So I had my first solo three weeks ago, and sure it was an unforgettable experience, and to tell of my experience to fellow aviators I get a great sense of camaraderie, it's something all pilots can relate to. I love that.

 Last week there was a bit of crosswind at Moorabbin so we did some crosswind circuits, boy were things different compared to a picture perfect windless day! I felt I was on my first lesson again I had to relearn everything. Crabbing on final felt really strange, with the plane pointing into the crosswind at an angle to the runway and then to straighten up at the last minute, aileron into wind and "countersteering" with the rudder to straighten up was something really to get mastery of. One approach wasn't helped where we were on very short final with no landing clearance! My inexperience exposed itself half wanting to perform a go around I applied half throttle as we were touching down, my instructor took over, made the radio call and allowed the plane to settle down for a touch and go. I was confused, but it was a very good lesson learned. Make a decision and act 100% on it.

Anyway yesterday was a great day to go flying in Melbourne and we were out again doing circuits. Again, I managed to fudge up all the proper configurations turning on base and then on final, power settings were off, attitude and airspeed were off too, it was not until circuit 3 or 4 I finally settled down and remembered what I was supposed to do. After all the fudge ups I was a little surprised my instructor was happy to send me off on my second solo. 

I have to say the second solo is just as good if not better than the first! Indeed the first solo made one aware everything is up to you, there is no fall back. But to be sent off on a second solo affirms my belief that I CAN do this and to have my instructor think so, and arrive back at the school with plane and self in one piece with no incident was also a great feeling.

I performed two touch an go's before a full stop. On the second circuit I was following a 152 which was clearly slower than the brand new warrior I was in (TXH) and I nearly overtook him on the circuit but slowed right down on precautionary cruise to ensure good separation and a very late turn to base before a gentle turn onto final.

I would imagine every solo flight for me would be just as good as my first, after all the training exercises I look forward to my next solo session!

To blue skies!