Yesterday, I took to the skies for the first time and completed my first landing at Jandakot Airport. I had tried last week, but the weather turned bad, and my instructor wouldn’t let us fly. This time, everything fell into place.

With my instructor beside me, calm and watchful, I finally had the chance to take full control of the aircraft. We had practiced the approaches multiple times, but this was the first time I would take it all the way to touchdown. My mind was racing through the checklist—airspeed, flaps, descent rate—all while the aircraft responded to my inputs. My instructor offered minimal guidance, just a calm “Looking good, stay with it,” which reminded me that I wasn’t alone, but this landing was mine to make.

As we turned onto final, the runway stretched out ahead like a narrow invitation. The last hundred feet were a blur of quick corrections. I pulled back on the controls to begin the flare, and for a brief moment, everything seemed to float before the wheels touched the runway with a soft chirp. Relief washed over me, quickly followed by an overwhelming sense of achievement. It wasn’t the smoothest landing, but it was safe, controlled, and mine.

That first landing changed everything. It turned flying from theory into something deeply personal. I felt the aircraft respond, handled the approach, and touched the earth with wings. It gave me confidence—not just in the plane, but in myself as a pilot.

Next time I fly, I’ll be practicing circuits and bump-and-go. If I manage to do my first solo, I’ll be over the moon.

I’m beyond grateful to the AAAF for sponsoring me on this journey—thank you so much for making this possible. Onwards and upwards—bald is beautiful!

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Jamie was a part of our sponsorship program – you can also participate! Go here to learn more https://aaaf.org.au/sponsorship-program