Lillymae's First Solo Flight
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ย. 2024
- UPDATED September 17, 2014
UPDATED June 9, 2024
I started giving Lillymae flight instruction in a Schweizer 2-33 training glider shortly before she turned 10. Here is Lillymae's first solo flight. This happened on her 14th birthday.
You can see Lillymae spin the plane during her pre-solo training when she was 10 at tinyurl.com/b63....
Lillymae made her first solo flight in a powered airplane (Cessna 150) on January 9, 2014.
On June 29, 2014, Lillymae passed her checkride and is now a private pilot ASEL (airplane, single engine land). She was 17 years old at the time.
I appreciate the nice comments viewers are posting about this vid.
Update, June 9, 2024:
It's been 10 years since my last update.
Lillymae is now married, and has children. I am in occasional touch with her. As far as I know, she no longer flys.
![[Live] : ONE 168 วันนี้!! "โจนาธาน vs ซุปเปอร์เล็ก"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0jIN65KgJsI/mqdefault.jpg)
Her braid. The flowers she put in her hair. Her singing through her flight. She doesn't take her hand off the stick until 2 sec after she is stopped. Bold. Confident. May you soar through life Lillymea.
Yeah a real trooper. She did great.
Really courageous gliding all the best
I love that final nervous breath that just says "Well, this is it". One of those human moments that practically everyone has experienced. Hopefully there will be many years of fun, enjoyment and adventure for you young lady.
Shes a natural born flyer...no bobbing and weaving...light touch...small inputs...its a joy to watch.
Had to say, bobbing is used to stay at a certain altitude. She was not bobbing most of the time because she was gaining or loosing altitude.
I cannot understand all the thumbs down. I am not a pilot. But just watching this - LISTEN to her humming to herself while flying. She is calm and confident. And give her and those who signed off on her solo flight a bit of credit. Do you think her parents and instructors would not have done so if they were not sure of her ability? Brava girl.
That is truly wonderful to see such a young pilot handle an aircraft like this so well... kudos to her parent so and flight instructors and to, her for having the courage to follow her dreams and make them happen.
I love that they are teaching her to live and pursue what she loves, instead of to fear.
I love how she's singing during the whole flight! She realy enjoys it!
If taught well enough, kids will learn and do things correctly. But some people think that you aren't mature enough or able to do "hard" tasks until you're reaching adulthood. Which is stupid.
Exactly.. kids are precise and very aware of how to do things and learn quicker than many adults... I was driving an old car first time when I was 8 years old on a field, my dad taught me to change gear and such and I could easily drive a car after af few times :) AND... I was also told that if I EVER took the old car without my parents being there to watch me, I would be grounded til I was 80 :D HaHa
Agree, started riding motorcycles at the age of 10, flown a glider when I was 13, soloed when I am 14.
Howard Lau Wish I was in your place.
Howard Lau I got my Motorcycle lisence in Oklahoma at 14
***** The Air Training Corps in the UK (a sort of RAF-Jr) trains people this girl's age to fly gliders. It also teaches the skills associated with responsibility. You got a citation for the studies you're taling about?
Wait until you start thermaling on your own. That is a truly exciting experience. I was a full-time hang pilot for 10 years, and thermaling was pure magic. I haven't been able to fly for the past 20 years, but I just now flew with you, Thanks for letting me ride along. You did great. BTW, those daisies in your hair looked real cute. Best of lift to you in you future adventures.
Loved it! She is a little sweetheart! She was born to fly! I had tears in my eyes seeing how much faith she had to do that! Bravo!
Brings back memories of when my son soloed his glider at 15 while in CAP. He went on to fly KC-135 Tankers in the AF and now flys 737's for a major cargo carrier.
This video was SO inspiring, that I decided that it was time to actually go do something I'd been wanting to do for the past 45 years... had my first lesson yesterday! Two flights, the first over and hour and we caught 3 thermals, two of which the instructor let me fly! Totally hooked!
