Thursday 29th July 2021, 10:30 to 10:50 UTC, total hours at AFTA; 29:55 (35.4% of phase 2). “Clear prop!” I shout out of the window, I put the magnetos key in, and turn it, one click to right, another click to left, another to both, then I hold it cranking on start and push the mixture lever fully rich, the engine starts nicely and the oil shoots into the green range nicely and I just the throttle to 1200 rpm. I run through some more checks with my instructor sat beside me in the cockpit. I then run through some after engine start checks and some engine run up checks before finishing with some before take off checks. My instructor then tells me if I come into land and feel unstable to go around, if I bounce the landing, then go around, if I begin to balloon the landing, then go around, he then says good luck to me and get out of there plane…
I’m now sat in a running Cessna 172s all by myself and make my first radio call to the tower; “Waterford Tower, solo student first solo G-CLMX ready for backtrack” “G-CLMX cleared to backtrack and lineup runway 21” “Cleared to backtrack and line up runway 21, G-CLMX.” I then taxi the aircraft, by myself down the runway and turn around to face the runway. “G-CLMX wind 280 degrees, 4 kts, runway 21 cleared take-off” “Runway 21, cleared take off, G-CLMX”. I then put on my landing light, apply my throttle fully and where I’m guessing I’ve not got 80kg worth of instructor sat next to me (using standard masses), she shoots off down the runway a lot quicker, at 55 kts I then rotate the aircraft and climb according to the circuit pattern.
To say I wasn’t nervous would be a lie, to say I wasn’t buzzing with excitement would be a lie and to say I didn’t have a grin that looked like a Cheshire Cat all the time I was in the air would also be a huge big fat lie! I enjoyed every second that I was in the air, even though the whole thing was a little daunting for going completely on my own for the first time. I’d describe the experience a bit like when you drive a car for the first time after passing your driving test, you almost want to look to the person sat next to you for reassurance, but when you look across they’re not there!
Making my way through the circuit, when abeam the tower I reported on downwind and was cleared onto base and finals, at about 30º beyond the threshold I added flaps to 10º, and at 45º abeam the threshold, I commenced my turn onto the base leg and then added in 20º of flaps and began descending while also making my turn to line myself up with the centreline of the runway. I reported I was on finals and was cleared to land while also adding in 30º of flaps, keeping my speed stable and descending towards the aiming point. When I’m over the threshold and still descending, I gradually pull out the power to idle while also pulling back and touch the aircraft down on the ground without bouncing it or ballooning the landing at all!
“G-CLMX that is your first solo completed, huge congratulations! Cleared to backtrack and exit via Alpha” ” “Thank you! Cleared to backtrack and exit via Alpha, G-CLMX” And almost as soon as it had begun my first solo had ended and I taxied my aircraft back to the hanger with my huge grin still on my face, my instructor waiting there for me and using hand signals directed me to my designated parking space – another first for me which was also quite exhilarating!
The only thing that could’ve gone slightly better is what happened when I got out of the plane. After performing all of my landing and shutdown checks, I jumped out of the plane to walk over to my instructor and stood up straight a little too quickly and ended up whacking my head on the wing! On the bright side, it also put a huge smile on my instructors face along with the laughter of another student waiting to get into the plane!
The pain didn’t last too long however, as when I got back to the house I’m staying in, it was time for the celebratory soaking from the water bucket! A tradition that is usually completed at the airport, however, they don’t seem to do it here at AFTA so we do it ourselves! I can confirm that the water was very cold and I got in the shower very quickly afterwards!
And that concludes my first solo. I’ve done this as a separate blog as it is such a momentous achievement and a memory that will stay with me forever. Some may even argue that this is the hardest hurdle to complete on the way to becoming a pilot, so for me to complete this with success makes the achievement even more sweeter.
Until next time where I’ll have more stories about my flying and experiences here in Waterford, take care, and thank you as always for reading what I’ve been up to.
