>>4207059For any pilot, I think the first solo flight and the first night flight are special. They are hard to describe because the experience is so emotional. To finally fly alone, to strike into the sky by oneself, is such an incredible feeling.
Hartmann's book passes over his first solo flight in stride, feeling that it was too emotional, too personal, to commit to writing.
Clostermann's book describes his first solo in a Spitfire in vivid, awesome detail. It's an astounding passage. I love it.
Books by Saburo Sakai (Mio) and Juutilainen (Eila) begin with accounts of the war and don't describe their first solos.
Describing one's first night flight is equally personal. I remember arriving at the airport at dusk and doing all my preflight checks as the sun set, feeling the airframe for damage, smelling the asphalt in preparation for night operations. Hell, I even kicked the tires.
