Logbook Life

Introduction

Every pilot remembers their first solo — that moment when your instructor steps out, the door closes, and it’s just you and the airplane. But for many of us, there’s another tradition tied to that milestone: losing your shirttail.

It might seem funny to someone outside aviation, but to a student pilot, that cut piece of fabric represents freedom, independence, and a new identity. Here’s my story of the day I lost mine.

The Tradition Behind the Shirttail

Origin: In the early days of aviation, instructors sat behind students in tandem trainers. When a student needed correction, the instructor would tug on their shirttail.  After the first solo, cutting off the shirttail symbolized the student no longer needed that guidance — they were now flying on their own.  Today, it’s a badge of honor, often pinned to the wall or displayed in the flight school.

My First Solo Flight

For a few flight lessons, Joey had been coaching me in various aspects of that first solo flight. The standard is you do three laps in the pattern with a full stop landing.  In the lessons leading up, I remember asking myself “is this the one?”  Joey had even told me of things he remembered on his first solo things that I might remember from my first solo. He said “ this thing is going to feel like a rocket without me.”

I remember all the words that he said during my practice time with him. I remember those things coming from my own mouth now as I was by myself. I lined up on runway 18 as I remember saying “centerline with your feet.”  I push the throttle full forward as Joey‘s words echoed in my mind, “ keep your hand on the throttle.”  As the wheels left the ground I remember thinking, “I’m flying.” on the downwind leg I looked out the left window to see the runway and said aloud, “ you got yourself up here, let’s see if you can get yourself down there.”  

I do not recall how each of those landings were, but I do recall when I was done,  getting out of N7134T ringing wet with sweat!

The Cut

It’s was all over and I was taxing up to the FBO. Joey,  another pilot, and along with my family were all cheerfully waiting for me.  The feeling I felt as I step out of the airplane was amazing.  Was every think perfect in my first solo fling, no, But what was perfect was the look on the faces of my family.  My children all hugged me.  My wife kissed me.  Joey shook my had, and pulled out the scissors.  

I was thinking he was going to cut just a small paper sized piece of my shirt tail, but he ended up cutting out the entire back of my shirt.  We all laughed in the celebration and fun.  Joey then took the piece of that sweat fill shirt and drew some of his best art work on it to commemorate my accomplishment.  

I still have the piece of evidence today.  It reminds me of the day I took off by myself into the sky.  Leonardo Da Vinci is noted for saying, “Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.”  

What That Piece of Cloth Really Meant

More than just fabric — it was proof I had crossed the threshold from student with supervision to pilot in command.  A symbol of trust — my instructor believed in me enough to send me solo.  For me, it was the moment I felt aviation wasn’t just training, but a way of life.

Conclusion

Every pilot’s shirttail story is unique, but the meaning is universal. It’s a reminder of where we started, the instructors who guided us, and the courage it took to fly that first time alone.

If you’re still waiting for your first solo, know this: your day will come. And when you lose your shirttail, you’ll gain something far greater — the confidence of knowing you’re truly a pilot.

Sign-Off:

From my logbook to yours — stay safe, and let’s fly.

– Tommy J.