I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

So, I started taking flying lessons recently. I have always wanted to get my private pilot license and fly in the backcountry. This morning, I soloed for the first time. IT WAS AWESOME!!!

I expected to be pretty nervous. In all actuality, I wasn't too worked up. My instructor prepared me well, I guess.

I expected to enjoy this endeavor. I wish I hadn't waited as long as I had. If anyone else has been talking about it... do it. You will NOT regret it.

This calls for a celebratory smoke.

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats Zach... I bet the really was awesome... :tu

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Dude that is awesome!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Man I bet that was something else......great feeling.....congrats!!!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

It had to have been a great feeling of pride and freedom, congrats Zach

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats brother, thats an awesome accomplishment.

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

How long did it take to get your license

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

That is great brother .. Congrats to you sir ...

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

That is sweet, congrats!!!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Most excellent!

http://rlv.zcache.com/congratulation...7en8zg_152.jpg

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

:tu

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats on the solo brother

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Awesome, Zach, congrats! :tu

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Thanks, everyone!

I don't have my Private Pilots license yet. I still have another ~30 hours or so before I will receive my Private. I guess I now officially have my Student Pilot License, which doesn't really mean much. :)

So, another few months and I hope to have that. Then I will really be dangerous! -(P

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats...it's a great feeling. I did my first solo in a C-150 that someone else ended up crashing and then moved onto Cherokee 140's which I liked a lot better. Of course, someone else ended up crashing it too.

What are you flying in and what's the going rate in your neck of the woods? A C-152 here is better than $100/hr. I think when I decide to start flying again, I'm going to get a 1/4 share or something instead.

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congratulations, that is an accomplishment. I have a PP license and soloed some time ago. Learned in a 152 and flew a Cherokee recently. It takes some brass... uh, shoes... to fly a single engine solo especially in the back country or in turbulence.

Its an expensive hobby and once you fly in a glass cockpit single, you wont want to go back to steam gauges. Glass around here is 150.00+ per engine running hour. Tower delays get really, really costly.

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats brother!! :D

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

That's pretty awesome! Congratulations!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congratulations! :tu

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congratulations! I fly a lot....in a commercial airliner. I will leave the actual operation of the aircraft to adventurous souls like you!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats! Sounds like a great time!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

That, and you were so focused on your task that you didn't have time for anything else.

Quite a feeling, I know. Make sure (if you can and are offered) to get some stall recovery training. It saved my butt once!

I won't say have fun, I know you already are.

So ENJOY! :tu

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congratulations! In about two years I plan on using part of my GI Bill to do this.

Enjoy the smoke you earned it!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congratulations!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats, but I can't believe none of these patients asked you what smoke you celebrated with before during and after. that must have been a great feeling though.

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Reminds me of when I first flew several years ago - the 152s we were trained in had ashtrays, so we figured why not put them to good use? Trouble is, at altitude, the vitamin N hits a lot harder than it does at ground. And the steam gauges weren't too receptive to particulate smoke... It would be interesting to hear from some of the old timers, Im pretty sure SOMEONE had to have enjoyed a stogie at altitude at some point!

I dont recommend it today of course, with an oxygen bottle present as well as exhaust fumes, there is potential for a big problem....

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

awesome man

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congratulations Zach!

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

I am flying in a C150, mostly. The running costs are $80/hr. Let me tell you, its a rocket ship. Why I saw 105 mph the other day. The Gulfstream that pulled out in front of me yesterday was anxious to take off and I gave him some extra room so I didn't run him down. :rolleyes:

Once I am finished with my PP I plan on getting my taildragger endorsement. I may consider doing my Instrument rating as well. Who knows. This is a lot of money in training I am talking about now.

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

I remember the only time I ever flew into Indy as a student, the tower ATC tellig me to take the first available taxiway off the runway with a B737 behind me. Didn't have to tell me twice. ;)

The coolest experience I ever had in a cockpit though was when I worked for an airline and they let me sit in the jump seat on approach to San Francisco. Pretty cool watching a DC10 landing next to you on a parallel runway.

Re: I did something cool today. My first solo!
 

Congrats!

"Lord Guard and Guide the men who fly ...."