Growing up in an aviation family has its benefits and its drawbacks. The advantages are numerous. Having both a father and grandfather as flight instructor is one. Certainly, having access…
Category: First Solo
First Solo – Flying Alone, Building Confidence
“I learned a little about flying that day, and a lot about myself.” I was approaching 39 years old on the day I soloed. It was a Saturday, June 27,…
FIRST SOLO – Where It All Began: A Blue Schwinn and the Road to the Airport
by Eric Wegner Hey, Dave! I read your article on your “First Solo” (https://midwestflyer.com/editorial-first-solo/) and can relate. I didn’t know you were from Minnesota. I spent 17 great years in Minnesota. We…
FIRST SOLO – Wings at Sixteen, Love for a Lifetime
by Bob McDaniel The summer of 1967 passed like a whirlwind. And it would be a monumental year as it was the year of my 16th birthday, a milestone that…
FIRST SOLO – Born to Fly
by John Chmiel I knew I was going to solo. I just didn’t know when. I was going to be a pilot someday, and I don’t have any recollection to…
FIRST SOLO – Reach for the Stars
by Carol Cansdale I was raised by a single dad raising two daughters and we always had airplanes. Dad was an airline pilot and owned an aircraft salvage and parts…
FIRST SOLO – A 16th Birthday To Remember
By Chuck Doyle, Jr. January 11, 1974, began like any other winter school day — cold, quiet, and unsuspecting. I knew it was my 16th birthday. The calendar knew it….
EDITORIAL – “First Solo”
In preparing for an upcoming presentation at a local EAA chapter meeting on how Midwest Flyer Magazine came about, I wanted to first start by sharing how my “first solo”…