Many congrats Penguina T'aint nothing quite like the feeling from the first solo.
I used to think that it was all so much hype and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about - you're just flying a circuit just like you've done umpteen times before…right up until my first solo that is everything seemed pretty normal maybe the a/c accelerated a little faster, ok rate of climb was higher. But the real moment of revelation? About halfway along the crosswind leg I looked to my right and …there was NOBODY there! Slowly but inexorably a grin split my face.
I'm talking about the full Cheshire cat - pig in shi! far too much beer type of grin. I just managed to relax the rictus long enough to make the down wind and finals calls. Then running down final as if on rails a thought stuck me "I could just decide that I'm not happy with the approach and go around - after all the last words my instructor had said were "remember you can always go around and don't forget to have fun" So I would be justified wouldn't I? At that moment the good angel popped on to my shoulder and whispered "You're approach is fine just land and you'll have your reward" The good angle delivered and with the lightest of contacts and just doubled chirp, chirp…rumble from the main gear it was over…"G-TE exit first left and congratulations".
But you know what ? It's not quite the same but the fun never stops
There's more to come: The first navex when landmarks turn up where they should be when they should do - the first solo land away, completing the QXC, hitting your own wake in four successive steep turns.
The first time with a retractable gear and wobbly prop - making that "finals - three greens" call etc etc all have their feelings of smug satisfaction
What about those sunny summer days when you taxi up in front of a load of non flyers at the airport caff, shut down hop out and swagger towards the caff for a sarnie and cup of tea with the "that's right folks I'm a pilot and this aircraft is MY command" kind of expression if not on your face then surely wizzing through your mind?.
Or how about when there a cross wind and a perfect crab down finals is converted with just the right amount of wing down and rudder and levelled just at contact and as the nose lowers you are rewarded with the centreline right in the middle of the windscreen?
What about when you park and as you walk away from the aircraft look back and notice that the nose wheel is bang on the spot?
Then there are those gin clear still days with viz that goes on forever the a/c is perfectly trimmed and you feel like you are just hanging suspended in space with the ground laid out below like a relief map.
Or last w/e for example, I realised another infantile ambition. On receiving parking instructions at EGHH I was able to reply "Copy West ramp between the Friendships. Any preference as to which Fokker you want me closer to?" rapture...
How about standing around the bar hangar flying and learning from the experience and knowledge of those who have gone before and sharing your thoughts with those who follow…priceless
Damn I love to fly
Do ground pounders understand? Nope. Will they ever? Only if they learn to fly
Sorry feeling a bit lyrical this afternoon