40 years ago today

[poadeleted20]

20 July 69 N60194 C-150 FRG-Local 0.9 Dual, 0.2 Solo Grade: 2-Above Average Remarks: 1st Solo, 1 Landing (Rain). /s/ MJ Collins CFI 1860999 exp 7/31/71

And yes, his first name was Michael, but not that Michael Collins, who was otherwise occupied a quarter million miles away (also flying solo that day).

 

[poadeleted20]

BTW, the old bird is still flying today, too:

N-number : N60194Aircraft Serial Number : 15070139
Aircraft Manufacturer : CESSNA
Model : 150J
Engine Manufacturer : CONT MOTOR
Model : 0-200 SERIES
Aircraft Year : 1969
Owner Name : GREEN VALLEY AVIATION INC
Owner Address : P O BOX 2215
EVERETT, WA, 98203
Type of Owner : Corporation
Registration Date : 24-Sep-1976
Airworthiness Certificate Type : Standard

 

[dmccormack]

That's very cool, Ron.

Despite our fascination with the future, it's amazing how rooted in history aviation has been and remains.

I just learned today that Apollo 11 carried cloth and wood from the Wright Flyer to the moon and back.

 

[rpadula]

Ah, one never forgets their first solo!

Glad to see you were "above average."

 

[Ted]

So you did your first solo in a pretty darn new 150? Wonder how many other students have done their first solos in that same plane since.

Very cool memory, Ron. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ScottM]

hmmm 40 years ago I was flying my very own lunar module around the living room while watching Walter on black and white TV. I probably had my astronaut PJs on and was drinking a glass of tang and eating a space food stick.

 

[EdFred]

I wasn't born yet.

 

[SCCutler]

"Space Food Sticks."

There's something I have not thought of for years.

The space progream gave us so very much of great value; the Space Food Stick was not an exemplar thereof.

 

[mikea]

"Space Food Sticks."

There's something I have not thought of for years.

The space program gave us so very much of great value; the Space Food Stick was not an exemplar thereof.

Jack's drug store downstairs where we would get our $1 toys (and I worked for 50 cents an hour) got in a candy that you ate from a toothpaste tube like an astronaut. It was a blue jelly.

Remember when everything was A-OK?

 

[Tom-D]

I love the FAA data base.

Aircraft Database Search Result
Last Database Update: Mon Jul 20 15:56:07 2009
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manufacturer : CESSNA
Model Name : 150J
Aircraft Type : Fixed Wing Single Engine
Engine Type : Reciprocating
Aircraft Category : Land
Number of Engines : 1
Number of Seats : 2
Max. Gross Weight : Less than 12,500 lbsAvg. Cruise Speed : 90 mph
Aircraft Code : 2071820