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Oshkosh 2011

August 20th, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying with Chuck Yeager, Traveling | Comments Off on Oshkosh 2011
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“I just had to come tell you that you are wonderful.” Of course I liked her right away.

She was in her 60’s and had seen General Yeager give a talk the day before & watched me handle the Q&A. We were at Oshkosh.

“You humanize the experience.” she continued. “You two are quite a team.”

Wow. Thank you!

This happened several times during the long weekend. Nice. No…very nice.

I meet a lot of interesting people this way frankly. One of the women gave me some homeopathic patches for different ailments. New studies, new business, accupressure theory. I checked them out online and they appeared harmless so I dutifully tried the one for insomnia. It kept me up all night of course. Hilarious.

I left her to go do the last Q&A of the week. The questions were pretty interesting.

One young boy whispered so I waved him close to the stage, bent down, and put the mike to him age about 8. He said: Like what plane….Like which is…like your most like favorite like plane.

I repeated the question exactly in the cute kid voice. General Yeager raised one eyebrow but followed the gist.

Gen Yeager usually answers: For what purpose? To fight a war – the F-15E. The P-51 I dearly love. The accomplishments re the X-1 of course.

Another fellow had an accent and also wasn’t very loud. So I jumped off the stage and ran over to him. He talked about being in Berlin as a kid on the first daylight raid of Berlin. As he continued, I was about to ask if there was a question to tease him, when he asked if Gen Yeager had been on that raid.

General Yeager told that he had – one of 2 P-51s from his squadron that made it through the soup (bad weather) to protect the bombers.

We had a great week: We toured some airplanes. General Yeager visited with the engineer of the largest plane at show center. The engineer was quite appreciative of some of Gen Yeager’s stories and expertise.

We saw the winning Staggerwing Beech – beautiful. Elegant. We know the pilot and the owner – good folks.

We toured the warbirds. And Gen Yeager explained to our guests the different attributes of each.

We watched the night air show. Looked like the fireworks were being discharged from the airplanes themselves. Pretty beautiful, colorful and exciting.

We saw so many aviation friends – often just catching them while they were zigging and we were zagging. We were lucky enough to have lunch with Martha & John King.

One of our favorite events was the Young Eagles volunteer dinner, honoring those who fly the Young Eagles – giving kids their first introduction to flying a plane.

After this, we went to the party for Bob Hoover. Mike very graciously culminated a few days of special honors for Bob Hoover by throwing a barbecue for Bob. In fact, Gen Yeager ate one of the delicious steaks.

My brother said, when I asked him if he wanted some fresh corn – there was a pot of cooked corn, and then a huge! pot of butter to dip it in – that he didn’t want to wear the butter – didn’t go with his shirt.

It was fun to see some newbies too. My family was not an aviation family and had not been to an air show or the area of Oshkosh. And their enjoyment was infectious.

We also got to do some helicopter flying reviewing the grounds,

Gen Y did 7 talks with 2000-7000 people even though there was seating for only 1000 at most.

One of the talks, General Yeager sat on top of a P-51 at show center. The crowd was so respectful and enthusiastic.

Someone asked: What was it like to fly MACH 2.

Gen Y: Twice as nice as flying MACH 1.

The crowd laughed enjoying the experience. Great answer to a challenging question.

Yes, it was a fun week.

c. PMN III

Flying in the High Sierras

August 18th, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on Flying in the High Sierras
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The air was smooth – so smooth it felt like we weren’t moving. Or maybe I was so excited to reach our destination and see our friends that every second seemed like an hour.

We heard M – surprised – usually can’t hear our destination this far out – and radioed we were near Tahoe.

M & M2 called back.

Tahoe was beautiful. There were only a few boats. As we got closer to our destination, we called R for the runway winds.

M replied barely any wind but from 170. Where are you? He thought we should have arrived 15 minutes earlier.

Actually, he was looking forward to seeing us.

We thanked R.

M replied saying I know you’d rather speak to her but it doesn’t hurt my ego.

