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Congratulations to Allie Houser, a Sandwich Secondary School student who achieved a major milestone by completing her first solo flight on July 26th!
We first encountered Allie during Drone Training Day in June. At that event, Mr. Jasey, the instructor of the Aviation course IDC3O, showcased the remarkable program and its dedicated students. As we observed students building and flying their drones, Allie stood out with her quiet confidence, skillfully maneuvering her drone through the air. Mr. Jasey mentioned that several students were gearing up for significant milestones, including Allie’s first solo flight and another student, Logan, who is set to earn his pilot's license this summer.
In the days leading up to her solo flight, we had the opportunity to discuss with Allie how she was preparing for this pivotal moment in her aviation journey.
What emotions are you experiencing as you prepare for your first solo flight?
The emotions I am experiencing right before my solo flight include stress but also a feeling of accomplishment. I feel that the hard work and time I have put in have really paid off. I'm also very grateful for my parents, who have supported me through the ups and downs, and for helping me accomplish this massive milestone.
Can you walk us through the preparation process for a solo flight? What specific steps have you taken to get ready?
The preparations I have done for my first solo flight include passing my PSTAR exam and my Radio exam. I have also acquired my Student Pilot Permit. But those were just the easy things. The challenging preparations included memorizing all the emergency procedures, practicing all the procedures for the first solo flight, and preparing myself for the stress of the first solo flight by surrounding myself with everything I could possibly need to succeed.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your flight training so far, and how have you overcome it?
The most challenging part of my flight training was perfecting my landing, which I have found to be the hardest thing to learn so far. The way I have overcome this is by practicing landings in real life and using the simulators at my school, which has helped me with the timing and coordination needed to perfect my landings. I also watched videos of other people landing to replicate their techniques, but I found it most useful to talk myself through it, which has made my landings amazing.
How has the Aviation SHSM program at Sandwich Secondary School contributed to your readiness for this milestone?
The aviation program at Sandwich has prepared me in countless ways. The main ones I can think of are: when the weather isn't in my favor, I can practice on the simulators. The program has also taught me the little things, such as how to check the weather properly and how to navigate cross-country, which has helped me more than you might think
What advice would you give to other students (in particular Female) who are interested in pursuing flight training?
The advice I would give to anyone thinking about aviation is to go for it. The community is really small, and everyone is there to help you succeed. Yes, it may seem like a lot of work, but once you get into it, it becomes as easy as basic math—it comes naturally. When I first started flying, I was the only female at my flying club and felt a little discouraged. However, I never let that stop me, and now I am surrounded by women in the field. In fact, my instructor is known as one of the best at my flying club and has been an inspiration, proving that anyone can fly.
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