Video: first solo smile
1 min read 
There’s nothing like your first solo flight—fear, excitement, and pride all mix together to create an experience you’ll never forget. In this video, you’ll see what it’s like, as you ride along with Annalynn on her first solo. If you’ve soloed, you’ll recognize the feeling. If you haven’t soloed yet, here’s what you can look forward to: that solo smile!
Video courtesy of Angle of Attack.
Coming from an aviation family, John grew up in the back of small airplanes and learned to fly as a teenager. Ever since, he has been hooked on anything with wings and regularly flies a Citabria, a Pilatus PC-12, and a Cirrus SR22. He is an ATP and also holds ratings for multiengine, seaplanes, gliders, and helicopters. In addition to being Editor-in-Chief of Air Facts, John is the President of Sporty’s Pilot Shop, responsible for new product development and marketing.
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The first solo flight is kind of scary because it’s all on you. I just imagined that my instructor was sitting next to me, correcting my mistakes and that made it just like any normal flight. The first successful touchdown was AWESOME – I could not stop smiling. Everything after that was easy because I knew I CAN FLY! Thanks to my CFI Chuck Adams!
Les
I did my solo in 1987. The only thing that I really remember was that the c-152 took off like a rocket. It still gives me great joy to see people solo.
Annalynn, thanks for sharing this exciting, private, moment. It was precious to see your emotions as you put to work the skills that you had developed. I soloed at 29 in 1972 from a grass strip at an uncontrolled,,rather rogue, airport. Your experience brought back the very hot day, tired 150, and rather large instructor. I remember being in the air long before being prepared to be there. I remember questioning if I would be able to actually land the plane. I then explained to myself that it wqs going to lqnd, either controlled or not. I decided to try for the controlled version. You had some very nice landings. I’m not sure mine were quite that nice. Again, thank you for sharing this experience and allowing me to remember such a personal experience that relatively few people experience. I didn’t know that they would cut my shirt tail, did you? Great job and wwishing you many happy hours doing what your face says you love to do!
Larry
I had dreamed of being a pilot since 1st grade back in 1968…FINALLY soloed in 2018! I took initial training in a DA20 and then finished up and checked out in a Legend Cub (TW). Now I fly a Sonerai S2L.! 1st solo in the cub was exciting but by the 3rd touch & go I knew I could do it…but the 1st take off and landing in the Sonerai was MUCH MORE exciting and a LOT MORE ‘scary’, They are quick and twitchy ‘birds’. Sincere congrats and a hearty well done to the young lady on her 1st solo flight! I chuckled when she looked back and noted she was off the centerline on climb out ;=D