I, of course, said what the situation required: Thank you, R.

Tee hee.

General Yeager told me to start letting down.

Oh! Was I supposed to be PIC? (pilot in command) Was I supposed to be flying the plane?

Kidding. It was so smooth and we had it trimmed just right so we didn’t need to have our hands on the controls. Of course I did have my hand there oh so lightly.

Gen Y took over when we were 5 miles out.

There was no wind, so we landed to the north. First we flew up the mile long runway to lessen the taxi time. Greased it on.

Taxied in.

That was the start of a wonderful and relaxing weekend.

c. PMN III LLC

Flying with General Chuck

August 7th, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying lessons, Flying with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on Flying with General Chuck
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We flew to the fork in the Yuba to see where our friends owned property along the ridge – just someplace to explore by plane. As we headed down Gen Yeager gave me the stick and kept reminding me to lose altitude because we were close enough to Beale AFB and we had to stay under 4100′ today within 10 nautical miles. We weren’t that close but you can easily drift in.

On the way back, Gen Yeager kept telling me I was below the airport altitude so I’d better climb a bit :-) Oh yeah. Visuals can be deceiving.

We were in a two seater airplane – front to back. In the back seat are most of the controls – not the flaps and it’s hard to see the instruments. This makes it hard to fly straight and level because the area is canyons and ridges all uneven. I do pretty well though. So well, it surprises General Yeager.

The first time he gave me the stick 7 years ago, he said, Put us on final. I did. But he didn’t say what altitude. He did say, Where’s the airport?

We were in a canyon below the airport! I immediately said Your airplane. He took the controls and climbed over the hill and landed beautifully. Of course.

The second time, we were in Reedley, CA heading home from a visit with friends of his since 1963.

He said Put me on final at Nevada County Airport. He promptly fell asleep.

I wasn’t too worried. I knew if the plane jerked or move too much he would be awake and on the controls.

I was able to sit up and glance over his shoulder now and again and could see the compass.

About 1 hour 20 minutes later, we were near Auburn, Gen Yeager woke up, looked at the instruments and where we were and said, Wow. You hold altitude and direction better than I do. (I think he was really just thinking out loud).

His competitive nature took over and he said I’ll take it from here.

From behind him I said, “Just a minute,” as I unpeeled my very stiff, tense hand off the control stick.

I remember another time, we were going to visit another friend of Gen Yeager’s: Jerry McCafferty, Fire Chief of Sierraville.

I had the stick. We went over the 9000′ ridge and we were bumped all over the place. Normally I would say Your airplane. Maybe I was thinking it. But General Yeager didn’t grab the stick and we smoothed out eventually. And I didn’t throw up. Wow. That was okay. I did it and didn’t panic.

I set up for landing – I have a tendency at the airport especially to be high and a bit fast so Gen Yeager talked me in. He took over just before landing and it was beautiful. I think he likes keeping in practice – taking over from my challenging set-ups.

Nevada County Airport – in the little black book it says “Not recommended for student solo flight.” That means it is and it is a very hard airport to land. Often squirrelly cross winds and gusts, trees, poles in front of the trees to warn you there are trees (NO KIDDING!)….

One time, Gen Yeager took the stick and was about to land when a gust picked us up and headed us straight for the trees.

What does Gen Yeager do? He cobs it. OR for non-figher pilots: ADDS power!

I was thinking, Oh dear, now we’re headed for the trees. And when he cobbed it, NONONO. Now we’re heading faster to the trees. Put on the brakes! I, of course, kept quiet.

Cobbing the plane gave him more authority and so he was able to control the airplane, turn it back safely to the runway and do another fantastic landing.

