Chad's Solo

Well..it's official...Chad finally soloed last Friday! He was so nervous and excited all at the same time. I even got to go out to the plane with him on the flightline. It was pretty crazy.

Here he is leaving on the bus to his plane...

Chad had to do a "walk around" to make sure everything on the plane was safe to fly and that everything was working okay. There are many different steps before starting the engine and leaving the spot.

Here is is rolling away...

Chad of course was the last one to come in. He was enjoying flying alone with no instructor to yell at him in the back seat. Here is a picture of everyone waiting for him to come in.

Another tradition that takes place during the solo flight is to be thrown into the "pogo" pond. "Pogo" is the call sign they use when it's their first time up in the plane on a solo. The tradition is that when you are finished with your flight the guys dunk you in the pond. BUT if you make it back to the room before anyone can get to you, then everyone out there has to buy you a 12 pack of beer. WELL...Chad was a good sport and let them dunk him into the pond. He even had the bus drop him off right in front of the guys. The guys were nice and let him take off all the important articles of clothing.

I had been practicing for the big toss in the pond with everyone else. I guess it paid off because I got the BEST action shot of Chad being thrown into the pond. :)

Poor baby...all WET!...but VERY EXCITED!!!!!

Here are some random pictures of the days happenings...