Tag: #FMAsolo #StudentMusician #StudentPilot #FlyingMusician #Scholarship #Learn2Fly

Successful Solo!!!

Admittedly this post comes a month later than intended, but now after settling into university overseas after a hectic first few weeks, I finally had the chance to sit down during this long weekend to finish what I had started earlier.

On Friday, July 18th, I had my pre-solo stage check flight with CFI Ben, and he gave me the thumbs up for my upcoming solo flight, along with some areas that I could still improve upon (pattern work per usual, though in fairness the airport was extremely busy).

On the following Saturday and Sunday, I flew with CFI Mitch to prepare myself for the final solo flight, getting familiarized with my intended airport at Martinsburg, WV (MRB/KMRB), making all the radio calls and following all the procedures as if my CFI wasn’t even there.

On Monday, July 21st in the late afternoon, I took off with CFI Mitch from Leesburg, VA (JYO/KJYO) Airport to Martinsburg, with my mom sitting in the back of the Cessna 172N taking photos.

With CFI Mitch sitting next to me, we did a couple of touch-and-goes at Martinsburg Airport. Then Mitch felt that I was ready for the solo, he and my mom both hopped out of the airplane at the FBO, and I was alone to work on the final solo.

I taxied back onto the runway, made the radio call, took off (so much easier with less weight!!), circled around the airport only twice due to time constraints as it was getting dark (I would have loved to keep going though), then landed the airplane, taxied the airplane back to the FBO. I did it, I completed my solo flight!

We flew back to Leesburg airport, and my mom took a couple more of photos of me with my CFI, who worked with me heavily in July to help me finally complete my solo flight. When we left Leesburg, it was past 9pm, and I felt pretty great for my solo accomplishment!

 

 

Update on My Flying Musicians Journey

Hello everyone! Time has flown since I first received the scholarship, and so much has happened since then. Let me reintroduce myself here and share some updates!

I’m Thomas Ye, a senior at Langley High School. I have been playing the violin since I was six and perform in my high school’s Philharmonic Orchestra. At the same time, I keep myself busy with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force, where I have recently been focusing on drones.
After earning the Flying Musicians Association Solo Scholarship in 2024, I have been busy with the ground school study offered by Sporty’s. I have completed 80% of my ground school studies, and now with college applications out of the way, I plan to take the FAA test before spring break and start my flight training with Aeri Elite Flight Training at the Leesburg VA airport.
I continued pursuing my aviation passion in 2024 and 2025: in June, I attended the CAP National Emergency Services Academy in Indiana and earned my sUAS(drone) technician qualification; in July, I led a joint team of Boy Scouts and CAP cadets and competed at the AMA UAS4STEM(drone engineering) international competition and achieved the national second place award at 2024 EAA Airventure; I also met with Mr. Zapp, the president of the Flying Musicians Association, at the EAA AirVenture show at Oshkosh, WI.
November marked a big milestone as I passed my FAA Remote Pilot Part 107 test and earned the commercial qualification to fly drones in the US. I continued this momentum in December — after interviewing with the office of Congressman Gerry Connolly, I received his nomination to the US Air Force Academy. I also attended the 2024 winter CAP Lone Star(Texas) South Emergency Services Academy and logged more flight hours for my CAP sUAS(drone) mission pilot qualification; on January 29th, 2025, I represented CAP cadets to visit the Virginia State House again to advocate the CAP core missions to Virginia lawmakers – aerospace education, emergency services, and cadet education.
I continued participating in my high school Philharmonic Orchestra and was honored with the National Tri-M Music Honor Society in 2024. Earlier this year, I was selected for the District Honor Orchestra for my violin performance, and last month, I performed in my local Chinese New Year celebration recital at Reston Community Center.
In 2025, I plan to finish my ground school and solo flight training before heading to college. I also plan to present a UAS4STEM(drone engineering) seminar at the 2025 March CAP Virginia Wing conference in Williamsburg, VA. I plan to compete again at the 2025 Falls Church Music Festival with my violin solo performance. With college applications and other commitments behind me, I’m super excited to start flying as soon as possible!