I sure learned a lot about flying that day. Priceless. Counterintuitive to a novice. And absolutely the perfect thing to do.

c. PMN III LLC

Capt Chuck Yeager Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross 1949

July 23rd, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Historical | Comments Off on Capt Chuck Yeager Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross 1949
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Distinguished Flying Cross

Awarded for actions during the Cold War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight at Muroc Air Force Base on 5 January 1949. As Experimental Test Pilot, Flight Test Division, Air Materiel Command, Captain Yeager successfully accomplished the first powered take-off in the X-1 rocket airplane. The technical skill, courage, and judgment displayed by Captain Yeager in the execution of this hazardous experiment contributed to the advancement of aeronautical science and reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Action Date: January 5, 1949

Service: Air Force

Rank: Captain

Chuck Yeager – Air Force Distinguished Service Medal 1953

July 23rd, 2011 . Posted in Historical | Comments Off on Chuck Yeager – Air Force Distinguished Service Medal 1953
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

Awarded for actions during the Cold War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Medal (Air Force) to Major Charles Elwood Yeager (AFSN: 16076A), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while participating in aerial flight. On 12 December 1953, Major Yeager piloted the United States Air Force experimental rocket-powered X-1A aircraft to a speed of more than 1,800 miles per hour. This climactic flight enabled the aircraft industry to take giant strides in the field of supersonic flight and assisted in making it possible for the Air Force to place supersonic fighters in victorious combat. The courage, skill and knowledge displayed by Major Yeager during the long period of preparation for this exploration of the then unknown were emphasized by the obstacles which he overcame during the flight. The skill and daring he displayed in performing this act resulted in many millions of dollars saved by the United States Government and secured invaluable information for science. Major Yeager’s outstanding flying ability, technical skill and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

General Orders: Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 20 (1954)

Action Date: December 12, 1953

Service: Air Force

Rank: Major

During this flight Chuck Yeager’s plane tumbled on all three axes – discovered inertia coupling -faster than 1 full rotation/second – about 50, I think (will research more). He recovered and immediately cracked a joke: “You don’t have to do a structural test on this airplane.” It had pulled many, many g’s side load, positive, negative as it tumbled.

Only Chuck Yeager could have recovered from this flight, was what his colleagues and competition said at the time.

c. PMN III LLC

Birds Singing

July 21st, 2011 . Posted in Conservation, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Wildlife | Comments Off on Birds Singing
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I love listening to the birds. And watching them. It reminds me of when I was little.  I remember thinking when I heard the birds singing, that winter was over, spring and good weather were on their way. My father said they were robins.

In our home, growing up, at the landing on the way to the second floor, there was a gold metal bench with a green cushion. On the window sill my father kept his binoculars. And a book on birds.

One could find him there on sometimes watching the birds in our backyard. He had put up a birdfeeder so lots of birds came to dine.

He’d sit there and watch the birds. And if I came along, he’d point out the birds and tell me about them.

He’s very well read. As was my Mom.

There was always a squirrel challenging the birds. My father put a squirrel barrier,  a sort of bell shaped thang – to try to keep it out. The squirrel apparently was too smart. Or athletic. So my father tried another barrier. I think we just ended up feeding the birds and the squirrel.

I was always told to stay away from squirrels – they all had rabies. Or might have them. And “might” was enough.

We also had a beautiful bird bath which doubled as first base. The rock fountain was second (that’s where we found turtles who had migrated there from who knows where). The birdfeeder was third.

And home was…the corner. My father was always the pitcher. He had great hand-eye coordination – could catch anything.

We also often had visitors to the bird bath at night – raccoons. We felt so in the country while living in Philadelphia because of all this wild wildlife. My father thought maybe they had come from Fairmount Park http://www.fairmountpark.org/ – the largest city park in the world where we used to go sledding after a big snow day. There was one great run with a huge jump towards the bottom. I’d ride on my father’s back on the sled and we’d go flying. What fun!

We used to feed the horses that lived nearby near the Schuykill River http://www.schuylkillriver.org/. My father always brought some sugar to feed the horses. Very cool.

Some time I have to remember to ask my father: I have a memory that the Phillies, professional baseball team, or a professional football team played there once. It was exciting. I was very little then. Wonder who it was?

