Las Cruces Traffic, Bearcat 712 solo departing 1-2, Las Cruces

My Uncle Sam just handed me the keys to his sweet $1 million ride. I asked one of my favorite IPs to take a picture of me and the plane... he didn't really know how to use the camera...so this is what happened:

I finally did it (no, don't listen to him, I didn't fail), I solo-ed yesterday. I passed a check-ride and proved that I could do all the maneuvers safely and then about 20 minutes (and a tasty burrito at the airport grill) later I signed for and took off in my very own T-34C.

It was great, I had a blast... it's funny, most guys say their solo was really boring and that's understandable because they only give you 2-3 very tame maneuvers to do. The real purpose to build confidence and let you get a feel for the plane by yourself. I thought it was great, I went to low and high working areas. I went down to 500' AGL and then as high as 17,500'.

The airplane is a lot like the WWII style prop planes we see in the movies, you can even open the canopy in flight. I get the feeling that it may not have been recommended for my first solo, but according to the textbook it's allowed so I opened the canopy and looked out. I tried to put my arm out like in a car, but since the wind blowing by was at 120 kts, it wasn't the best idea. In any case it was really fun. When I was done messing around I went up to about 15,000' and did some serious work, practicing the landing pattern at altitude and other things to improve my airwork. I had to make myself leave and come back to the airport.

It was a really great feeling of freedom just to be up there and able to do exactly what I wanted and go where I wanted (within the guidelines). It was like what I thought flying was going to be like when I first wanted to be a pilot at about age 5.

Today I start "Precision Aerobatics." I'm not sure what exactly I'll do today, but it'll be any combination of loops, barrell rolls, aileron rolls, wingovers, half-Cuban 8s, Split-S and Immelmanns. I'm flying with the same guy who I flew my last Basic Instruments flight (see entry entitled "Bananas") .... so I'm pretty excited and really hope that I don't puke...again.