First solo - August 2004

Well after over 1 year of training, 23 flights and 14.9 hours total time in my logbook, it was time for my first solo.

Of course, I didnt know it was going to be my first solo until it happened, but I figured I must be getting close since I had been doing endless circuits lately with less and less stuff-ups!

When I turned up at the aero club for what I thought was another dual circuit lesson, I found out that my usual C-Cat instructor had been replace by one of the B-Cats, with no reason given. I had never flown with this particular instructor before, so I was more nervous than normal when we started the flight, making sure I got all the checks done in the right order.

Straight after takeoff I was given an 'engine failure', which I was not expecting, as the other instructors normally let me do one or two circuits before giving me anything tricky. However it went smoothly, and then I continued with the circuit for a nice touchdown. As I was about to increase power for the touch and go, the instructor called for an aborted takeoff, so I rolled to the end of the runway and taxied clear. Then he went on to say that he was getting out, and that the aircraft would be slightly more responsive without him in, and to do one circuit then taxi back to the club. And to enjoy myself.

PANIC!!!

After taxiing back to the runway, I did all my checks twice, then sat there for a minute to check my thoughts together. I lined up, increased power and was airbourne quite alot quicker than usual. As I climbed through about 200' AGL, suddenly it hit home that I was solo! If anything went wrong now, I had to fix it myself! A quick check of t's and p's assured me that all was well, and I continued with the circuit, still saying out loud all the checks etc.

A good approach, average landing and it was done! I was shaking as I taxied back to the club, and as soon as the engine was shutdown out came people to shake my hand.

I went back to work, but I dont think I did anything all afternoon I was that excited!

Trial Flight - June 2003

Well my first ever training flight was way back in June 2003. I had wanted to learn to fly for many years, and at one point had applied for and been accepted into the Air Force, but unfortunatly was only offered the navigator role and not pilot.

So after living in Hawkes Bay for a few months, and having driven past Bridge Pa aerodrome several times with the enticing $35 trial flight sign out front, I finally decided to give it a go.

So I drove in to the Hawkes Bay & Eact Coast Aero Club to get more info about the trial flights and flight training in general, and as luck had it 20 minutes later I was being shown through my very first pre-flight! No need to book, just get in and go!

I remember being surprised that the instructor let me do almost everything, from start, taxi, takeoff, some basic turns etc, overhead join and approach, but not landing. Of course I didnt know what any of this stuff was, and he had his hands very close to the controls at all times. The radio chatter sounded like a different language, and I could only focus on a very small spot in front of the plane, such was the concentration required. My main memory of this flight, which sounds strange, was how hard it was to taxi in a straight line!

It was a very short flight, 0.4 hours, but it defintely got me hooked, and I booked my next lesson as soon as we were back in the office!