Sixteen year old Izzy Takes her First Solo Flight

Today is a big day for Izzy. It’s the day that every pilot never forgets. It’s her first solo flight today.
Izzy and I have been flying together for the past several months, and during that time, I’ve watched her develop into a very skilled student pilot.
At just sixteen years old, she has truly become the master and pilot in command of her Cessna 172 that she affectionally calls “Dolly”.
After flying three flawless laps in the pattern earlier, that her silent flight instructor sitting next to her just watched. She said out loud, “I think my ghost instructor Mark would be very proud of those landings if he had seen them.”
I smiled, shook my head, and said okay, do you want to solo today, already knowing her answer. And the rest was her history in the making.
Watch as Izzy makes her debut solo flight.

[@turdwarbler]

Thats the sort of "first solo" flight I like to watch. First time P1, no dramas, no playing up to the cameras, no trying to make a UT video, just getting on with professionally flying the aircraft safely. Great job Izzy.

[@MissilemanIII]

Congratulations Izzy! I'm 64 and remember my first solo like it was yesterday

[@natal777]

Izzy looks like she was born to be a pilot ! Great job kid ! I see her as a airline captain in the near future

[@steveo601]

My 16 year old did his second solo today here in Ft. Wayne. Fly’s DA-20’s. He’s at 21 hours. Did maneuvers in the practice area then several short field landings and takeoffs. He’s going to be a commercial airline pilot pilot!! She looks like she’s going to be a great pilot!!!!!

[@slayer8actual]

My first solo was over 30 years ago, and I have done countless take offs and landings since then, yet, I can still remember my first in detail. That is something you will hear over and over again as you progress in your flying. That first solo flight is something most pilots will never forget. Congrats on your first solo! It's a huge confidence boost knowing you can take a plane up and bring it back safely by yourself.

[@videogameplayer0552]

I had my first solo yesterday at age 18. It felt so crazy and fun at the same time.

[@firebearfl643]

Congratulations Izzy. I always smile and remember my first solo when I see a student pilot solo.

[@perhentzepetersen9310]

Highly impressive! The best part (for me) is the when she is talking to the ATC. It is SOOOOOOO professional! You would never, ever think that she is a 16 year old girl not old enough to drive a car..... Fantastic.

[@robinrichards6275]

Talking to yourself. The BEST thing to do! It's always helped me.

[@JohnDavis-zo4xl]

Im a 27 yr CFI with well over 20k hours. Nice job! Loved seeing your hand on that throttle, as all CFIs do.. your radio communications are quick and clear. You fly with a relaxed confidence! You fly. You will NEVER be mediocre.

[@craigclarke4736]

I still get goosebumps, smiles and yes, sometimes a tear, when I watch first solos. Especially kids at such a young age. So happy for them! ( Ha! My first solo was at age 62. Better late than never) Keep up the excellent work, Izzy! P.S. love that background music (both the music and the appropriate lyrics) Craig Kingston, Canada.

[@craigclarke4736]

Oh, and congratulations to Mark too. He must be very proud of you.

[@FalconImagery]

Thanks on the P.S. for the music. At least someone gets the Icarus reference. When I heard that song, I said, that's it! Perfect for this video.

[@patfromamboy]

I’m 61 and thinking about getting a pilot’s license so my solo could be at age 62 also.

[@FalconImagery]

@@patfromamboy I had one student i the past year or so get his license at 62/63 years old. So go for it!

[@UberGeek]

Great job Izzy! I love seeing new, young pilots in the making. Thanks for sharing.

[@LOVE2Flute]

Congratulations! So wonderful!

[@danielchurchill9004]

Well done Izzy. Congrats on the day you will never forget!!

[@oorahharley]

Congratulations!! I also had my solo at 16 yrs of age at Laconia ....46 years ago. I worked for Winnepesaukee Airlines at that time. Great memories! Enjoy yourself and keep on learning.👍

[@ejb7183]

great job

[@jbanfai]

Congratulations, Izzy!!! That was awesome!!! so very proud of you!

[@onebravotango]

Congratulations on this incredible achievement, Izzy! Your skills and determination have taken you to new heights. 🌟👏 ✈🛩🛩

[@craigclarke4736]

Pun intended? 😉

[@ScottRadfordChisholm]

Great work Izzy, loved watching this. You looked very calm and collected, well done.

[@tomklitsch6638]

Congratulations, Great Job! we need more young ladies taking interest in flight. Have fun and fly safe.

[@fs6622]

Wonderful job Izzy!!

[@Clothahump1]

I live vicariously through these solo videos. Izzy, you made this look easy. I imagine that in another 10-15 years, we'll see videos of you flying a big Boeing or an Airbus!!

[@tomconroy9087]

Very well taught, confidant, smooth on the controls and excellent comms skills! What a future!

[@jamesbridges210]

Awesome job

[@pslny]

Great work Izzy!!!

[@michaelfagan2403]

Congratulations Izzy!

