Today I stood on the ramp at Sikorsky Airport, and just enjoyed the sun, the planes, and the memories. Every one of you that are pilots remember this day - for me it was June 29, 1971, and the plane was a 1964 Piper Cherokee, N6032W.

My friend (and fellow NEPG member) Stephen Burrows thought his instructor might turn him loose today, so I ran to the airport at lunch, borrowed a hand-held radio, and stood in the 20 degree temperature savoring the moment. As I watch, Stephen and his instructor made half a dozen Touch & go's. I don't remember mine being so pretty, but they must have been survivable. Stephen had said he felt ready - I hadn't. In 1971 the instructor could surprise you, and I remember my instructor, Leon Curtis, just telling me to pull over and shut down. When he got out and said "take it around the pattern and come back," I was so nervous I had trouble getting it started again. As my mind traveled back through the reverie of that day, I watched Stephen taxi back to the ramp, and Bob, his instructor, took a year (5 minutes actually) signing off the paperwork and giving him last minute instructions. Then it was real, as real as the 29th of June had been so long ago; Stephen called Ground Control and taxied away to fly - solo. Finally he was off, cleared for take-off; then cleared for the option; then three beautiful landings in a row. My turn had been at an uncontrolled airport, but Stephen solo'd under the watchful eye of BDR's tower. When he stopped and cleared the runway the Tower congratulated him with "good job". He responded "thanks" like he'd done this before. I'm proud of my friend for what he accomplished today, but more - I'm grateful that I got the chance to re-live it vicariously.

Congratulations Stephen and thank you!

Thanks Roger for being there to witness my first solo.

It meant a lot to me for you to be a part of something very important to me and that I know will stay with me for the rest of my life.

What an awesome feeling to be finally considered PIC (and finally putting something that logbook column) It's a dream that started with my introductory flight back in 1990! After a 17 year hiatus, yesterday finally happened!

As all of you know, pre-solo training can sometimes be down right frustrating and I wondered at times if I could really do this! After the light bulb went during a recent lesson, and yesterday's solo my goal is finally in sight!

I look forward to many NEPG events (hopefully soon as PIC).