My First Solo Flight Experience

My first Solo Flight happened in April 2014 at the Epic Flight Academy, Florida USA. The first day I was scheduled for the Solo flight, it got cancelled as a result of weather, the wind gust was over 25 knots. Ideally, it was way more than what an SP could handle. But in my mind, I was like my village people have gotten me here. I was anxious, excited and curious but was totally disappointed that I couldn’t do it on that day as this was something I had long waited for. Other SPs were already relishing their experiences, so you can only imagine my disappointment. Anyway, the flight was rescheduled for the next day (by the way, the first solo flight was a Traffic Pattern).

The next day, I got up early and was praying that the weather would cooperate with me that day, (those who trained in FL can attest to how weather changes rapidly over there) and God so kind it did. I got out with my Instructor and went to the ramp, and did the preflight and all the necessary documentation. My Instructor was a bit at unease, but I told him not to worry I got this and he said ok. He then went to the tower so he could watch my landings from there. This is the norms for every CFI whose student is having his/her first SOLO. I got my ATIS information and also got my clearance from the Tower, taxied to the run-up area, did my run-up and continued my taxing to runway 07 KEVB (New Smyrna Beach Municipal airport FL) which is actually the longest runway of the airport.

When I got cleared to takeoff, I got a bit nervous but I summoned the courage and vooooom off I went. The feeling was something else entirely, due to the fact that I was not under pressure or duress of having my instructor beside me who would be trying to find the slightest fault and correct me. Besides, I wasn't thinking of being failed by my Instructor. I got up to upwind, feeling cool and all, made a left turn to the downwind, did my checklist, turned base, did checklist and turned to final and did my final landing checklist.

The landing was one of my best landings ever because there was no instructor who was trying to guide my landing by trying to apply some corrections to the yoke. After the first landing, I did four more landings, taxied back to the ramp and my instructor came out to meet me and I could visibly see how happy he was for my solo. He commended me and said those landings were awesome. He then asked "are you now ready for the XC Solo (Cross Country Solo)", and I gave him a resounding yes because that was the actual fun part I had been saving my communication skills for. And with that, it was a wrap for the day.

Now this got me seriously over excited for my XC solo the next day. I went to school like four hours earlier than the flight time, checked the weather and saw where had the best weather to head to. I settled for KMLB (Melbourne International Airport, Melbourne FL). I did my flight plan and also filed it. My instructor gave me briefings and off I went. I took off with the tower and he then handed me over to KDAB (Daytona Beach Intl Airport) Approach Control signifying that I was an SP on Solo XC. This 'bought' me some preferential treatment up in the sky (wink).

The flight was so relaxing and refreshing just by the thought of knowing that you are not practicing any maneuvers just a cruise flight to your destination. That’s how I was just monitoring all the communications on radio and patiently waiting for when my call sign would be called so that I could swiftly respond in a professional and fast way.

For me, the best part of flying is radios. The controller said I should read back slowly because he could hardly grab my communication, and I was just laughing within me. I so much love radios. I got to KMLB, did touch and go and went back to base. When I got back, the Instructor was like "how do you feel"? I said it was such an amazing flight, and that was the first time I actually felt like a pilot. And that is the end of MY FIRST SOLO FLIGHT.

Hope y'all had a great read. I'm not a good narrator and writer, so have mercy on me in your judgments 😁😁😁.