Area solo - Check!!
Rainy and cloudy today, but cloud ceiling only at about 1600. Did a quick check flight for forced landings. Get back and did a short field landing. Back out for my very first solo flight outside of the circuit!
By the time I got back out to the training area the cloud was well about 2500, so I got some excellent opportunity to practice my forced landings. I was not real happy with the results, but I think one more trip back to the area on my own will have that sorted. It is good when you dont have the instructor next to you sometimes, because you can test things out and figure out why stuff is not working for you. It makes you think and analyse your results a little more critically. Out of all of my attempts at forced landings, I would have been able to get the aircraft on the ground no problem, but I just need to work on getting the touch down point a little more accurate.
I think now I am coming back a lot more confident than last time. The time on the sidelines has clearly been beneficial, all though I am not sure why. My instructor is really pushing me hard, and we are doing a fair bit of flying. He is making a point of staying silent and letting me make a decision without interjecting and its working out well. I ask him questions a lot, and I already know the answer but I am just looking for reassurance. He has me figured out! I am pretty happy where its going.