Larry Robey
Student Pilot
First lesson...............May24 ,2004
First solo flight..........July 16, 2004

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

It was a perfect day:
*Sunny to the East, cloudy in the West
*Wind steady at 5 knots
*No turbulence; "smooth as glass"
*Modest traffic

Larry is a student pilot flying a Cessna 172 owned by the Rockwell Collins Flying Club. He started taking lessons in May and normally flies three times each week—except when prevented by weather, which has been often.

John Meehan, veteran CFI in the Rockwell Club, and Keith Williams are Larry's instructores. Keith reports that Larry is one of the smoothest beginning pilots he has ever instructed. Perhaps it is because of his good understanding of things mechanical, or perhaps because of the hours he has already logged "flying" his computer. Or perhaps he's just a natural pilot!

On this day, after a few dual landings, Keith endorsed his student pilot certificate and logbook for solo flight and Larry took off, feeling the total freedom of flight for the first timel.

Truly, it was a perfect day!

Larry after his first solo flight.

The smile says it all!
Larry was a thrilled pilot following
his first solo flight on July 16, 2004.

Keith Williams, CFI

Keith Williams, Instructor

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.

Larry has 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 his Certified Flight Instructor, to help him gain the knowledge and develop the skills through experience which made this happy event possible.

Happy flying, Larry!
Keith Williams, CFI

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16 Jul 04