One circuit, two
A little better than yesterday
Third was a go-around
Fourth and fifth better than okay
Last circuit a full-stop
On taxiway, sir asks me
“You sure you feel confident?”
“Yes, definitely.”
“Requesting for cadet’s first solo,
One more circuit.” He says on RT
“Confirm first solo?” “Affirm”
He releases the PTT
He gets off
Goes to ATC
It’s just me now
I close the canopy
I taxi to holding point
Runway 04 via Papa-2
I thought I would be scared
But that was far from true
On base or finals,
Aircrafts are none
I ask for line-up
After run-up checks are done
“VT-NFI, ready for departure”
“VT-NFI cleared to take-off, runway 04”
Rolling on centerline,
I give full power
Static RPM reaches and speeds come alive
At 59, I rotate
The aircraft feels lighter
I climb straight ahead
The 500’ checklist-speed increases, power
reduced
At 1700’ AGL,
A turn is made
Aircraft then trimmed for level
Another turn,
Downwind checks
Parallel to runway,
Nothing complex
“On left downwind runway 04,
Will call you on base”
“Roger”
He says.
Abeam threshold, power is reduced
Flaps deployed, descend has begun
Another turn, prop full
Another call is done
Another turn and final call,
“VFI cleared to land”
Final checks- on approach
All going as planned
Two reds and two whites
Speed has to be proper
No instructor this time,
No room for any error
Low enough, on the runway,
I look far straight
Round out at correct height,
Cut power and wait
Aircraft floats-starts to sink
I flare and hold correct-
Mainwheels touch the ground
The landing-oh so perfect!
19th December, 2014- I had
the first solo flight of my life on VT-NFI, a Diamond 40. The 6 minute circuit
was not very demanding, but it shall be remembered for eternity…
As the day I earned my wings!
