Hello fellow musicians and aviators. This post has a special place in my heart and always will for as long as I am alive. Yesterday, October 28th, 2019, I flew approximately 1.6 hours, of which .5 of those hours were by myself. No CFI, no help, just me; and let me be the first to tell you, I was terrified. My first thought when I turned downwind looking at the runway was “well, now I’ve got to get down there”. I successfully completed three stop-and-go’s by myself at Council Bluffs Municipal Airport. I walked away from the airplane and the trusty 172 still runs so I would say that’s a win for me. I can’t thank the staff at Advanced Air enough, including my awesome CFI, Leighton Kaluza, as well as everyone in the FMA community. You’re positive feedback and advice helped me more than you know and I am so proud to be apart of such an amazing association. This was the first milestone of many more to come.
It was about thirty degrees when I took to the skies all by myself. When I landed I wanted to take a picture in front of the airplane, N6293G, in my FMA shirt but I was all layered up, however, that surely didn’t stop me! It was cold but I had to show my appreciation for those who helped get me here. Although I might need a new shirt since the tail was cut off of mine. In the picture below you can see my Mom cutting the tail off of my shirt. My mom flew up to Omaha from our hometown in Texas for work and I am so happy that she was also able to be there for my first solo. Thank you again to you all for helping me through this first portion of my journey and a huge thank you to the FMA for supporting me!
Congratulations Scott! Good luck on the rest of your journey!
Congratulations Scott!
Congrats Scott! From Michigan, I had to chuckle reading your title ;), but that is pretty dang cold for your neck of the woods! Great work accomplishing this much, and enjoy the next steps of your training, as they are exhilarating and learning is exponential!!
Congratulations! That’s awesome, first solo is something you’ll never forget. I’m sure John will send you another FMA shirt 😉
Hello Scott! Excellent work!
Congrats Scott! Proud of you!
Way to go, Scott! Congratulations on your dedication!
This is such GREAT news. The fact that your mom was there makes it all the better. You will remember this for a long time… So will she. Thank you so much for sharing this exciting news. You will, one day, know how much others appreciate hearing about your journey – ups and downs – in aviation, music, academia, and life. As Jeff mentioned, your posts invoke found memories in all who read while inspiring others to reach for the stars.
Congratulations! I remember every moment of my solo day. You will too, for the rest of your life. Thanks for the well written post. You brought back that feeling of first solo for me.