I began expecting to solo a few flights ago but a litany of events were beginning to tear down my enthusiasm. I showed up one day and the weather was so bad we had to cancel. Next time the wind was so gusty that I just didn't have solid control of the dual landings. I switched to morning flights to get cleaner air. Preflighted, noticed something a little strange on taxi, then on runup the right mag test was a disaster. The plane was missing badly. The instructor tried various lean runups and was unable to clear the problem.

The instructor asked me how I felt about flying anyway. I was dumbfounded, and asked if he was serious. He commented that since we would be in the pattern and I had emergency landings down pat, no problem. I was still a bit hesitant but really wanted to solo that morning, so "sure, let's go".

We taxied onto the runway and began the roll. About a third of the runway later we were up to 40kts. I aborted and said I didn't think we were going to get off the ground. The instructor said he thought we would have gotten off but would have had a low climb angle.

We taxied back and canceled for the day, great weather gone to waste.

Three days later I was back again. Same plane and a comment from the owner: "It should do ok for an hour or so to get you solo'd". The weather was not the clear, calm I had wanted for the event. 15kt winds varying from left and right of the runway but fairly steady at least. We took to the skys for the dual portion of the flight.

My first dual landing that day was certainly nothing to be proud of. The instructor had said I needed three in a row good and said he would count that one as the first one.

During the next takeoff roll, the instructor asked if he could fly a pattern to assess the conditions. Normally I tell him to talk me through things rather than show me, I don't think I get as much learning when I am watching. This was different though so I said "your plane". We took off and he suggested an extended climbout due to the strong headwind. We continued the pattern and he did an eventless landing.

He turned the plane back over to me and told me to do two more good ones and he would get out for the grand event. We lifted off with a debate on which side the cross wind was from. I was claiming 20 degrees from the right, he believing it to be from the left. I decided I was going to try correcting for the crosswind on landing. What a terrible landing. I actually felt the nosewheel bottom out. Worst landing I had done to date. I started to worry a bit, but put my attention to the takeoff and vowed to do better next time.

The next landing, I decided to forget about the crosswind and just fly the approach and see how bad it really was. I did a great landing and we transitioned into the next. Up until this day, the instructor had always been retracting the flaps on the touch and goes. I would reach for them but he was always there while I was putting the heat and throttle in. I had made a mental note that at some point I needed to tell him to stop that and let me do it all. This was the moment. I beat him to the flaps and commented that I needed to do the whole thing myself.

The next landing was uneventful and he told me to taxi him back to the hangar. I rehearsed back to him my understanding that I was to do three landings, he reminded me that these were to be full stop landings. He got out and I was alone.

A lot was racing through my head. "Will I enjoy this?", "Sure seems lonely", "Hope the plane will hold up for this". I really like the camaraderie of the dual flights and although solo flight will be fun, somehow sharing the flying experience and having someone along gives me alot more pleasure, I think.

As I taxied back to the active runway, I questioned in my mind if he (CFI) wanted me to do the runup again or just go. I chose to skip the runup, paused at the hold short, checked for non-transmitting planes in the pattern and said "here goes". I announced my ready for takeoff and started the roll.

I thought briefly how it didn't feel any different without the instructor beside me, I had done this a bunch and now was going to do it three more times. I reached the pattern altitude in the middle of my turn to downwind due to following the prior instructions to extend my climbout a bit. I had never transitioned to cruise during a 30 degree turn before. I debated if it was unsafe for any reason. The turn and transition went smoothly. I had a moment to relax. It was really great.

Midpoint runway - prelanding check...abeam the numbers - transition to slow flight, heat, throttle, wait for flaps speed, 10 degrees, now establish the descent. Looking great...now wheres the runway...ok looking real good.

Time to turn base, speed looks good, altitude right on, in, now level it and assess. Flaps 20, speed still good, descent looking good, crab a little for the wind, ok time to turn final.

Wow, it's going to happen, little high and fast, flaps 30, pull up a bit to slow to 60, ok put it back on the numbers, looking good, lined up good, now when to pull the power...now.

Transition focus to the end of the runway, wait, wait, flare, flare, stall warning, ok speeds ok, hold the flare, mains down soft, hold the nose up, boy that stall warnings really going, don't remember that from any previous landings, nose wheel down softly. Yiiiks, that was the best landing I've ever done. That probably is the best landing I'll ever do, maybe I should quit now.

Lets go...oh yeah full stops... only did that once or twice before. Pulled off and began the taxi for pattern number two. Engine seemed a little rough so I tried the carb heat and increasing throttle to keep the rpms up. Don't want to forget to douse the heat on takeoff though. Wondered if I should do a runup and mag check to see how bad it is getting, decided to go on faith.

Pattern two was uneventful, landing two was not greased but acceptable. After all, after that first landing being so perfect, every landing will be a let down if not absolutely perfect.

Taxi for number three was time to contemplate the state of the engine. It seemed to be running even rougher. Lots of other planes around and stuff to be concerned with. Well, its my turn, lets go for three. No sign of missing on the takeoff though, we're go for number three.

Landing number three was interesting, flared a little late, floating back up a bit, nose down, not too much, flare some more, wheres the stall warning, plop. Well thats three.

Gee, do I have to quit now. This is too much fun.

There you have it. I did it. The log book now has 11 hours in it and I am excited to start the second phase of this expensive fun. Going home was a bit of a let down. Telling the family that I did it, I solo'd...just didn't seem to convey the excitement and pleasure I felt. On to family things and normal life, no time for "flying stories" just then.

Catch ya in the air,

Alan McDonley

ps. (Up to 27 hrs now -April 97 and studying hard for the written)

Lantana Traffic, Cessna 93Mike clear the runway, 1 5 Lantana