A Memoir By Darren K. ParkerToday’s flight lesson started like any other. I showed up at the flight school with logbook, knee board, medical certification, and my sectional chart in hand ready for another flight lesson with my instructor Mike. We had discussed my solo a few times, but the wind was always too high, there was too much air traffic, or some other reason not to solo. But as I drove over to the airport I thought to myself, “Today could be the day.”
Mike and I walked out to Cessna N14082 and I started the pre-flight. It was a hot Nebraska summer day and surprisingly very little wind. Mike said, “Lets start with a few touch and goes in the pattern. I clicked my radio over to Lincoln Ground and made a request for touch and goes, and once cleared I taxied to runway 35. After I completed the run up, I called to tower and was cleared for takeoff on 35. It was a hot, humid day and the plane just did not want to climb, but after pulling back on the yoke and maintaining a little pressure we were airborne. Under Mike’s watchful eye, and the eyes of the FAA, I made three touch and goes, and then Mike said, “Let the tower know this one is a full stop.” My heart skipped a beat as I radioed to Lincoln Tower; I knew that when we landed there was a good chance my instructor would be jumping out, that is exactly what happened.
I taxied up to the flight school entrance and Mike grabbed my log book and medical certificate. He made a quick endorsement and in a no-nonsense tone said, “Go out there and do three more just like the last three.” It is hard to put into words how I felt at that very moment, I was not nervous, perhaps apprehensive is a better way to describe the odd feeling. As Mike walked away, without a look back, I thought to myself, am I really going to fly this plane on my own, with no one watching over me? I tuned my radio for the most up to date ADIS and then called to Lincoln Ground, and in as confident and pilot like voice I could muscle said, “Lincoln Ground, Cessna 14082, student pilot, at Silverhawk, with Yankee, for touch and goes.” I had said this many times before and the words flowed naturally. Ground returned my call with, “Cessna 082 are you ready to taxi?” Without even a second thought I responded with, “Cessna 082 ready to taxi” before I had time to think about what was going on, ground had cleared me to taxi to runway 35. As I made my way to the runway my heart started beating a little faster and for some unknown reason my left leg started to shake. So much that I had to concentrate to even steer the plane to the run up area. I had to calm myself down and all I could think to do was say a quick prayer. “God, give me the strength to make the right decisions, stay calm, and enjoy this experience, please keep me safe.” Immediately, I regained my confidence, I relaxed the death grip on the throttle and yoke, and my heart and left leg returned to normal operation.
I taxied to the run up area and after completing my check list I taxied up to runway 35 and with a deep breath I called to the tower, “Lincoln Tower, Cessna 14082, student pilot , ready for take off on runway 35.” Cessna 082, you are cleared for takeoff, make right traffic and have a great flight.” I pushed in the throttle, eased on to the runway, then full throttle, airspeed good, everything feels right, 65 knots, pull back on the yoke and there I was flying the airplane. I climbed to 1700 feet and made right traffic. So far so good!!!! I started my downwind run as I reached pattern altitude of 2200 feet and the tower called out, “Cessna 082, you are number two in the pattern, traffic on final, cleared for the option on runway 35.” I acknowledged, looked out my right window to see the Cherokee just touching down on runway 35. I pulled out on the throttle and slowed the engine to 1500 rpms and applied 10 degree flaps then 20. I made my turn to base then right at 1700 ft turned onto final with runway 35 directly in front of me. It seemed odd that it was ME actually flying the plane. Every movement, every leaver pulled and button pushed happen naturally and I was not really thinking about every detail, I was simply flying the plane. I lined up for final a little high in the glide path. My heart was beating a little faster, but I still felt completely at ease. I lowered full flaps and then I pulled completely out on the throttle to lose a little more altitude, leveled off and then flared the wings. I seemed to float down the runway more than ever before and wandered if I would ever touch down. I continued to hold back pressure on the yoke and corrected the nose with the rudder waiting for my Skyhawk to settle onto the runway. Time passed very slowly, but I am sure it was only seconds, with only the slightest hint of a touch down the plane eased itself onto the runway. It could have been my best landing ever.
I gave full power, flaps up, and screamed down the runway once again, but this time with much more confidence. I felt 100% in control of everything around me and a true sense accomplishment. I made another touch and go, then back around again, all said and done I completed three take offs and landings today as Pilot In Command!
Flying has always been a dream of mine, and today was a major mile stone in my life. I reflect on this experience with great pride, a sense of accomplishment, and a great lesson learned. At times in life we find ourselves flying “solo” with no one sitting there beside us to bail us out of trouble. During these times we must learn to trust our talents, remember our training, lean on lessons learned from experience and above all remember we are never truly alone. Yes, today was my “solo” flight, but I assure you that I was not alone up there flying my 172 Skyhawk. That simple prayer during taxi, one I wish I would have said a million times before, brought God into that cockpit with me and I owe my success today, and every day, to Him.
