Lesson 23 : FIRST SOLO!!!

15 Janurary  

Warrior III VH-TAE

Weather QNH: 1021, Wind: SSE light, Temp: 17c 

Runway 17L

Headed to MFS hoping today was the day I'd finally go Solo - I had my Student Licence, ASIC card, Medical, Jason was back from holidays and the weather was looking good.  However, when Jason started suggesting a lesson in the training area - my heart drop.  I quickly pointed out my nice new Student Pilot Licence.  After a quick change of plan we were in TAE and taxing for circuits.

I haven't flown with Jason for about 6 weeks, so we do a few circuits to make sure I'm in the grove.  My landings are OK, and I even remembered how to do the "go around" correctly. So on the 6th circuit Jason gets a clearance to land on 17R so he can jump out.

As I fly that last circuit and taxi back to the northern run-up bay, Jason gives me a quick brief on what he wants me to do once he is out of the plane.

• First I need to go though my run-up checks - as normal
• Get my clearance and taxi out to 17L and do my "line-up" checks - as normal
• When I make my "take-off request" it will be slightly different " Moorabbin tower, Tango Alpha Echo, for circuit, First solo, ready One-Seven Left."
• Once I get my clearance I'll take-off and do 1 circuit and a full stop landings
• Then "after landing" checks, Taxi back to the northern run-up and pickup Jason.

"Easy, see you soon" (I say nervously) .

It was strange shutting the door and being the only one in the plane, knowing there no one was checking what I'm doing. I take a deep breath and get started on my checks. 

I check anything twice and take another couple of deep breaths before taxiing to holding point "Golf for 17L".  More checks, and in no time I'm sitting at the end of the runway pushing the throttles forward.

I've now done this so many time it's almost a none event.  However without no one else in the plane it climbs a lot fast, and I find I'm talking to myself - coaching myself around the circuit.  

While taking off and the circuit may have seem a non-event the approach and landing weren't.  Now the nerves start kicking in - there is no one to "save" my if I don't get this right. I know I've done six good landings already today but Jason had been next to me - just in case.  

So we I turn onto base; power back, speed to 80kts, 2 stages of flap, looking to turn onto final around 700ft.  Onto final, slowing to 75knots, last stage of flaps, power to maintain correct landing point, I acknowledge my landing clearance, 200ft carb heat off.

All good so far, but I'm still prepared to "go-around" if anything doesn't look/feeel right. Airspeed  back to 65kts, We I  cross the theshold and cut the power, eyes down the runway, and start the round out, hold, hold, hold.... 

Then the wheels touch down and I'm braking.  I miss the first turn off, so roll down to A6 and clear the runway.   I've finally flown a plane all by myself, only taken me 44 years!!!!  

When I make my Taxi request I get a big congratulations from the tower and head back to pick-up Jason.  It still feels a bit surreal as we park the plane and do the paper work but I like it and can't wait to do it again.



 
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VH-TAE Piper Warrior III  - First SOLO 0.8hrs Dual 0.3 SOLO (Total time 24.8hrs)