July 24, 2000 - After more than 7 years in the Air Force I finally fullfilled my goal - solo in the F-16 Fighting Falcon. After 15 conversion-rides it was time for the first solo; The weather was great and a quater to twelve I walked out to my first single-seat ride. After cranking the engine I taxied to runway 29R at Skrydstrup AB with my Instructor Pilot, Lt. Madsen (SAL) in close trail. After a final check of the engine I was ready for takeoff and took the active runway. A static "military" takeoff was briefed and with a good engine I rotated the beauty (E-188) a 140 KIAS. 2 minutes later at FL150 I was ready for some aerobatics. Loops, rolls, cuban-8's and more made the 20 minutes in the area fly by. Still with SAL in close trail I called Skrydstrup Approach and cancelled the area in order to return to Skrydstrup Air Base for Simulated Flame Outs (SFOs). Initially I was restricted above FL90 due to civilian traffic but I soon got a radar-lock on the twin-engined prop and started my SFO at 8000 feet. Less than a minute later I centralized the speed-brake and pushed the power up again and climbed for another SFO. This time I pulled a closed and made my first solo landing. After a total of 5 touch and go's it was time to full-stop and after landing I taxied around for a while (SAL was parked in another area on the Air Base so they had to delay me for a while before he could get to my parking-slot which resulted in the strangest taxi-directions). After shut-down I opened the canopy and crawled down the ladder where SAL and "Gumme" (the F-16 Crew Chief) congratulated me on the solo and SAL gave me the traditional bouquet of wild flowers. After signing the required papers I was thrown in the water but that couldn't wipe the big grin off my face  - what a blast !!!