I can't even remember the last primary student I soloed it was so many
years ago. So, all of a sudden I have three primary students and I
just soloed one of them. As I stood on the edge of the runway watching
him make his pattern and approach and follow through, I tried to
remember the thrill each new pilot feels when they make that first
solo takeoff and landing.
When he came back in to pick me up, the first thing I did when I
opened the door was to congratulate him and shake his dripping wet
hand!!! Then he did a very creditible stiff XW landing back at the
home base which pleased me further.
He had a grin from ear to ear and I think he still might have it a
couple days later. I made it a point to notify the tower we had a new
solo pilot and they added their congratulations on the freq. As we
tied down, I also notified the pilots next to our tiedown who were
preparing to fire up and taxi out in their LA-4 and they added their
congrats. And of course everyone in the FBO and corporate lounge gave
him congrats. I told him he had to wear his cut up T shirt the rest of
the day and I suspect he did.
It wasn't until I filled out the solo endorsement in the back of his
logbook that I realized I had forgotten how many others I had signed
off or how long ago it was. I hope he remembers that day as well as I
recall mine some 50 years ago.
Just thought I'd share some of those thoughts here for the helluvit.
Ol Shy & Bashful