Josh Parker
Filing Flight Plan
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2018
- Messages
- 22
- Display Name
Display name:
Park6361
Well, just as the title reads, I soloed for the first time yesterday 1/6/2019. I had 15.5 hrs. Weather was perfect, 12000 ceiling, 6SM vis. 6/7 knot winds with relatively low xwind component, but enough that I had to concentrate, crab, and slip to land.
We flew to practice area, I did 3 full stop landings. Instructor kicked out. I did 3 full stops on my own. WOW, what a difference without a 280lb instructor in a C172S. That actually kind of spooked me for a split second with flying characteristics different and W&B.
While in the pattern I was surprisingly calm, but nervous enough to remember every last step. I made my calls for each turn, focused on speed WAY more than I do with the CFI in the right seat. Flew a little bit extended downwind each time so I can have a good base to final.
1st landing was great, wasn't a greaser, I was about 68knots with the bit of xwind and nerves. Second landing I was a bit faster at 70knots and on flare I ballooned a hair, then bounced a bit, and didn't angle it JUST perfect on landing, but I was right on center line and kept it there. Now the 3rd landing I was proud of, even though winds changed direction a bit and were at 7knots. Perfect glide slope, great approach speed, had the crab in, and slipped it wonderfully right before touchdown.
The whole time I kept calm and forced myself to relax. I got warm, so on each landing I popped the window to cool off, breath, reset the plane (I use trim a lot so I had to reset). After the 3 landings I wanted to have some actual fun, so we did a full on approach to a big Class charlie (KSDF) and did a downtown tour (downtown is in the class C). The ATC was super nice, accommodating, and I only was slow on one call, which CFI promptly fixed.
Here's the thing. Coming back to home airport (KLOU, busy Class D), I was frazzled I think, in the pattern I was too quick, didn't descend well, lots of traffic, had to go around on first try I was half a mile out and aborted, gut feeling. Second attempt I extended Downwind, still fast, had to remove a notch of flaps from speeding back up (not removing power, doh!). But I took a deep breath and did great by the time I hit my short final. Lesson learned, 2.4 hrs is a lot to do especially with first solo. End of the day I cut the back out of that t-shirt and was thrilled.
We flew to practice area, I did 3 full stop landings. Instructor kicked out. I did 3 full stops on my own. WOW, what a difference without a 280lb instructor in a C172S. That actually kind of spooked me for a split second with flying characteristics different and W&B.
While in the pattern I was surprisingly calm, but nervous enough to remember every last step. I made my calls for each turn, focused on speed WAY more than I do with the CFI in the right seat. Flew a little bit extended downwind each time so I can have a good base to final.
1st landing was great, wasn't a greaser, I was about 68knots with the bit of xwind and nerves. Second landing I was a bit faster at 70knots and on flare I ballooned a hair, then bounced a bit, and didn't angle it JUST perfect on landing, but I was right on center line and kept it there. Now the 3rd landing I was proud of, even though winds changed direction a bit and were at 7knots. Perfect glide slope, great approach speed, had the crab in, and slipped it wonderfully right before touchdown.
The whole time I kept calm and forced myself to relax. I got warm, so on each landing I popped the window to cool off, breath, reset the plane (I use trim a lot so I had to reset). After the 3 landings I wanted to have some actual fun, so we did a full on approach to a big Class charlie (KSDF) and did a downtown tour (downtown is in the class C). The ATC was super nice, accommodating, and I only was slow on one call, which CFI promptly fixed.
Here's the thing. Coming back to home airport (KLOU, busy Class D), I was frazzled I think, in the pattern I was too quick, didn't descend well, lots of traffic, had to go around on first try I was half a mile out and aborted, gut feeling. Second attempt I extended Downwind, still fast, had to remove a notch of flaps from speeding back up (not removing power, doh!). But I took a deep breath and did great by the time I hit my short final. Lesson learned, 2.4 hrs is a lot to do especially with first solo. End of the day I cut the back out of that t-shirt and was thrilled.