First Solo

It's been a couple of months and good many hours circuit training since I last wrote here, which is probably good because it would be boring to read about circuits over and over again. Not that it isn't enjoyable and challenging flying the circuit, its just repetitive practice to take you through as many takeoffs and landings as possible, and would lose a lot in the telling.

Over the last couple of months I have been refining my skills to the point that today I completed my first solo circuit. My instructor hopped out beside the taxiway and after a few words of encouragement off I went! On the way I double-checked with the tower that I had clearance to taxi up to the holding point as I wasn't sure. The holding point is within the 'maneuvering area' which you need clearance to enter.

Anyway it all went very smoothly, as conditions today were perfect and the circuit traffic wasn't heavy. The air was cool, it was early so there were no thermals to make the air bumpy, no cloud, and no wind.

 I had heard stories of people being overcome with terror and not being able to line up on the runway, but this lap around the runway couldn't have gone smoother. I was completely relaxed and calm (if a little excited) as I pulled up to the holding point and reported ready. I double, then triple checked everything (takeoff trim, fuel pump, engine instruments etc) and when I was cleared to line up and then take off it was the best feeling in the world.

The aeroplane climbed like a rocket! In a two-seater training aircraft there isn't even much weight allowable for bagage, so when you halve the usual number of people sitting in it the change in weight is quite siginificant. Coupled with the cool, high-pressure air the effect on performance was noticable. I think I reached circuit height before I turned downwind, which is unusual.

Anyway the circuit was good, I could have been a bit closer in, and I didn't really lose altitude quickly enough so my approach was a little steep. I was very happy with my final approach and touchdown.

Overall it was awesome to be in complete control of the aeroplane for the first time. Although my instructor hasn't needed to touch the controls for weeks now, it's an indescribably different feeling to be alone in the cockpit. I studied quite intensely leading up to this flight because I wanted to make sure I had all the relevant rules and emergency procedures memorised, knowing that when by myself, its all up to me to fix any problems that may arise. This is something I'm going to be coming to terms with over the next part of my training, and I suppose thats what initial solo flights are for. With an instructor there its always in the back of your mind that if there is a real problem someone else will deal with it, but now it'll be up to me to make sure I have the answers and solutions ready myself. This is a responsibility and challenge I am excited about facing, and which is after all the basic responsibility of being a pilot.

I have to build up two total solo hours now before moving on to the next phase of my training. This is achieved by flying 2 or 3 circuits with an instructor, and then them hopping out for me to fly 2 or 3 solo cuircuits. Hopefully the weather conditions over the next couple of weeks will be favourable and I can get some more solo flights under my belt!

After my flight I was treated to a tour of the training area. I'd been out there before, but this flight had a serious element of introducing me to the boundaries of the Sydney training area in preparation for more work out there. It was also nice to get some altitude and cruise around South-Western Sydney for an hour. At this stage I'm more hooked with every aviation experience I have.