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Flying a New Taildragger

March 13th, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Flying with Chuck Yeager, Friends | Comments Off on Flying a New Taildragger
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General Yeager and I checked out a new tail dragger for a friend. What fun!

The pilot who owned it flew down from Idaho/Montana area. He was quite keen to meet General Yeager.  His father had worked on some of the planes Gen Yeager had flown at Edwards.

First we had a bite to eat together and chatted about history. Then Gen Yeager checked the plane out, asked a few questions, and was satisfied.

Gen Yeager insisted I fly the front seat, with the airplane owner, our new friend, in the back. He put in the stick in the back just in case :-). The plane had seriously big tundra tires – I mean I literally had to climb in like a MAC truck. While the pilot made a personal pit stop, I studied the gauges

We started up and I taxied to the hold area. We did our run-up, waited for the plane on base/final to land. After he landed, we took the runway.

Other plane exited, and it was our turn to take off. The pilot started to talk me thru it – I gently pushed the throttle forward.

Pilot: Raise the tail-

I raised it a little – but he wanted it more.

Pilot: Take –

We lifted off before he expected – but just right. It’s hard to coach someone – by the time you say it and the person reacts – it might be too late.

So we headed up – and then headed north a little. I wanted to do what Gen Yeager normally does to check out a plane – stall it….at altitude.

We did some steep turns and then I asked the pilot to stall it first. He did. Took some doing to get it to stall. It didn’t give a huge a warning before it dipped, but enough and a small dip even without adding power brought it right out of the stall – not much altitude lost.

We headed back. Beautiful day. I had to lose 4ooo feet. We did a slow descent and by downwind we were at about 800 feet above the runway. At base I was going 50 mph. Slow. But fast enough. We were sinking a bit faster than I liked so I put on a little power.

The pilot coaxed me a little: Just head straight for the numbers. Yeah, keep a little power on.

We got over the threshold, I flared, kept her flying and did a darn good 3 point landing.

We taxied around and back up to the holding area. We switched seats. Pilot took off, stayed in the pattern, and showed me the plane all trimmed up – about 5-10 feet before landing, he took his hands off the stick, and the plane landed perfectly. Wow.

Of course his hands were ready if an issue had come up.

We taxied in to where Gen Yeager was with our other 2 friends. They looked at us and started laughing. After we got out, the pilot said – yeah, she hit my ear with her foot as we were switching places.

Gen Y asked the pilot: Did Victoria do that first landing?

Pilot: Yes. Without any help from me. (gracious of him :-)

Gen Y: I thought so. She heads straight for the numbers, then flares just in time.

Our friend on the ground said: Yeah, after your perfect 3 point landing, Gen Yeager said: That’s Victoria!

Glad I did a good one! :-)

Gen Yeager was pretty happy.  So was I.

c. GCYI

General Chuck Yeager’s 88th Birthday

February 21st, 2011 . Posted in Adventures in food, Aviation, Books, Conservation, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying with Chuck Yeager, Food, Friends, Humor, Music, Public Appearance, Traveling | Comments Off on General Chuck Yeager’s 88th Birthday
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General Chuck Yeager "opens" for the Oak Ridge Boys

What does one do for an 88th birthday?

Well. First, we spent the first part of the weekend fundraising for down-syndrome folks as Gen Yeager has done for 22 years.

Then on Sunday, we flew to Laughlin, NV – a fast flight from Abilene, TX in a small jet.

At the hotel, we found 4 of our friends – had smoked salmon in their room as we looked out at the river. A bit confusing – the airport across the river was an hour ahead in AZ. We, in NV, were an hour behind.

We watched the ferry going back and forth between the banks. Someone remarked at how the ferry went really fast and skidded into the docks. Clearly the skipper had done this a few times. Or too many times & that’s how he got his kicks.

Gen Yeager looked at it, made his quick assessment: His clock must be going wild.

Understanding zipped thru his audience (having to change the clock back and forth every 5 minutes)…

We went to our room – beautiful corner room with nice hardwood floors – and looked out at the view down river and the setting sun.

All the guests checked in before the trip – what’s the dress? What should we wear? My response was: Gen Yeager and I will be in jeans, turtleneck and sweater or sweatshirt. You’all can wear what you want. I asked Gen Yeager just in case and he replied: I don’t care what they wear. I’ll be wearing what I have on (which was jeans, polo shirt, and vest with zipper.  (Got it in one).

We all met for dinner at 6pm: Joe Bonsall & Richard Sterban were there first. Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Darrick Kinslow, John & Martha, Dan & Kathy, Dan & Shawna, Denise & Graham, Sam, and us.

What a perfect group. Everyone is interesting and somehow where I seated people worked out beautifully.

Gen Yeager asked me to introduce everyone. Instead, I asked each person to stand and tell a little about themselves. And of course, I kibbitzed. Duane stood up and said Kathy and he and Joe? were starting a trio. Richard stood up and said: Make that a Quartet.

Denise is a new friend. She was the highest bidder the Dallas Safari Club Ladies Luncheon auction to have lunch with General Yeager and me. I met her just after she had won. She seemed quite nice.

She didn’t know me of course – and emailed periodically to see where, what, when. I told her the dates but said the details would come soon – it was an impromptu event. She was going to bring her father, ex-Navy in World War II, his wife, and her husband, a Marine. She also brought her baby. I rarely see a couple with a new-ish baby not make the baby the focal point of the party. VERY gracious and smart.

So a day before the dinner, she emailed me and asked what time was lunch. I thought wow – we’ve planned dinner, concert, fun sightseeing during the day….and she still wants lunch – she’s a stickler.

So I emailed back: Dinner is at 6pm. Well. I didn’t realize that she thought she’d just be having lunch with us. Boy was she in for a whirlwind.

So when we were saying goodbye, I asked, So we’re good, right – we don’t have to do lunch just the four or six of us?

Her eyes grew big as saucers – no, no we’re good. We both laughed. Denise & Graham, pretty nifty people. New friends.

Anyway, back to the birthday dinner: What fun! Dan & Shawna put together birthday giftie bags. I added jars of jalapeno relish, bread & butter jalapeno pickles, & a few others made by the down-syndrome folks we support. VERY spicy.

The giftie bag had some great old time candy, water pistol which provided loads of fun, a wooden glider, blower, & other fun stuff.

The food was excellent – Duane shared his crab cakes when he found my fork resting on his plate to be filled and returned – deeelicious. I had carrot ginger soup.

Then we were served sorbet to cleanse our palate. I noticed the girls got light green and the boys got pink. It may have been a function of what we ordered for our main courses but I didn’t take note of that.

