I took the plane up for some solo pattern work today. This was very exciting because it was actually my first unsupervised solo. Even though I have done solo pattern work twice before, I would always start out the day with some pattern work with my instructor before he got out of the plane and watched as I did some more.
This time I was all on my own. Booked the plane, turned up at the airport, preflight checks (took longer than usual, I was being extra careful by myself), then called for clearance and took off.
The pattern wasn’t too busy at the start, but got quite crowded towards the end such that I was having to extend my downwind leg to shoreline amphitheatre a lot, and wait in line for takeoff clearance.
I did 5 landings all up (full stop, Andy wont let me do touch-and-gos by myself until I get my license). The first three were pretty bad - bounced at least once, and up to three times! I wasn’t controlling my airspeed well and was flaring a bit too much such that I started to balloon.
My last two landings were really good though, nice kiss onto the runway, no bouncing, and I managed to take the second exit off the runway both times (first 3 I went right to the end).
Then I taxied back, packed up the plane and went home very satisfied that I have actually flown a plane completely by myself :) Next solo I will consider flying out to half moon bay or livermore, or maybe try some short field/soft field landings.
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