My father’s affection for birds and wildlife had quite an effect on me. So when I was in Nepal, and one of our counselors offered to take me on a hike thru the park outside Kathmandu, an area that has more species of birds than any other country, I jumped at the chance. Audubon is involved there. Or was.

Unfortunately, one of my colleagues told everyone, who all showed up. Trying to watch birds with 20 people – not easy. Still, we saw a lot of wonderful birds. And as usual, I separated from the crowd to experience it all somewhat by myself. Magnificent, very tall, majestic trees with colorful birds. I had written the different species down but don’t know what happen to these journals.

So this evening as Gen Chuck and I watched the linnets fly in to feed on our seedsock and sing a happy song as they did, I think of the promise of spring. (Or summer :-)

c. GCYI

Flying again with Chuck Yeager

July 20th, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Flying with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on Flying again with Chuck Yeager
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My first time in this plane. I was in the back seat – General Chuck in the front. We taxied on up to the run up area. Did the run-up, waited for the plane that called Runway 7 garblegarblegarble.

Ah. There he was, having landed and was…..turning off.

General Chuck called taking the active and taking off as we did so.

The other plane had cleared.

And we were off very quickly.

As soon as we were up, Gen Chuck gave me the controls.  Soon after he asked: Where are you going to take us?

Home. Just wanted to “buzz” our neighbors. One is battling an illness. Me buzzing is like the jets that go by – I’m not comfortable getting low.

We saw our property, their property, and headed back.

Gen Chuck told me to do the approach and follow along lightly on the landing.

OK.

I called downwind and traffic in sight.

He asked me if I could see the speed.

Yes. I got the hint and slowed down.

I gradually descended as we turned base and final. On turning base, I suggested he take it – I felt a bit off.

By the time he heard me, I had recovered my confidence and continued on. I said to myself, what if you had to land it.

Right. I can do this.

Gen Chuck put in the flaps for me.

As we got close, I still was afraid I was high and finally said: Okay, please take it.

He did.

As we got closer, it got bumpy. Boy did we float.

He landed. Beautiful. Then GUST. I mean wow!

Gen Yeager immediately did left aileron, left rudder.

I, on the other hand, was a second behind in thought – a second that can nail you. In that second, I knew I wasn’t ready to be signed off on a taildragger. I was still wondering why would I do, after I saw Gen Chuck immediately put the stick to the left, flying the plane, making the plane go where he wanted it to.

And he decided to take off again.

This time he decided to keep the controls. I didn’t blame him – it’s quite a task to recover from someone else’s set-up.

We landed – greaser.

And off again. Gen Chuck gave me the controls this time again.

I stayed lower in the pattern. The set up was pretty good.

He took the controls. Again the wind tried to carry us. He patiently waited – flew the airplane, made it go where he wanted and when the wind was right, he greased it on. Again.

One day I’ll be able to do that!

Later, Gen Chuck said: Good. That last one was a good pattern.

Smile. OK. BIG smile.

c. GCYI

c. GCYI

Great Art Show Opening in SF

July 17th, 2011 . Posted in Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Traveling | Comments Off on Great Art Show Opening in SF
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Platform shoes, skintight thin t-shirts, tight jeans that didn’t reach past their calves, the sort of clothing you would buy at a thrift store – or that a thrift store would even deign to accept – they were so bare and were now all the rage and style.

Platform shoes, that went out in the 70’s when gals started twisting ankles, breaking legs from toppling over on them. I guess history does repeat itself since clearly no one studies it in this group. Or at least no one studies fashion history :-). I can see parents agonizing that their kids haven’t learned from the parents’ young….missteps. (Literally and figuratively).

Tattoos.  Everyone had a tattoo – usually over a large area of their bodies.

I watched as a boy lifted his shirt to reveal a beautiful painting. On his body.

I felt like topsy turvy day at camp – the women had very short hair. The men had long, stringy hair. I can appreciate a good head of hair on a guy, but stringy and dirty? Not. Besides, I thought that went out in the ’80s.

Some of the girls had shaved their heads. It was fun trying to figure out the genders. Some had only shaved half – asymmetrical.