And then Shawna & I shared a tournedos with pate. Just right.

General Yeager was in heaven – he had escargots. A very happy camper.

And of course: CAAAAKE! Nothing like 15 people singing happy birthday with the Oak Ridge Boys joining in in harmony!

The Oaks gave General Yeager a beautiful thoughtful present, and some lovely memories.

The stories were great – and very personal so I won’t repeat them here. But great new friendships were forged and old ones deepened that evening.

I will tell some tales though: Joe tried to start a water pistol fight. I was at the other side of the table at the time so was unaware until the next day. Lucky for him. And his target, Kathy, who reminds Joe of his sister, thought her husband had done it so didn’t respond.  Dang.

My first year at university, I was on the meal plan. My mother thought I’d starve if I were left to my own devices – or worse – go on an ice cream diet. Protein, calcium, Vitamin D. And if you have cherry vanilla – fruit, too. What’s wrong with that?

It was such a bummer all year long though because I ALWAYS missed the food fights. I would always come in after they were all mopping up. I thought it would be fun. Once. I guess I could have started one – but it wasn’t my style  – really don’t like wearing my food. Except those candy necklaces. Remember those? Stretch necklaces you ate. They were more fun than good.

I guess a water pistol fight in the elegant restaurant wouldn’t have been our best foot forward. :-) But the pistols were so small it would take you hours to soak anyone assuming they would stand still. Just fun and funny to envision.

General Yeager sure enjoyed spending some quality time with each of the Oak Ridge Boys.

The next day, the group sans the Oaks headed out to the “ghost town” of Oatman. Hardly a ghost town. There was shop after shop of touristy stuff for sale at very high prices. A used, very used Yeager autobiography that seemed like it had spent years under water, was selling for $17 bucks. When I turned it down, she came down a dollar. Hilarious.

The facades, what we could see under all the kitschy stuff for sale, did remind us all of a wild west town – or our imagination of one. The hotel there is where Clark Gable & Carole Lombard spent their honeymoon night. Some guessed it must have been better in its heyday. Others decided even though a bit too rustic must have been a wonderful break from Hollywood.

We ate in the hotel restaurant – confused as to what time it was – we were now in Arizona again so an hour ahead.  For seating, we had to split into two groups. The waitress asked us who the older guy at the other table belonged to.

I said Me.

She said, No the one-.

Me: With the orange hat? (Actually a cap with DRI Celebrity Quail Hunt on it – from the down-syndrome folks fundraiser).

Waitress: Yeah

Me: Me!

Waitress: Eyebrows raised.

Waitress: Well! He asked me who does my hair – so I asked him about his – took off his hat and kissed his head. He said, The Lord made only so many perfect heads, the rest he covered with hair.

Me: My husband. He just turned 88 yesterday.

When we clued her in as to who he was, she got excited and raced back to say hello again. Gen Yeager wasn’t safe. She was a delightful, tough (had to be in the old wild west town), thin, highly energized woman.

As I said, there was so much for sale, one could hardly see the buildings. Oatman was incorporated in 1906. They got about 1.8 million ounces of gold by the mid 1930’s. By 1942 the gold was no longer so everyone packed up and left. Short run.

After lunch, they did a gunfight in the street. The town is known for wild burros – and they warn you that they may bite and kick. We grabbed a seat on the boardwalk. One burro kept walking past us – when it approached someone else, it decided to leave her opinion and peed.

Found out later, they sell carrots to feed the burros so the burros have come to expect this and get a little dismayed if you have none to feed them. And display their opinion of this. The burros with the dots are babies and are not to be fed – they choke on carrots.

We headed back to Laughlin. Really pretty desert views. John & Martha told us about their helicopter trip from Southern California. What fun to helicopter around, stop for lunch, really getting good views.

I love helicoptering. Gen Yeager not so much. Just read his story about his sitting in the jump seat of one, and the helicopter ended up inverted in a cold lake in the Sierras. Nine miles hike and 118 stitches in his head later…..well, one can understand his aversion to helicopters. And many helicopter pilots hang out in the dead man’s curve.

One time Gen Yeager and I were on a helicopter tour in Hawaii. The pilot started showing off – taking off, tilted the helicopter so the blades were whipping by very close to the tarmac. Gen Yeager and I were squeezed into the front – up close and personal. At our first stop, Gen Yeager took the pilot aside and had a discussion. Our next take-off was more demure and safe. Phew.

We headed back to our room to rest up for our big night – and plus one of the prettiest views was from our bedroom. Others went to the classic car collection in the hotel. I had wanted to go for a boat ride on the river but there wasn’t enough time.

We headed to the elegant restaurant for dinner a little earlier this evening –during daylight. Beautiful.

Dan pointed out: The sun sets an hour later in AZ.

Just struck us all as funny – as we were looking at AZ across the river watching the shadows of the sun setting behind us.

With not much time, we just had appetizers. And dessert of course. I had cherries jubilee. Shawna had bananas foster. The guys said they’d take a bite of ours….we weren’t fooled for a minute –  we made sure the waiter put in 2 orders of each. Sure enough – all four plates were demolished.

The cherries jubilee – the flambé – reminded me of a trip to Bermuda as a kid. We were on the fine dining plan. I think we had four courses at least every night for dinner. With the attendant sorbet to clean the palate imbetween courses. I seem to remember 2 per meal. About the 4th night, one of my brothers asked to be excused during the entrée. My father of course excused him. We thought he might have a date.

I found him later in the hotel disco and asked if he was all right. He replied: Yeah. I just couldn’t look at any more food.

I could understand. But missing dessert?!?!?! He must have been really sick….of food.

Bermuda at that time did not have much or any poverty. So there wasn’t anyone to whom to give the food there.

One night, since there were six of us, we ordered 2 flambés. Each one, you had to have a minimum of 2 orders. We did. The Maître’ D or waiter wasn’t pleased. He asked thru clenched teeth: TWO flambés?

My other brother did a fine imitation.

So back to Laughlin – after dinner, we headed to backstage with the Oaks.

We walked across the stage – or some of us danced across to “backstage”. Darrick, the Tour Manager, had told Gen Yeager he could take about 30 minutes :-). Gen Yeager said I can’t tell my name in 30 minutes. William Lee laughed.

We visited a little with the rest of the band – they all love working with the Oak Ridge Boys. Donny Carr stopped into the green room to introduce his girlfriend and say hello. He’s got gorgeous long hair – and it doesn’t match his personality (or my pre-conceived notion of long haired guys :-). Chris Nole stopped by – he’s from near Philadelphia so we speak the same language too.

