Touch & go’s

Today we tried our new ice cream making machine again. We did everything the same as the old one except a few changes according to the new machine’s directions.

Not quite as good as the old machine. We sure hope our friend can fix the old machine. Still pretty darn good ice cream though.

This afternoon we went flying.

Hadn’t done much flying as PIC (pilot in control) for 4 mos except one time 3 wks ago where it was too windy for more than one landing.

Today Gen Yeager was in the right seat of the 2 seater nose gear airplane. It wasn’t back from its x-country training flight by 4pm – even tho’ we were told 3pm and had given it an extra hour. So we went up to say hello to Patty Wagstaff & deliver a couple of signed Yeager books to Patty and the firefighters.

Patty said they’d be watching my landings and rating them with plaques.  Oooh. Pressure’s on. Patty is very supportive – she was glad I was going out to practice.

We saw the plane land so headed back to its parking place, used the ladies’ room (always do that before a flight – you never know), grabbed some water and pre-flighted the plane.

The mechanic came out to do something – asked if I minded if he turned on the master. I said no – as long as you rush out here with the battery charger if I can’t get it started due to not enough juice. We laughed. He did have to do that once right after I got my license.

I took mental notes of what I needed to do before I did them. That plane has barely room for one person, let alone two. And it’s hard to get into. But Gen Yeager at 87 managed without much fanfare.

Starting it took a few tries – I followed the checklist – but it was a hot engine so the regular start flooded it. I knew what to do – turned off the fuel primer, turned off the mixture, started the engine and as it caught or tried to, put on the mixture. It worked! Woo hoo!

We each checked our brakes and taxied up to the run-up area. Did run-up and took the active, checked the mixture, and away we went.

Had to leave open the vents on the window – otherwise would have roasted – makes it loud though and I had to concentrate to and did succeed in not being distracted.

Take off was fine. Thought to myself – yikes, now I have to land it. Oh that’s right, I know how to do it.

Made all the calls. Flew fine. Was a little fast on final and perhaps a little fast on flare to compensate for the down draft.

General Yeager did the experience pilot as co-pilot wiggle which I always find hilarious. It’s preparing for taking over – and it’s trying to get comfortable with someone else flying, doing it a little differently than he would. Actually a little differently than normal for me too – I put in a cushion. But I landed fine – just not on the numbers. It was so light it never felt like it was down.

Annnnnnd we were on the go. I thought – one more touch and go, land and we’re good.

The next time around, Gen Yeager said keep the pressure off the nose longer after you land. I did as he suggested.  I still had a few extra knots so after the flare floated a little, not enough to have to power on (couple feet), so waited it out as it sank at a good rate and we landed.

Always funny to take off right after landing – the rhythm is different from a standing start (of course) because your speed is up.

Around again, landed after a float and we went in.

We went up to the Fire station again and Patty wasn’t there. But one of the guys said, “Saw your landings.”

I waited. Smiled. Waited.

He said: “Smooth!”

I like him.

General Yeager said – She was a few knots fast and didn’t land on the numbers but she doesn’t have to. We had to or we didn’t have enough runway.

I told him later that it’s a good challenge for me to land on the numbers – more precise flying.

My challenge today was land and take off safely or vice versa :-). Now I’m ready again to be more precise.

We headed home. And decided we hadn’t had a hot dog on the 4th so were overdue. Stopped at local diner and celebrated with a great hot dog. Gen Y had a polish dog with mustard, onions, relish, and sauerkraut. Delicious.

And then home. Great afternoon!

c. GCYI