Keywords: beer, naked, first solo party…

Hey everyone!

Feeling jolly ’cause I’m flying tonight, I thought I could treat you with yet another one of my South African stories 🙂 And also, I could share some of my wonderings about first solo parties.

Since I have moved to England, I have witnessed a couple of first solos, which is certainly a cherished moment in the life of a yet-to-be pilot. Each time the student was treated with a sincere handshake and a “congratulations mate, well done”. One of them has even been offered a cup of tea, which is “nice” as we know.

All right so, the biggest moment in the life of a student pilot and all you get is “cheers mate, here’s your tea”? :confused: Maybe that’s how it is over here.

Now let me tell you how this sort of thing is greeted down there… A kind ceremony that used to take place every 4 months or so, which would involve all the students who had gone solo during that period.

The South African “golden Shower”

As I arrived a bit late that evening at the club, I really didn’t know what to expect. “A first solo party” ? Well, I thought it would be the usual warm atmosphere of the club, gathering the close family of pilots, some of them would be shedding a tear remembering their first experience, maybe some words would be spoken in the honour of our instructors and of course there would be some excellent food and drinks.

The atmosphere was indeed nice and warm as I entered to clubhouse and ordered my first beer. It is pleasant to know that whomever you might speak to in the room, you would share the same thrilling passion for flying. An then, as everybody had arrived, we were called outside in the cold of August.

We were asked to sit in the wet grass, in such way as to look like an old four-engine WWII bomber on a mission to germany, the students themselves being either the engines, the rudder, the wings, the rotating beacon or the tailgunner. And not only did we have to look like that but actually to move and do the silly noises too.

“Come on guys, we want to hear those engines !”… Rotating arms, engine-like groaning mouthes, off we go… As the CFI started commenting the mission, with couging engines, dog fights and all until…

“Oh no, what’s happening Golf Papa Mike, there’s an engine fire!” when the surrounding crowd of “old” pilots/members emptied their heavily shaken beer cans on us, proudly grinning !

[Ok that sounds a bit silly but it was fun on the heat of the moment… it didn’t end there though]

Pump and circumstances

Soaked, sticky, smelly but laughing, we all came back inside for a drier awaited event : the graduation ceremony. All the instructors were present as well as the extremly senior members and the Moggys of this world, to deliver a little speech.

We felt priviledged as “in the old days”, no such thing as a first solo degree would have been dreamt of. So one by one we received our certificates, with a special mention for a guy who received his degree 25 years after his first solo flight in this same club !

It was then time to feed all those hungry stomachs as we definitely felt part of this great family. Or so we thought…

The “French” runway inspection (yes, sure that’s how we do it)

As we were still enjoying our meals and sharing our brandnew joy with our brothers-in-wings, a voice came up that silenced the place :

“Now guys it’s time for the runway inspection !”.

Jeez, I thought it was over : we’ve been showered with beer, now what ? At this stage I think we were expecting anything.

I was cold and wanted to take my jacket but my instructor said : “If I were you I wouldn’t take it, you won’t need it.” Oh my, what was coming ?

So we all went outside in the rather cold night and got up the minibus where three ladies of the club were waiting for us. We were driven close to the holding point of the runway 01, and we stopped : “Come on guys, it’s the runway inspection, everybody out”. We all get out joking around until…

“Ok now take all your clothes off”.

What ? It’s f**** freezing !

Well, I guess the few beers we had before helped us as we all stripped in front of the flashing lights for the delightment of the ladies. Not to mention a rather impressive hand stand and an adventurous full monty ! Then the minibus left as we started walking down the runway, bare feet, practically stark naked… Now THAT we didn’t expect !

Well, when you think about it, how many people have ever walked on a runway ? And what’s more naked ?

In the end we got to the holding point 19, 800m later, frozen, sore feet, genitally back to babyhood but rather happy I’d say. Then, we went back to the club for the final beer round and the last warm conversations. At this point we Really were part of the family and I am sure we will never forget this night !

So how about that for a solo party? 😀
Steph