My first solo cross-country

You’ll never forget your first solo, but that first cross-country is a close second.

Your first solo flight? That’s a day you’ll never forget. But if there’s anything that comes close, it’s your first solo cross-country. This is where you really start to test your skills—flying further from home, navigating to unfamiliar airports, and managing everything on your own. In our training curriculum, students complete a solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles, with three full-stop takeoffs and landings at a towered airport. It’s a big deal, at least to a novice student pilot who can get extremely anxious.

It was an early Tuesday morning when my instructor and I arrived at the airport at 6:30 AM to go over the flight plan and answer any last-minute questions I had. The weather was clear, the forecast looked good, and it was time to preflight my trusty Skyhawk, N2135S

I’d be flying out of I69 (Clermont County Airport), and I was definitely feeling the nerves, double and triple-checking everything. Just to be safe, I grabbed a PJ2+ radio as a backup before heading out the door. I wanted to be ready for anything.

Leg 1: Clermont County Airport (I69) to Lexington, Kentucky (KLEX)

My first stop was KLEX (Blue Grass Airport in Lexington, Kentucky). After takeoff, I contacted Cincinnati Approach:

“Cincinnati Approach, Student Pilot Skyhawk 2135S, four miles south of I69 with request.”

The reply came back quickly:

“Skyhawk 2135S, say request.”

“2135S requesting flight following to KLEX at 4,500.”

They gave me a squawk code and the altimeter setting, and with that, the flight was underway. That first call with ATC helped calm my nerves. After that, it was just me and the airplane. The next 20 minutes “flew” by, and before I knew it, I was on the lookout for Lexington.

That first call with ATC helped calm my nerves.

Finding KLEX

Finding a 7,000-foot runway seems easy, right? Not so much. Even with my GPS and ForeFlight tuned in, I scanned the horizon, and the airport wasn’t jumping out at me. I reminded myself to stay calm and keep flying the airplane, and sure enough, there it was, just west of the city.

I set up for a straight-in approach to Runway 22 about three miles out. Throttle back, mixture rich, and I started dialing in the flaps—10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees. Speed locked at 65 knots, I made a smooth touchdown right in the middle of the runway. Flaps up, throttle full, and I was airborne again.

Working the Pattern at KLEX

The tower at Lexington was a huge help. When I told them I was a student pilot, they slowed down their instructions and made everything crystal clear. I even had to fly a right-hand traffic pattern—something I rarely do. It threw me off a bit, and I drifted too far into final on my downwind leg. The tower came on the radio, calmly reminding me:

“2135S, please try to stay in downwind until I call your base next time.”

I acknowledged the mistake, corrected my pattern on the next lap, and kept improving with each circuit. The controllers were fantastic, patient, and encouraging, which made the whole experience much smoother.

Leg 2: KLEX to Fleming-Mason Airport (KFGX)

After wrapping things up in Lexington, it was time for the next leg—KFGX (Fleming-Mason Airport). By this point, my confidence was building, and finding Fleming-Mason was much easier. I’d flown there plenty of times with my instructor, and the familiar landmarks—the Ohio River, Maysville, Kentucky—made navigation a breeze. Another solid landing and it was time to head home.

Final Leg: Back to Clermont County Airport (I69)

Heading back to I69 felt like it should be the easiest part of the flight. After all, it’s home. But as any pilot knows, things in aviation are rarely that simple. As I approached the airport, I realized the traffic pattern was busy—really busy. I could hear multiple calls on the radio and saw the traffic stacking up on ForeFlight. There were two planes ahead of me in the pattern.

Drawing on what I’d learned from my instructors, I extended my downwind to give the planes ahead enough space to land and clear the runway. When it was finally my turn, I nailed the landing—a perfect greaser. I took a deep breath and let it sink in. I’d just completed my first solo cross-country.

As I approached the airport, I realized the traffic pattern was busy.

Key Takeaways from My Solo Cross-Country

Here’s what helped me succeed:

1.Flying the route with my instructor the day before gave me a huge confidence boost and helped me feel more prepared.

2.Staying ahead of the airplane:  I made sure my radios were dialed in, my GPS set, and checklists complete. Organization in the cockpit is everything.

3.My instructor’s “cheat sheet” had all my radio calls pre-written, so I just had to fill in frequencies and squawk codes along the way. This was a lifesaver.

4.Tell ATC you’re a student pilot. It’s not a weakness, it’s smart. They’ll slow down their instructions and give you a bit more patience.

5.Trust your training. Your instructor wouldn’t sign you off if you weren’t ready. Trust yourself, trust your skills, and just fly the airplane.

It was an unforgettable experience, and I am sure one I’ll always look back on as a turning point in my aviation journey.

My instructor’s “cheat sheet” had all my radio calls pre-written, so I just had to fill in frequencies and squawk codes.

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Russell Hartley

Russell grew up around Sporty's and started working as a college freshman. Over the years, he has held roles in many parts of the company and understands the ins and outs of getting products out the door and in the hands of customers. Now, as Product Manager, Russell is tasked with finding and testing the latest products in general aviation while keeping up correspondence with current vendors. And with the first solo under his belt, his sights are set on becoming a Private pilot.

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