Almost There

By Evan Isenstein-BrandThe engine starved and sputtered to a halt in my shaky hands. After several practice laps in the pattern, my instructor gave me a final handshake before neatly buckling his seatbelt across the seat and trotting over to join the crowd. I entered my focus mode, carefully examining my checklist before starting the engine again and receiving permission from the sympathetic tower operator to taxi out to the ramp.Just like I had done dozens of times before, I made sure the plane was fit to fly and promptly received clearance to take off. The conditions were beautiful: little wind, few clouds in the sky, and only several other aircraft around the airport. It was the 4th of July. Of course the conditions were perfect.Hundreds of thoughts raced through my head as I began my takeoff roll down the runway. These were not nervous thoughts about the people watching and the cameras filming. Nor were they scared thoughts about damaging the airplane and hurting myself or someone else. All thoughts were about doing my best to keep the airplane where I wanted it. Quickly scanning my instruments while timing my corresponding control inputs occupied all of my thoughts. Although in reality my solo was less than perfect, it felt wonderful to feel myself and myself alone piloting an aircraft through the sky.But maybe that would be a lie. I never felt alone, and I still never feel alone when I solo. I remember everything so many friends in the aviation community have done to get me to this point. I remember the names and faces of friends who have “flown west,” those whom I believe are still with me, especially when I fly. Maybe I’ve hung around old pilots too long. But every time I fly, I think about all the generosity and hard work that put me in the left seat of that plane.Working to earn the Upwind Scholarship was no easy feat. Writing essays and filming videos at the height of my junior year of high school was taxing to say the least, but the pay off has completely overshadowed all of the stress. The Upwind Foundation has contracted with San Carlos Flight Center to provide training for us four recipients and six instructors with a primary instructor for each of us conducting training in a range of four training aircraft. Quality instruction and learning things the right way the first time have taken us this far in four weeks and will make us competent and capable pilots by the end of the summer.As soon as it began, it was over, and I was taxiing off of the runway. After receiving congratulations from both tower controllers and parking the plane, my shirt was ceremoniously cut, and the tradition continued. Photos were taken and lots of questions asked, but I was exhausted and still felt like I was flying––my feet still didn’t feel like they touched the ground! I felt so proud to finally fly the airplane by myself and to make all of the people who have supported me along the way proud.As one pilot friend of mine put it, I have “joined the brotherhood.” In the words of another, I have “joined the ranks of every pilot since the Wright brothers.” I felt so great after hearing that and finally having my place in the community. Soloing almost felt like the culmination of everything I’ve worked for since I was eight. In a way, it felt like I was finally returning the favor for all of the help and support given to me by so many people in the aviation community. Soloing was my dream finally coming true, but a first solo is hardly the final step. I can’t wait to expand my piloting abilities and have more adventures along the way.