little rudder imput is needed. Touchdown was good but then the right main came up off the ground. I apply right aileron and that does the trick and off I go again this time for a full stop. My final landing to full stop was good. I taxied back toward the FBO and I'm met with a line of departures about six deep. So I sit there waiting for my turn to taxi past the departure end of the runway and I soak in all that has taken place. It has been a good flight and the one I'll never forget.

Al

NotCoolEnufToFly · August 3rd, 2007, 13:35

Awesome! Congratulations

ready2fly · August 3rd, 2007, 13:58

OUTSTANDING! Congrats!! It's all downhill from here.

sdfcvoh · August 3rd, 2007, 16:13

YEAH! Good for you - - you'll never forget it. And it just keeps getting better and better. Huge congratulations!

n57flyguy · August 3rd, 2007, 16:34

Awsome! I felt nervous for you just reading that. I can't wait till I solo...

skidz · August 3rd, 2007, 17:05

congratulations! first solo is what every pilot always remembers

skidz · August 3rd, 2007, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by n57flyguy

Awsome! I felt nervous for you just reading that. I can't wait till I solo...

I can't wait to read

N826AW · August 3rd, 2007, 18:32

Awesome! Congrats! I had my first solo flight last week and was on cloud 9 the whole day too. It really didn't hit me until I landed and was in the car on the way home. Good luck on your future flights!

blinkpilot182 · August 3rd, 2007, 19:10

awesomeness

...let us know how your solo cross countries go =)

-Jon

Maximillian_Jenius · August 5th, 2007, 05:18

Congrats Al! What airport you flying out of?

JEP · August 5th, 2007, 05:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Congrats Al! What airport you flying out of?

Maxi,Maxi, Max......You gots to use them investigative skills.....

He mentioned 4/22. So I go to skyvector[dot]com and locate Queen Creek (given). I start looking around somewhere close to QC and notice KCHD (chandler) appears to have the RW setup he speaks of. Pull up the airport information and Yes indeed they dod have parallel runways of the 4/22 variety.

I could be wrong as it is the 1st field I looked up. It fit the description so I stopped there. maybe my skills worked, maybe they didn't....

and sure enough, I was wrong.....should have tried the easiest thing....Look at previous posts started by user..... Doh!!!!

Way to go JEP, Thank you Captain Obvious....

PGT · August 5th, 2007, 23:33

Congrats!!

It really is all downhill from here. Now all the fun stuff begins.

desertdog71 · August 5th, 2007, 23:34

Congrats man, you are on your way.

mattp1803 · August 5th, 2007, 23:37

Congrats! Flying solo for the first time is an amazing feeling!

AZBigDog · August 6th, 2007, 03:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEP

Maxi,Maxi, Max......You gots to use them investigative skills.....

He mentioned 4/22. So I go to skyvector[dot]com and locate Queen Creek (given). I start looking around somewhere close to QC and notice KCHD (chandler) appears to have the RW setup he speaks of. Pull up the airport information and Yes indeed they dod have parallel runways of the 4/22 variety.

I could be wrong as it is the 1st field I looked up. It fit the description so I stopped there. maybe my skills worked, maybe they didn't....

and sure enough, I was wrong.....should have tried the easiest thing....Look at previous posts started by user..... Doh!!!!

Way to go JEP, Thank you Captain Obvious....

Nice work, JEP

CamYZ125 · August 6th, 2007, 15:14

AZ, which FBO are you at over at CHD? Chandler Air? Tailwind?

AZBigDog · August 6th, 2007, 19:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamYZ125

AZ, which FBO are you at over at CHD? Chandler Air? Tailwind?

Actually, as JEP pointed out, I'm at FFZ. I fly with a small outfit called Aero Tech Aviation Services. One plane, a 172, but about to add a second one. It seems to be a nice fit for me.

A few years ago, in my first attempt at flight training, I flew out of CHD with Sunbird Aviation, now known as Tailwind.

Al

CamYZ125 · August 6th, 2007, 21:49

Ha.. guess I didn't read all of Jep's post.

moxiepilot · August 7th, 2007, 08:21

good job keep up the good work

pedro · August 7th, 2007, 12:45

Congratulations man! sounds like a scary, exciting, and heart racing experience. Glad to hear you reached the first of many milestones! I can't wait to tell my stories if I can ever start training.

n57flyguy · August 7th, 2007, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by skidz

I can't wait to read

You'll have to wait and see....

NotCoolEnufToFly · August 7th, 2007, 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by n57flyguy

Awsome! I felt nervous for you just reading that. I can't wait till I solo...

Mine should be coming up really soon too and I'm a mixture of extremely exicted and terrified! lol Should be interesting!