The value of an inspiring video such as this should not be under-estimated. I thank you again for posting it!!
@Robin Hahn. Thank you for your comment. Have you completed your training?
Sadly, no. The club that I had joined were trying to supplement their 'income' with joyrides ... the joyride folk got preferential treatment, and us newer members spent almost all our time pushing aircraft around and very little time in the air, so I sort-of lost interest in paying $200 a pop just to push gliders into and out of hangers.
I never did see that initial instructor again, an older chap who'd flown big iron and military stuff before he retired. That first day, we soared to cloud base. It was the most amazing day of any I'd ever had flying anything, ever.
I’m 55 lol 😂
Really inspirational all that way
It's obvious this girl had plenty of training to minimize risk. Such an awesome gift for any parent to give their daughter or son, one that will carry them for the rest of their lives. Lilly will go far in life because of this.
jonjonjrfrmcali training of course, you don’t solo until ready after a lot of training
Robert Millen it’s really not a lot at all, it’s around 4-6 months
Rush ß “a lot of training” no mention of time frame. 4-6 months wasn’t Two flights one class room. Lecture
To solo in a glider/sailplane takes a lot of training regardless of how LONG it takes - www.soargbsc.com/inststud/student/new_pilot.htm
Robert Millen I’ve been through it, i know what it is
Robert Millen it does take a good amount of flights but it’s not that long at all
I can't believe it !
Nice flight for a first solo flight. Congratulations to Lilimae.
Wow, I'm very impressed...
Man the emotions this video evokes are powerful. The memory of the first solo, the love of seeing a kiddo -in this case literally take flight just melted my heart. I know this was posted 7 years ago and she’s an adult now but it brought a tear to my eye today. I can only imagine the magnitude of joy and happiness the parents and instructor felt as well as Lily. Congratulations and well done to all, I’m sure this young lady is now living the bright future ahead of her.
absolutely humbling and fantastic!! i am an ex outward bounds teacher and this lovely video brought me to tears at the untapped potential that is inherent within all of our youth young ones who were born into this life and world as expectant innocents!!
it is up to all of us the older generations to just make them aspire to such wonderful feats of personal & communal acheivements such as this!!
well done lil miss mae!!
let me know when yer next out flying i shall keep my head n neck tucked up n in!!!
wonderful
video
truly uplifting from a loving caring family
As a an extremely proud dad of three strong, confident daughters myself, all I can say is this: I want to be Lilymae when I grow up.
Tim Johns So beautiful how you talk about your daughters.. 😢
Love this girl. I am 64 and she is actually inspiring me to get back to flying!!!
Inspiring to see such calm confidence in a young person doing something they clearly love.
I am 69 years old and soloed in a 2 22 in Elsinore on my 14th birthday. I will NEVER forget the picture when i pull the release and watched the only connection to adults turn away. Of course i was already all on my own but somehow there was an emotional difference i can experience to this day. My life in my hands. The best coming of age you can EVER have. Congratulations Lillymae. I am crying with happiness for you.
Beautiful Video! I remember an instructor telling me when I would get tense, "Just remember, this is only a machine. Your hands and feet are telling it what to do. Relax." Watching her calm and competent and sure hands on the controls are the perfect example of a pilot in control of the craft. I love hearing her hum a happy tune as she enjoys the flight. It has been so many years since I have flown, but seeing her joy makes me want to get back into it.
I love this video. It helped inspire me to make the video of my daughter's first solo last week! Great job!
Comments like yours make my day. I see that you posted the above mentioned vid. I left a comment.
quinnjim hi bro it is nice to see that girl is flying plane it was so daring
quinnjim
congratulations you too as a father !
How fast was she traveling ?
Flying before she gets her driver license, what an amazing acomplishment for this young lady, kudos to her instuctor, GOOD JOB
Quá đỉnh
Just goes to show that the FAA views gliders as safer than cars. She can get a private pilot glider license at age 14. I once had a buddy who got his SEL private at age 16. A year before he could get a driver license in NJ. :)
Totally amazing!! Such courage and confidence. Loved hearing her sing song during entire flight. Sooo sweet!!!