He did his best Jersey persona for the group.

I took our guests to their seats while Gen Yeager remained on stage (curtain closed) ready to “open” for the Oaks.

Darrick introduced the General as the curtain rose. The crowd started cheering as understanding rippled thru the audience.

Gen Yeager said: My story is a pretty long one – should take about 30 minutes to tell.

The audience laughed. I thought for a moment – uh oh did he think Darrick was serious? In fact, 30 minutes isn’t enough to listen to his stories but…

So he told a few great stories and then how he had met the Oak Ridge Boys to many cheers and finished in perhaps 5 minutes – a very FULL five minutes. I led him off the darkened stage, down the stairs.

We made it to our seats just before Richard started the song “The Boys are Back” – with a great light show – the opening. Next in – William Lee.

We all enjoyed singing along, or clapping, chair dancing…We waved at the each of the Oaks – they waved back.

Since it was Valentine’s Day, all sorts of fans were giving flowers, candy, cookies to the Oaks. Duane wasn’t sharing his cookies :-) Gen Yeager tried.

Halfway through the show, Duane and the Oaks sang our favorite: “It Takes A little Rain” with Jimmy Fulbright on keyboard. We love the simplicity of that. Duane, Joe, William Lee, and Richard sang their hearts out. Spectacular!

Duane sang lead on the next song too. Wow. Beautiful. Afterward, he said: Okay someone else sing one now.

Acapella, the Oaks sound….perfect. You could hear a pin drop. Powerful.

They also sang the tribute to veterans and ended up with Gen Yeager’s photo in uniform on the screen. Wow. Big Wow.

The Oaks left the stage with the audience wanting MORE. Unfortunately we had to head home the next day. But others were staying the whole week – where the Oaks were doing 3-4 matinees as well as 6 more evening shows.

I had been singing along. I must admit it took me a few choruses to sing the right words – I always sing American Made – “Sexy long legs”, when I should be singing “silky long hair”. Finally got the order right.

And “Elvira”.

Richard was on top of his form – one of our guests remarked that in prior concerts they hadn’t heard him as much as this night.

I apologized to Martha who was sitting on the other side of me – I was trying to sing along softly but well…Martha said it was fun. So I guess I wasn’t off key.

We chatted with the Oaks after the concert, said goodbye and headed to the karaoke. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see much of Chris Goldin – he had a bit of a cold so steered clear of giving it to us. Very kind.

We heard Don Laughlin was in town and had checked to see if our dinner had gone well the night before. Darn, we would have loved to say hello. We had been told he’d be out of town.

At the karaoke, I was pretty close to signing up. The talent went the gamut – from shy, off key to okay without stage presence to outstandingly beautiful voice it didn’t matter what presence she had…

Jimmy Fulbright showed up. He hesitated so I escorted him to the sign up area. We looked for songs. You think ya know a song – try karaoke – there’s all sorts of areas I don’t remember in a song.

Jimmy signed up for Wanted Dead or Alive. We thought the line was so long it might be 3 days before his turn came up.

Rex, Darrell, Sam, Kathy, Dan, Shawna and I hung out waiting.

Rex told me a beautiful story about Duane Allen. Don’t often hear such nice stories in the competitive music world.

Finally! They called “Jimmy F”.

I have to say that Wanted Dead or Alive is not my cup of tea. But that night? Jimmy did such a wonderful job singing it – we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

And while Kathy, Shawna, and I kept trying to think of a song we could do, we gave up, and all went to bed. Singing the whole way. Justifying not singing karaoke. Have to prepare, practice, check out the key….:-)

Apparently the next day we were each singing into the mirror pretending we were back on the karaoke stage. Boy are we ready now!

The next morning we all met for breakfast along with Darrick, the Oaks tour manager and a good friend. He did an amazing job planning these two days for us.

Dan had gone running . Darrell was going after he dropped us at the airport. I wish I could be that disciplined. I got a text from the Kings. They had left earlier due to the weather forecast.

We headed out to the airport. And Dan flew us home.

Another wonderful, quick adventure!

c. GCYI

Great Friends – M & D

February 8th, 2011 . Posted in Childhood friends & neighbors, Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Humor, Traveling | Comments Off on Great Friends – M & D
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Two of our favorite people live north of New York City about an hour. They were great friends of my mother. Mrs. P I really got to know in Kenya during the Mid Decade World United Nations Women’s Meeting in 1985. I was there with my mother who was a speaker for an NGO (non-governmental organization).

M is a major force behind the scenes in human rights. Even still. In her late 80’s.

We had a great time in Kenya. One night we headed to a local eatery and tried all the local faves: giraffe, zebra, and kudu.

M had gone to Kenya with Good Housekeeping. They had magnificent suites with very high ceilings and shared with us – inviting us to feel at home in the very large livingroom.

What fun!

That was an amazing trip. We went out to The Horseman restaurant. It was the first time I had venison that I liked – it wasn’t gamey. Felt like an English colonial dining experience. Small croissants.

I also remember going to the giraffe rescue place just outside Nairobi. It was pretty funny – you had to go to the second floor to feed them. I had never been that close to a giraffe’s face – a bit taller than me.  That face was HUGE. Thank goodness they aren’t aggressive. Gentle, majestic. When they walk.

When they drink, a bit nerdy looking. Fortunately, they can’t bend down very long, less than a minute, or they would choke apparently.

These rescued giraffes – feeding them from the second floor. High on the cool factor.

The meeting was amazing. There were several women and a few men genuinely together trying to solve some of the world’s problems.

My mother died less than a year later. And M/Mrs P became like second parents to me.

I would visit them fairly often, going to stay with them for a few days each year. M is a great cook – fresh, local, healthy. And M and D, her husband, are extremely intelligent, well-read, involved, interesting, and alive.

One summer I was desperate to go back east and body surf in the Atlantic ocean, a childhood summer pleasure. I love body surfing.

I stayed with M & D. And went to one beach one day. No waves. Lots of people though. My goodness. On the beach and in the water. It certainly wouldn’t be safe anyway. I could get lost and drown and the lifeguard would never notice in that sea of….people and a little water imbetween.

I went to another beach. No waves. But again, lots of people. In fact was I at the beach – couldn’t see the water it was so full of people. Wow.

I called my friend Mike, a big surfer, all through business school and investment banking. He said there had been no waves all summer. And he didn’t expect any in the next week. It was quite the bummer of a summer for him. He had retired at the ripe old age of 45 – gotten out of the rat race after succeeding very well. He had said early on he would retire early and sail around the world or at least the Caribbean with his family. Said I could come along. Each year I’d say, when are you doing that?  – just trying to figure out how much he needed to make so he could live off it. And then he got fed up and said that’s enough.

