Hi Alan; Congrats from one who still remembers the first solo vividly, 60 years ago this month!! A J-3 with a 60 horse Franklin, which suffered from cylinder blow-by problems they couldn't solve! I weighed about 125 lbs then with a 175-180 lb instructor! Initial rate of climb of about 2 feet per decade!!! When he got out that first time (I could now see the instrument panel!) I opened the throttle, it hiccuped a couple of times, and I was off the ground! I could hardly believe the difference the weight difference made! I still have that original logbook, plus about 5 more! It says that I soloed in 4 hrs, 35 mins.! Having been an FBO, American dealer, CFI, floor sweeper, gasserupper, etc, I can't envision my soloing anybody that quick! A further shock, even reading it many times, is being introduced to spins at TWO HOURS!!!!! GAD! But I didn'y know the difference then! You have now been "hooked" by a life-long addiction, for which there is no known cure!. Lee Robinson W. Palm Beach, FL