Wow. I feel like I'm lagging behind
I've got 11.10 hrs in my logbook...since September '04
so to say progress has been slow is stretching the truth
But no matter because today was the day of my first solo!
So, we're about four circuits into the circuit bashing routine, with a couple being introductions to go-arounds and glides when we touch down again and I start to apply full power in prep for another one. At this point the instructor shakes his head, cuts the power and gets me to slowly taxi towards the end of the runway. Time flies I thought - it must be the end of our slot. Nope. Turns out he wants me to do a quick one on my own.
Crikey. Immediately a feeling of self-doubt comes on. Sure, I'd done a couple of OK landings but they were still a bit untidy. Surely I wasn't ready!? Anyway, the feeling passes as I reason that the instructor knows what he's doing and I feel some (misplaced!?) self-confidence kick in. With words of encouragement along the lines of enjoy it and go-around if you're not happy, I was off.
The taxi was very leisurely - I wanted time to think everything through and stay ahead of the aircraft I think. Anyway, first call goes in "Golf golf whisky entering two-two for departure." and I'm off. Rotate at 55 knts with flaps 10, climb away, flaps come in at 300' and I start the turn to the crosswind leg at 500'. Don't think it's sunk in that I'm alone up here. I'm chatting away to myself the whole time - "Speed's a little high, sort it out, watch that heading..." etc.
Enter the downwind leg at about 1000' AGL. Wow. I'm probably a bit tight - the runway is veeery close out my left window. No bother - I make a mental note that the turn to base and turn to final may merge a little. Try and give plenty of room so fly a decent length downwind leg. R/T and BUMFICHH out of the way.
Start the turn to base above the small village of Houghton-On-The-Hill (how quaint!) - glance to catch sight of the runway and turn on to final. "Golf golf whisky, final two-two, full-stop." The picture looks good but the speed is a little low - nose down, little squeeze of power. Keep it on the centre-line. Wind is straight down the RWY at about 10 kts. Approaching a patch of trees - they gave me a rough ride earlier. Stay sharp in case they bite again, I tell myself. Pass the trees - no worries. Dropping down towards the threshold. Spy a small helicopter in the centre of the field to my right. Concentrate on the numbers. Power back, nose slowly beginning to rise and...a slight bump. I rise again and settle (with a bit of a bump!) on the ground. Throttle to full idle, start gradual braking (RWY 22 isn't the longest!). Wasn't the textbook greaser I'd have liked but I was down
Back in the club house, my first entry as "PIC" is completed in the logbook and I sign the aircraft log in the "Captain" section. A nice feeling
Quite a good day all round. Off to watch Star Wars tonight with some friends. An ale of two may be consumed beforehand as well
Keep up the hard work everyone. I need to start nailing some exams now
Signed,
Captain (for the day) V1R
P.S. Sorry for the length and rambling nature of this post - only just got back a minute ago!