First Solo

On the 06/01/08, Sunday, I was scheduled for a sortie and a first solo flight. The Estimate Time of Departure (ETD) was 0840, weather was pretty conducive with wind at about 5-7 knots. My personal flight instructor was Mr Daniel Tan SK, he's one of the best instructor there alongside Raman in my viewpoint.

Got down to the school earlier, did all the paperwork, updating of progress file and all that typical. Had a pre-flight briefing by Tan SK and he asked if I was ready, and I remembered saying "very sir!". Thereafter, I proceeded to the flight line office, checked the fuel state and signed the flight log. I walked out to aircraft 9V-BOJ did an elaborate check on the aircraft and strapped up. Tan SK walked over with his beautiful shades and passed me the ignition keys. Tan SK was previously a Fighter Pilot, he flew the F-5 Tiger. His R/T calls are exceptionally subtle and cool.

Did all my checks while Tan SK looked on dully, made RT calls to Seletar Ground and then Seletar Towers where they granted me a takeoff on Runway 03. Took off, did a total of 6 circuits and on the last circuit, Tan SK said: "land off this approach, you're ready for solo." He had nothing much to say to me as compared to the other flights we used to have, reason might be that he wanted to pump some confidence in me.

Landed and Tan SK requested to the tower: "Skylark 91 changing callsign to 9V-BOJ and request commencement of Student First Solo Flight." Taxied to parking bay alpha one where he gave me a final briefing, the magnetoes a final check and the condition of the nose and main wheels. He then hopped off the plane and signalled for me to move off, the feeling I had then was exhilarating and daunting at the same time. I awaited for him to speak to me on his walkie talkie for a DI radio check after he arrived at the Seletar Control Tower. I recalled telling myself "this is it!!", called Seletar Ground and then Tower where I was directed to the same runway for takeoff as I did earlier.

It was different flying without the instructor, the aircraft was hell lighter, you're the CAPTAIN and death could happen if you were unlucky enough to have an engine failure after takeoff. Got the clearance: "Wind 330 at 5 knots, you're cleared for takeoff, 9-OJ" Released my footbrakes and started rolling, lifted the plane upon hitting 55 knots. Flew the circuit pattern as how I was trained to and when I was on Finals, flaps were already deployed, power setting was maintained at 65 knots and the imaginary centreline was cutting the longitudinal portion of my aircraft. The runway aspect was good-looking, the PAPI lights showed two red and two yellow lights which indicated that the Glideslope was fine for a good landing. I was pressured to make a nice landing as I knew that my instructor, the air traffic controllers, pilots in bigger aircraft at the holding point were looking on. As I passed the runway threshold I brought the aircraft to a flare, idled the engines and waited for the sink. The very satisfying sound of the wheels hitting the tarmac was the best I have ever heard. Vacated via Whisky 2 as instructed by the tower control, and taxied to pick my instructor up.

I idled my engines as Tan SK walked over if not he'll be blown away by the propellers. He shook my hand and said: "Wahhhh, that was a very good landing.". For once I could show him the 'smug' kinda face and he taxied us back to the parking shed while I chilled.

It's a custom to be dunked by your own instructor upon completion of the first solo, the contents of the pail of 'water' were soil, black coffee(extra dark), water, soy sauce and some cute looking plants. Tan SK hammered that pail of 'impurities' down on my head. But then the feeling was really great and I don't know why! =) kinda crazy huh! I was then given my First Solo insignia!