One of my girls’ prep school friends, after school had a razor haircut – zig zag designs in her dark brown hair.  It was very cool. And she had the most beautiful face – perfect for her haircut. And smooth head – so also perfect for the haircut.

I loved it.

These gals….wasn’t the same. They just didn’t quite have the whatever it took…to pull it off.

Some gals, more guys had pierced ears with something the size of volkswagon buses in their ears.

This SF art event reminded me of when the US Air Attaché and his son came to honor General Yeager who was becoming an “Officer” in the French Legion of Honor. The son had pierced eyebrow (several rings), nose, lip, tongue…General Yeager asked the Air Attaché why he let his son do that. The Air Attaché punted

(since his son was born apparently): Oh you know kids.

Especially when there aren’t any parents parenting.

President Roosevelt’s granddaughter-in-law, who was French, remarked: If you want to let your children dress like that, then don’t bring them out to represent you and the US.

I kept looking at the kid and saying: OW! That hurts.

The kids protested: No, it didn’t.

Me: It hurts ME to look at it. It would have hurt me and so every time I see you, I imagine it. OW!

I said OW a few more times, every time I looked at him.

He started to see why some people are not impressed with his look – and, frankly, horrified by it. It seemed to have more of an effect than any other words.

Wonder what he looks like now.

As I was thinking about this kid, I looked around us. We were in San Francisco at an art show of the daughter of a friend of ours.

The art was pretty cool. Paintings. Different textures, different poses. Very cool.

Gen Y found the most normal (“normal” is what’s normal for you – quoting that great philosopher – a commercial :/) looking people in the room. The girlfriend of the father of the boyfriend of the artist. Whew – that’s along one – Well she saw me watching the kid who had pulled up his shirt to show the painting on his body. Wow-owwwww!  I mean ow!

She said: He’s a great artist.

Me: But how does he make a living? He can’t sell his chest.

She: No, but really he’s a great artist.

Oh allrighty then. I guess he could sell viewings. Or it’s an easy way for him to carry his portfolio…

But what if he got tired of that painting? I held on to the thought that maybe it was temporary, like the butterfly temp tattoo I got at the Fair.

Really the most normal looking beings were the puppies someone brought – I looked for piercings, tattoos….none. Innocent, happy puppies. Cute. And something in common.

I figured most of these people didn’t have a mirror. And I laughed at myself – I had been concerned I wouldn’t be dressed up enough for an opening.

Several wore outfits that didn’t match – polka dots with stripes, baggy with tight, pants didn’t reach any length that made sense. Huge derrieres stuffed into too small pants.

It was wonderful.  Trying to be different and ending up all the same.

The juxtaposition of a World War II fighter pilot, who risked his neck to serve his country in peacetime and war with these kids was also great art. Gen Y was also keenly observing the group.

Many had the nose earring. It seemed like I was the only female who didn’t.

I remember going to Africa and having to inure myself against my kinesthetic reaction that this is painful – but to not wince – it was their custom. But it sure isn’t ours so why would these kids do this. I kept imagining the pain. And the opportunity for infection.

When I was in college, I fit in okay – but never dressed very preppy.

When I went to business school, I didn’t wear a suit every day – often it was jeans and polo shirt. Why dress up for classes?

The first day of orientation, I was one of two people in jeans. The other? Unbelievably a guy from university whom I only knew by a nickname I had assigned him. Ex – for his dorm – Echols.

He came over – two sympaticos in a sea of suits wondering what we were doing there.

Funnily enough, a year or more after business school, we both ended up in LA. We were still wearing jeans and polo shirts. His girlfriend, he and I went to a Hollywood party – everyone else was wildly dressed.

The same thought hit us both at the same time – while “wild” in business school, we didn’t light a candle to “wild” in LA. We were downright conservative! Funny. It’s all relative. And in fact, this was even wilder than LA.

The art show was at a beauty salon – so you could see the paintings straight or in the mirrors while getting a haircut.

