Jetdrvr's post got me thinking, so I looked at my logbook. I did my first solo flight 13 years ago today. It was in a C-152, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Cool!

1955, Piper J-3 Cub. Damn near 300 lb instructor; in Yuma, AZ; had one hell of a time getting it back on the ground after he got out.....maybe he should of been holding this....

quote:

Originally posted by billinthewild:
1955, Piper J-3 Cub. Damn near 300 lb instructor; in Yuma, AZ; had one hell of a time getting it back on the ground after he got out.....maybe he should of been holding this....

I bet that 300 lbs made on heck of a difference. I'm amazed a Cub would lift the two of you. That little Continental must have been howling.

I just looked at my log book. my first solo was dated 6/21/83. I guess that would make it summer solstice.

I dont think I'll ever forget that day. I had bought a cessna 150 to get my license in and I kept it at Anchorage international but we did the flight training at Merril field or Birchwood.

That time of year we did a lot of flying early in the morning before any traffice since the sun was up by 4:30 am or so.

My instructor and I left International for Merril about 5:00 am that morning for a few touch and go's.

After a few landings my instructor told me to taxi over to our friend Bob's plane because the instructor who's name was John had left his head set in Bob's plane.

I taxied up to about 30 feet away and john jumped out and started walking towards Bob's plane. He stopped about half way there and turned around and came back and opened the door of my plane and said " while I'm doing this take it around the patch a couple times".

He then closed the door and turned around and started walking to Bob's plane again. I was sitting there kinda stunned asking myself did he really say what I thought he said. I think my mouth hung a little open and I felt bewildered as he walked away from my plane. I had no chance to discuss this with him, no oppertunity for the reasurrance that I was truely ready for this.

Suddenly he stopped again about half way to Bob's plane and turnned around again. He walked to my passanger side door and opened it and I was sure he had come back to say he had reconsidered or maybe give some words of encouragement.

He opend the door and said "by the way DON"T wreck the plane I need a ride back to international".

He closed the door and yet again off to Bob's plane.

I did fine even though my second take off had to be aborted due to a few hundred seaguls on the runway. (in those days there was a dump next to the airport. The gravel strip and south side tiedowns sit on landfill).

soloed june 4th 1984, SJT, san angelo tx....piper cherokee....2 days before my 26th bday....

Soloed August 28, 1974, 52 days after my 16th birthday.

First solo? 2/11/1965. Cessna 140A, Ely Minnesota, winter, damn cold.

Got my private on skiis in a 90HP Cub and my seaplane rating later that spring with the same plane on floats. Never flew wheels until I had over 200 hours and then only because I took some dual for my commercial.

October 1974, Cessna 150, Waco, Tx, Instructor was Gary Tarply

MJines, you soloed on my mother's 74th birthday. Neat.

Sometime during the summer of 1967 (Between Sophomore and Junior year of college). I'd have to go dig my first logbook out of the safe deposit box for an exact date. Cessna 150 /Murray Field / Eureka California. Somewhat of an anticlimax socially, I grew up in small planes flying with my Dad so my learning to fly was sort of expected. Personally it was a thrill!!!

Summer of '85 in a Piper TraumaHawk. I'll never, ever forget it.

I didn't know I'd be soloing that day and my instructor told me to land and told me to stop the Tomahawk on one of the taxi ramps. I did so. He unbuckled and started to step out. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "You're ready. Take it around by yourself for a few touch and goes. I'll be watching from here on the first one and waiting for you inside. Have fun." I did.

Flew for a few years, ran out of money and, more importantly, time in the air to remain proficient and safe. Logged about 120 hours. Hope to do it again some day.

...50 yrs and 30,000 flying hrs ago. 21 Apr 1959, Cape Girardeau, Mo, 65hp Taylorcraft. It was one of life's greatest experiences. I have always thought it was the most fun you could have with your clothes on. And after all these years, and airborne hours, it's still a "HOOT" for me.

May of 2006 at the age of 50,got a late start but something I have always dreamed of doing.
Solo was in a 172. Flew a Stearman for the first time last Saturday I really got a kick out of that!

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
MJines, you soloed on my mother's 74th birthday. Neat.

In 1974. The stars must have really been aligned that day.