)September 2005, exactly on my birthday, I went to Omni to have my orientation flight. Met for the first time my would-be instructor, Capt. Roland.
Capt. Roland is a fine, fine Instructor. As a student, he soloed at 38 hours(!) He was so "poor" a student that, according to his own words, after preparing thoroughly for his training flight, once he gets airborne, all procedures fly out of his head and he'd just "lose it". But he kept at it. He is now instructing at the Malaysian Flying Academy.
Fast forward to December 19, 2005: I had my TAGS (touch-and-go's) with Capt. Roland in the morning; in the afternoon, another Instructor did a "check-out" on me. My landings weren't pretty, but I can sense that my Instructor was going to release me for my first solo any time soon. Slept in the Omni barracks that night, and woke up to a beautiful morning the next day, December 20.
So there I was in the Omni canteen, getting revved up fo my upcoming flight. It was then that I saw those cranes -- right straight the landing path of 02 Omni! I still remember clearly how I cringed as I watched those cranes slowly shoot up, up, up.. I am a fearful flyer (and not really talented), so you can just imagine how nervous I was thinking about flying solo, and so those cranes definitely were the last thing I needed! I was really, really close to declaring to everyone: "I think I won't fly today, because I want my family to be here when I have my first solo." (That was the most valid alibi I can think of.)
People in Omni weren't quite sure what to do with those cranes either. I conferred with my Instructor if we're still going to fly, and he coolly said yes (darn, that wasn't what I was hoping to hear). And so we buckled up and did about 3 landings to a full stop, all the while my Instructor was telling me the adjustments that must be done. (Adjustments?! I'm not even sure if I can do the normal procedures once im alone!)
After the third landing, while we were taxiing for another round, was when my Instructor asked me: "Do you want to solo?" I looked him in the eyes and said "Yes." I was surprised that I actually meant it. My Instructor advised the tower of the first solo flight, and off he got with some more few reminders.
I lined up at holding point 02 Omni and asked for clearance. Clearance was given and acknowledged. Then after a few moments of hesitation, I did it: I pressed the PTT (push-to-talk) button and transmitted: "This is for my wife Tricia and my daughter Zoe". I then released the button and said "Tatay, please watch over your bunso now". And so I lined up, ready for takeoff. That moment was the most memorable for me: Alone in an airplane, with the runway and the sky ahead and waiting. Indescribable feeling...
And oh yeah, the cranes... (That's me. Anybody familiar with Omni will tell you that that approach IS high, haha)
What was I thinking while landing with those cranes? I only had two main concerns: One, I wanna be damn sure that I'm way over above those cranes when I pass over them; and two, once I'm 110% sure I've passed the cranes, land on (or dive to
) the runway (chop power, full flaps). No big deal really. I just did what I was told, no airmanship on my part whatsoever.And hey, whaddayaknow, I was able to do it (obviously, the law of aerodynamics allows it). Did it thrice, and boom, that's it, I had my first solo!
My Instructor was the first one to greet me, extending his hand to shake mine. I said "What shake hands? A hug would be more appropriate!"
(That's kaptin_kuk about to shake my hand; between us is Jeff, Capt. Ben's righthand-man in Omni)
Cranes and first solo flights don't scare me, 'cause I'm a cool pilot with nerves of steel. Doubt my words not...
Kaptin_Kuk doing the traditional dousing.
My flight Instructor, checking out my "first solo shirt" (that's a photo of my daughter printed in front, a birthday gift from my wife). That's also the shirt I wore on my first solo "outpattern", first solo cross-country, first solo right seat, and first solo in a Cessna 172.
RP-C-1051. I will always remember how she took care of me when I wasn't quite sure what I was doing 1000ft (MSL) above Pampanga. The more I loved and respected airplanes from then on...
After a jeep-jeep-bus-MRT-bus-jeep commute, guess what greeted me as I entered our house? My wife with a party popper and my daughter holding a balloon which reads: "Congratulations Daddy! We love you!" I've always wanted to pin my "wings" on my wife's shirt. Finally, after many, many years, I was able to
I'm well aware that flying could end for countless of reasons. But for all the places I've seen and things I've done so far in my flying, the journey is all well worth it! Every single flying hour from then on is a bonus.
In King's vcd, John said: "What makes an airplane fly? Weellll, MONEY of course!"
It took me real long to be a pilot, basically because of two things: 1) I could not, after years of trying, enter the Philippine Air Force, and 2) I don't have money for flying (I hope you guys, even lurkers, realize that if you want it badly enough -- impossible is nothing). That's why I'm hoping that I could earn and save money now, so that, if ever, maybe, in the future...
