I flew my first solo flight this morning, after 11 days of flight instruction and 15.8 logged hours in the Cirrus SR-20. The first two weeks of my training program have been intense, but I'm really starting to enjoy myself now. My brain has been working overtime with all the information they're feeding me, and it has all been compounded by the energy-sapping heat of the Arizona desert, but I'm glad to be down here.

I haven't been around BC much because of my busy schedule, and that might continue for a while. Just know that I haven't forgotten about the community here, and Doug and I are constantly hatching new plans to get more power out of this L36. The only difference is that now we have to do our scheming from a couple thousand miles away.

Now for the pictures! They aren't great, because my wife obviously couldn't get very close to the taxiway or runway. Still, you can be assured it'* me behind the controls of that Cirrus. I had to do three full-stop landings and taxi back to the end of the runway, and I was textbook on all three! Just click the link and cycle through the 6 pics at your convenience.

First Solo Flight

alright Ben,

can I have a ride.
FirstSolo1.jpg

You told me you shot down eleventythousand terrorists as part of your flight training. Why don't I see eleventythousand kill marks?

That plane used to be black. I used white paint for the kill marks. Get the picture?

You missed a few spots.

Very nice. How long before you have your license?

Good to hear from you man. Glad to see everythings going well in AZ.
Now just fly to Iowa, pick up doug and come to philly? ahaha.

Should have my Private Pilot certificate in about a month, which will allow me to fly anywhere in the country under Visual Flight Rules (basically, when the weather is decent). After that I'll be getting Instrument, Commercial, Multi-Engine, and Flight Instructor ratings.

Someday, Mike. I would love to make a trip like that, and I can't wait until I have opportunities to take those kinds of flights! Someday we'll give you a call demanding you come to the airport in the Bondoville to pick us up!

ha ha sweet.

FirstSolo2.jpg
Right!!!! Clearing up the cockpit of all that gas!!!