My first solo pt.1

Well, not my first solo, but my first student’s first solo. When I gave him his first lesson, I had barely been a CFI for 3 weeks. He was unbelievably excited to start his flight training, and couldn’t wait to fly. I was terrified. How was I supposed to teach somebody to become a pilot? Where would I start? It would have been one thing to have a commercial candidate as a student- (s)he would already know how to fly. With this guy I’d have to give him the knowledge required to be a safe, competent pilot. How could I do that when I’m still learning?


Fast forward to today, when I have a few more hours in the “dual given” column of my logbook. I’ve flown with a few students, and have a bit more confidence in my ability to teach. We’ve done a lot of flight and ground training, and I think he’s ready to solo- my first solo student.


My student is nervous as hell. He’s trying to delay it, and keeps inventing ways he thinks he’ll mess up. He even asked me to be in the back seat for his solo. I, on the other hand, am not nervous. The kid knows his theory, he can fly well, and his radio-telephony skills are good. I think he’s ready.


A few more experienced instructors find it curious that I’m not nervous. My own CFI instructor even offered to be there (on the day of the first solo) to offer moral support- to me! Maybe I’m just naïve, and I should be anxious; after all, if something bad happens, I’ll be responsible. Nonetheless, I’m confident he’s ready. Per company policy, I’ll be sending him to fly with the chief pilot before sending him solo. That’s a second opinion, to ensure the primary CFI isn’t missing any dangerous habits. I don’t see anything in his flying that would make the chief send him back to me for re-training, so I anticipate my student will have his first solo this week- my first solo.