I went to ground school a few nights ago only to find out that the class had been cancelled (damn the staff shortage for everything in Calgary right now). As I was waiting I was looking at the “First Solo” board and as I glanced at my own picture I realized that I never actually blogged about the event. I completed my first solo on April 14th, 2006. I thought that this was quite the ironic date for a Titanic buff. It was almost perfect weather and after doing about a 1000 practise runs I finally dropped off my instructor and did my first circuit logging my first minutes as Pilot -in-Command.
Following are pictures shot by Jason the day of. He took so many that if you scroll through them really fast on his camera you can watch the entire flight in stop motion.
Wheels up at rotation. My instructor was reportedly heard to say “she's got no choice now.” I find this interesting because the minute I felt the wheels up I realized that I only had two choices and one of them would be embarrassing and possibly painful.
Coming in for the landing. I could show you all the stuff in between but Katanas are notoriously hard to see. ATC refers to them as the only stealth civil air craft.
Taxiing back to the apron. Check out that fantastic view in the background.
Canopy open and me sitting in my kite.
Military tradition dictates that a first solo pilot must be doused with water. This task was carried out by another pilot who at one time was one of my band air cadets (not feeling old at all, oh no). The other tradition was the civilian one of cutting off a new pilot's tie. I wasn't wearing a tie, still being a jeans and t-shirt kind of flier, so Jen provided me with a scarf and did the honours in lieu of her dad. He had suggested that she hack off my bra instead but I think we're all relieved that we did not have to witness that nasty lesson in weight and lift.
I've been grounded for the past few months due to training at work keeping me pretty busy. Writing this little recap is enough to remind me that it's time to get myself back in the left seat and finish off my license.