I wanted to take a moment to expressly THANK each and every one of you for leaving such incredibly encouraging remarks for my daughter Katey. I never anticipated the outpouring of support she would receive from people we don't even know... I can tell you that these comments have been a much needed source of encouragement for her as she continues her learning. As a father, I wanted to say "THANK YOU" for your kindness and support.

Career CFI, 25 years, 20k hours. I never tire of seeing a first solo. You are KATEY. You FLY. You will NEVER be mediocre.

As a pilot of almost 40 yrs, I would rate this young lady's performance as exceptional. She did far better than a lot of current rated pilots that I know! I would ride right seat with her anytime. Congratulations Katie, well done.

11:07 when she asked the controllers for their recommendation i was amazed so say the least. Her learning attitude and not thinking she's smarter than she really is will get her very, very far in aviation and make her an incredible instructor when/if she wants.

The quiet "thank you Lord" was awesome. I remember that exact moment a long time ago...in a glider. Soloing without the safety of an engine is another leap of faith.

I loved the, Thank You Lord at the end. Very wise girl. Blessings to you Katey!

I'm So impressed with this young women's excellence, focus, calm and ability....that's a lot of ATC for her, for a solo flight, and that controller sounded like he was having a stressful day , but she handled it brilliantly!

I remember watching my daughter drive away in a car for the first time and, I remember how I felt on my first solo flight. So, my friend, I can't imagine your emotion watching your daughter fly away for the first time! Congratulations, Katey!

...”thank you lord” at the end gave me goose bumps!

As a 56 year old guy about to embark on his first solo, I can only hope I do nearly as well as you did. I'm feeling inspired by your control of your aircraft.

Wish I was that calm and collected during my 1st solo. You nailed it. You’re going to go far in aviation. Well done 👍

Despite her first solo happening 12 months ago, I love watching this again and again.

"Thank you Lord!" ... Same when I was landing after my first solo :D

On my first solo, I remember that my first thought as my wheels left the ground was "well you got this thing up, do you think you can get it safely down by yourself?" I did, somewhat to my surprise. I only flew for about seven years before losing my medical, but I loved every minute of it. Flying was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

I flew out of Falcon Field while working on my private license, and am currently there working on my instrument, and have only a couple times heard people get told to remain outside the delta. Busy airspace for anyone, what a time to be landing during a first solo! Great work!

Congratulations Katey! Excellent communication with ATC and with area traffic while performing maneuvers. Also, great job asking for advice in the pattern. That’s what they are there for!

She's a totally natural pilot.. she was born to fly! Gorgeous lady, gorgeous scenery! Congrats to all involved!

I watched with a smile and then near the end of the video, I heard Katey say, "Thank you, Lord." Katey, you gave God the glory. You handled the solo work well and you gave God thanks which was even better. Colossians 3:17

I fly paramotors and before I take off, I usually say “Help me Lord!” A good “thank you Lord” after touching down certainly doesn’t hurt either! Well done!

Every time I see a first solo it brings tears to my eyes. Great job Katey!

Wow! Some awesome ATC work by Katey in a busy traffic pattern. She handled extremely well. She's going to be a great pilot.

Katey you are under a lot of pressure on your first solo and I don't think ATC was exactly clear what you had to do when you asked for advice (unless it was edited out) but you remained calm and you made short clear comm's with ATC and that is what is required. You did really well (I don't know how you felt inside), you looked fairly calm. Well done Katey. I would fly with you without any problems, now comes the learning part, like driving a car, you learn more after you pass your test! Well done, no bad moves and no panic, congratulations.

Katey that was awesome. I made my first solo in C150 54 years ago in 1966 and I remember it like it was yesterday. I walked away from the airplane soaking wet with wobbly knees and all I did was touch and goes. Nice job handling the challenges your focus and attention to detail is impressive.

GREAT job Katey! Not a small feat, your first solo!! Well done.

Loved the video. Loved the occasional "Ay Yi Yi" during the flight. Loved the small but confident smile she had as she finished her taxi at the end. I can't imagine her feeling of accomplishment! I know you're a proud dad!

Congratulations, you will never forget that moment ever !

Excellent video. Katey is clearly well-trained, and cool-headed under stress. Also, that tower operator was pretty cool under stress.

That was fabulous. Calm, poised, and skilled. Great job Katey.

Really good job Katie! Poised and professional and then I love when you give the glory to God at the end. Dad, what a blessing to have a child who wants to fly. Working on my 16yr old now. Can’t wait to show him this video.