I really admired him for doing that.

Back to the waves issue: Yikes. The one summer I come back east. For the waves. And it’s the one summer there are none. Nowhere to be found on the east coast.

Once while staying with M & D, I was determined to go to a show on Broadway. We got to the train station and I changed my mind. I just preferred to hang out with M & D.  I really enjoy listening to their points of view about life. They have so many experiences.

Their house is one big library too. Lots of great books. My favorite kind of house.

The next day I thought I’d try again. Re Broadway. I figured it was a quick half day…So I took the train down to NYC and checked the TKTS booth. I really just couldn’t get myself to pay $150 to sit still for 3 hours in the dark when the outdoors was so beautiful – a gorgeous summer day. And the musicals today, as an old friend once said when I was in London going to every single play and musical (less expensive than NYC); You just don’t walk out humming the tunes like “There’s a Small Hotel……”

So I walked along 5th Avenue and went into one of my favorite museums, the Morgan Library, for a quick look and then back out to get some ice cream and check out some of my childhood haunts like the Plaza Hotel.

Broadway, smroadway. I had moved on.

I took the train back and was glad to get “home”.

For a while I was living out west and didn’t get back east so was a bit out of touch.

Then, after I met Gen Yeager, we would travel back to New York about once a year. And we would get to see M & D. The first time we went to a local diner. They had very kindly driven the 45 minutes to where we were. Gen Yeager was opining about how rude Northeasterners can be while three Northeasterners were perhaps considering defending themselves.

They didn’t get a chance because immediately after Gen Yeager finished his statement, a car raced out of the parking lot sat on the horn honking at us in the crosswalk making our way. A well-timed illustration.

Gen Yeager truly enjoys M & D.

So do I. I hope to see them again this summer.

And hearing about their latest adventures.

www.victoriayeager.com

www.chuckyeager.com

c. GCYI

Victoria Yeager & Chuck Yeager-Flying Formation to Willows for lunch

February 6th, 2011 . Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Victoria Yeager & Chuck Yeager-Flying Formation to Willows for lunch
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I had what I call three mini clunkers for landings.

We had to go to Oroville to drop something off. So I was going to fly up there & our friend to come pick it up at the airport. I was going to take our neighbor Bill because Gen Yeager wanted to get some work done on the property.

Gen Yeager: It’ll be a lot of extra weight.

Me: Why don’t you fly the taildragger – we can do some formation flying and you can take Bill’s cousin?

So we did. They were excited.

General Yeager got off first. The Diamond was being washed. I asked the guys to turn it around for us so one of them dragged it back and turned it around. To perfectly blast everyone in the hangar when I started it.

Bill and I got in.

Bill: Should I take off my coat.

Me: Yes. It will get hot. You’ll be nervous with me flying.

We laughed.

I sorted him out some more and then myself. As I was going thru the checklist after starting it, the wing was really bouncy and I thought – I don’t remember it being that windy. Hmm too windy?

I looked out – T, who had moved the plane, was trying to get my attention – to move on out since I was blasting everyone. Bill: I wondered why he didn’t point it on a diagonal.

We taxied on out. Gen Yeager was already in the sky.

I did my checklists out loud as usual. Bill is an ex-airline pilot and ex-General Aviation pilot. His wife hates flying but was a trooper when they owned a Mooney years ago.

Bill sure appreciated my talking out loud so he could know what was going on.

We took off and Gen Yeager’ jumped us.

Gen Yeager: Change freq

We changed.

Gen Yeager: Check in

Me: Rog!

He then took the lead for a while. I locked right in. He waggled us to the right. Woo hoo!

Then to the left. Fun!

Then he put me in the lead. Well. I forgot to find out the runway numbers so I called Gen Yeager’s backseat pilot to look in their black book.

Bill: Where is Oroville airport in relation to the lake.

Me: West. West of the city.

He was looking for it.

Me: I have the toughest time finding airports. Usually I find them when I’m just overhead or on a perfect downwind. Funny.

I pointed to what were probably hangars and said so.

Bill looked: Ah, yes.

I turned out to be right. We did have GPS but we had agreed to practice our dead reckoning – more fun esp. as we were flying VFR.

As we approached Oroville, I heard someone in the pattern to land on 30. I asked for the runway numbers from him. He told me.

I listened to the ASOS. Winds variable. So as I was on a downwind for 120, I chose….120.

Getting onto downwind, General Yeager was on my left so I flipped Gen Yeager to my right.

I realized I hadn’t landed at an airport other than Grass Valley in a while. Hmm. Wonder if I’ll have to do a go-around.

Bill and I discussed the water near the airport – usually lots of birds. Of course bird strikes were on every pilot’s mind since the Hudson River landing. Everything went right for Sully and he did everything right. Had there not been a river handy that was smooth…

Well I did the checklist and got down low-ish, had to power on a bit because…you guessed it – we were sinking faster than I was used to with the extra weight. True to form Gen Yeager had alerted me and I was now prepared. We leveled off and I kept it off but those last two inches clunked down on the numbers.

Bill was thrilled. I looked at him and said: I can do better.

He was stunned: THAT was great.

I think he would have kissed the ground if he could have.

Me: Aren’t you glad you took off your coat.

He laughed: Yes.

It was a beautiful, sunny, clear day. Warm – not too warm though.

I didn’t know if Gen Yeager had landed in formation but I doubted it – but needed to know so I could turn right – just then he called final. I turned right off the runway. The guy poised to get on the runway 30 – I called to him, Number 2 is landing, Number 1 is clearing, cleared the runway.

As we taxied back up, we were trying to figure out how to get to the buildings, when Bill said there’s a helicopter in there (the hangars to our right) taking off. He had seen it when we were landing. I aspire to be more observant but still concentrating on landing.

I stopped just at the helicopter was flying low out from between the hangars and would have hit me. They called then that they were going across the field and had traffic in sight. They flew just behind the other plane, lifted up a bit. Unnecessary closeness.

I asked them how to get to the buildings – they said follow them.

Bill pointed out flaps. Oops. I needed to stop and clean up the airplane. Flaps up, landing light off. Fuel pump off.

So we crossed the runway and followed them. Gen Yeager: Bob’s truck is at 1 o’clock.

I headed to 11am where I had been eyeing a truck. I have a dyslexic clock in my head. I explained to Bill this challenge but Gen Yeager is used to me by now.

Even Tony, a helicopter friend, after 2 days flying and fishing with us when I called out an eagle (really a bald eagle) 9 o’clock, looked immediately to 3 o’clock and he was right!

