My First Solo Cross Country Flight

With my Flight Instructor Rick in 2017

Hi, my name is Sitthima Keovongkoth. My friends call me Moss. I am a former student of CAFTC. My flying journey started as a student pilot in 2016. I am now a First Officer, flying the L410, a 19-seat turboprop airplane, for LaoSkyway.

One special moment during flight training, which I will never forget, was my first solo cross country flight to Xayaboury (VLSB) in March 2017.

Imagine you are a student pilot with few flight hours and are flying by yourself without an instructor or somebody else sitting next to you. Just you, flying alone, it is quiet, no one is talking to you, no one is explaining and a beautiful landscape is passing by…

I was both quite nervous and really excited at the same time. However, I had received good suggestions from my instructor. He had guided me through the whole processes of the planning, preparing the navigation log, the weight and balance calculations, preparing the charts, etc, This processes had been done before the flight date. Furthermore, I had already flown this route one time with my instructor.

That morning I had to wake up at 4:30AM to arrive at the flight school at 5:30AM. After finishing my planning, obtaining the weather and NOTAMs I was ready to head out the airplane. My flight was scheduled for 7:30AM. My instructors always told me that early mornings are a good time to fly. The temperature is cool, the winds are calm and there is no convective cloud yet.

My instructor checked all my planning and even went out to the ramp to send me off at the airplane. I’m very thankful for all he has done for me.

After completing the pre-flight inspection, I listened to the ATIS (airport weather report) on frequency of 127.80 MHz and obtained the start-up clearance from tower on Vientiane tower (VLVT) on 118.10.

About 10 minutes later I departed as planned, surrounded by nice weather all the way to my destination and a breathtaking view.

En-route, I had to communicate with Vientiane approach on 119.70. I reported 15 NM outbound, 30 and 50. I kept close track of my progress, identifying hills, mountains, villages, towns, river bends and updating my navigation log. I periodically checked the engine and was constantly on the lookout for good emergency landing areas. Then I switched to 118.50, which is Xayaboury tower, before entering the control zone and got landing information.

My estimated time en-route was right on: 1h 30min. I landed safely on a much shorter runway compared to Vientiane and spent approximately 30 minutes on the ground to let the engine cool down, chat with people and enjoy my breakfast.

I had fully fueled up in Vientiane so I still had enough fuel for the return flight plus reserve and contingency fuel.

Then it was time to depart back to Vientiane via the same route, but a higher altitude. After landing I saw my instructor waiting for me at the parking bay. This made me feel relieved and happy.

After returning to the flight school we debriefed the flight together.

I learned a lot from this flight. It gave me more confidence in my abilities. This flight became one many unforgettable moments in my aviation career.

Entering the L410 prior to a flight from Xepon to Vientiane.

Sitthima Keovongkoth, March 27th, 2025