"Once my instructor left the cabin for the first time, I came to the dramatic realization that I would have to fly an airplane all by myself. My first solo flight consisted of a combination of countless different emotions and feelings. I was eager to fly and put my hours of training to work, but I was nervous as soon as I was alone in the airplane. Despite these conflicting emotions, I held the yoke and throttle with confidence and accelerated down the runway.
Once in the air, I thought back to my teaching, and made sure I completed every step correctly as I was previously instructed to. After being told to extend my approach, I turned onto final and prepared for my first landing alone. I held the airplane above the runway until the back wheels gently touched the pavement, followed by the nose gear. I am proud to say that it was one of the best landings I ever performed and I will never forget how amazing it felt."
Name: Edward Shaker
Age: 16
Event: First solo
Where: Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Oxford, Connecticut
Airplane: Cessna 172
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"Once my instructor left the cabin for the first time, I came to the dramatic realization that I would have to fly an airplane all by myself. My first solo flight consisted of a combination of countless different emotions and feelings. I was eager to fly and put my hours of training to work, but I was nervous as soon as I was alone in the airplane. Despite these conflicting emotions, I held the yoke and throttle with confidence and accelerated down the runway.
Once in the air, I thought back to my teaching, and made sure I completed every step correctly as I was previously instructed to. After being told to extend my approach, I turned onto final and prepared for my first landing alone. I held the airplane above the runway until the back wheels gently touched the pavement, followed by the nose gear. I am proud to say that it was one of the best landings I ever performed and I will never forget how amazing it felt."
Name: Edward Shaker
Age: 16
Event: First solo
Where: Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Oxford, Connecticut
Airplane: Cessna 172
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