Name: Andrea Atwood
Age: 60
Event: Solo
Where: Pryor Field Regional Airport, Decatur, Alabama
Airplane: Diamond DA20
I began my solo flight triple-checking everything, intensely aware of the need to get it right. As my wheels left the ground for the second time, I thought, "Yes. I'm actually doing this...I was born to do this!" Then, I just focused on making each landing better than the last. What a feeling; there is no other in the world quite like it!
Name: David Brownell Age: 35
Event: Solo
Where: Roosterville Airport, Liberty, Missouri
Airplane: Cessna 172P
Nerves turn to triumph
Following in his father's footsteps
Up to the day I soloed I could not “stick” a good landing. I was either flat or would flare too early. The day before I soloed, my instructor told me I was going to solo at 3 p.m. the next day. I was so nervous that night it took forever to go to sleep. I was running through the procedures until I finally fell asleep.
I was shaking all day. Got to the airport early and went up with Bob for a couple of takeoffs and landings. It was the first time I nailed a great landing. He got out and I was on my own. It wasn’t until I landed the first time on my own that the nerves finally settled. Nailed three great landings and could barely walk after I parked, I was so excited.
My dad was a pilot until he had a heart attack and passed away when I was 11, so I grew up at the airport. As I grew up I always wanted to follow in his footsteps, and now I’m on the way thanks to Bob at Rebel Aviation!
Related Articles
