It was an ordinary Wednesday morning. I woke up at 0730hrs to get change and attend the roll call at 0800hrs. After roll call, I handed in my homework to CPT Usman. He wanted a list of all the emergency procedure written down.
After breakfast, I went up to my room to do my quiet time. I was reading Numbers, Moses sent 12 spies to check out the promise land. Out of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb believe that God will delivery their enemies into their hands. Because of that, God decided that none of the Israelite above the age of 20 years old could enter the Promise Land, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb because they’ve never doubted God. Even Moses was not spared; the only consolation he has is a peek at the Promise Land and the assurance from God that the next generation can enter the Promise Land. How do I feel about God’s treatment of the Israelite? I wouldn’t want that to happen to me. I want to enter the Promise Land to drink the milk and honey. We look at live according to our lifespan; God looks at promises spanning generation. In the case of Abraham, it took many generation and hundreds of years for the promise to come true- That Abraham will have descendent at many, as there are stars in the sky.
I was doing some revision in my room. Soon it was 1200hrs and it’s time to go for flight with Usman. First to the Tech Log room, Usman didn’t sign out on SKE that means he could be in the Flight Ops room. I took the lift up to 3rd floor and find out from the board that is suppose to fly before me. One guy by the name of Phillip is doing a solo flight. Usman suddenly came from behind me, he want to do a running change when Phillip lands so we can save a bit of time. Usman then started to hint me a little. He was looking at the weather and checking the wind sock. Sihao was with me and he wanted to back-sit my flight as an observer. Then Usman told Sihao he could not back-sit today. This was the first time he reject a back-sitter. He has planned to send me on solo today.
We took off as normal except for the radio. It was busier than usual. A student on his way to Kluang lost his way and needed assistance to navigate his way back to home base in Melaka. Instead of doing the circuit at 1000’, we got clearance to climb to 2500’ so as to get a better radio range. There were so many radio call made by ATC, Usman, the lost student, and later on Kluang Tower also join in. For about 5mins, I was just observing Usman trying to guide the student.
We got clearance from Tower to descent to 1000’ to continue our circuits and landing. Soon Usman was handing the controls over to me. He went on to establish comms with that student. With a map in hand, he was able to give more specific instructions. I become Usman colleague at the instant. I was flying circuits all by myself and he is looking at the map and talking to that student. Soon, that student, with a stroke of luck and help from others, was able to find his way back to Melaka.
On the 3 circuits, I landed and he asks me to come to a full stop. And then he request from ATC to taxi to the main apron. I know that he is going to send me on my first solo. As he taxi to the main apron, he explains to me his intention and give me details to do my first solo.
And so I did my first solo in MFA on Piper Warrior. I was trilled by the experience. I am inspired to work harder and become a better pilot each day.
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