I watched this video for the first time a few years ago. Watching it today for the second time brought tears to my eyes once again. What an incredible little lady she is. What confidence she has. Not an ounce of trepidation, and then when I heard her singing, the flood waters released. My heart and my emotions swelled as I saw Lillymae confidently enjoying her life, completely in the moment, nothing else mattering at all. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to watch the accomplishments of young people, and watching Lillymae goes to the top of the list. I wish I had seen this video when you were younger, because I would have said to you what I always told my niece Melissa when she was young, and that is, "You are destined for greatness!" And as I can read in the updated description above, you have already achieved that. Thank you and your family for sharing these amazing videos. This jet aviation geek wishes you all the great and wonderful things you wish for yourself.
A wonderful video. I love the fact that Lillymae starts humming as the tug starts taking up slack (Greensleeves??) and that she is SO relaxed throughout the flight, humming away and enjoying every moment. A light touch on the stick and your turns were flawless.
I took glider lessons at 18 - never went solo - am now 76 and still want to fly gliders. WELL DONE Lillymae - a great flight!
getting my first flight next week at 69 years old. I am green with envy! Well done.
1Reishi Thank you so much!
sorry jurassic park didn't work out for you
BMARVOZ ?
Google John Hammond from Jurassic Park and you'll understand BMARVOZ's joke.
Alyson Vilela
No, I am not 'that' John Hammond :)
This was so wonderful to watch My son when he was 15 Solo in a glider with the Civil air patrol. Now is is a grown man doing great. This young lady may be President one day who knows but it was clear she knew what she was doing. Outstanding.
A lady president in this country today? We aren't grown up nor mature enough to accept it. I'll vote for Lillymae over ignorant Trump any day!
What a video!! What a young lady who has great skills. I've never done a flight in a glider and I must admit I like the comforting humm of an engine. I wish you many years of flight.
I don't understand why TH-cam puts only now this video on my list of suggested videos. I wish it had earlier as I watched it and loved it. Simply, well done. I love the confidence displayed and the singing. Totally cool.
Well done Lillymae congratulations on flying like an angel while also singing like an angel
When I heard you singing, I found myself clapping and cheering you on. You are awesome, Lillymae.
Absolutly outstanding for a 14year old!! Congratulations.
Guess you will become a professional Pilot one day! Go for it!
What a beautiful flight! So poised and in control. Singing even. I'd let her fly me around!
Normally I don't watch videos this long on TH-cam. This had me transfixed. The cool way she flew, humming all the while, flowers in her hair. An amazing young pilot.
I am 58 years old and have seen quite a bit, but this wonderful little girl is an inspiration in every way possible. How proud you must be. Spectacular.
I agree no safe space for this wonderful young lady! Lillymae your such an inspiration !
It is amazing what any person can do with the right attitude, the right guidance and the right training and Lillymae is no exception. Unfortunately, it is pathetic what can happen to a young person with a bad attitude, no guidance and absolutely no desire to learn.
True. Or, if you are poor and have dreams, but no means to realize them. Amazing when the support network is there for young people to soar. Literally.
133 Thumbs down idiots cant do what this 14 year old girl can do in a glider! SAD!
Great job young lady!!
Good Luck With That! :)
I soloed when I was 14 as well, I don't think it is high risk at all. When you have no idea how to fly a glider or anything that flies, don't talk, your arguments are invalid here
Well said Howard!
***** Why do people have to be such hater fucktards?? If you don't like it then why are you watching it? Nothing better to do than criticize a young persons achievements? If you'd venture outside of the basement once in a while you'd discover a whole world out there.
Tell em Jennifer!! WOOT!!
This beautiful gorgeous little lady does not need that glider, she is an angel and can fly without it. No damn cell phone texting or video games dominating her life. She will be a joy to this world all her life. She has a brain and will use it all the time. God love her parents for the way they are raising her.
