Oh Lordy!
Those who read this thread regularly may recall that I went solo at the end of February. I haven't been in the sky alone since that date, instead focussing on completing the syllabus and doing much navigation. I haven't even been doing any circuit bashing.
Arriving at the flying school yesterday I was expecting a trip to Sandtoft for some circuits, maybe even a solo circuit. But no, a senior flight instructor was there with a piece of paper and some questions to ask me. Once I'd answered satisfactorily and he had reviewed my school notes I signed the dotted line. I was authorised to go cross country solo!
I absolutely wasn't expecting this. I was a bag of nerves. I planned a familiar route: Leeds, Castle Howard, Elvington, Leeds. Did all the appropriate checks of weather and notams then asked the FI to take me up for a single circuit at LBA - having recalled my last flight with ear problems I wanted to know that I'd be ok today.
I did the circuit extremely well. The FI got out and I was on my own at LBA. Did everything right and soon was heading for the Linton MATZ, checked it wasn't active and then flew on to Castle Howard, all going OK. Turned at CH towards Elvington. At my cruising altitude of 3100 to avoid the Church Fenton MATZ. Arrived at Elvington bang on time and turned to head for Leeds. The cloud base was a little lower so I dropped to 2900ft. A minute or two later I realised I was still in the CF MATZ. Oh Lordy! I quickly made a call to Leeds to ask if CF was active. They couldn't confirm so I made a sharp turn north to get out of the MATZ. Flew over York racecourse seeing the preparations for Royal Ascot well underway. Aware of the NOTAM next week for the racecourse then visually navigated around the MATZ. North of Tadcaster, Boston Spa, Wetherby and then homing in on Eccup for entry back into the Leeds zone. All very smoothly. Right base for R32 then an absolute greaser of a landing (why do these only happen when no one is in the aircraft to witness them?).
Parked up, closed down and back for the debrief. Absolutely amazing. It gave me so much confidence. A brilliant day of flying.