exleardriver · August 9th, 2007, 01:40

August 3rd, 2007, 13:28	#1
AZBigDog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 313	First Solo! (kinda long) Yesterday I did my first solo flight, man what an awesome feeling! I was on cloud nine the whole day long. I've had my solo endorsements for a while now but had yet to get out there and get it done. The weather here in Arizona was the biggest factor, then scheduling. My instructor and I met at 5:30 AM and we did our preflight. Now for a little twist, the control tower doesn't open until 6:00 AM, so until then, the field is uncontrolled. Here in AZ during the summer months, most people try to get their training done real early in the morning as to avoid the summer heat. So by this time the field is abuzz with traffic. With a little coaching from my instructor, we did our first lap in the pattern with a full stop just so my instructor knows I'm up for my solo. We taxi back to the FBO and he hops out and off I go. Thankfully, by this time the Tower is open again and that is one less thing to worry about. At first, it was a surreal feeling, almost a bit frightening. After a few seconds of regaining my focus, everything I did seemed to happen naturally. I taxied to the run up area to double check my mags and got in line for take off. There was a bit of delay before my takeoff due to two other planes on final. I'm instructed to taxi into position and hold onto runway 4R as the second plane clears the runway. The clearance for takeoff is given and I apply full throttle. The mighty 172 that I'm flying accellerates nicely down the runway with just minute rudder adjustments to keep her down the centerline. I rotate at just over 55 kias and climbed out to 2200 ft TPA. I enter left traffic and transition over to 4L. There are 3 other planes in the pattern with me so I keep a watchful eye out for them. As I turn final from base I realize that the picture I am seeing is completely different from what I am used to seeing because I have only landed in this direction one other time, all other times I have been using 22L/R. I focus on keeping my airspeed correct and aim for the numbers. My first landing I'll rate as good. Just a little float in ground effect and a nice touchdown. The second of my landings was the best one. Almost a greaser, little to no float and soft touchdown. The third landing was different though. By this time the wind was picking up and I definitely notice it on final. The nose is pointed to the right of centerline, so a little rudder imput is needed. Touchdown was good but then the right main came up off the ground. I apply right aileron and that does the trick and off I go again this time for a full stop. My final landing to full stop was good. I taxied back toward the FBO and I'm met with a line of departures about six deep. So I sit there waiting for my turn to taxi past the departure end of the runway and I soak in all that has taken place. It has been a good flight and the one I'll never forget. Al __________________ Tha Lord's gonna save ya, brotha! GO SPURS GO! A&P Mechanic/ Private Pilot /51.5 Hrs logged http://www.logshare.com/log.jsp?emai...stegui@msn.com Last edited by AZBigDog; August 3rd, 2007 at 13:36. Reason: A little clean up

August 3rd, 2007, 13:35	#2
NotCoolEnufToFly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gretna, LA Posts: 2,543	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Awesome! Congratulations __________________ Papa Alpha Mike http://pamgagliani.flyblog.com/

August 3rd, 2007, 16:13	#4
sdfcvoh Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: That one Posts: 869	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) YEAH! Good for you - - you'll never forget it. And it just keeps getting better and better. Huge congratulations! __________________ I want to die like my grandfather did, peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming in terror like his passengers.

August 3rd, 2007, 16:34	#5
n57flyguy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,677	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Awsome! I felt nervous for you just reading that. I can't wait till I solo... __________________ -Paul It ain't always 65 and sunny

August 3rd, 2007, 17:05	#6
skidz Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Trollbane Posts: 1,464	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) congratulations! first solo is what every pilot always remembers __________________ Private pilot, instrument Embry-Riddle Alumnus USN Active http://forums.jetcareers.com/changin...nfessions.html

August 3rd, 2007, 18:32	#8
N826AW Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mesa Oeste Posts: 1,412	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Awesome! Congrats! I had my first solo flight last week and was on cloud 9 the whole day too. It really didn't hit me until I landed and was in the car on the way home. Good luck on your future flights! __________________ Matt - CMEL - 235TT

August 3rd, 2007, 19:10	#9
blinkpilot182 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: FL Posts: 33	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) awesomeness ...let us know how your solo cross countries go =) -Jon __________________ *O'Hare TRACON Transmission:** "You're gonna have to key the mic. I can't see you when you nod your head."

August 5th, 2007, 05:18	#10
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,661	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Congrats Al! What airport you flying out of? __________________ Rear Admiral www.gayviator.com Maximillian Pegasus

August 5th, 2007, 23:33	#12
PGT Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: DSM Posts: 2,950	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Congrats!! It really is all downhill from here. Now all the fun stuff begins. __________________ PPL 55 hours TT

August 5th, 2007, 23:34	#13
desertdog71 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KIDP/KCNU Posts: 3,005	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Congrats man, you are on your way. __________________ www.flywhiteair.com http://www.myspace.com/desertdog71 Following message is for SkyCougar. Took my chances on a big jet plane, Never let them tell you that they're all the same.

August 5th, 2007, 23:37	#14
mattp1803 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Union, Kentucky/ Burleson, Texas Posts: 601	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Congrats! Flying solo for the first time is an amazing feeling!

August 6th, 2007, 15:14	#16
CamYZ125 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: KIWA Posts: 375	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) AZ, which FBO are you at over at CHD? Chandler Air? Tailwind? __________________ "Because like a virgin getting his first piece (most, but not all) low time pilots are just happy to be there." -Maximillian_Jenius

August 6th, 2007, 21:49	#18
CamYZ125 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: KIWA Posts: 375	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Ha.. guess I didn't read all of Jep's post. __________________ "Because like a virgin getting his first piece (most, but not all) low time pilots are just happy to be there." -Maximillian_Jenius

August 7th, 2007, 08:21	#19
moxiepilot Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: CFI / CFII in PA Posts: 2,566	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) good job keep up the good work

August 7th, 2007, 12:45	#20
pedro Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 627	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) Congratulations man! sounds like a scary, exciting, and heart racing experience. Glad to hear you reached the first of many milestones! I can't wait to tell my stories if I can ever start training. __________________ The wild geese have no intention on casting their reflection. The water has no mind to receive it.

August 9th, 2007, 01:40	#23
exleardriver Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 418	Re: First Solo! (kinda long) __________________ Gold Seal CFII, MEI, AGI, IGI, ATP, LR-Jet

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