I wanted to post this because I just talked about my history in flight and didn't mention the plane in which I first solo'd. Since the company I flew with no longer lists the plane on their aircraft for rent page, I figured I'd mention it here so it isn't lost in the depths of my not-so-great memory for eternity.
The plane was N733HF, a 1976 Cessna 172N. The little plane was known as "Hotel Foxy," and managed to carry me skybound and back despite the sweaty student behind the yoke.
I'm not sure what happened to Hotel Foxy. The FAA database lists it as being owned by the same company as when I flew it—it was likely leased to West Mesa—but I'm not sure who is flying it now. Maybe another flight school, one more cash-strapped than West Mesa.
Hopefully it's helping another eager young student get skyward, and hopefully they'll remember it as fondly as I do.
Update: The plane pictured isn't N733HF, but it is another 1976 Cessna 172. It's similarly outfitted and I would have tried to match the colors but I don't really have all night to search for images of Cessna 172s. I'll post another if I run across one.
I bought N733HF from West Mesa just as they went under; we have just "injected" it with a Pen Yan Aero Delta Hawk conversion and what a difference it makes!
Christopher-
That's awesome! Good to hear my first solo is getting some (much-needed) attention!
Keep her aloft
--Dan