3 ms·
Student pilot. This part rang so true: >> Pilots know that no one else can help them fly their aircraft in an emergency. My first solo was... interesting. Tak
by phkahler 5y ago
Student pilot. This part rang so true:
>> Pilots know that no one else can help them fly their aircraft in an emergency.
My first solo was... interesting. Takeoff was fine. Climbed to about 400ft and then a full on panic attack (2nd time in my life) as I realized the implications of the empty seat next to me. Thought process was something like this:
What if I need that guy? Well you can call him on the radio, but there's nothing he's gonna say that you dont already know.
What if I can't do this? What if I have to wash out? Well that's OK, but first I gotta get back on the ground before deciding that.
Then I leaned on the window, looked at the plane ahead of me, made my turns, and by the time I was on downwind it was starting to pass.
After landing I taxied back to where I had dropped off my instructor, but he was nowhere to be seen. He'd said to do 3, so I went back out for 2 more takeoffs and landings without incident.
What a way to face your fucking demons.
- sokoloff 5y agoIt's not terribly unusual for student pilots to quit right after solo. Not because it's particularly terrifying, but because they've proven they can do it and that milestone is what was important to them.
- phkahler 5y agoI continued. Next time out was solo from home airport to another 20 miles away. It went pretty well. Then there was some major stress in my personal life, and after that I lost a bit of nerve. Was working back up to solo flight again and then had to hang it up for a while. Hoping to get back to it one day. There's something about it that's different than any other thing in life.
- travisgriggs 5y agoI got my private pilot 14 months ago. I hope you get a chance to return and complete the journey. It’s worth it.
- phkahler 5y agoThanks! As a Michigander I look forward to a day trip to Mackinac Island, or a dinner date to put-in-bay, and so much more. But first I have to fix some things.
- BitAstronaut 5y agoInterestingly enough, this is how it was for me with diving. I received my basic open water then my advanced open water very close to each other. I only ever took one dive after receiving my AOW cert and that was seven years ago.