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Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 22:53:18 -0800
From: Bill Watson <willy@cgocable.net>
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Subject: First Solo Cloud 9
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    1.5 hrs has past from doing my Solo and I'm still shaking .

 Today started like all other days but today was different. I had a
flight booked at 17:20 and I had a feeling that it would be
solo day although my instructor only hinted at a solo soon.
  I got to the airport 45 mins early and my plane was waiting for me so
I did the walk around and waited for my instructor
to get back. Well he finally arrived sighed out and did a little ground
briefing the he asked a about emergency procedures
and I new it it was the last thing to signed me off on to let me go
solo.
 Well the first part was the  regular touch and goes. I finally got my
round outs down pat and he said this one will be a full stop still no
word about a solo and we where running out off time the sun was setting
.
 Just as I was ready to pull up to the pumps he said stop here gets out
and says your on your own quickly briefed me and
away I go. Taxied up to runway 14 did the runup the it hit me the right
seat is EMPTY. took position on 14 and fire walled the gas the right
seat is STILL EMPTY. Got up to speed and rotated I'm flying and yes the
right seat is STILL EMPTY.
 Got to to 1500' asl and called downwind so far no problem. Did the pre
lading checks slowed the plane down 10 degrees
of flaps turned left base 20 degrees of flaps. Then turned finale 30
degrees of flaps 65 knots so far so
 Had a good decent rate lined up the numbers and started the round out .
That's when it all went to hell in a hand basket.
rounded to soon and sank to fast it did not look right and it happened a
porpoise well I guess I had a good teacher because the first thing I did
firewall the gas carb heat cold overshoot, Got positive Vertical lift 30
to 20 degrees flaps what got more vertical lift o degrees flap no
problem,  Climbed turn downwind. Now I say to myself I have to get it on
the ground this as it was already 1/2 hr after sunset. Gee a solo and
night rating all in one shot!!!!. Well I turned base 30 degrees of flaps

lined up the runway. Now I hear my instructor in my head, Nose down
attitude not to high APPLY power your getting to low
There they where the numbers, Power level off PULL back PULL back, NOW I
hear the stall horn wheels touch keep pulling back, Squeeze the
brakes... WOW I did it . I'm on the ground! Well I pulled off the active
and cleaned up the plane
as well as my pants:-). Taxied back to the hanger and did the shut down.
I was wondering if my instructor would say about my over shoot . But he
put my fears at rest as he said I did a good call and congratulated me
on my solo.
At this point I started to breath again.
  I guess the best part is when my Wife congratulated with a kiss.
I'm still high but it was worth it now I can really start
learing....Also thanks to this news group for all the advise and
stories.

Bill Watson
Hamilton,Ontario
CANADA
22.7 Dual .2 Solo