So art is a reflection of life and in life, we had a reflection of the art which was a reflection of life which…

It’s good to get out of the house now and again 😉

c. GCYI

First Time General Yeager Showed me a P-51

July 17th, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on First Time General Yeager Showed me a P-51
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I remember the first time General Yeager showed me a P-51. We were at Edwards Air Force Base a couple days before the air show.

He had me climb into the pilot’s seat. If you’ve never climbed into a P-51 – it takes some serious effort – well the first time does.  Especially if you’re being careful not to touch the wrong thing – hate to hit the gear controls and have the gear collapse.

Seriously, that’s how little I knew.

He pointed out the controls, gauges, gear. It was fascinating. Then I had to climb out. Now that was a challenge!

As I finally stood up in the seat and was struggling to climb out onto the wing where Gen Yeager was standing looking about as cool as any fighter pilot could, I said:

Man, how do you get out of this thing in time to parachute down when your plane’s been shot?

First Gen Y was startled by my unusual questions.

Me continuing: You wouldn’t have enough time (clearly it was taking me forever to get out and I’m pretty agile) or you’d be hit by the tail or wing.

When Gen Y observed what I mean, with his quick wit, he answered: You don’t have to – it’s falling apart all around you.

And that’s what happened to him. The day after he shot down his first German enemy aircraft over Germany, to show he wasn’t so Sierra Hotel, he was shot down – March 5, 1944.

Three ME-190’s and he did a head on pass. He gave ‘em hell, but they got his engine and him frankly – shrapnel in his legs and groin. They missed the family jewels fortunately.

Gen Yeager and his airplane departed company. He waited to open it so as not to draw attention. One of the Me-190’s was coming again to finish him off, when Obie O’Brien turned to cut the German pilot off. Obie shot the Me-190 down saving his pal Chuck Yeager.

You can imagine when 3 months later, his pal Chuck Yeager walked into the barracks they shared in England. Obie was thrilled!

In fact, Obie never forgot. It was because Chuck Yeager, tail end Charlie, had checked six and called: Break, that the rest of the flight of four was saved.

Chuck Yeager then was in the lead fighting 3 at once at first. Hence he got shot down – but the three behind him gave the German enemy aircraft “what-for”.

I met Obie only once. GREAT guy. He was unfortunately on the downhill slope of life. His mind was going a little. But when his pal Charlie showed up. Wow. He came back. Obie and Chuck sat on the couch. It was just after we had “won the war” in Iraq in 10-11 days with a loss of 103 US military people.

Obie sat back and said: We wouldn’t have lost anyone. Right, Charlie?

I thought he was probably right – given he risked his neck to save his pal Charlie Yeager. And Charlie Yeager did likewise for his pal Obie.

Sue, Obie’s wife, also wonderful gal, said that Obie brightened up whenever Chuck called or visited. Beautiful.

Where was I? :-)

Oh yeah. The P-51. I got to fly with General Yeager in the P-51 the first time not long after. Soooo lucky!

We took off on a guy’s wing with permission. That guy was fairly scared though –kept looking at us instead of ahead.

Up in the sky – here I was sitting behind Chuck Yeager in a P-51. How cool is that?

He did one roll. I watched his head framed by the sky, the scattered clouds amidst the blue sky, the ground and the blue sky with puffy clouds. WOW!

We flew some more, explored some more. Dodged clouds. I imagined we were flying escort to Germany. And then he did another roll. Quadruple wow! Oh boy! I fantasized we were dodging Germans in a dogfight.

Along the way, Gen Y gave me a lesson re clouds and turbulence.

We came in for a landing. I still cannot believe it. Over too quick. It was so exciting!

I don’t think I slept for a week. While visions of P-51s danced in my head 😉

c. GCYI

www.chuckyeager.com

Flying to Placerville on a Recce with Chuck Yeager

July 13th, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying with Chuck Yeager | Comments Off on Flying to Placerville on a Recce with Chuck Yeager
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Went flying with General Chuck Yeager last week. I wanted to check out Placerville airport. From its publicity – sounds like a nightmare to land and take-off.

