First Solo!! Dec 12, 2023
Updates: Solo and Cross Countries
Hello again! I know it's been a while since I've given you an update, but I hope you had a happy holiday season with your friends and family. Lots of exciting events have happened over the last few months. I soloed on Dec 12 and was thankful for God's protection after an unexpected mishap. Also in January, I had the opportunity to speak at Salem Central SDA Church. I truly enjoyed sharing with the church family and connecting with many of you. Finally, I am studying for the check-ride and working on my solo cross-countries.
Solo was an exciting experience. After practicing some landings at Cushing Airport, my instructor asked me to stop at the office to use the restroom. I knew that he usually did this before soloing a student, but was certain I'd have to practice some more. I ran in for a quick bathroom break, and when I came back out, I saw him endorsing my logbook. He smiled and asked me to take the plane for three trips around the pattern (3 takeoffs and landings for those who don't understand my aviation language😊). I said a nervous prayer as I did my run-up and taxied towards the runway. I carefully steered the plane onto the runway and smoothly applied full power. BRRRRRRRRRR. The nose wheel began violently shaking as the plane picked up speed. My attempts to stabilize the plane were in vain, as I quickly pulled the throttle back to idle. Fortunately, my instructor was on the radio, and speedily came to my aid. A quick look revealed my issue: the nose wheel was completely flat!! Thankfully, a repair shop was able to quickly repair the intertube. By then the cross-wind component had become too strong for me to take off the main runway, so I got to solo off an adjacent 2500' grass strip. It was an incredible feeling as I floated off the ground by myself! An important milestone was reached, and I am so thankful for God's protection. Thank you for praying for me!
Currently, I am studying for my checkride. I have to go through hundreds of questions that my examiner could ask me. It's not easy, but it will be worth it when I can serve in Alaska as a mission pilot next year! Also, I am working on solo-cross countries. These are relatively long flights that require landings at three different airports. I have to carefully fill out flight plans, and find wind correction angles, true airspeeds, cruising altitudes, checkpoints, airport information, and VOR triangulations. The flight plans aren't that exciting, but I'm hoping to be able to take my first solo cross-country tomorrow!
Thank you for your support. As you read, I am so thankful for God's protection and your prayers. You never know what aviation might throw at you, but it's great to have you lifting me up in your prayers. Please remember to let me know any ways that I could pray for you. Have a blessed week and remember to find ways to share Jesus with others!
In Service Together,
Micah Grady
Note: My organization is transferring donations to a new platform called Give Butter (funny name). The old link will still work, but in the future, it will be easier if you use the new platform at this link: https://givebutter.com/MissionAviation. Please let me know if you have any issues transitioning. Thanks!
Micah
Prayer Requests:
For my solo cross-country flights!
For my friend Lincoln and I as we prepare for mission service in Alaska.
For a second flight instructor.
For the unreached people of the world, who are waiting for someone to bring them the gospel.
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