 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Ben-PA
Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 44
Location: Berwick, Pa
|
 Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 2:02 pm Post subject: Solo! at last... |
 |
|
My very first solo on Jan. 10th was in my Kitfox 5, but I bought it already built. I didn't really place any significance on it, but now that I think about it--I was in an experimental and a Kitfox at that, it does seem cool!
It was about 8:30 am when my instructor got out and gave me the go ahead. Up until then, there was no sunshine, but it was brightening. I was too scared to put on sunglasses in fear of not being able to read the ASI!
I did all my conventional gear training on asphalt and didn't realize how wonderful grass was until about my tenth solo hour.
Congratulations, Lynn!
Ben
DO NOT ARCHIVE
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
Sign up on the Kitfox Frappr Map:
http://www.frappr.com/kitfox
You can see where fellow Kitfoxers live and pictures of their planes. Be sure to post some pictures of you, your plane, or share the scenery of the Kitfox world. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 3:18 pm Post subject: Solo! at last... |
|
|
Wow...looks like I opened a can of...what? fond memories from a lot of
folks here, and I thank you all for sharing your tales of first solo
flights.
Let me back up to the day before my solo. I was told by my instructor
on Sunday that he figured I was 2 or 3 more duals away from letting me
go. Then the next day, we were doing the pre-flight checklist, and
completing that, I reached around behind him to lay the checklist on
the "shelf" behind the seats and saw a hand-held radio laying there. I
immediately went into "brainfart" mode. I knew what the radio
meant...solo was coming today undoubtedly. I made a good takeoff, and
subsequent landing at a nearby, but wider airstrip. All that morning, I
was a zombie, thinking bad thoughts about going up alone....the
"what-ifs" were getting in the way of thinking about flying. Several
times he scolded me for being too high in the pattern....going too wide
on turn to downwind...not getting the carb heat turned on soon
enough....little things, but not my usual stuff in the pattern. Finally
he said, "you're not as relaxed as you were the last two days, what's
wrong?" I told him that as soon as I saw that damn radio, I went into
"duh" mode.
On the day I soloed, I was ready for a solo, because I imagined that it
was going to happen, and was prepared for it. We had a problem with the
fuel pressure gauge, and after I spent some time working on it, I
figured the time was up and was prepared to go home, when he said let's
go around a couple of times, which we did, then "do you want to take it
around?" I think it was the resolution that it wasn't going to happen
today that made me relax, so when he got out I was ready and calm and
wanted to do it, and I did.
Lynn
On Wednesday, June 21, 2006, at 10:18 AM, Richard Rabbers wrote:
| Quote: |
<rira1950(at)yahoo.com>
Lynn,
I'd say you are in an exclusive  and small [Wink] group to build
and first fly your own Kitfox. I look forward to seeing your big E
tail in the sky.
-----------------------------
First flights:
My first solo flight was a few T&Gs at North Perry Airport (Hollywood,
FL). While I was doing my first solo flying, the Blue Angels were
practicing over Opa Locka (about 6 miles south) for an air show the
following weekend. My scan included many glances south. I’ll not
forget this most memorable air show.
I’ve been at many FBOs and seen shirt tails tacked to the wall.
Where I trained there was no ‘first solo’ tradition, beyond a
likely wipe of the brow or palms and possibly a change of underwear.
My physical memory stops at very moist palms. 
--------
Richard in SW Michigan
Model 1 / 618 - full-lotus floats (restoration)
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=42050#42050
|
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MichaelGibbs(at)cox.net
Guest
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2006 9:00 pm Post subject: Solo! at last... |
|
|
John sez:
| Quote: | Make sure that you cut a shirt.
|
Yeah! I missed out on this age-old tradition on my first solo. 
So, on the 20th anniversary of the event, I got my current instructor
and good friend Chris to help me re-create the event--this time
including the shift-cutting!
Noel sez:
| Quote: | The two flights I'll never forget are my first solo and the first
time I got my Kitfox in the air.
|
Amen, brother! There is nothing like either of those experiences!
Congratulations, Lynn!
Mike G.
N728KF
Attachment: http://www.matronics.com/enclosures/ad959a54a4ce217687838e3dc5cefcb1d9e4eb2b.jpg
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
morid(at)northland.lib.mi
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:18 am Post subject: Solo! at last... |
|
|
Hey Lynn. Congrats to you my friend. Once you break free of the 40 mile
tether, try to schedule a trip up this way. I have the room and will make
the time.
Deke
NE Michigan, Mikado
---
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
roncarolnikko(at)hotmail.
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:07 am Post subject: Solo! at last... |
|
|
Congrads again. The passenger door came open on a 152 as I rotated during
my first solo takeoff. The plane seemed to fly better with the instructer
aboard, and without the unnerving open door. Ron NB Or.
_________________________________________________________________
Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!
http://search.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200636ave/direct/01/
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
noelloveys(at)yahoo.ca
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:07 pm Post subject: Solo! at last... |
|
|
That's one of the great things about the Kitfox is being able to open the
door when ever the desire takes you. It is a bit wet sometimes landing on
floats with the door open...refreshing though!!
Noel
[quote] --
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Lynn Matteson
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 2778
Location: Grass Lake, Michigan
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject: Solo! at last... |
|
|
Thank you, Deke...I'm free of the tether regarding miles, just need to
fly again Sat with my instructor (he loves the plane so much, I'm
liable to have to cut HIM loose!)...and I'm surely going to schedule a
flight up to Mikado soon. I'm hoping to get the CFI's blessing for a
solo trip up to Howell (OZW) this Sun. for a b'fast fly-in there. This
CFI has an airline (AA) job that takes him out-of-town frequently, and
unfortunately he left the day after I soloed...think I'm not chompin'
at the bit?? But I'm respecting his wishes that I let him observe me
for a few more days before cutting me loose entirely. If I had a
less-caring CFI, he'd have let me go sooner, I'm sure, and I could have
screwed it up as a result. It ain't Allstate, but I think I'm in "good
hands."
Lynn
On Thursday, June 22, 2006, at 12:35 PM, Fox5flyer wrote:
[quote]
<morid(at)northland.lib.mi.us>
Hey Lynn. Congrats to you my friend. Once you break free of the 40
mile
tether, try to schedule a trip up this way. I have the room and will
make
the time.
Deke
NE Michigan, Mikado
---
| | - The Matronics Kitfox-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kitfox-List |
|
_________________
Lynn
Kitfox IV-Jabiru 2200
N369LM |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
