I had my first solos today - a great experience! After several pattern tows
and a rope break practice, I had an 800' pattern solo and a 2000' tow under
a very low ceiling - cold front moving in. Had to dodge a few clouds right
after release. Very fun! I'm with Orange County Soaring Assn., flying at
Hemet-Ryan airport in California. Before solo I had 56 flights, 12.5 hours.
I'm 44 and started training in April 2003 (with several long breaks).

The only difference I noticed with only one person in the plane was that
right after takeoff the glider wanted to climb faster, and I needed to hold
it down to wait for the towplane to take off. Other than that, it felt very
natural and I really wasn't nervous at all - just excited. One landing was
very good and the other was - well - a little squirrely.

And since it was cold, they gave me a break - no bucket of water!

Roger Worden
Orange, CA