Guillaume goes solo at 15!

Guillaume Blondel is 15 years old. He lives in Forcalquier and a few days ago made his first solo flight at Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban airfield, the famous “first solo” that every pilot waits for with great impatience.

Before reaching this point, Guillaume followed rigorous training, which began in September 2019. His main instructor was René Fontin, of whom Guillaume says “he taught me everything” he now knows in the discipline of aviation. At the same time, advised and helped by his instructor, Guillaume sat the Aeronautical Initiation Certificate (BIA) exam, which he passed in September 2020.

Guillaume's training was spread over 15 flight hours and included several exercises such as circuits and local flights around Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban airfield. Guillaume learned to carry out controlled stalls and bracketing exercises, which involve simulating an engine failure at cruising altitude and then returning to land at the aerodrome. In addition, the basics of basics: he learned to control his aircraft, a Jodel D20, to master his speed and to hold the right altitude.

Today Guillaume Blondel has a real ambition to forge a professional career in aviation. He does not yet know exactly which direction he will choose once he has consolidated his microlight experience. At the start, only a career as an airline pilot appealed to him. Now he is aware that other paths are also possible and that the range is wide.

Guillaume has only one thing to say: “A big thank you to René Fontin, his instructor, and to the club Les Ailes Jarlandines at Château-Arnoux-Saint-Auban, which, he says, welcomed him so warmly.”

Article and photos © Patrick Porchier