Jared Christensen
Student Pilot
Introductory flight......May, 2002
First lesson...............August, 2002
First solo flight..........November, 2002

Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Nov. 19, 2002

It was a perfect day:
*Sunny, becoming high overcast
*Wind steady at 10 knots
*No turbulence; "smooth as glass"
*Very little traffic

After five increasingly-perfect landings by Jared with his instructor in the right seat, only one thing could be better: making his first landing without the inconvenience of the instructor's constant comments.
"Watch the drift." "See the traffic?" "How about a touch of power?" "What's your airspeed?" ...... and so forth.

"I most certainly would!" was Jared's instant reply to his instructor's query as to whether he would like to fly alone.

They taxied to the PS Air ramp. The instructor signed the authorizing documents. Then Pilot In Command Jared Christensen called the tower for taxi instructions. He made an uneventful takeoff followed by two touch-and-go landings, then a full-stop landing. Jared taxied back to the hangar, barely able to see around his huge smile, and shut down according to the checklist.

Jared had just completed his first solo flight — his first flight as Pilot In Command.

Truly, it was a perfect day!

Jared after his first solo flight.

The smile says it all!
Jared was one happy camper following
his first solo flight on November 19, 2002.

N1564X taking off with Jared at the controls.Piper Warrior N1564X
takes off following a
touch-and-go landing.
Pilot: Jared Christensen.

Keith, CFI, and Jered, Student Pilot

Keith Williams, Instructor(L), and
Jared Christensen,
newly-soloed Student Pilot

The ability to enjoy the thrill of flight is a dream that many have had for centuries. However, until 100 years ago this freedom was enjoyed only by the birds and a few daredevil balloonists. Thanks to the Wright Brothers, this thrill is now available to everyone.

Learning to fly an airplane requires study and practice with dedication. And a certain amount of determination, too. There probably is not a pilot who, at some point in his training, was not ready to give up. But by sticking to it, the reward of piloting a plane by yourself will eventually come.

Learning to fly is a matter of understanding the basic principles, learning how to control the plane, then developing the knowledge and skills required so you can control the plane in any foreseeable circumstance. And this comes only through practice and experience.

Solo flight is an achievement of which any pilot can be proud. It is a significant milestone on the way to becoming a Private Pilot. It is so significant that most pilots remember the event for decades.

Both Jared and Jason have been willing to make the investment in time and money required to achieve the intermediate goal of solo flight. I am pleased that I was able, as their Certified Flight Instructor, to help them gain the knowledge and develop the skills through experience which made these happy events possible.

Happy flying, guys!
Keith Williams, CFI

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