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To: elpolvo who wrote (65240)	7/13/2007 12:38:10 PM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 104154

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To: elpolvo who wrote (65240)	7/15/2007 3:53:05 PM
From: Clappy	Read Replies (8) \| Respond to of 104154

I did it! Today I did my first solo take off and landings. What a feeling! Here is how it went. My instructor Ed got in the plane with a bag he normally doesn't carry around. There was the antenna of a nav/com portable radio sticking out of it. I had a strong feeling today was going to be the day but I kept my mouth shut and flew over to a quiet airport on the other side of the river. It was blowing pretty good as the humid summer skies looked to be tooling up for a few late afternoon thunderstorms. Yet it was still clear enough. I tuned into the non-towered airport's AWOS and heard the winds were out of 180 at 15kts. I reset my altimeter to the proper number. I switched over to the unicom frequency and found out what I had aready figured. Twentyone was the active runway. I flew over the airport and took a look from 2000 ft. Then I headed out on a 45 from the end of the airport, turned 180 degrees while losing 600 feet and entered the pattern on downwind for right base. I turned right base and then again turned for final. The wind toyed with me a little but I put the plane down nicely after easing out of the crab. I taxied off and flew another lap. This time Ed told me to pull off to a place where he could get out. My heart began racing. Sort of like when I knew my first son was about to be born. Not quite as intense but there was that point where I knew it was going to happen and nothing was going to stop it. I knew I was going to be on my own flying this plane without the comfort of having my instructor to bail me out if something was going wrong. Pucker factor kicked in. Ed waved me on as he started his camcorder. I had a quick little talk with God as I taxied to the runway. Then I sort of just settled back as if my instructor was still in the plane and went through my pre-take off check. I announced to the local traffic I was taking the active and staying in the pattern. I swallowed hard and pushed the throttle all the way in. At 60 mph I pulled back and lifted off the ground. What a great feeling. I soaked it all in. I noticed how much arm and shoulder room I now had. The plane felt lighter. I flew crosswind to 1,300 feet and reached 1,400 ft, 1/3 the way downwind. I slowed my airspeed to about 80 mph applying carb heat and 1/3 flaps. I turned right base after passing that tall hill. I pucker some more and begin final approach. I apply another 1/3 flaps to slow down a bit more as my glide path remains somewhat straight as I crab in. I try not to think that my CFI is on the ground filming me instead of sitting next to me. I notice I can concentrate a little better since no one is talking in my ear. However in the silence I still can hear what Ed would have been telling me. Closer and closer the ground came. The wind is toying with me but I am still in control with a few slight corrections. I begin my flare and ease out of the crab. The wind lifts me up a bit but I stay in control and keep everything on path. I float a bit. I keep nosing up slightly as I get closer and then touch back wheels and then quickly the front wheel. I DID IT! I began to breathe again while finishing the roll out. I announced I was clear the active and then made sure my push-to-talk was not in, and then yelled a loud YA-HOOO!! My legs were shaking with excitement. I taxied around to Ed who was still filming me and he waved me on for another two laps. After my third solo landing, I was glad to hear my instructor tell me over the radio to pick him up. With the wind the way it was, I had enough. We flew back home and I just kept smiling the entire time. As I finish typing this the thunder and lightening has arrived. I am glad to be home and keep thinking about earlier today. I will never forget this day. It was magnificent. -OneThreeVictor