…But we definitely have cause to party like it is!
Winter in pilot training is an odd paradox of busy inactivity. By this I mean, when the weather is poor, the idleness is stifling. But when the sun makes its triumphant return, the rush to squeeze in as many flights as possible to get caught up and progress is enough to make your head spin. After C’s solo flight, he flew once in about 3 weeks. (This was not just due to weather, but also cancelations and various other schedule changes) Then, suddenly, he double-turned (meaning two flights or a sim and a flight, back to back) three days in one week and went up for his mid-phase check-ride during the same week. The check-ride itself was enough to get the blood pumping, with its notorious 60% failure rate. C passed with flying colors (pun sort of intended) and this week (weather permitting) will progress to his area solo (flying by himself to the practice area to carry out aerobatic maneuvers).
Despite the insanity of the week, everyone – C and I included – had an event to look forward to on Friday night. The night of the celebratory “Solo Party” had finally arrived. The party, of course, is meant to commemorate the achievement of the students on accomplishing their initial solo, but also provides a much-needed opportunity for students and instructors to come together in an informal environment. The (root)beer flowed and jokes abounded in anticipation of the “tie-cutting” ceremony – an Air Force tradition wherein the instructor and student who soloed together have a chance to tell the story of the solo, often including funny anecdotes and frequent embellishments, followed by the instructor hacking away at the student’s tie based on his performance (the lower the cut, the better the flight).
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| Just the tip - Way to go, C! |
It was nice to see the tension eased with laughter over past mistakes and the amplified camaraderie that success seemed to harbor in the students.
