I was half anticipating mine, 'cos there had been a couple of hints that I was ready. However, after three weeks of bad weather ruling out my first flight alone, I overheard my instructor quietly asking ATC "if we can book into the circuits, and if all is well, send a student on his first solo". I had a mixed reaction really - he did not know I had overheard, and whilst I was really keen to do it, I guess like many, I had nagging doubts in the back of my mind - "what if I mess it up" etc.
Strangely, once we were in the aircraft I was fine, though I did feel some pressure to prove that I was ready during first three dual right hand circuits (in which I had a PFL on take off at 300', a flapless landing and a three stage of flap landing), and I guess I was a bit tense. Nevertheless, it was going reasonably well, but when he told me to land and taxi back to the school it was still a bit of a shock, 'cos I knew what was coming!!
On alighting he smiled reassuringly and said "Have fun, and don't crash!" I didn't need telling!! Having cleared with 'Ground' to taxi, I had to wait at the holding point for some 12 minutes, whilst three commercial jets came and went, and was then cleared to take off for a LEFT hand circuit, which initially threw me - at EMA we ALWAYS do right hand circuits!! I was then held in orbit at the end on the downwind leg for some 10/12 minutes, again for commercial traffic, before being called in as number 2 to a PA34 on final. All in all, I was away for 35 minutes, and ATC even telephoned the School to tell them I was OK, and being held in orbit!!
Sorry if some of you have read this on another thread, but I still get a buzz out of rewriting it some 3 weeks after the event.
Now, having had the glory of that first solo, the certificate to prove it to the world (well my family anyway), and completing it with the best landing I have ever done, it's all gone to the dogs!!
Weather has prevented me from flying until last Tuesday, when it was too windy to consolidate my solo hours, so I was circuit bashing with the 'Boss', and I was absolute rubbish!! Of four landings, three were crap, and one just about acceptable.....
On top of that, I have just failed my Met exam (first attempt 70%), as a result of completely misreading two simple questions, and making a stupid mistake on another!!
So, perhaps, a blinding and never forgettable first solo has been put totally into perspective by this weeks effort!! I'm evidently not superhuman after all!!
So, I'm back Tuesday for another lesson and to resit the exam - any complacency I had following my solo has completely evaporated!!!