Flight 82
[FIRST FLIGHT AFTER CHECK RIDE]
[FIRST PIC FLIGHT WITH PASSENGER]

07/20/97

c-172
TEB-39N-1N7-TEB

3.0 solo PIC
4 LANDINGS

Weather and work will keep me grounded for a few weeks after my belated triumph, but eventually it all comes together- a fine day, and a willing passenger: M., an attractive co-worker who I've been meaning to ask out for lunch. Won't she be impressed when I pick her up at Princeton, whisk her off to the unpretentious restaurant at Blairstown (where I first flew an airplane), then drop her back at Princeton!  This pilot thing is gonna be solid gold with the ladies!!

Well, it was a good flight, no problems, but as for the date, she seems to enjoy it, but she doesn't like her lunch, and actually asks me after I droped her off if we'd flown together before.  

I seem to recall telling her of the significance of this flight... her question makes no sense.

 Is she stupid, I wonder, or crazy... or what?

I was speechless. There may be a lesson here about who you should choose for your very first passenger as a certifcated pilot, or perhaps about carrying pax at all on one's first flight as a "real" pilot.

I'm not sure, but in the end, it was still an enjoyable flight for me.  I felt free, and quite sure of myself.

Everything went well, except I was a little late returning the plane...