First Solo

3/22/13

    On my 16th birthday, I flew an airplane all alone, without anybody else in it. We began the lesson in the left pattern for 32. I was not pleased with my first two landings but after that they shaped up. Finally, Craig told me to taxi back to the hangar. Halfway there, he told me to stop. He asked me what I though and I told him I was confident and before I knew it I was holding short of 32 waiting to depart. I knew I could do it. 

    I was then opening the throttle to full and rotating the airplane into the vast sky. I couldn't wipe that smile off my face. I noticed, without my instructor, the airplane likes to climb A LOT faster. For the approach, I remember saying to myself "I can do this." The first landing was my favorite. 

    The second and third landing were a little long but I took an airplane up into the air, by myself, without hurting anyone or the airplane. 

    I taxiied back to the hangar and took some pictures. After putting away the airplane, Craig did the first solo ritual: he cut my shirt-tail. 

    I can live my dream, I can fly. I have passed that once-in-a-lifetime moment which now boosts my confidence level. I still have a long road ahead to get my private pilots license, but I know that every minute will be worth it.

t. 

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