Went flying today. General Yeager put me in the front seat, him in the back. Yikes.
I followed the check list. When it came to the run-up, Gen Yeager went through the checklist by memory. I double-checked as I was PIC (pilot in command). He was right on of course.
I briefed the flight – if we lose an engine and still have runway, we’ll land on the runway. If not, we’ll find a nice spot on a road or pasture.
Gen Y: Why are you briefing me? You’re flying the airplane.
Me: If there’s an emergency, I was hoping you would fly it J
Gen Y: You are the pilot. You can handle it. Each emergency is different.
Yikes, again.
We had checked the weather (briefing) – beautiful day for flying. Right after take-off we had to lose altitude to get under the controlled airspace. Yet we still had to stay out of the inner circle.
We aren’t used to this – usually we fly in uncontrolled – don’t have to speak with anyone.
I was very conscious of the air force base nearby and its airspace. Just as I was thinking – glad there’s no wind and especially no crosswind at our destination so I should be okay – we had a hiccup, a little wind shear turbulence.
Uh….But it was a one-off
It was so lovely to fly lower than I normally do and view all the little ponds, lakes, pastures, rivers….
Gen Y: Do you see where we are?
I looked more closely. We were flying over an acquaintance’s large ranch – beautiful, large duck pond in the middle. We hadn’t been there in years and usually from a slightly different direction.
Occasionally I’d gain a little altitude and I’d hear: I wouldn’t go any higher.
I looked at the altimeter which General Yeager could not see from the back seat. I had moved about 30’ higher. So observant. I love flying with General Yeager.
Of course, Gen Yeager, even in the back seat, saw the destination long before I did: You’re on a good base leg to land.
I had seen the other airport nearby first.
I contemplated what I needed to do by omitting the downwind leg. Lost altitude.
I was doing pretty well, on final, getting low. But I had in my head what the last CFI had said and forgot to correct for it.
So I was a bit hot.
I held on till we landed but still a bit fast and a bit of a crosswind. We started heading right. I didn’t correct fast enough or with enough rudder.
Gen Yeager: Stop the skid –
I powered on and took off.
Gen Yeager: Just –
Me: I’m out of rhythm – need to re-group and go around.
Gen Yeager : O.K.
We only climbed 300’, stayed in the pattern. As we were on downwind, I thought: Hope I can do this, this time.
When I was collected and on top of it all again, I asked how to correct the skid at that point.
Gen Yeager: It got away from you.
Me: O.K. Thanks.
He didn’t need to say more – he saw that after I got behind it, I handled the situation fine and certainly fine at my level. I almost could have landed it again right then but I just needed to collect myself. A go-around was the best way for me at this time.
I set myself up again to land. And we landed nicely.
Gen Yeager: Now that’s a good landing. You did what you were supposed to. You put yourself in the attitude and held it there.
Phew.
Gen Y: Cutting the power will help.
I cut the power. Easier to roll out more smoothly that way 
on this airplane.
I had rolled out and now was short of a turn off so I added some power again to taxi.
Gen Y: Are you going to get off the runway?
Me: Yes, at E.
Pause.
Gen Y: Are you going to slow down?
Pause.
I was still on: “good landing” from GCY.
We taxied to the fuel stop. I followed the checklist and shut the plane down.
Safe and sound. It was an especially beautiful flight.
Woo hoo.
c. GCYI