Posted on 2 Comments

Your first solo!

What went through your mind when your instructor sent you on your first solo?

A few weeks ago we asked our facebook followers what went through their head when their instructor left the plane for the first time, sending them on their first solo. Thanks to all who contributed their reactions and thoughts!

There were a lot of very funny comments.  Though all of the comments were great, inspiring and funny, we could only post a few to share because there were so many.   Enjoy!

“Oh god don’t leave me this plane is evil.” -James Harp

“Went through your mind or your underpants?!!” – Rob Grover

” It got quiet! No instructor jabbering, and the airplane lifted into the air way sooner than expected! LOL” -Anita Huffman

“Bring it on!!!” -Kyle Hynne

“Felt like a king” -Narine Ramanan

“Stark fear, then after OMG, I did it”  -Debi Nicholson Cornyn

“I have no idea what I’m doing” -Cristian Avram

“I radioed the tower and advised them that I was soloing and to ‘Please… no wagering…’ ”  -Dan Whalen

“I was like FINALLY! lol.. finally can do whatever I want” -Art Ek

“You’re not getting out are you?” -David Logan

“Me, myself and I all thought: “OK guys, lets all try real hard not to forget anything.”  -Bill Medley

“What! Are you sure?”  -James G Gallinger

“It was a great feeling..not scary, but excited..I was confident I could solo just fine.” -Dennis Malischewski

“I was shaking so bad I didn’t think I could do it. On my climb out after the take off run, I noticed that my carb heat was still on and I truly thought I was going to die! After that, everything went well. Gotta agree with Wade; when it was all said and done, I felt pretty good about it. (PS, I greased the landing!!)”  -Cary Graves

“I though what everyone said all in about 7 secs ! ended the convo with myself saying,  Here goes everything!!!” -Chad Bailey

“The one thing that I will ALWAYS remember is the visual of that empty seat in the 152 that my instructor left when she jumped out of the airplane in the taxiway before my solo.” -Don Riep

“Umm, where are you going?” -Bryant Galbraith

“It definitely was weird, airplane lifted off runway waayyy sooner, no noisy instructor to talk to. I tried to stay confident, and it worked out!” – Pat. Pfnuer

“Yeehaa -free as a bird! (I screamed downwind) I [had] just turned 21 -(34 years ago)….”  -Marc Brunet

“My thoughts: well, it’s all up to me now”  -Bill Tee

“Is this really happening? I guess it is up to me now! YEHAAAA!” – Chris Dame

“I was 14 and when he got out I asked “where are you going?”!” -Jason Herald

“I remembered that taking off was optional , landing was mandatory! Greatest experience of my life!”   -David Watkins

“I did 3 touch and go’s. Didn’t really hit me until downwind on my first landing when I looked over and realized that I didn’t have the “comfort” of an instructor in the other seat. Wonderful and unforgettable!” -Roger Robertson

“17 years old and I thought ‘IT’s up to me now, God don’t let me bend it up!’ ” – Al Urbanec

“I think I was calm, cool and collected when I keyed the mic. I’m sure the tower thought differently. I still wonder what went through my instructors head when I got instructed to extend my downwind for landing 737… while he was still on the side of the runway!” – Jerome Murrin

“Don’t have a clue what was going thru my mind but I can tell you what my butt cheecks were doing and thinking LOL.”  – Robert Sullivan

“How will I know if I do something wrong?” -Anthony J Ryan

“I said good and stay out!!!!!” -Hunter Allen

“I’m going to die!!” -Michael Ferguson

“Is this guy high??” -Jason Sjostrom

The first solo is a magical, defining moment.

It’s something that you will never forget.  I know I will never forget my first solo, the anxiety and anticipation build, you drive yourself crazy with worry, but before you know it, your instructor jumps out of the plane, not giving you a minute to protest.  Then you line up, take off and land, and prove to yourself that you are fully capable of flying by yourself.  It’s a magical feeling and a milestone in your flying career. Quite the rush!

My reaction? “Ugh no, today’s not good, it’s too windy” .. the wind was light and variable. 🙂

Want to share your experience of your first solo? Feel free to comment below.

2 thoughts on “Your first solo!

  1. Most instructors agonize with their student’s first solo. When I landed, all exited, he had gone home….nice guy!

  2. not much of an instructor I would say…that is an important part of the training

Comments are closed.