Johnathan Michie with DPE Greg Hudson

Jonathan Michie with DPE Greg Hudson after his IFR check ride at Siler City (5w8) on August 14, 2012. Jonathan completed his IFR rating in 16 working days!

Jonathan Michie & DPE Henry Joyner

And here’s a photo of Jonathan with Designated Pilot Examiner Henry Joyner after passing his Private Pilot Checkride on May 18th, 2012 at KASJ. This was also a big day for Matt McKee as Jonathan was his first “solo” endorsement since becoming a Certified Flight Instructor!

So what’s the tradition behind the shirttail cut? In the days of tandem trainers, students sat in the front seat with the instructor behind them. There were no radios, and in those “early” days of aviation, the instructor would tug on the student pilot’s shirttail to get his attention (and then yell in his ear).  A successful first solo flight is an indication that the student can fly without the instructor. As there is no longer a need for the “shirttail,” it is cut off by the proud instructor and often displayed on a wall in the flight school.

CFI Matt McKee & the Shirt Tail Cut