Actually this time I got it right though. Gen Yeager was heading down the taxiway, I was crossing the runway – so his 1 o’clock WAS my 11 o’clock.

Bob was waiting for us. He brought us coffee. We went into the office. We returned the item we had bought from Bob’s store and he gave Gen Yeager the money.

Gen Yeager: Hey, this doesn’t cover the airfreight!

Remember this is where Gen Yeager was stationed before the war and where he met and spent time with Glennis his first wife.

There were all sorts of photos of Gen Yeager and different airplanes. Also there was a photo signed to Jimmy Doolittle from Gen Yeager. VERY cool.

We decided we were hungry so planned to go to Willows, which used to be a great restaurant with great pies. One of the guys there sold me his old chart (less than a year and nothing had changed in the area) for a signed photo I still have to send (tomorrow).

Bob had to go back to work. I don’t drink coffee much (although it was a Mocha coffee and good) – neither do Bill or his cousin – so I asked the guys at the office. Wow! The fellow who gave me the chart was supposed to go get the office owner some coffee. Saved him a trip and wasting the coffee, a gift from Bob.

Gen Yeager: Which runway are you going to use?

Me: 30?

Gen Yeager: 12 and turn right.

Me: Got it.

Most efficient except I taxied to the very end of the runway so not as efficient as it could have been. Bill and I weren’t exactly sure how far down to taxi. Where we turned, the end of the runway had weeds growing out of the cement. As we were moving past the weeds before I powered up, I did my checklist – flaps, fuel pump.

Me: Ready to go?

Bill: Yes.

As we passed the threshold, I powered up and we were off.

I led the whole way to Willows. A formidable two-ship. A beautiful day.

Bill called out a plane ahead of us going across the nose (1 mile out). No factor.

We looked for the airport. I kept thinking we should see it sooner then we did – but then we were low for that.

Bill: Probably in that patch of green.

I couldn’t figure out…:Oh, you mean that triangle.

Bill: Yes.

Me: I think you’re right.

I was about to call overhead when we heard another plane call overhead at 2750’. I was at TPA – 1000’. So I called in. I couldn’t see the other plane.

I called downwind. The other plane asked altitude. I repeated 1000’. I called downwind, base.

A gal called in – Left or right traffic.

Me: Left traffic.

Gal: Are you white?

The other plane: Yellow.

I responded: Diamond 3 Delta Charlie. I am white. My #2 is yellow. I am on base turning final, #2 on downwind.

A collective: AH. Traffic in sight.

I saw them too – high. VERY high and still about midfield overhead – they had called somewhat early.

This runway was far shorter than Oroville, which as I said used to be an airbase. Would I have to do a go-around – never landed here myself – would be messy with all those enemies.

Me: O.K. Fly the airplane.

As I focused myself on the task at hand.

We got down on the numbers. That last two inches – we clunked down. Argh.

Me: I can do better!

Bill: Any landing you can walk away from…

We taxied to the other end where the restaurant is and then onto the parking area. We had to pull past some planes. One guy about had a heart attack. I had asked them if I could fit. They said yes. But two feet was too close. I was watching the shadows – we were fine.

We went in to eat.

Gen Yeager asked me why I hadn’t pointed out the bandit. Did I see it?

Me: Yes. Bill saw it. It wasn’t a factor.

Bill’s cousin raised his eyebrows – he doesn’t fly much any more so he knows a lot. :-)

Gen Yeager (smiling): A quarter mile out.

Sometimes he exaggerates. :-) but I got his point.

Bill backed me up.

But I thought, I was looking down to sort out the mixture. I did look up sooner then would have been a problem but I have to practice that a bit – that triple focus thing. Gen Yeager was watching me – he saw I got his point. He’s having fun with his student.

I had told Bill that seeing airplanes and airports…still need some practice. And I had told him no free lunch – if he’s flying with me, he’s paying attention! He loved it.

After lunch, which wasn’t very good, General Yeager took off first. Then I did. I put on the power to catch up. Suddenly I was about to overtake him FAST.

Me: Whoa!

I slowed that baby up – with pitch after pulling back the power. And didn’t go past. But it was close. We were flying at 65 knots. Our attitude was quite high but we held flying Gen Yeager’s wing. It did take me quite a while to settle in.

Me: Whoops too fast, wow, can’t quite…hmm.

Me: Wait! I was looking at my mixture and checklist. Did he flip his wing or was it turbulence? (slight).

Bill: I think just turbulence.

I tried to do the mixture. I also tried to get myself to untense my legs on the rudders. When I focused elsewhere I backed off or up. Then I had to sort myself out again.

Gen Yeager flipped us to the left. Flying on his left is harder for me. Bill was very encouraging.

Me: He wants my wingtip to be inline with his propeller blade tip. I’m not ready for that.

Bill (perhaps nervously – just kidding): Just go as close as you are comfortable and practice till you get more comfortable.

Several minutes went by.

Me: Lots of concentration.

Bill: Yes.

Me: Bandit at 12:00!

As a plane went by high.

Gen Yeager: That’s a bogey.

Me to Bill: What’s the difference?

We still have to ask.

I realized I hadn’t called the plane’s office to let them know I had taken off. I had called each time – landing at Oroville, taking off from Oroville, landing at Willows. I was going to call right before hitting the ladies room but didn’t know how long before we took off so thought: Call now. Now is too early and what if you’all do something else first on the ground. Call now, you might forget. No you won’t forget, call after you come out on your way to the plane. …I came out of the ladies room, Bill was waiting outside the restaurant so we headed to the airplane,

And I forgot.

Bill: You want me to call now?

Me: I doubt you’ll be able to hear.

Pause.

Me: Well you can try. But don’t worry. Fly the airplane.

As we got over the ridge, Gen Yeager flipped me to the left. Then he put me in trail and did some lazy s turns. I kept up. Boy, was that fun.

The whole time I was chattering:

Whoa – left side. Weeee. Oops. In trail. Whoops too fast – gotta swing out a bit. Whoops now swing to the left…Woo hoo!

Gen Yeager waggled me in and flipped me to the right. This time I tried not to power on full and zoom past him.

I was taking some time inching up so he waggled me in again.

Me: I’m coming. I’m coming.

I pointed out Grass Valley airport to Bill. He wasn’t familiar with the white line (that’s all it looked like at that point).

Gen Yeager had me take the lead. I turned crosswind with Gen Yeager to my right. I flipped him to the left and turned downwind.

