Weather, Solos, and Mexico

I just got weathered out for the second time this week. We are going to Mexico on Saturday for 10 days, so it will likely be another 2 weeks before I can fly. I wonder what that will do to my landing consistency. Maybe it will help. Who knows. I told my CFI that my skills were marginal and couldn't take a lot of erosion. He said not to worrry, that he would "whip you back into shape quickly."

A friend asked about "scheduling a solo." From what I have read, they normally don't schedule it. You go up with the CFI for a bit and then he tells you to land. Upon landing he asks for the logbook and signs you off to solo. He then asks you to take off, stay in the pattern, and do 2 or 3 touch and goes on your own. From that point on, you are allowed to solo within the parameters that he establishes.

At the end of the solo, they often cut your shirttail off. I have seen them hanging on the wall at the club--signed and dated. I don't have that many shirts, so I may pass on that. I have read two explanations for the tradition.

The first is that in the old days the instructor rode in the back and the student in front. With no intercom and an open cockpit, the instructor would tug on the shirttail of the student to get his attention. At solo, you don't need the tail anymore.

The other explanation is that pilots wore scarves to protect their necks and faces in open cockpits. They also used them to wipe their goggles. The old planes used to puke oil that, along with other crap, mucked up the goggles. Students, however, weren't allowed to wear scarves and had to wipe the goggles with their shirttails. Cutting it off after solo was symbolic of being able to wear the scarf of the pilot from that point forward.

I like the second explanation best. Off to Mexico. It's 80 to 85 there in the day. 65 to 70 at night. I think I will do just fine! Going to a place I have been before, so I know it's great.