Delta Connection Academy

Solo!

Last Wednesday, my instructor & I practiced takeoffs and landings at Galveston in preparation for my initial solo. We returned to Galveston Thursday afternoon and I completed four takeoffs and landings (to a full stop) with him in the plane. He told me to drop him off in front of the tower. I turned off the engine, and then he got out. It was exciting to be the sole occupant in the cockpit. I restarted the engine, followed all the checklists, and talked to ground to taxi. As I taxied away, Michael climbed up to the tower where he watched my flight, and I could hardly believe the time had finally come.

Galveston ground gave me instructions to taxi to runway 13. As I sat at the hold short line, I switched over to tower and began going through my line up checklist, I couldn’t keep my excitement inside. I started talking out loud. I am a person who prays so I began talking to God. Once cleared for takeoff, I continued my checklist: time off – 1:05, mixture – full rich, external lights – as required (all lights on), flight director – not needed, heading/runway alignment – checked, checklist – complete. Rolling down the runway: 50% power – engine instruments in the green, airspeed alive, 100% power, 65-70 kias pull back gently & rotate! I climbed, flaps up above 85 kias & 200 AGL completing my climb checklist and making sure I had the correct pitch & bank during my turnout. I made my midfield radio call and continued with my traffic pattern checklist. I added flaps, reduced airspeed, turned base, added more flaps and turned final, and continued my descent. I kept my airspeed up and made the best landing I had made in awhile! I seemed to have had so much more time without Michael in the plane with me. I made a complete stop, taxied back, and did it two more times. This was exhilarating! Finally, when friends & family ask if I’ve completed my solo, I can finally say “Yes I have!”