First Solo!
by JJ Cassa - November 17th, 2008
Yesterday, November 15, 2008 I had my first solo flight! I flew out of Front Range Airport (KFTG) in Denver, Colorado in a 2004 Cessna C-172SP with the registration of N618VC. This is my absolute favorite plane at the flight school so I made sure that it was available before scheduling my flight. You can see a video of my experience by clicking here.
My wife and I showed up at the airport around 7AM to meet my instructor. When I checked the weather the winds were 170 (south) at about 13 knots, which was a little higher than the club maximum for solo flight of 10 knots. We made the decision to wait things out to see if the winds would subside. In the meantime I was checking the weather like I had OCD- every 5 minutes or so. My parents and grandpa showed up around 7:45, and I broke the news to them that I might not solo unless the winds cooperated. Finally about 8AM the winds died down to 10 knots- It was game time!
We headed out to the hangar to pre-flight the aircraft, and as expected for a 2004 airplane everything checked out great. I did my pre-start checklist and the airplane roared to life. We pulled ATIS and the winds were now down to 8 knots, so I knew that this was really going to happen- that is as long as I could pull off some decent touch and goes with my instructor. 
We received taxi instructions for runway 8 and started to taxi. About halfway there the tower said “618VC I told you taxi to 26 via Alpha, do you want 8?” to which I replied “618VC, actually you told us to taxi to runway 8″. There was no response- the controller knew that he had made a mistake and the next we heard from him was that we were cleared for takeoff. I took off as normal and we requested an immediate transition to runway 17 for our touch and goes. Our upwind for runway 8 became our base for runway 17, and I setup for approach. I then went on to do 4 pretty decent touch and goes- after which my instructor requested a full stop. This is finally happening!” I thought to myself.
We taxied to the terminal and after a few words of encouragement my instructor endorsed my logbook and started to head towards the building! Now the nerves really started to build as I completed my pre-start and pre-taxi checklist for the second time that day. Right before I released my parking brake I looked over to see the empty right seat and pinched myself- This is really happening! This is it! This is what I have prepared for!
In my second request for taxi instructions I sounded really, really nervous but managed to get the words “First Solo” into my message to ground control. From that point forward I could tell that the controllers took “extra care” of me, speaking their instructions a little slower than normal. I did my run-up, and then pulled up to the line third in sequence for takeoff. Good- a little time to collect my thoughts. I actually remember saying “Oh Shit, this is for real!” while I was in line. Finally, it was my turn and the tower said “618VC, position and hold on 26, traffic is on a two mile final” and then thirty seconds later “618VC, cleared for takeoff”. The nerves immediately gave way to complete confidence as I firewalled the throttle and began my first solo takeoff roll and a perfect takeoff. My first thought was “Holy crap this thing wants to climb- down trim!” and my second thought was “I did it!”. Having requested another transition to 17 for my touch and goes (winds were 170 at 5), I turned south and climbed to pattern altitude. At this point I was feeling really calm and at peace while at the same time being totally on top of my game. It was a clear day so you could see the entire front range, including Pike’s Peak so I soaked in the scenery while climbing and looking for traffic.
I was then given instructions to turn eastbound to follow I-70 to a left downwind for 17. I announced my downwind and made my turn. It was time to do the other necessary part of the flying equation- landing. I set up for a short approach and really concentrated on my airspeed and the centerline. I knew I had to make this look good- I had an audience to please! I went on to perform one of my best touch and goes ever, and went around for my second. On the second touch and go, the wind kicked up a little bit and caused me to land with a slight bounce. Not great- but definitely not my worst and the plane was still intact. I then setup for my final landing and flared a little too much too early. Balloon time- I added just a hint of power without even thinking and settled in for another really smooth landing.
I made the long taxi back to the hangar and my family and flight instructor were there waiting for me. As I pulled in I gave them a big thumbs up. It was at this point that I realized that I had done what so few have done- flew solo in an airplane! I was now an official pilot!! 
The next step is to work on my cross countries- stay tuned for trip reports from those!