Today my "adopted" student, Summer, soloed! I took over her training from my dear friend Chris Cooper when health issues temporarily grounded him in December. Summer is from China and is one of the smartest, most intensely focused students I have ever flown with. You can see the "wheels" are always turning in her brain as she receives instruction. If she doesn't "get" something, she stops you immediately and has you explain it again until she does...then she has it! She's a delight to fly with and instruct.
She missed flying most of January due to a trip back to China, then battled weather in February, so was getting a bit frustrated at her lack of progress two weeks ago. But I knew she was still progressing and assured her she was doing just fine. Today we flew again after two weeks off. She was a bit rusty on the first two (we did one go-around), but then settled into her groove and began nailing landing after landing. She was adding just the right amount of power when coming up a little short, and slipping it perfectly when a bit high. I knew she was ready.
As we pulled off the runway, she was expecting it to be the end of her lesson. I looked over and said, "I think you're ready to solo."
Her eyes grew to the size of saucers...with an accompanying look of panic.
"I'm not ready!!"
"Yes, you are. Your landings are perfect. You're definitely ready."
"Do you really think so?" she asked.
"I wouldn't let you solo if you weren't!" I responded.
We taxied back to the FBO. As we pulled up near the building I said, "Turn around and I'll jump out right here.".
As I climbed out I looked back at Summer. I could see the wheels were turning as intensely as ever.
"You're going to do great! I'll be on the radio of you need me", I said as I shut the door and latched it.
On my handheld radio I listened as she read back the multi-part taxi instructions perfectly, then headed off to runway 36. I called the tower and advised them of the first solo.
She did awesomely! Okay, landing #2 got a bit wobbly, but #1 and #3 were terrific! You should have seen the smile on her face when she got back. There were hugs all around while I clipped her shirttail and inscribed it. We snapped some photos (which I am sure are all the way to China by now!), and I put together a little memento for her achievement. Congratulations, Summer! You'll be a private pilot soon!
She missed flying most of January due to a trip back to China, then battled weather in February, so was getting a bit frustrated at her lack of progress two weeks ago. But I knew she was still progressing and assured her she was doing just fine. Today we flew again after two weeks off. She was a bit rusty on the first two (we did one go-around), but then settled into her groove and began nailing landing after landing. She was adding just the right amount of power when coming up a little short, and slipping it perfectly when a bit high. I knew she was ready.
As we pulled off the runway, she was expecting it to be the end of her lesson. I looked over and said, "I think you're ready to solo."
Her eyes grew to the size of saucers...with an accompanying look of panic.
"I'm not ready!!"
"Yes, you are. Your landings are perfect. You're definitely ready."
"Do you really think so?" she asked.
"I wouldn't let you solo if you weren't!" I responded.
We taxied back to the FBO. As we pulled up near the building I said, "Turn around and I'll jump out right here.".
As I climbed out I looked back at Summer. I could see the wheels were turning as intensely as ever.
"You're going to do great! I'll be on the radio of you need me", I said as I shut the door and latched it.
On my handheld radio I listened as she read back the multi-part taxi instructions perfectly, then headed off to runway 36. I called the tower and advised them of the first solo.
She did awesomely! Okay, landing #2 got a bit wobbly, but #1 and #3 were terrific! You should have seen the smile on her face when she got back. There were hugs all around while I clipped her shirttail and inscribed it. We snapped some photos (which I am sure are all the way to China by now!), and I put together a little memento for her achievement. Congratulations, Summer! You'll be a private pilot soon!
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