This picture was taken by my instructor, immediately
following my first solo flight. I assure you that smile is a very nervous and
proud one. This was May 31, 1980.40B?
40B is more appropriately called Four-Zero-Bravo. When I received my private pilot's training, most of it was in a Cessna C-152, whose registration was N4640B. Air Traffic Control has a way of reducing the clutter on the airwaves, by shortening the registrations. In this case, many times, our plane was known as Four-Zero-Bravo.
This picture was taken by my instructor, immediately
following my first solo flight. I assure you that smile is a very nervous and
proud one. This was May 31, 1980.
I confess that I never felt comfortable while flying. My instructor said that was good, as he said that as soon as you feel comfortable, you get sloppy, you do stupid things, you crash!
When we moved to Kansas City metro area in 1981, the club sold the plane and dissolved the club. I recall flying only once or twice in Kansas City, from the Downtown Airport. [Actually, I could look back at my flight log and tell you specifically.]
I have not piloted a plane since then, as family and other obligations seem to take priority!
updated 12 December 2001