TOP PHOTO: Stiner Airfield is where Noah Smith’s first solo flight safely concluded. Airport manager Bert Loupe pushes a plane into the hanger as he, along with others, await Smith’s arrival.

It was quite the unique homecoming for Noah Smith, a WLAF alum, as he flew onto Stiner Airfield Wednesday morning. A crowd of well wishers greeted him with hugs and handshakes as he walked from his airplane to the hanger.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – “Easy. Easy morning this morning. Winds are calm. It’s a beautiful morning flying into Campbell County,” said Noah Smith. His comments came as soon as he stepped out of the 1972 Cessna 172L he just piloted, his first solo flight, from Island Home Airport in south Knoxville to Colonel Tommy C. Stiner Airfield at his native Jacksboro.

Mom Joy Smith fought back tears as relief and joy quickly settled in once her oldest son, Noah, was safely on the ground after his first solo flight.
A confident Noah Smith pulled off his first solo flight without a hitch on Wednesday morning at Stiner Airfield.

Smith flew at about 115 miles per hour (100 knots) in his 20 minute flight and was greeted by friends and family standing just inside the airfield’s main gate anxiously awaiting his arrival. It was about 10am when Martha Hill exclaimed “there he is!” The 22-year old Smith flew over Stiner airfield before making his approach from the west end of the runway.

Left to right are Kent Younce, Bert Loupe, Joy Smith, Noah Smith, R.L. Ayers, Melinda Wilson and Martha Hill.
Noah Smith approaches Stiner Airfield on Wednesday morning in his first solo flight.

“It’s a beautiful morning flying into Campbell County looking over the dam, the lake, the whole county. It’s just beautiful from 27-hundred feet,” said Smith. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/13/2023-6AM)

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