"Man what a day that was!!" Cheri and I headed out to the airfield (SHD) about twelve o'clock for what I thought was going to be a routine lesson. It was very hot that day, with no wind blowing from any direction and high humidity.  I had completed 12.5 hours of time in the 172 Skyhawk at this point. My instructor Norbert Wittman and I walked out to the hangar, completed the preflight inspection of the aircraft, and announced our taxi to active runway 5. We climbed out to 1700', turned crosswind, continued to 2000',  downwind, base, and final.  I noticed Norbert was really staying on me about procedures in the pattern more than usual. We went around the pattern about 5 times and taxied to a stop mid-point in front of the FBO. I heard him say you are going to solo now. "Oh boy," my brain said with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Norbert reminded me to just do what we had been doing all along and all would go well. He climbed out of the Cessna and headed in toward the FBO (near the radio).

I called my taxi to runway 5 and headed down the taxiway for my first go round. I was glad there were a few planes doing their runup in front of me; I had some time to open the window,  get some air, and get my head back on straight. Both planes departed and it was my turn to hit the sky for the first time all by my lonesome. I rolled out onto the center line and hit full throttle. All went well until my final approach. I was high and coming in to fast!! I got the speed to 65 kts a little late, as I flared the nose balloned up and I over compensated with the yoke. It bounced three good times before I remembered to just hit the throttle and go around. There was a Cherokee behind me that I had spoken to on downwind a minute before. He must have had a good laugh watching the 172 bounce down the runway like that!! Tee-hee to you too fella!! Norbert got on the radio and told me to steady up and be gentle with the craft. As I climbed back out, I noted my mistake on the approach and gave myself a good pep-talk. (After all, there was no one else to land the plane but me.)

As I turned base and final on the next landing things looked better. Airspeed was right, along with altitude and flaps. I flared more gently and she sat down with just a minor bounce this time! "Yeehaw", lets do it again!! As I sat the plane down on the last of the three required landings sweat was rolling of me like a waterfall. I taxied to a stop past the yellow active line and let them know I was clear of the active runway 5.

Norbert, Pete Burr, Cheri, and a few other folks walked over to the hangar as I climbed out covered in sweat and excitement! My instructor promptly cut off my shirt tail and congratulated me on my solo. Back in the office, Norbert inscribed the shirt tail with the date and runway I soloed on. Its hanging on the wall at Valley Air for all to see.

This is one of the many milestones a pilot will travel through on his or her way to acquiring a PPL rating.
I am so thankful there are professionals who will put in the time and effort it takes to help those of us who dream of spending our time in the clouds, get up there and back down safely. I would like to thank all of the friends and family, and especially my instructor,  for supporting me in my quest to obtain a long standing dream of learning to fly!

       "Don't let go of your dreams"!! Damn Right!!!

                                                                                                                              Stretch****