First Solo Cross Country Trip!

Well I woke up early hoping the weather would be great. After watching the Shuttle Endeavor launch (AWESOME LAUNCH) I checked the weather, and it was great so I finished my flight planning and scampered off to the airport.  I took my time pre-flighting making sure everything was right. Soon I was headed down 28L and headed north towards Hemet. It was weird to leave the pattern without Brett sitting next to me.  As the plane climbed to 6500’ I got accustomed to the plane, it’s a little different then the one I normally fly (57361), which is in northern California with its owner. 

I see my first check point, sweet everything is going well. Soon I tune in the weather at Hemet and set up for landing. 

After landing, I prepped my plans and charts for the trip to Borrego Springs.  As I was heading to Borrego Springs I got turned around somehow and had to use my navigation skills to figure out my exact location. Once I did that it, was a straight shot to Borrego.  The wind was picking up, and was expected to be bad, so I took a little break and got back in the air for the trip back to Montgomery. 

The trip was uneventful and actually fun!  All the navigation check points worked well. After thirty seven minutes I was lined up for landing on 28L again.  I taxied back to the line happy knowing I had just completed my first solo cross country flight.  I parked the plane and headed for a bite to eat. While eating lunch I decided I was going to head to Gillespie and work in the pattern doing some touch and go’s and short/soft field practice. 

Unfortunately, while I grabbed a bite the wind picked up and was gusting to past the limits set for me, so I packed up for the day and headed home to study. 

With joy I was able to thank Brett for the help and confidence instilled to complete the cross country.  Now we have a plan for the rest of the week even if the weather doesn’t work for me.

Enough for today…  its time for a celebratory beer!