[@immeandering]

Congratulations!! Getting close to solo myself and looking for inspiration 😂

[@Rmack137]

You never forget your first solo.

[@kk6aw]

I remember doing that 60 plus Years ago in a 172

[@jimmydulin928]

Very well done all takeoff and landings. Compliments to you and your instructor on your use of rudder only to hold centerline between your feet (nose is a bit of an angle) and not trying to use the ailerons to turn, which brings adverse yaw (nose going the wrong way) into play. Really good job.

[@SuperEightball1]

Congrats and Fair skies

[@MartyMitchell92660]

Nice job Izzy! You're well on your way to achieve your flying dreams. I forgot to retract my flaps on one of my first solo takeoff too. Now you'll never forget to check. Also, always remember, no plane is too small to make wingtip vortices. Some are just more dangerous than others. Keep up the good work!

[@kennethmurphy5534]

Congratulations Izzy nice job

[@steveo601]

My 17 year old son slated to get his license tomorrow here in Ft.Wayne.,Was a pilot at 16 but you have to wait until your 17th birthday. So many weather and check pilot delays but months later, here we are!!! He’s going to fly commercial. Congrats on your flying!!!!!!!!

[@FalconImagery]

Good luck to your son! Waiting for DPE availability for a checkride has been a big issue, and very expensive to students who have to continue to maintain their top proficiency for the checkride.

[@steveo601]

@@FalconImagery Yep!

[@paulcollins9197]

Great job

[@EricSimoneau]

I love to watch first solo flight videos. Super exciting to instructor and student alike! Nice job! 🎉

[@FalconImagery]

Yes, they are very rewarding to do, especially when they perform as well as Izzy did in her first solo flight. But they are very nerve-racking to both the student and the instructor.

[@alanmekler5412]

Fantastic

[@ianevans2854]

Congratulations Izzy and what a great choice of aircraft I've always loved the Cessna 172, one day I hope to solo myself any tips or advice you have for me would be really great 👏👍😎

[@timweaver8814]

Congratulations

[@topofthegreen]

nice job!

[@larrykrise3609]

nice job young lady.

[@Rmack137]

That landing was sweet.

[@aprianto1985]

I wish could fly an airplane at that age

[@nctplarry]

Yes!! I'm only 76 years young, but I surely wish I had been able to fly "back then," too. Besides, I am the only male among my siblings who never got licensed, yet I was the only one who subscribed to "Flying" magazine ever since the 6th grade...and my older brother even became an instructor for American Airlines in Dallas! All my siblings have now passed away, but I continue to dream. Vicariously, I can fly with my 20-year-old nephew who recently upgraded to a King Air C90. He lives about an hour north of Dallas and flies to/from Liberty University where he is in college. Instead of his plane just sitting there while he's in school, he rents it out to pilots for short trips, so he's actually making money while he studies. Smart boy. Very entrepreneurial. So very proud of this young lady!

[@thomasmullee3049]

This kind of videos makes me always sad, thinking about what could have happened to my life positively if my parents would have been more supporting and affectionate.... Now I'm 52 and don't think I can learn all the stuff and have the self-confidence to get a private pilote license 😢

[@FalconImagery]

I got my Private Pilot License at 49 years old, and then kept on going to get my Instrument Rating, Commercial License, Flight Instructor (CFI), Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII), Commercial Float Plane, and a few other types of endorsements. Heck, I was 56 when I finally got my CFI. So at 52 years old, you have a lot of time left. So get out there and do it. I have had students get their Private Pilot Certificate at 63 years old.

[@leeprice4054]

My ears are deceiving me. I swear I heard the straight in at an uncontrolled field was another... Skyhawk, and not a cirrus? Couldn't' have been....😂 Well done!

[@bubbaman12289]

You can tell she was in the zone I as well did a touch and go as a student solo. My cfi laughed it off thankfully and said it’s fine cause of all the repetitive touch and gos we would do all the time

[@patricklawler4138]

Where's the cutting of the tail of the shirt?

[@geraldcharbonier6313]

What equipment do you use for record the cockpit voice ? I make my first solo on tuesday and i’m looking for record cockpit and atc voices. Best regard.

[@FalconImagery]

Please see my latest video on how I record cockpit and ATC audio.

[@geraldcharbonier6313]

@@FalconImagery thank you

[@patfromamboy]

I can’t understand what they are saying on the radio. I wonder if that would be a problem for me. I used the radio when I worked as a journeyman lineman and journeyman meterman for the power company and didn’t have any problems.

[@kenthompson3730]

You quickly get used to it and it becomes natural.

[@jimeenilam2451]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MetalTeamster]

It seems like far more young ladies doing this than guys

[@paulvanobberghen]

1st solo in a IFR plush 172? I heard there is a big inflation fuel cost and all problem in the U.S. nowadays. Turns out this does not seem to be true after all. Anyways congratulations to Izzy. This will be a day you’ll remember all your life and will remain north of the top ten best moments for the rest of it.