On final, we had that lift over the reservoir. We still were low enough, I had to power on a bit. We…floated a bit and…the last two inches clunked down and settled in. I kept the plane from sinking on the nose gear. Each of the three landings, we heard the stall warning sound for….ever, it seemed.

We heard Gen Yeager on final.

Guess I should brake to turn here….

We got off the runway, cleaned up the airplane, and taxied on down.

As we were putting the airplane away, Bill’s cousin dropped off Gen Yeager.

Gen Yeager said: You like to do the best you can, don’t you?

Me (using Gen Yeager’s expression): Well sure! Might as well.

As we were driving home, Bill was telling us his wife was visiting a friend in Southern CA with a few girlfriends.

Me: Whatever she was doing this weekend, we won.

Bill laughed: That’s right. We won.

It was a beautiful day and another fun adventure.

www.chuckyeager.com

c. GCYI

Mrs. Riley, GREAT English Teacher

February 4th, 2011 . Posted in Books | Comments Off on Mrs. Riley, GREAT English Teacher

My girls’ prep school, now coed, is having a reunion – our 35th.

I think a great teacher, Mrs. Riley, and wish I had contacted her once I really realized how truly wonderful she was. But she died before I did. She was in her 90’s.

She was elegant and fun and a positive energy. And stern when she had to be – which was rare – because…well…we just all behaved in her class. She had a very upper class main line accent and truly commanded respect.

I was in awe and most appreciative. But I really didn’t know her. I wonder if she liked musical theater or opera or what she did for fun. Or if she played tennis or gardened or…played piano.

I would have loved to get her take on life – as an adult.

I remember asking her advice – should I take writing classes or reading classes for my senior year. She said, Reading, absolutely. Your writing is fine.

That threw me a bit, because I usually got a 90 on my essays. I would read the writing of those who got 95-100 and couldn’t see why they did and why I didn’t. I never really asked her why.

I do know that in my philosophy class, I had a deeper understanding than my philosophy teacher but he refused to change my grade. A bunch of hooey. It wasn’t that I was chasing grades, I just wanted to know what I did wrong. Or what I didn’t do right.

Once he understood, he said that is way beyond the basics I was teaching.

Me: So now that you understand that I understood and was going beyond, will you give me an A.

Philosophy Teacher: No.

Me: Why not?

Philosophy Teacher: I don’t change grades.

Me: What’s the philosophy behind that?

He’s now doing marketing for a lawfirm. Rather fits. Glad he’s no longer teaching superficial philosophy and unreasonableness to impressionable kids. But instead, he’s living in it. :-)

Some adults said some of our teachers were only a couple of pages ahead of some of us.

Not Mrs. Riley, though. She was stellar. Mrs. Riley had lively discussions and we read fun books like Mistress Masham’s Repose. Fun. I read it a few years ago and still liked it. Or still was in tune with the first time I read it in my childhood so I loved all that surrounded the memory of it.

The last time I remember talking to Mrs. Riley was at our 10th year reunion. She was very gracious and kind and complimentary. I was grateful but my ride was leaving and I was tongue-tied. She was still the teacher of whom I was in awe.

I wish I had let my ride go on and stopped to talk longer.

Yep. I think of Mrs. Riley a lot. I try to think of anyone else I’d wish I had gotten to know before they go but I can’t remember anything let alone names of people I once knew. And often I learn more about people from their obituary.

Like my uncle! Uncle Joe was a weightlifter. Who knew? He was a fairly skinny guy. I guess underneath that appearance of a 90 lb weakling was a big punch.

Since I don’t remember ever saying it, I hope Mrs. Riley knew how much we liked and respected her.

She’s probably watching and grading this essay.

90.

c. GCYI

Hardware at the ice cream store

February 1st, 2011 . Posted in Adventures in food, Food, Historical, Traveling | Comments Off on Hardware at the ice cream store
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While the General was off talking to the military in San Antonio, I went to the Alamo – I’d never been. I’d been loaned a car with GPS – very useful. The Alamo was fascinating – fascinating as in such a waste of human life.

After wandering around, I espied the Haagen Dazs shop and thought, I debated  just treating myself to one scoop. Ha! Who can eat just one scoop? I thought, heck I’ll just go look…

The area was under scaffolding so I had to dodge around to the Holy Grail. I walked in and started looking at each flavor trying to make this huge decision. I would only have one scoop today. Swiss Almond. when I used to buy the pint, I’d have to buy the plain vanilla to mix them because too many swiss almonds in the swiss almond. (Ice cream is serious business.) Coffee. Vanilla fudge. Pistachio.

While I was in this heaven of fantasy of great anticipation of which flavor would become the chosen scoop, I heard: “May I help you?”

I look up with great joy and….about screamed in horror. There was this boy with handcuffs all over his face. Okay, not handcuffs. but big rings thru his eyebrows, yes his eyebrowS, his nose, his ears, his lips, his tongue….OWWWWWWUUUUCCCH!

Fortunately I caught it before it came out, immediately looked back at the ice cream and quickly went back to my reverie. I chose a flavor, watched his hands as he scooped it out and was careful to not look at Hardware boy when I paid. I tried to cover by appearing engrossed in my ice cream. I waited till I was outside to shake off the vision and started into my one scoop, savoring it.

It just seems unsanitary – handling food, nose rings, big rings or studs half inside your nose. No no no.

Another time, the General and I were in the south of France where he was receiving the French Legion d’Honneur. Ten thousand villagers had shown up from all over Lake Geneva. The French Air Force military band played. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s grandson and his wife. And the Air Attache and his son….with his hardware. He had eyebrow rings and a few other facial monstrosities. General Yeager asked his father why he let the kid present himself like this.

The father said, Oh, you know kids.

This from a man who was supposed to be strong and ready to do battle.

I thought: Yes, I know kids: they need parenting. What a concept.

I just kept looking at the kid – age 16 or 17 – and kept saying OWWWWW! This time out loud.

It was the only thing that got a reaction. He was embarrassed. “It didn’t hurt,” he protested a little too weakly by the third time.

Me: It HURTS me just to look at you. OWWWWWW! And I play hockey – can’t imagine getting it caught and ripped out. WOWOWOWOWOWWW!

It became a humorous lesson and the only thing to which he responded since it wasn’t a judgment on his looks, taste, or “independence”. Every time I looked at him, I grabbed my eyebrow or lip, looked pained, & if possible, repeated: OWWWWWWWW!

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s grandson’s French wife made a good point: If you’re going to not parent the kid. OK what she really said: If you’re going to let your kid self-express like that and you’re at a function repping your country, the USA, (not a country where these are the ancient custom), leave him at home. Please.

