This was another training session after work in the winter. As a result, this like many of my training flights, the flight occurred at dusk. My instructor and I preflighted the aircraft and took off for some take-off and landing practice in the Citabria. After a few successful trips around the airfield, my instructor asked me to taxi back to the hangar. When we got to the hangar he got out and said, “Take it around 3 times.” I was shocked. We had not discussed that today would be my SOLO day.

I climbed back in feeling anxious but ready. Then my instructor started in with the “what if” scenarios. “What happens if you lose the engine 1/3 of the way down the runway?” “Just after lift off?” “500 ft” [God, I know that this engine is going to quit!] “What if there’s a fire?” “What if another plane declares an emergency?” I guess that I answered all of his questions correctly, I don’t remember. I just remember that my legs were shaking uncontrollably now and that I knew that the engine was going to quit.

The airport had been pretty quiet, but as I switched over to Tower frequency I noticed a lot more chatter. I was cleared for takeoff. I quickly ran through the takeoff checklist. Pushed the throttle forward and wow, she is a lot more responsive without the 200lb instructor behind me. [gulp, I’m alone] Nose level, there’s Vr, ease back on the stick and I’m flying. Wow, I’m flying. Yeah, I’ve been here before with the instructor but I’m alone, this is all me. No training wheels, my fate is in my hands; nobody can help me now. Turning cross-wind the controller diverts me to the north for incoming traffic. Hmmm. I wasn’t planning on leaving the pattern.

A few minutes later I’m wondering if the controller forgot me. “Citabria 69F, shall I continue to hold 010?” Eventually they got back to me and got me sequenced in with traffic. Landing checklist complete. Controller asks, “69F, can you make short approach for other traffic on final?” Hmm, maybe I should tell her that I’m on my first solo here and to take it easy on me! Nah, and in my best Chuck Yeager voice, “Citabria 69F, wilco short approach, runway 24, full stop.” Controller’s reply, “69F, utilize high speed ramp for traffic on final.” Well, they are really cramming us in tonight. I wonder if they have any clue…

My first landing would have made any carrier pilot proud! My next two trips around the pattern were uneventful but clearly reminded me that I needed a few thousand more landings before I would be “good.”

I was clearly in the midst of an adrenalin rush and endorphins were flying when I got the go ahead by my instructor. Preparation was key. Once I pushed the throttle forward all “nerves” were gone, this was business. I was busy performing the checklists that had been drilled into me by my ex-navy pilot instructor. I had what-if scenarios to run in my mind, emergency landing sites to pick out, and situational awareness to consider.

I was remarkably calm both physically and mentally. I even had moments for reflection. [I’m alone, my fate is in my hands, I’d of never guessed that I’ d be here someday; I have wanted to do this…well as long as I can remember, when I have kids I’m going to tell them that dreams can come true and mean it.]

There are stories of man wanting to fly that date back thousands of years. This is a connection to that past and a success for all of them that I am here. I have wanted to fly since I was a small child. I did it. I actually did it. You really can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. Being a pilot is a precise, controlled exercise, not the thrill seeking stuntman that people often think of it.

I can evaluate the weather, calculate my flight path in the fluid environment called air. I can take off, and with a slide rule, clock, and pencil plot a course to where ever I want to go…and get there. Math works, Physics works, Chemistry works. Weather is fascinating; there is a lot going on up here! [RESPECT!] Wow, the earth is beautiful.