My instructor from a few years ago told me to go shoot some touch and go’s – confident I could do it.

I figured I could check it out and didn’t have to do any landings if I felt uncomfortable, had enough fuel to go there and back a few times.

I need a refresher on the GPS in that airplane though. I don’t mind – I fly VFR and I like doing dead reckoning (eyeballing the landmarks to find your way) – what if the GPS went out.

They’re taking out the VOR system with which I don’t agree. Yes, we have GPS which is more accurate but what if someone shoots all the satellites out of the sky – or they all fail? Why not have a different back-up system that is already in place.

It reminds me of Los Angeles. I’m told they had one of the best public transport systems – rails all over the city.

When cars came into being, in the early 20th century, they ripped up the rails to make way for cars. To get that land back, to put down the rails again is prohibitive cash-wise. Even in the late 80’s maybe early 90’s, you could see remnants on Santa Monica Blvd. But they still hadn’t learned – they ripped those up too and appropriated the land for cars.

Anyway, I digress. We headed toward Placerville on an adventure!

The GPS kept our airplane in one spot so it was hard to tell if we were heading in the right direction. I also thought it was closer to Auburn.

We looked at different landmarks on the way to negotiate our path. Beautiful area.

General Yeager of course saw Placerville Airport before I did. And I saw it from pretty far away! But I didn’t believe it was Placerville because it didn’t look so difficult as its press made it out to be.

Then again, I learned at Nevada County Airport about which the little black book says: Not recommended for student solo flight. And I did do my solo flights there!

I got on downwind and asked Gen Yeager what he thought about my landing there. It was a bit hot and there was no sign of a restaurant or deli. My interest in Placerville was also it had a great restaurant in town – check out the book “$100 Hamburger”. The restaurant would send a shuttle to pick you up (and take you back after your meal). We weren’t planning on going to the restaurant that day – just doing a recce.

General Yeager said: No, it’s better practice at Nevada County. But do what you want to.

Well, I had to agree with him – Nevada County has a canyon on one end of the runway, trees, steel posts closer to the runway to warn you there are big trees – I guess in case you can’t see the trees.

But as General Yeager asked me one time: Would you rather land in trees or hit a steel post?

Well since I knew that on their first date Bob and Colleen Hoover went flying and ended up in a tree and that didn’t deter her from marrying him, I picked “trees”. (The farmer, whose trees were now ruined, came out with a pitchfork and wasn’t too happy).

I thought about landing but decided General Yeager was right. We headed back. We could see Folsom Lake so pointed north/northeast of that.

We got to Nevada County – a bit windy. I longed for Placerville which had had no wind!

The first landing – wow what a float. Gen Yeager did that shift in his seat thing that experienced pilots do when another is landing and he might have to take over.

We floated. We started to land, we ballooned. I thought we had enough lift to just land and seemed to….but suddenly the lift dropped out so I put on a little power but we still did a clunky landing (clunky for me).

Gen Yeager breathed again.

And we took off.

We came around again – junky winds but again we got down okay. Took off.

And the last time around I was grateful. Did I say the winds were junky? So I certainly wasn’t greasing it on near the near end of the runway!

We came in on final. As we got close, we got pushed around a little. We eventually landed and headed in.

After I had shut the plane down, I remarked that those were definitely not my best landings.

General Yeager said: It’s funny.

And then hesitated to see if I was ready to hear a critique. I was ready – plane was secured.

Gen Y: You tend to land on the left side of the center line. Concentrate and stay in the center.

He’s quite right – and I told him so.

I once did an advanced eye test. Very few people actually see the center line where it is. Very few see horizontal or vertical lines where they are. I see horizontal lines where they are but vertical lines – I place them to the left. Hence in trying to stay on it, I go left a little.

But also, usually you are supposed to stay within the lines – so I think if they had two lines between which I was supposed to land, I’d do very well :-)

I sure love flying with Gen Yeager!

c. GCYI

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