Good point. :-)

c. GCYI

Huntin’ elk – my first

February 1st, 2011 . Posted in Huntin', Traveling, Wildlife | Comments Off on Huntin’ elk – my first
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Huntin’ elk – my first!

In November 2009, I shot my first elk. Well I killed my first elk. No, “shot” is correct- I shot AT several the year before. Often several shots at one or two but completely missed.

In the morning, Gen Yeager, our guide Berry, and I drove around looking for them. And we came upon a group. Gen Yeager set up to shoot one – realized it was a spike and shifted to shoot the cow (female elk). KABOOM!  The elk was hit perfectly and blown over. Perfect shot.

I took the gun and set up to shoot another one, but by the time I had reloaded and set up, they were jogging away from us and the only good shot was of a bull. So this one will go in my book The Shot(s) I Didn’t Take.

We drove and walked out to the dead elk. I said a silent prayer and I took photos. Our guide gutted her, attached her to the hoist, and loaded her onto the truck. Just a few years ago I couldn’t watch the gutting.

The first time I went huntin’, Gen Yeager was afraid I’d lose my cookies all over his elk so he said: “Victoria, come look at the view over here. “ It was beautiful – much better than looking at the elk being gutted.

I never liked to cook because even a piece of filet mignon and especially a chicken looked and/or reminded me too much of the live animal.

In advanced biology in the college prep school I attended, we had to dissect animals, even the frogs grossed me out – maybe the smell of formaldehyde increased the nausea. We also had to inject chickens with different hormones to see what effect the excess hormones had. Since the advance biology class did this every year, we already knew. Fortunately we had one in our class determined to be a doctor and a little too sadistic for my tastes, but she enthusiastically asked each of us when it was our turn if she could do the shots for us. It also smelled pretty bad in that enclosed space where the chickens were kept. Our teacher NEVER went back there so she never knew. I think all eventually thought it was cruel, quit the shots, and just used the results from the prior year.

When I was a candy striper, they had to send me to the lunchroom for some water, because looking at all the tubes going in and out of the babies or patients was also too much for me. I would have loved to have been a doctor but a doctor fainting while giving a shot….NOT good.

So it has taken about 8 years for me to watch the gutting. I am not anti-hunting – we eat what we shoot.

So we took the elk to the butcher. Our guide helped skin it. All fascinating. I still stepped back because the idea of blood splattered on me….

We had lunch and went for a walk, relaxed and went out at 3pm. After driving a bit…it is sooooo beautiful here…Berry spotted some elk. He watched them for a bit.

He grabbed his binoculars, some sticks for a rest, and told me to follow him. He spotted some more and told me we were going to sneak down the trees (small brush) and would have to hightail it across an open patch to the other side. After, making our way down the steep hill through the rocks, he grabbed my gun and we hightailed it – me directly behind him. I had earplugs in ready to shoot – so my steps sounded like elephants to me. I wondered if the ground was shaking and if the elk could feel it, let alone hear it, the mile away. I also was breathing a little heavy – we were at altitude. I was glad for the exercise given the excellent and plentiful meals we were having.

We crossed a creek – jumping it best we could. Berry had jumped, then he handed me the sticks so that when I leaped, he could pull me with the sticks so I didn’t fall backwards – since I could only make it to the very edge which sloped back down into the creek. We ran across some more open ground that was a little boggy, then solid ground. We came to another creek which Berry, gathering up all his stuff (binocs, sticks, my gun, and his earmuffs) and rocking to get the most energy (no running leaps – too much brush behind us), he jumped the creek.

It was a bit far for me so I found another spot with some stalks on the other side – I leaped, got barely to the other side and those stalks saved me from falling back as I grabbed them and balanced myself. This time I did get some water in my shoe but didn’t mention it – it wasn’t cold and wasn’t going to hurt me. My shoe is waterproof but the water got over the top – the place I landed wasn’t quit as dry as it looked.

We scooted up the rocky hill to some brush. No elk. All that…Sigh. Good exercise though!

He spotted and turned around 130 degrees, gave me my gun, and started spotting. I saw the bull elk running 90 degrees to us – away from us. Oh well. Back to the truck and look for more.

Berry said: There’s some elk on the road and they’re coming towards us – we’ll just wait.

He grabbed my gun and showed me to hold it down – because the light was glinting off it.

I looked at the road from which we’d come and didn’t see any elk. I finally looked through the tree where I thought he was looking. Couldn’t see any.

Berry: She’s trying to jump the fence.

I peered around…and saw her! I kept wondering if Berry thought she was close enough because he had the sticks set up – for his binocs…and they were a bit high…

We snuck a little closer to the next bush/tree. And waited.

I saw a bull and two very young cows. They looked close enough….hmmm. But I can’t judge distances well. I just waited to get my next instruction from Berry. I also saw a few others grazing much farther away. They would walk towards us, walk away, walk towards us. Still too far away to shoot.

We snuck up to the next bush. And waited.

Berry: We’re going to get up to that cedar bush and shoot from there. Don’t worry about the bull and two young cows, they may spook. And don’t worry about the ones to our left – they may spook too. There are some just over that hill and hopefully they won’t go far.

We snuck up to the cedar bush – I went to Berry’s left. He said: No on my right.

I did. He put the sticks up – told me to sit – not my favorite for shooting but okay. He said move out from behind the bush. I didn’t want to – I didn’t want her to see me and run…

He moved me out a little – I resisted gently – he then realized we may be having a communication issue (one of the reasons he such a good guide): Make sure you are out far enough for a clear shot.

Me: Okay (and I didn’t move – I had a clear shot).

Berry: Do you have a clear shot?

Me: Yes (as I moved a rock out from under me)

He surveyed me and the elk – I kept fidgeting. He then whispered: Sticks too high?

Me: Yes.

He put them lower and said: Now take your time, don’t shoot until you’re ready. Undo the safety and when you’re ready, just squeeze the trigger.

I undid the safety making sure I kept my finger away from the trigger, aimed, held it to make sure I was steady, and shot – thwack! – and looked. The elk ran a few steps – and three cows, including the one at which I shot, stopped.

Me: Dang! I missed it!

Berry: It’s okay…

As we watched, (I don’t know how he knew so early): She’s hit!

Because she didn’t go down, I was afraid she was wounded and that is the biggest aversion I have to hunting – I just didn’t want to wound an animal – I wanted to kill it instantly.

I whispered: Shoot her again, Berry!

He whispered calmly: No, you can do it.

