The Ferns and Their Fiddle-heads: Solo par-tay!

several weekends ago (i am so great at being consistent with this, aren't i?) kyle and his class had their solo party. It's an exciting thing to solo, so i think it deserves a party! And it was a LOT of fun.

So, a little background info:

First, you have to know that the students must come to the party wearing a tie. A cheap/tacky tie is best.

The IP (instructor pilot) who soloed the student calls the student to the front of the party and tells a little story about the student. Its usually a story about how the solo went, but sometimes it's just about the student's general personality/performance/behavior. They say it's 80% true and 20% false...they are fun stories :o) Then, (this is where the cheap/tacky tie comes into play) the IP cuts the students tie. If he cuts just the tip, "so to speak" (that's apparently a pilot version of "that's what she said") it means the student did well. The more the IP takes, the worse the flight. Apparently some guys are asked to take off their tie, haha! Not my guy though! Keep reading and you can see for yourself how kyle did...

Here he is with the IP who soloed him, the soon-to-be flight commander. His name is Lt. Hoffacker

THe story he told? well, there were many expletives...but it was a story that made his wifey proud. Basically, he said Kyle is very good at pointing out problems in the schedule, like when people aren't "opted" (i'm probably screwing up terminology here...) to do a flight they are scheduled to do, or when they are scheduled to fly but can't because they are DNIF'd (duties not to include fly). Then the semi-dreaded words came: "which will make him a great FAIP!" First assignment instructor pilot. DOH!

It's an honor, but it's an honor we hope to not be given :o)
Maybe that's why kyle looks like he's on the verge of punching his IP...haha!

Lt. Hoffacker concluded the story by saying kyle was the easiest person he has ever soloed. Isn't that incredible? Kyle came into this whole experience with so few flight hours, almost none. And so many guys come here with a TON of experience. So to hear that statement makes me so insanely proud. Seriously, i get chills thinking about it. He has worked so hard for this. I know my husband is where he is supposed to be, and that makes me so happy for our family!

Tie cutting. You can't tell very well from this picture, but kyle's tie had a computer on it. It's sort of a metaphor. A visual way of officially saying goodbye to his old career :o)