I was right there, I was singing out loud during my first power solo, by the time I few gliders I had a lot of power solo time so wasn't the same, can't believe how long ago this was, heart warming to see, its not a video game, it's reality reality.
I was bouncing a tennis ball off the garage door at her age. Too cool Lillymae. Great job!
Applaus and standing ovation! Congratulation to Lillamae and also to these parents and teachers... Great and wonderful! Happy landings also in future Lillymae Thanks för participation from Germany and Spain by my children and grandchildrens Alfred Wolkenopa
This Melts my heart😭😍✨what a natural born flyer and what an inspiration💫
I feel sorry for the children who’s parents won’t allow them the opportunity to explore, learn, conquer and succeed. This girl, at 14, knows she can take on a challenge, prepare herself and overcome. Way to go Mom and Dad
Very true
Very proud of you !!!!! Your dad has taught you well. What a wonderful feeling, soaring like an eagle.
And here I am, a 32 year old man, struggling to get myself out of the house to buy the newspaper and a bottle of milk
Hopefully not for long. Perspective helps.
Polpiv4tifish If you can take a fight in a glider/sailplane it is the simplest and at the same hardiest form of flying I have ever tried - it’s a lot of fun too and oh so very quiet
60 sucks real bad
I hit 70 today. I never wanted or expected to BE 70 - until my mid-60's. Then it became a plateau I really wanted to reach. Where's my cake? I made it!
I once had a GF who had her pilot's license at 16. But too bad for me - she gave it up decades earlier.
that is your fault. you can anything you want ! SO just do it
Lovely smooth flying and I was most impressed by the side slipping on approach. Showed great judgment and confidence. Well done young lady. My first solo was off the winch. I would have loved to have been taught aerotows.
Absolutely beautiful, and humming away merrily all the way. Loved it and thanks for sharing.
Congrats lillymae, you are an amazing woman! xx
woman?? shes not much older than 10. and is an amazing inspiration to me a 40 yr old lol and to everyone. she clearly has great parents/grand parents. cudos to her and to them, wish i had that kind of encouragement at her age. shes gonna have a wonderful and successful life and carear ahead of her. i wish all kids got a start in life like this..
That was awesome. Thank you for taking me flying Lillymae, I pray that you have a wonderful life. Much love from Portugal.
Makes me remember my first solo - student pilots always make the smoothest landings!
Mats Nylund - That is very true - there's no explaining it. On my first solo in a PA28 the tower stopped all incoming traffic, had them orbit s few times if there were any, I suppose, and then congratulated me on the radio when I'd landed - and yes - it was a good one. I made some not so good landings afterwards.
I've only ever done one landing when even I was unsure whether I'd actually landed or not, all I heard was a kind of 'whistling' as the main gear wheels lightly skimmed the tarmac for some time before slowly settling on the runway.. That was pure luck - much like getting a hole in one - it was so smooth - I immediately took off again and tried to repeat it - no such luck and I never managed to get that beautiful feeling again, even after almost a thousand landings.
That is so COOOOOOL! I have over 5,000 hours in various aircraft, Single engine, multi engine, rotorcraft recip's and turbines. For some reason I just never got around to gliders...
She's singing to her self, right?
Emotional clip! LOVE IT!
The most enjoyable 20 minutes and 38 seconds I've ever experienced watching TH-cam. What a brilliant performance this young lady pulled off! She was calm and cool throughout the flight and definitely was the boss on the stick and pedals. Her coordinated turns were absolutely beautiful. Hats off and congratulations Lillymae!
Congratulations Ma'am,
You took me back to 1956 when I was my first solo.
If you're planning a career as a pilot, you certainly started the right way with gliding.
I went on with the RAF and the airlines and had a great career.
All the luck in the World.
Tailwinds from the UK.
I liked it that she could slip on final to adjust her altitude properly, and also the fact that she did not "feel for the ground" on her flair. That flair was straight and true. Well done, kiddo!
