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Cadet Sergeant Phoebe Jenner |
Air
Cadet Phoebe Jenner has completed her first solo flight in a powered
aircraft taking off and landing back at Coventry Airport. Whilst this
has been a private endeavour, 84 (Coventry Airport) Squadron are
incredibly proud of her achievements and decided to find out exactly
what the incredible accomplishment entailed so asked her to tell us
in her own words:
“I
have been taking flying lessons for just over a year and have logged
nearly 39 hours. Before flying solo, I had to be 16 years of age,
have passed a medical exam and the required eye test. I also had lots
of studying to do for the Air Law exam and then practice flying to
Wellesbourne in case I had to do an emergency landing there! Then it
was just a matter of waiting for a break in the weather with good
visibility, low winds and no rain....which seemed to take forever in
this wonderful British Winter!
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Post-Flight Smiles |
In
lessons, I have learnt loads of practical flying skills such as basic
and advanced handling, stall recovery, spin recovery, different types
of engine failures, forced landings, and different types of landings.
I also had to learn to recognise local landmarks from the air, and
all the radio protocols for taking off and landing and listening for
air traffic control instructions while in the air.
Just
before my first solo flight I flew a few circuits of the airport with
my instructor touching down briefly on the runway between each one. I
taxied back to the flying school and my instructor got out. I
contacted the tower to request permission to taxi and they told me
which holding point to wait at while I did the final pre-flight
checks. I was given permission to taxi onto the runway and then to
take off. I accelerated up the runway and did a good take off, which
is the easiest bit. I then turned into the normal left hand circuit
of the airport, which takes about 8 minutes.
On
the final leg I contact the tower and got cleared to land. I was
being blown about a bit by the cross-wind and found the landing
harder than usual because I didn’t have the extra weight of my
instructor to help get the plane on the ground! But finally I was
down without bouncing too much. I taxied back to the apron in front
of the flying school to do my after-landing checks, and then taxied
to the parking bays where I shut the engine down. My instructor
Richard came out to congratulate me, and then we had a debrief.
He
seemed really pleased, and I felt that it had gone well. I had been a
bit nervous but excited beforehand, confident and relaxed during the
flight, and a bit nervous but concentrated during the landing. I feel
really proud that I’ve done this and just look forward to doing it
again!”
All
her family, friends and fellow cadets are incredibly amazed that, at
just aged 16, Cadet Sergeant has taken off in a powered aircraft and
safely landed back. We look forward to hearing about her next flights
as she continues to progress through her flying training.
Co-written
by: Flying Officer Rosie Chapman & Cadet Sergeant Phoebe Jenner