by Julian Brown-Griffin
From remembering my very first solo to recently just accomplishing my first solo cross country flight it seems like everything during the obtaining of my private pilot license just went by within one blink of an eye. It has been an honor to be a part of this journey with EAA 168 and the Ray Aviation Scholarship in cohort with the Experimental Aircraft Association.
From KRBD to F44 to KLXY to KRBD it was all a blast! But, first I start up a Cessna 152 with a Lycoming 0-235 115hp in it and obtain my ATIS and tune in to ground to get clearance to taxi to runway 17. On this relatively calm day I do my run up then abeam the hold short line I request to take off on runway 17 VFR departure to the southeast. Once I took off I climbed to my altitude of 2500’ AGL and cruising at about 80-95 knots. This leg of the trip is about a little bit over an hour. Next, I am about 15 Miles out and obtain WX from F44 I then call at about 10 miles out. After, i’m at the 5 mile point to enter the pattern shortly, but I could not find the airport. I had to circle around at TPA and wouldn’t you know I was on base for runway 18. Previously I was in landing configuration and made sure to make my traffic call out as soon as possible. I made this Landing a full stop and taxied to the ramp. I proceed with my engine shutdown procedures and tie the aircraft down. It was so surreal to me to actually be at an airport and in an airplane by myself! The cool part
was there was a pilot named John who recognized me from North Texas Aviators that I could actually talk to and was cool to share the same experience with.
After I refreshed myself I got back to the plane and after everything was completed I called out to traffic for VFR to the Southwest to KXLY. The plane was configured to carry out the mission and easily got to KLXY In an hour. 10 miles abeam there were about 2 pilots coming in for full stops and I made sure to get into queue to be 3rd to land. Also, a big shout out to Whiskey Mike for helping me get into runway 18 safely and care free! After I landed I parked at the ramp and talked to a few seasoned pilots and shared the wisdom of what to do on my cross country flight. Now with both of us having to depart we both make our way to runway 18 to take off to the North and for me back to KRBD. This was the final leg of the trip and everything I was able to experience just seeped in and made me feel like this is my passion and this is what I want to live and breathe! While on the way I recalled when I literally cried to my flight instructor being grateful for doing this milestone! An outstanding ovation out to Parrish Aviation Flight Academy to be the bearers of growth in the mighty world of aviation. Now, back to my route I was about 15 miles out and obtained my ATIS for krbd. At 10 miles I made my call to tower and was cleared to enter left downwind for runway 17. My final landing was so smooth and felt so right once it hit that pavement! In conclusion, training has been a life changing element to not only to myself, but young individuals like myself working to achieve their private pilot license.
