15th June 2026 was my first solo in Spain. It was almost exactly 3 years to the day when I did my very first solo at White Waltham on the 13th June 2023, although I don't have any photos because I wasn't expecting to fly solo that day, my instructor literally just said 'how would you feel if I got out and you just did one circuit on your own' and that was how it happened. However here, in Spain its more of a big deal so I do have photos to mark the occasion.
Solo take off
Completed my 1st solo in Spain
13th June 2023 1st solo
Me and my instructor Felipe
It was completely by chance that my Spanish solo fell around the same date as my original solo, I've never had more reason to trust the process than this. Looking back to how I ended up here I've constantly felt 'behind' with finishing my exams, and then getting my visa, and then actually moving out here, its been one thing after another. But I feel like I'm finally making progress and feel like I am right where I am meant to be. I didn't remember the date of my 1st solo so when I knew I was scheduled for my first dual to solo lesson I had a look through my photo memories, because luckily I did record my reaction afterwards when I was in the car, so I can remember the feeling and when it happened 😉
That's when I saw the date as the 13th June 2023, which was almost 3 years to the date, considering how slow the training process has been here, anything could have happened and it could have been any random day, but for me to be scheduled around the 13th June was truly part of the plan.
It may be surprising but I actually didn't feel all that excited after landing solo. It was more relief that I'm progressing and onto the next lesson. Not relief that I landed, haha. I know when I did my first solo in Maidenhead I was so shocked afterwards because I really wasn't expecting it, I knew I could do it, but I didn't see it coming, so once I let it sink in I felt so badass landing a plane on my own. For me now its hard to celebrate because well, 1. It wasn't my first time so its not as exciting and 2. I'm just moving on to the next lesson and the next thing. Sometimes I find it hard to acknowledge the little things and be in that moment, I'm always looking at the next thing which can take away from the here - and - now.
The actual solo flight was so quick, just one circuit that took me probably 10 minutes. My landing was a bit heavy but the plane wasn't damaged so that is a win:) Although I could definitely improve on my parking skills; I literally cannot forward park in a car, and it appears I cannot forward park a plane either. At least there is consistency somewhere. Its a shame I can't reverse park an aircraft because I reckon I'd do that so much better!
As a Leading Edge tradition after a first solo you get thrown into the swimming pool. Unfortunately for me I also got thrown in to the pool in my uniform, thankfully that was recorded and was actually pretty funny. I'm looking forward to my next few lessons with more solo flying so I can perfect the landings, as well as making progress through the syllabus, its nice to feel like I'm finally getting somewhere after being out here for 4 1/2 months.