Well done, Katey. To Dad: Neither of my children ever showed any interest in learning to fly, Consider yourself very lucky to have a daughter who shares your interests!

I remember my first solo. Did it at 9 hours and during the taxi was crapping my pants. Once I left the ground it was like old hat. Will never forget it. I'm the only one in my family that has any interest in aviation I'm hoping if I have any kids one day they can get into it as well

What a wonderful moment for any budding aviator and so much fun to watch. Congratulations!

I'm in ATC....and nice job of keeping composure when things were getting interesting on final. Loved the "thank you lord"

Nice work young lady. Your Dad is so proud of you. I have 2 daughters. Nothing like the Daddy-Daughter relationship. Good luck and may GOD bless you during your flying career.

Adorable, calm, cool, collected, supremely competent. Way to go Katey! Fair skies!

Brings back memories of my first solo flight in 1970. Katey you did wonderful. You will be an inspiration to a lot of young girls thinking of flying / aviation as a career.

Congratulations! You did an exceptional job of not only flying the airplane but managing radio communications in what seemed like rather hectic airspace. I'm really impressed that you spoke up about your position relative to the other nearby aircraft and asked for clarification about sequencing. I would have never guessed that was your first solo if it wasn't right there in the title. Looking forward to more videos and hearing about your progress.

Great job Katey. I remember my first solo and it was three takeoffs and three landings and that was it. I didn’t realize these days they make you go out and do maneuvers on top of that. That’s what surprised me the most. I wish you the best on your aviation career.

That was an exceptional first solo. A cool young filly who would make any parent glow with pride!

Awesome! I know that the word is overused but this young lady makes me excited for the younger generation. She had a goal and attained it. Simple! She worked hard, did the work, and look where she is .... As a parent, I want to say that I appreciate what you have done, young lady! You should be proud of your accomplishment but ... I suspect that, in years to come, someone like yourself will look back on this amazing accomplishment as "small" in light of those I anticipate you will achieve. I have three children. I wish that one of them will have the drive and determination that you have already shown. God bless you, all your flights, and your life! Sean

I used to be more thrilled than my students when I sent them on their first solo. You did a great job, and when you thanked the Lord, you blessed me. Keep up the good work !

loved every minute of this video. The sense of pride was ominous when taxiing to the apron and it's a wonderful example of how fathers can do a great job with their daughters by encouraging them to take their place in the world. Wish you many hours of exciting flight.

On my first solo I screamed of joy, right after climbing out from the runway! Congratulations, keep going.

Katey - I have 17000 plus hours in 44 years of aviation and have flown everything from PA-28s to Boeing B-52s, 737s, A320s and Gulfstreams. And this video brought back the visceral memories of soloing in 1978. The excitement, the anxiety, the pure adrenaline rush of the first flights that the Wright Brothers, Chuck Yeager, Neil Armstrong, your Dad, and now YOU have experienced. I want to pass a word of encouragement to you that as people such as I enter the twilight of my flying career, you are just starting an amazing journey in which you can achieve all you want and more with just positivity and hard work. Keep the faith young lady - I wish you fair skies and following winds for your entire life. May God bless you - and welcome to the club. ;)

Wow as a dad and flight instructor that one made me emotional. That has to be the most stressful and high workload solo I have ever seen. Power off stalls! What!:) Great job! Set aside any fear and anxiety and take it to the moon as only the ski is the limit for you Katey

Good morning brother in the Lord. I watched this video just moments ago of your daughter doing her first solo flight alone. Tell her, as I know you probably already have been doing, to stay in aviation as much as she can. My dad did even after he retired and flew for a Wesleyan Mission out of Key West Florida. He would go to Beliz Central America to bring Missionaries home on furlough and take them back. And he would also fly cargo/supplies to them and work with them there too. I know I'm not telling you anything you don't already know but there are so many things in ministry to do in flying. I'm proud in the Lord to try to be associated with you through KZfaq because of the Ministry your doing and have done taking folks/kids to their treatments. And because of you, they will have a chance at life because they could get there. " Praise God " Blessings Bishop Kirby

You should be one very proud dad. Both you and your daughter should thank her CFI for fully preparing her for her first solo. Katie, you can be my PIC any day. I’d gladly sit in the right seat for any flight you would like to take. Remember, 1,000 feet of interstate will take you exactly 1,000 feet. 1,000 feet of runway will take you anywhere you want to go. Congrats Katie. Best of luck to you. Aim High!

What a proud dad you must be. I remember doing this with my Son's. She did such an amazing job and was calm and collected the entire time. She should be very proud!

