Solo-Almost Forgot How It Was

I can't even remember the last primary student I soloed it was so many
years ago. So, all of a sudden I have three primary students and I
just soloed one of them. As I stood on the edge of the runway watching
him make his pattern and approach and follow through, I tried to
remember the thrill each new pilot feels when they make that first
solo takeoff and landing.
When he came back in to pick me up, the first thing I did when I
opened the door was to congratulate him and shake his dripping wet
hand!!! Then he did a very creditible stiff XW landing back at the
home base which pleased me further.
He had a grin from ear to ear and I think he still might have it a
couple days later. I made it a point to notify the tower we had a new
solo pilot and they added their congratulations on the freq. As we
tied down, I also notified the pilots next to our tiedown who were
preparing to fire up and taxi out in their LA-4 and they added their
congrats. And of course everyone in the FBO and corporate lounge gave
him congrats. I told him he had to wear his cut up T shirt the rest of
the day and I suspect he did.
It wasn't until I filled out the solo endorsement in the back of his
logbook that I realized I had forgotten how many others I had signed
off or how long ago it was. I hope he remembers that day as well as I
recall mine some 50 years ago.
Just thought I'd share some of those thoughts here for the helluvit.
Ol Shy & Bashful

I saw the Wings channel show with Kyle's first solo the other night and it
brought it all back. I didn't do as much dancing, hugging, and giggling, as
she did but I still smile when I think about it.

Whatever you think about Kyle's cute as a button ditzyness, this is a fun
show to watch occasionally.

--

Roger Long

Yeah, she's ditzy, all right, but I like the show/ What are the general
opinions of her instructor?
Matt

"MDinzey" wrote in message
...
Yeah, she's ditzy, all right, but I like the show/ What are the general
opinions of her instructor?
Matt

Personally, I like his style.

As a middle-aged student pilot, I sometimes wonder what training would be
like with the "grandfatherly / gruff ol' coot" type of instructor instead of
the "hot rock" kid who is a good stick but is almost as much, learning how
to teach as he / she is teaching how to fly.

FWIW,

Jay Beckman
Student Pilot - KCHD
48.7 Hrs ... Nowhere to go but up!

"Jay Beckman" wrote in message
news:VAZ5d.246467$4o.245654@fed1read01...
"MDinzey" wrote in message
...
Yeah, she's ditzy, all right, but I like the show/ What are the general
opinions of her instructor?
Matt

Personally, I like his style.

As a middle-aged student pilot, I sometimes wonder what training would be
like with the "grandfatherly / gruff ol' coot" type of instructor instead
of
the "hot rock" kid who is a good stick but is almost as much, learning how
to teach as he / she is teaching how to fly.

My CFII was in his early-60s and very much a "gruff ol' coot," emphasis on
the gruff. Actually he was not a bad guy but he had an abrasive personality,
did not suffer fools gladly, and definitely just did not get along well with
some people, but if you could deal with him he was IMHO a very solid
instructor. Basically you had to prove to him you weren't a nitwit and then
he was fine.

His airmanship was plain otherworldly; he could probably fly a 172 to
commercial PTS limits using nothing but a whiskey compass and altimeter, and
I have it on record that he could estimate the tach +/- 50rpm based on sound
alone (and this was in my airplane, not one he flew every day). He'd spent
most of his hours flying IFR or teaching it in light planes and thus had
evolved some very good techniques for all of the various maneuvers, both how
to do them and how to teach them. He enjoyed instructing in actual weather,
the soupier the better, and whenever it got real nasty I could count on him
calling my mobile phone and asking if I was free to go flying.

When I decided to get my instrument ticket, I wanted someone who had
experience, and lots of it. I was fortunate to have a number of local people
from which to choose, and ultimately very happy with my choice.

-cwk.

"Roger Long" wrote in message
news
I saw the Wings channel show with Kyle's first solo the other night and it
brought it all back. I didn't do as much dancing, hugging, and giggling,
as
she did but I still smile when I think about it.

Whatever you think about Kyle's cute as a button ditzyness, this is a fun
show to watch occasionally.

--

Roger Long





I wonder if they are ever going to finish that program? or did they Drop
(-out) an or (it) like most students right after solo?

The drop-out after solo was a conversation of subject at the airport a few
weeks ago there was an old instructor talking to a young instructor. This
was an intresting conversation to listen to the conclusion was a lot more
people today give up just after solo.

"NW_PILOT" wrote in message
...

"Roger Long" wrote in message
news
I saw the Wings channel show with Kyle's first solo the other night and
it
brought it all back. I didn't do as much dancing, hugging, and giggling,
as
she did but I still smile when I think about it.

Whatever you think about Kyle's cute as a button ditzyness, this is a fun
show to watch occasionally.

--

Roger Long





I wonder if they are ever going to finish that program? or did they Drop
(-out) an or (it) like most students right after solo?

The drop-out after solo was a conversation of subject at the airport a few
weeks ago there was an old instructor talking to a young instructor. This
was an intresting conversation to listen to the conclusion was a lot more
people today give up just after solo.



Am I right in remembering that Kyle is married to the shows' producer?

If they don't produce any more shows, then WE won't see Kyle finish. I hope
she finishes on her own...seems like a waste if she doesn't...but, she might
have just been a convenient, willing participant who was near and dear to
the producer.

FWIW...

Jay Beckman
Student Pilot - KCHD
50.1 Hrs ... Nowhere to go but up!