Soloing is the moment every student pilot dreams of. It was on a late afternoon in July where an insignificant Piper Warrior landed in Wycombe Air Park after its third circuit training of the day. There sat a certain terrified pilot on her first solo flight, where not long ago her instructor, without warning, set the aircraft down, gave her a few words of encouragement and duly ran off.
So there I was, left alone in a small aeroplane expected to take off and land with no help or support. Understandably, I was somewhat nervous. But, once I got clearance to take off, I took a deep breath, and another, and another and finally applied full power. When the wheels left the ground on my takeoff, there was no going back. ‘"Wow" was the first word came in mind, as I went around the circuit those nerves work off. Everything I had been taught fitted into place and the moment I landed I was hit with excitement and an incredible good feeling. Now I appreciate why first solo is the one flight no pilot ever forgets.
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