Friday photo: first solo cross-country Kaitlyn Gallegos

1 min read

The moment: first solo cross-country

The pilot: Kaitlyn Gallegos

The place: Palomar McClellan Airport, Carlsbad, CA (KCRQ) to Bermuda Dunes Airport, Bermuda Dunes, CA (KUDD)

The aircraft: Cessna 172N

The memory: After a month of unlucky schedules, and marine layers, finally an airplane was available and the skies were clear. I met with my instructor in the morning going over my flight plan and getting it approved. I was excited, as well as a little nervous. It seemed like the preflight was over in no time, and I was cleared the left downwind departure out of Palomar.

The air was smooth, warm, and clear. The scenery was picturesque and awe-inspiring, and I was completely by myself up at 9,500 feet. I touched down safely at Bermuda an hour after takeoff. The staff there was incredibly helpful. I filed my plan for the way back and took off again. An hour later I touched down safely back at Palomar with a massive smile that lasted the entire day. My first solo cross country was nothing short of perfect!

 

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