Getting ready to solo

Preparation is the name of the game in aviation so over the past few weeks, I've been not only continuing to fly but also doing some other things to prepare for my first solo. My instructor told me that the time is coming, although I don't feel in any rush! 

In Canada, two written exams are required in order to get a student pilot permit, which you don't need to take lessons but you do need to fly solo. On November 2, I wrote the first of the two exams and earned my aeronautical radio operator license. This exam tests knowledge about radio phraseology, protocol, and emergencies. On November 15, I wrote and passed the Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations (PSTAR), which was the second of the two exams. Today, I finally got the actual piece of paper! I got a bit choked up when the chief flight instructor gave it to me. It's my first license to fly!

The first solo involves flying the circuit. The circuit is a standard rectangular pattern that includes taking off, climbing out, turning back, flying the approach, and landing. It takes 5-7 minutes to fly and it's a busy few minutes! All of the flying that I've been doing in the past five or so weeks has been circuits, to get me ready to do it alone. Up, around, and down. Repeat. Some days were trickier and I flew not only with my instructor but also with two other instructors to try to hear the instruction differently and get over some of my hangups and bad habits. Other days were fabulous! On one great day, I did five circuits and my instructor said he was totally relaxed and was just along for the ride. That felt good!

In position on Runway 10 at Cooking Lake, departing to the circuit

Just to mix things up a bit, my instructor and I flew to other airports to do our circuits. On November 11, we flew 18 nautical miles north to Josephburg to do circuits on the longer, wider, quieter runway there. The big adventure came when we went to Villeneuve on Nov 28, and again on Dec 3, to practice there. Villeneuve is on the other side of the city from my airport so we traveled 30 NM to get there and flew in controlled airspace, both over the city and at Villeneuve itself, since it's a towered airport. It was a great experience and it's beautiful to fly over the city. 

Flying over the city, heading home to Cooking Lake

I have continued to love my lessons and enjoy the progress I've made. I've done tons of circuits now and should be almost ready to do one by myself. I have a great instructor and we've had a lot of fun and it makes me feel secure having him there beside me. But the point of all of this is to be able to go off by myself someday so the first little 7 minute excursion will be a big step in that direction.