Non pilot here but plenty of right seat time. I really enjoyed being in the plane, via cameras. As the father of two girls, I was a little nervous but you nailed it. Congratulations!

Katey, that was so beautiful it brought a tear to my eyes. Awesomely done!!!

Katey, you can now truly be your fathers Co-Pilot and know that you can learn from him on every flight to make you a better pilot, congratulations!

Congrats Katie, you did a wonderful job. You seemed calm even when a lot of people would have been rattled coming back in to land. Keep up the good work.

Katie, Congratulations! What an awesome job. When the time comes, I'll be more than happy to write you a letter of recommendation to an airline of your choosing. Your Dad's a great inspiration for you. "Success breeds success!"

“Thank you Lord” lol. My daughter just told me she wants to be a pilot. I’m excited for her and terrified!

Good to see another young female getting her pilots license. Thanks.

I'm sure you're such a proud dad. Congrats Katey. Keep it up. Hard work pays off!

You did a great flight for a first solo. This is the beginning of an rely fun adventure for you ! You luky to have your dad support you.

I’m always excited to see a new pilot doing what we all love ❤️

She's an inspiration for young women and men everywhere - all people are capable of ANYTHING! Set your mind to a goal and do it! I'm impressed with her skills.

I've watched alot of student pilots on youtube. Katey is going to be a great pilot! Her level head and cool, calm persona is awesome. Throughout the whole video I couldn't get over how cool and calm she was. She's a natural! Keep it up, Katey!

"Thank you Lord" too cute.... Frankly this is how I end my flights too lol...

OH man!!!! Congratulations!!! This popped up in my feed and freaked me out. Solo's always get me nervous!! Congratulations again, Be Safe!!! and all the Best!!!!!!

Katey, you are a shining example and an inspiration to any anyone aspiring to be a pilot. Thanks to you and Dad for sharing.

Well done Katey! No pressure there right? Over 61,000 viewer watching you solo. And good job dad! You have definitely done something right! I have enjoyed many of your episodes but this one was very cool! I live just a couple miles east of Falcon Field so Katey flew right over my place just before touching down, and I might add touching down as an accomplished pilot!

She was outstanding! "Thank you Lord", Ha. I know the feeling. Make backups of this video Dad. It's a keeper. Her flight instructor really prepared her well. She was more than ready, IMO.

AWESOME JOB Katey!!!!!! A day you will never forget, I remember mine like it was yesterday (well it was only a little over 3 years ago-HA!) Wished we had all the video equipment your're dad had, we just had a few photos and my family recorded iPhone from the ground. But at least we had something! I had a feeling based on how well you did in the Malibu, that you would be getting a PPL soon... Again CONGRATS!!! Kory; ironically, we mentioned you in our video we uploaded this morning.... I can hear it NOW: "Hey dad, can I have the keys to 444DT?"!!!!!

Awesome job Katey! Learning to fly out of a busy airport like Falcon Field will prepare you to handle flying in / out of almost anywhere. Nice job on catching and handling those curve balls!

Well done. 74 captain here, still remember my first solo. Good times.

Many Congratulations Katey! One hell of an achievement! "Ad Astra" Best Wishes from England 🍾 💐

First off, congratulations. Looked like you nailed that landing!! Retired corporate pilot here. This is the first step of many for you. I can remember way back when I did my first solo, I know I wasn’t as calm as you were, very professional. I don’t remember if Orville or Wilber signed off for me? Good luck with all your future plans.

Well done Katey! Sounding super professional on the radio, and your handling on the controls are smooth...will come in handy for those skill building sessions. I'll be honest when I was doing my flight training I never went solo and did maneuvers, I always had my instructor just as a back up if I messed up...well done again Katey! Best of luck for your future training and endeavors!!!

That couldn't have been an easy first solo flight landing with the sun right in your face! Good job, Katey!

so lovely to have that documented!!! I wish i'd mine documented so well oh ps well done!!

Wow, Katey, great job! Tell the old man we expect to see you left seatin’ in the Malibu soon. 😀. I’m remembering how cool it felt to rotate and lift off by myself for the first time. My first solo (28 years ago) was three times around the pattern, and back to the FBO lobby with my CFI. You went for a little work out on your first trip out. Nice work, Young Lady!

She's gonna breeze through the training I think. Congats on a huge accomplishment!

On the one hand I hope she remains humble through her flying career, on the other hand, this was an amazing first solo.

Fist solo's have really changed over the years. Awesome Job especially with all the added pressure of airplanes in the pattern. I say the same thing when I land and I am not even very religious. Congrats.