How pitiful 370 thumbs down....that's so sad when 370 idiots who have nothing, want to take away from one who has everything......she has the courage, the skills, the will and most importantly, she has the grace to fly into their skies.....turn the thumbs up & sit on them.
Good job little Big/One 👍👍👍👍👍👍👸🙏✈✈✈✈✈✈✈💺🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇫🇷🇫🇷
mediamanny53 I think it’s remarkable ,she did an awesome job..I love how when she landed she said I did it;) then greeted by her love ones .....
I 👂 heard that 👏🖐️
mediamanny53 . I think it’s expressed opinion related to the question of age.
I was glued to this from the first second, really enjoyed it! Congratulations.
Thanks for the ride lillymae. Im a pilot who has not been able to fly for years. It is so nice to see a young lady follow her dreams. I see now you have your ASEL, dont stop, keep soaring!!
Congratulations! Nice flying and congrats on getting the private pilot ASEL! At so young of an age, you have a lifetime of flying adventure ahead of you! Stay safe always!
So awesome Lillymae! You were as cool as a cucumber! This video is the most delightful I've seen in a long time!
So cool🤗👌👍👏
EXCELLENT I FELT PROUD WATCHING YOU,CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW YOUR PARENTS MUST HAVE FELT... VERY NICE SET UP TO APPROACH AND NICE SLIP ON SHORT FINAL!!
Your comment caught my eye. I was thinking, "A little fast.. A little fast." then *Slip* and I had to chuckle. She did great. :)
i didnt catch that at first yeh I thought she slipped because she was a bit high on short final! your right to hot in bound...good eye young lady!!!!!!
She's casually humming. What a badass.
+EdD5 Yes, i too noticed the near silent humming ... couldn't quite catch the tune! She is well at ease up there in her own environment flying the glider...
when your comfortable with your ride and ya got a God's eye view and ya wanna make contact between the space, ya just gotta brake out in song man. Gotta, #respectthefrequancy! lol
yeah she's got some freewheel'n cojones
The best thing I've seen on the 'Tube for a long time. This captivated me for the whole 20 mins and took me back to my first solo, 12 years ago (C152). Now I won't sleep as instead I'll be trying to come up with ways to convince my wife that we should stop eating, sell the house, kids, cars, (wife) etc. so I can take up gliding!! :-)
Well done young lady - you were very cool, calm and clearly sensible beyond your years. This is a real inspiration and congratulations! David from Australia
Fantastic, I've flown gliders now for over thirty years, I'll never forget my first solo, however i'm still not as chilled out as Lillymae
even after all these years. At the time of writing I see there are 569 people who dislike this video, obviously 569 people who don't aspire to anything within their own lives, whats not to like ?
What a confident young lady, and I liked her singing while flying, just lovely to see this, :)
Great video. Loved it.
Mes Félicitation Ma Petite tu est une Super Pilote... Du courage.
you are an amazing girl Lillymae , the flowers in your hair , and a skilled glider pilot . Any parent would be proud . Keep it going young lady !!
Congratulations! Well done young lady I loved the way you were singing to yourself during the flight. I guess you have many more hours under your belt by now. I flew (both power and gliding) for 30 years and loved every minute of it. i'm now in my 70's and have many happy memories of my flying days.
love the singing makes me smile
Who wouldn't be, really? ;)
engine out is an emergence!!! Well done young lady, well done.
What a proud day for her. It takes guts to go up there all by yourself. Just goes to show you how bad people get the flying bug. You are never too old or too young, if you have the proper instruction and the drive to succeed! Good for you, girl! That was awesome!
I agree it's awesome she would be extremely proud
Great Job Young Lady. You are Very observant to the area that you where flying in. hope you have many more great flights. Congratulations on that great landing.
I wish every girl in America would be like this young lady. Very refreshing to see a young person who has their head screwed on correctly, and no tattoos, hoodies, nose rings, low hanging pants, skin tight clothes and not one cuss word. Fantastic job of soaring Lillymae, and great job to mom and pop too!
