Chris said that everbody always has a really terrible lesson right before they are ready to solo. My last lesson, Tuesday, was mixed. It was more of a learning experience than "terrible". Nevertheless, Chris and I were thinking that was my terrible lesson.
We were wrong. This morning was clearly my "terrible" flight. I was totally off on the first 2 TAGs. Too fast, too slow, too high, off course, flares were off, .. it was a study in how not to fly TAGs. Then on the 3rd TAG, I started to get it right. Chris laid off the radios and inputs completely. Something clicked and I landed about 4 very decent TAGs without his assitance.
On the 4th, Chris got on the radio and requested a full stop. I landed, we turned off into a ramp, and shutdown.
"I'm going to solo you now." This was it. We went over a few procedures. He endorsed my logbook for limited solo flight. Curtains up.
"Oh and by the way, it's Friday the 13th," he reminded me just before I closed the hatch. I was ready. I closed the hatch, and started the pre-ignition sequence. The cockpit was much roomier with one person. I called ground and got clearance to taxi to 25. I taxied, did the runup, and pulled up to the line. There was a twin taking off ahead of me.
I squeezed the transmit button.
"Gwinnett tower Diamond three nine three Juliet Alpha at Whiskey ready for takeoff two five remaining in pattern."
Tower responded, "three nine three Juliet Alpha you are clear for takeoff two five, right turn crosswind report mid-field."
I responded, "clear for takeoff two five, right turn crosswind report mid-field."
I lined the bird up center line and pushed the throttle forward, anticipating right rudder. It was all automatic at this point.
55 knots, rotate. Airborn. Hold two five on the climb out, pitch for 70. 1500 feet, flaps to cruise. 1700 feet, right turn crosswind 2o degrees, power down to 2,300 RPMs. Reference the runway. 2,000 ft pattern altitude reached. Right turn downwind, power down to 2,000 RPMs. Hold 2,000 feet. Reference runway, stay parallel. Don't crab. Report midfield. Squeeze the transmitter.
"Gwinnett tower, three nine one Juliet Alpha is mid-field right downwind for two five."
"Roger, three nine one Juliet Alpha you're clear for touch and go two five."
At the numbers, first notch of flaps. Pitch for 90. Over the warehouse, turn right base. Power down to 1700. Pitch for 80. Reference the runway. Right turn final, pitch for 70. Track centerline. Adjust power to keep 1700. Runway is made, pull power. Track centerline. Look down the runway. Start the flare. Ground effect. Keep the flare in, keep centerline, about to touch down. Pull back. Wheels on the ground.
I was down: first solo circuit complete. Two more and I'm officially soloed. Stay on the right rudder. Set flaps for takeoff, full power, 55 knots rotate. Airborn ...
The next TAG was right on like the first. The final landing was a little sketchy. I flared too early and hard, resulting in a brief wheely ride down two five. Still, I had finished my solo. Chris congratulated me. I was psychologically spent and happy it was done.
Next flight is Saturday.
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