Wow Malibu Dad '!! I remember back in the years when my Dad was at the Airport that day of 1977 when my instructor said see you later and you are now ready for your first solo Flight !! Now it's your Daughter and you are right there also to see it all and may God truly bless you both on this flight

Congratulations! There’s nothing so special as your first solo! A great video to cherish it with too!

Congratulations Kathy. You brought back so many memories of my first solo in 1978. I almost cried watching and listening. It was like I was there with you that long ago. I loved your little comments in addition to your tower talk. It is exactly how I felt. You should not be embarrassed by those comments I think everybody did the same thing on their first solo. Again congratulations for a job well done

Congrats.....She did an awesome job. She is going to do great in her aviation endeavors. Just be prepared when she asks for the keys to the Malibu soon.

Loved the "Thank you Lord"!!!

I know you are extremely proud as you should be she did an awesome job and even though she was nervous she maintained a very professional calm about her. I remember when I completed my first unsupervised solo & I did the same thing when my wheels touched down, THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER! Please tell her congratulations!!!!

As a proud dad of two daughters, I had always wished one or both of my girls would catch the aviaiton bug like their old man, but to no avail. Alas, the joy of watching your daughter calmly handle the exercises and the busy airspace, was still very enjoyable. You should be very proud. And well done to the young lady!

And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. by John Gillespie Magge, jr ....and the world welcomes a new pilot. Congratulations!

Nice job Katey, it took me back to my first solo and the sense of relief when I landed by myself for the first time....in a Cherokee 140. PS. You need your own channel.

From a lifelong pilot (soloed on my 16th birthday and went on to fly fighters for 25 years), "Great Job, Katey!" Enjoy your aviation career. (Oh, and I've said "Thank you, Lord" a bunch of times.)

I still remember my first solo. She might not have been born yet. I also remember I was a lot more nervous than she is. She'll be an excellent pilot!

Awesome video, you did great. I'm currently 9 hours in my training, really love flying, but for now am still happy my cfi get's in the plane with me :-)

Awesome job! I had to laugh, "how is the piper entering the pattern" Busy controller - " ahead of you" lmao

WAY TO GO Katey! It is a day you will never forget. I soloed in Cessna 94186 in 1986.

This young lady has a VERY bright aviation future in front of her !!! Humility is definitely her stong point!!!

Nice! A lot more skills needed than my first solo. I remember banging on the dash board yelling swear words during climb out.

You did great. I think everyone when they land for the first time says thank you Lord.😀

So awesome! I’m glad you had the opportunity to video her. All I have is a short video of me landing on my solo. A day she will never forget

Well done Katey! I am a female senior citizen who is thinking about learning to fly. I've been on several flights in a Cessna 172 and a Piper Archer with my boyfriend who has been a pilot for many years. I've learned so much about flying and now want to do it myself. Kudos to you and thanks for being an incredible inspiration to me!

Great job Katey! Perfect response to ATC "What do you advise?" Very impressed and proud of you!

Congrats on the first solo! I was in the North pattern at KFFZ when I heard the traffic conflict with the Cessna. Spurred a conversation regarding the high wing vs low wing threats in the pattern. If you ever want to come tour CAE, please reach out!

Katey, my dad flew for Delta for 36 years and it’s a privilege to fly like we do here in the US. I’ve been able to own an aircraft for 17 years and fly in Europe BUT no one gets to fly like we do. I’ve been flying since college and I’m now 41 years old. It’s amazing to have family / children to share the same interests. Please pass it on and pray I meet you or your dad at an FBO. Come see us at TLH! Yes, keep that hand on the throttle after takeoff. Please never stop learning and always find away to better your skills. Hope to see more from you soon!

Just saw this video and wanted to offer my kudos for doing such a great job. As a father who learned how to fly while in the Navy, I've watched my son also pursue his dreams, starting when he was 17, right after high school. He obtained his private, commercial and instrument ratings in our 77 Grumman Tiger. At just 23 years old, he just completed his CFI check ride last Saturday and passed with flying colors. A proud dad moment for me. He's now preparing to take on his first student, who happens to be a 15 year old young gal, who is a long time friend of the family. She's looking to start a career as an Air Force pilot when she graduates from high school and applies to the US Air Force Academy. If she performs anything like your daughter did, she should do well in her training. As Katey stated in the post flight briefing, she was thrown a few "curve balls" and had to deal with a controller that was less than friendly, but she handled it like a champ. Her instructor should be proud. She didn't panic. Just followed instructions and did what she had to do to take command of the aircraft. Her demonstration of slow flight and stalls were also executed well. Well done! Fly safe and fly often!