Good flying Lillymae, beautiful flying especially in a glider, these planes are so unpredictable but you handle it like a pro, my grandson watch this video like some 20 times, the only comment he had was " She's Beautiful " LOL
😍😍😍
I love that girl, I love that family 👌
wow that kid has guts and her parents a good stomach ! LOL
Yup fr, she really new her shit too no panic at all , very impressive
so nice to see a perfect solo! She is so happy & confident she is singing the whole time.
It’s been almost 40 years since I flew a glider. Spend, or should I say “ waste” a lot of my life pushing FMC buttons, but mostly just steering out into the dark waiting to get there. This young person has inspired me to fly again, I no longer consider operating an airliner flying. Hopefully I still have the courage.
a new item on the preflight check list - "hug your dad", super flight !!!
Lillymae is sooooo cool just love this video, she is smart !!!
No dumb
Well done Lillymae, you’re truly inspirational and I’m gonna show this to my granddaughter, by the way, like the daisies....,👍
My dad picked the flowers
@@lillymaeford4103
Are you still flying?
@@c50ge Not presently, no. I'm 25, have a family, and run a seamstress/upholstery business in a small town in Alaska!
I can still remember every detail of my first solo way back in 1962. Now go and enjoy many hours of safe and adventurous flight
and remember to do all your checks and pre flights, and never cut corners. God Bless.
What a great family you must have. I can tell this awesome child is surrounded in trust, guidance, assurance, confidence and of course lots of love. Well done!
I have to share this with my daughters!
so cute reaction while she releases the hook
@ 9:25
Douglas Scott x
Holy shit she is a brave girl. I would have shit my pant.
Love this. Lillymae you are a natural! Nice sideslip on approach and a pinpoint landing! Loved the humming. Made my day to watch you take this milestone in what will surely be a long and illustrious career.
wow, such a brave and clever little lady. im so impressed by her and am so proud of her parents or grandparents or both, who ever is behind her encouraging and supporting her, cudos to them and to this little lady. i wish all kids got this kind of support and encouragement in there early years. would make for some very level headed young people. just what this world needs. not like so many little beggers that we got on our streets at the moment.. again im so impressed by this video. its an inspiration to me. its motivating me to want to fulfil my long held dreams.
Is she singing? Great job, love it!
SIMPLY WONDERFUL!!!!!
Dear Lillymae ....... welcome as a sister in mind in our "club"!
ALWAYS HAPPY LANDINGS!!!!!!!
Best wishes from an old brother in mind
Jo
She's tougher than a bus station steak! Here's what she most likely said at the FBO.
Dry martini. Wait... three measures of Gordon's; one of vodka; half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it over ice, and add a thin slice of lemon peel. Congratulation's!!!
Spoken like a true alkie.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaa .. I knew something special happened on my 63rd birthday last year ..
(On June 29, 2014, Lillymae passed her checkride and is now a private pilot ASEL (airplane, single engine land). She's 17 years old.)
and I am glad it was you. I am ex- Royal Australian Air Force ... Ground crew - Airfield Defence Guard and Aircraft Life Support Fitter and I know the enjoyment of sitting there and enjoying fixed and rotary wing flight.. I will book mark you and watch your progress from here in Australia. Well Done.
she has her license before me, now I gotta respect her
even more
congratulations, thank you. Don't let the channel die. This video encourages women and girls who dream big and have nerves of steel and want to be pilots. GOD bless this channel to Millions.
Lillymae, Congratulations, very nice, nicely You flying :-)
Good job.....i love this vid. :).
And shes cool singing during thy fly....
Greatings from Germany..:)
wow you are amazing! is it bumpy in a glider? id love to chat to you sometime. such an inspiration. well done!!
Hit me up!
I love the way you was just singing or humming the whole time. I would be shitting a brick. Excuse my language. So young and you just smashed it. Much respect to you. Well done 👍