by Steve Guetter
It took longer than some, probably less than some others, with a whopping 13 hours in my logbook, my instructor, Alex, patted his headset and said he was going to leave them in the right seat. I was in the left seat of N757YK, a mighty Cessna 152, at Fargo International Airport (KFAR). The tower instructed me to taxi to Runway 36. At 9,000 feet long, it was certainly plenty of runway to get a C152 with one occupant airborne.
What came next is as clear in my mind today as it was that day in 1998. Cleared for takeoff, I pushed forward the throttle, and the little C152 jumped into the air faster than she had with Alex in the right seat. It was at about that moment in time that it dawned on me, that I was flying an airplane, alone! The next thought that popped into my mind was along the lines of, now I must LAND a plane alone! Training took over, I flew the pattern, multiple CGUMPS checks and N757YK and I were rolling out after the landing.
That day I spent enough time in the pattern to log five solo landings. I was a pilot!
I grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota, right under the final approach path to 28L and 28R at Flying Cloud Airport (KFMC). Many days were spent doing chores, mowing lawns and playing as a kid, looking skyward as planes would fly over. From my bedroom ceiling hung many model airplanes. The first model I built was a North American F-100 Super Sabre Jet.
Why airplanes? I do not have an answer to that question. I have always been fascinated with flight and flying machines. While I did not come from an aviation family, they certainly saw my budding passion and added some fuel.
I recall a visit to South St. Paul Municipal Airport/Fleming Field (KSGS) for an air expo event and peeking into the cockpit of a Grumman F-14 Tomcat at a Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (KMSP) open house and an airshow at Southwest Minnesota Regional Airport in Marshall, Minn. (KMML).
The first time I was able to lay hands on the controls of an aircraft in flight was on a ride from Flying Cloud. The airport had some type of summer event taking place. Whatever was going on was not important then and is not important now. What was important were my parents who somehow found out there were rides taking place, the $25 price tag was within their budget, and I was going to get to fly in a plane. Myself and an “older” couple were going to be on the same flight. They sat in the backseat together and I had the privilege of sitting in the right seat.
Although this was the first time I had sat in a small airplane, the panel in front of me was familiar.
I had been through my elementary school’s aviation books more than once. One book in particular talked all about the controls and switches that were now in front of me. We took off, flew over Lake Minnetonka, which is when the pilot (who today in my memories is just a shadowy figure) asked me if I would like to fly.
It would be another 10 years before I would touch a yoke again.
I chose to study Mechanical Engineering (ME) at North Dakota State University in Fargo. My freshman dorm overlooked the Fargo airport where I would look out at planes that included F16s and the occasional NWA 747. The ME department offered Private Pilot ground school, so in my senior year I signed up for the class in the fall. That spring I scraped up enough money to pay for some flying lessons.
The day of that first solo flight lives vibrantly in my memories. It is a steppingstone for what has become a passion, a career and a lifestyle.
There is nothing quite like that first solo, it will always remain the first time as aviators we were completely alone in an aircraft as we begin the never-ending journey to master our craft. Even today I take time to celebrate the firsts. The first time I soloed a Baron, a Caravan or a Wipaire “Fire Boss.” I had probably minted about 10 seaplane rated pilots as a CFI before I ever flew off the water alone. Each first is a new memory and also brings me back to that spring day in N757YK.
Starting with Alex, there are so many memories of what my instructors taught me that I carry with me when I fly solo. I can hear their voices remind me of lessons learned. My thanks to one and all!
Share your story about your “First Solo” by emailing midwestflyer.com@gmail.com. This series was started January 1, 2026, you can view more articles like this by clicking here.