My first flight alone out of the circuit

My first solo flight out of the circuit!

I went out on my own to the Cremona area a few weeks ago – this was my first time out of the circuit alone.  I was pretty nervous! When I go with my instructor I find some of the time I don’t concentrate on everything because they are always there as a backup. For certain things this is great, for example when it comes to keeping an eye on traffic.  But at times I find they can be a bit of a crutch – someone to rely on so you are not just reliant on yourself.  An excuse not to concentrate and relying on them to supply all the information.
But that is not right, since I am the one that wants to be a pilot, – they already are and don’t need the practice. I have to take responsibility for everything in the airplane, regardless if my instructor is there or not.  When you take passengers out for the first time, you can’t expect them to be able to help you navigate, when to switch frequencies or what altitude you should be using or to properly lean your mixture in cruise!

It always amazes me how much I learn when I go solo.  Before my flights, I am always nervous so I just learned to accept it as the norm.  When I go alone I am sure to be super prepared. On my first flight out to the Cremona area, I studied the map thoroughly. I looked for landmarks that would tell me when I am crossing over through airspace frequencies, and where to practice when I flew into my designated practice area.
On my first attempt, I really didn’t want to go and swore to myself that I wouldn’t try to cancel or use excuses not to go.  The forecast was good, so I had no good reason.  On the way to the airport, I did notice the clouds looked kind of “funny” – since Springbank is on the edge of the rocky mountains, we get a lot of turbulent conditions and I’ve been able to recognize some clouds that indicate this is happening.  So when I got to the airport, not surprisingly, there were lots of reports of “bumpy” flying and light turbulence particularly over Cochrane. My instructor wasn’t there to talk to, so I had to figure it out.  Some of the instructors thought I would be okay and should still go.  So I went ahead and did my walk-around and weight and balance.
More talk about light turbulence from pilots returning …
Hmm. Okay, I checked the live RVR for Springbank – winds 170 @ 5. Not bad … Trying to keep it together.
I’m close to being out the door and about to sign myself out, when yet another pilot walks in and exclaims “bumpy out there!” Okay. One more time, I check the RVR – 180@8 gusting 20. I knew it!  I’m not going up, now that the gusts have reached the ground. I probably could’ve handled it, since I’ve flown in those conditions before, but it wouldn’t be pretty.  Plus this exceeds the limits that we are allowed to fly in for student PPL pilots at my flight school.
A few days later I showed up again.  It’s 7:45 am, the sky is clear – the airport is quiet, the forecast is amazing, and surface winds are calm. It was meant to be!
I taxied to runway 25 and followed another Cessna 172 also enroute to Cremona.  It was a bit bumpy over Cochrane as usual but nothing to be concerned about.  I managed to identify all the roads and landmarks from the air, I did not get lost, and was able to find Cremona all by myself. Now I had to stop doubting myself and believe I can do it.  The practice area was free of traffic and I set up in the south east quadrant of Cremona, always making sure to keeping it in sight.
I practiced slow flight, climbs and descents, steep turns and stalls. When turning I always kept a staunch lookout for planes, and referencing my location.  Since it is uncontrolled I made lots of radio calls announcing my location and altitude.  After about 30 minutes I calculated it was time to head back. So I crossed to the east side of highway 22 to head back south. I made sure to fly in the east side of highway 22, that way, it is visible from the left side (where I am sitting).  Also, pilots that are heading south will keep the highway on their left hand side – meaning they will be west of it – giving an extra measure of safety, and as my instructor says, it’s just good airmanship.
As I cross over, I notice a Diamond crossing overhead of me about 500 feet higher. He made a call he was there, but I had no idea that he was so close. I didn’t like it, and it really made me appreciate why keeping a lookout is so important at all times.  I held my breath until it was time to call Calgary Terminal controlled airspace where they will lead me back to the CYBW controllers.  It’s comforting to know someone is watching you on radar, particularly in such a high traffic area.
Wind is calm and I’m advised to follow the north ghost route over Cochrane and to join the right base for 25.  I am too tired to do a specialty landing (don’t tell my instructor).   As I approach and land I realize how little landings I do these days.  I haven’t been in the circuit for awhile, before my flight test, I will have to return and practice landings again and again.
A great flight and day out! It’s so important to push past the fear to just get out and fly.