So being as I had to do it, it was on me to put her out of any misery, I gathered my wits and remembered to eject the shell and load a new one. I aimed but as I was doing all this, I saw the elk moved to the left, turned and moved back to the right, fall down, try to get up, got her hind quarters up but couldn’t quite get her front up.

She went down. We waited. I was readying to shoot her again – out of her misery, when we saw the legs kicking straight up in the air. She was dead.

We gathered up our stuff and headed towards her. I waved at where we had left the truck and Gen Yeager, a victory sign before we went out of sight down the hill. We walked down the hill and looked for the narrowest place to cross the creek. I dragged my back foot enough for some water to go over the top but who cares, we were busy… We walked up the hill and over to the elk.

Berry examined her: Perfect shot. Classic textbook.

Me: GREAT! I was relieved – it was the best shot to kill the elk and the least amount of suffering. I had a big grin, Berry had a big grin…he shook my hand.

He laid everything on the elk and said: I’ll go get the truck but it may take half an

hour to find a way back here with the truck – are you okay?

Me: Sure.

Me and my elk. I did a little prayer by her head. The sun was setting and I got to thinking. I’m here with good meat; I better hold the gun in case a predator wants it and me. Then I got to thinking when I saw the truck and then saw it disappear and thought I heard it was stuck, what would I do if they didn’t come pick me up.

I’d walk to where I last saw them. I’d go to one of the roads with the gun and try to head back to the headquarters. I had no survival stuff on me. And my heavy coat was in the truck as was my cel phone and my energy bars. Hmmmm. I wasn’t worried but exercises like this make one prepared for the times one may need to be prepared. I could keep warm by opening up the elk which I have read about…but all I had was my little, tiny, pen knife. Hmmm.

I was enjoying my first elk, the wilderness, the aloneness. Nice.

The truck came in sight. General Yeager leaped out of the truck (it requires a leap – it is very high off the ground) and gave me a big hug and a kiss. He was proud of me. We took photos. Berry gutted it. I wanted to go back and get my spent shell. Gen Yeager said: I have plenty.

Me: This is my first!

Berry said he’d go get it when he was finished guttin’.

While he was gutting my elk, I made my way back to the spot from which I had shot. I followed the big elk track across the creek – they know where the most narrow spot is!

I remembered that Berry couldn’t have taken that second shot without grabbing my gun – he had left his gun in the truck when we started stalking. I couldn’t find the shell. But where it might have popped out was a couple of holes. I looked in them as best I could – didn’t put my hand down there – might be an animal that bites – and had no digging tool…I was a little disappointed I had not thought to grab it when I ejected it – as if I could remember that with all the excitement of possibly needing a second shot..And I was disappointed I hadn’t looked for it (and really asked Berry to look for it) as we were gathering up our stuff.

Hmmmm. Just in case, I called to Berry – was it this bush?

No,  over there.

I looked around the bush…then back a little. There it was – I didn’t realized we were back that much from the bush.

I picked up the spent shell. And a few pretty rocks – pink, yellow – while I was at

it :-).

I retraced my steps – this time putting some small branches across the creek – and got back in time to watch Berry hoisting my elk onto the truck.

Gen Yeager: We’ll frame one of the pictures with the shell in a shadow box.

Very cool. Very creative and thoughtful.

Gen Yeager then said: “I could see you’all from the ridge. I saw the elk heading one way and another.
Then they’d eat a little grass and move another way. They knew something was up. I watched you and them. Then I saw the bull and two young cows and wondered why you were sneaking the other direction. Then I couldn’t see you. I heard the shot but neither of the two young cows were hit so I thought ah well, she missed. Too bad.

Then I saw your hat going down the hill.”

Berry said: I thought you’d missed at first because I saw the dirt fly up behind her.

It’s funny. All three of us thought I’d missed the elk. For different reasons.

We drove back to the main house. Berry took the elk and skinned it while we put our stuff away to get ready for dinner.

Everyone was excited for me – they had all been there the year before.

A classic textbook shot. Woo hoo!

c. GCYI

Shooting Down a P-51

January 22nd, 2011 . Posted in Aviation, Flying lessons | Comments Off on Shooting Down a P-51
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Well Friday, July 10, 2009, was a doozy. If I had had some guns on my two-seater Diamond, I would have shot the P-51 down. OR Walter Mitty would have.

General Yeager was fishing in Alaska on the Aleutian chain.

Friday morning, the airport was alive with preparations for the air show Saturday.

I#1 said: Watch out for incoming Warbirds.

I noticed the wind and decided I would just do a little local flying and then some touch and go’s. They -having mixed feelings between the rental income and getting prepped for the air show – washing and waxing it – wanted the plane back early.

I started doing pre-flight and since the plane had not been put away properly I got myself mixed up and put the flaps up instead of down when I checked the fuel gauge and lights. I corrected it after I got to the first flap. Obviously.

Then I was interrupted by the staff re something or other. I decided I needed to slow down to go faster. I had already done that but needed to do it more. I hadn’t flown this plane in a while – I had been flying other planes.

My tail dragger instructor, since he doesn’t solo people or rent out the plane cuts corners – which gets me in bad habits. For instance, he has no written checklist. And when I arrive he says he’s pre-flighted it. I find pre-flighting is a fantastic tool for focusing. Or realizing I’m not focused so I should see if I can focus, or if not, not fly that day.

So after the interruption, not about flying (and not about flying that airplane that day), I re-started from just about the beginning.

I followed the checklist. I’m always surprised when I get to the part where I can start taxiing – it seems to come so quick after the checklist – which, in writing, seems long.

As I headed up the ramp, I called in. A truck was starting down – most people driving around this airport have no clue. I waited. He waited. Then he got a clue and moved off.

As I was on the taxiway, a bonanza called in. I was about to ask him where he was going as he looked like he was coming right at me, then it looked like he was going away, so I started moving again. Whoops, he was getting closer. I called in where are you going, Bonanza (glad I could recognize and remember one airplane – easier than most – it had a v tail).

Bonanza: To the pumps, as he turned off.

Me: Thanks.

As I continued to 2-5, I heard (can’t remember what airplanes): 10 miles south Flight of 2 for a fly by and break for landing.

I debated – no they would be in long before I completed my run-up so I won’t be waiting long.

As I completed my run-up, they were turning final for the fly-by. I thought through timing and decided I’d be waiting 5-10 minutes for them to land, paying for all that non-flying time, too :-).

So I called in I was taking position and holding, traffic in sight. I don’t know if I would have done this if I hadn’t been with Gen Yeager and watched his timing when there was a lot of traffic. I gave myself more cushion than he would need, though.

I started on the runway when the second one was 1000’ above and just a little ahead – knowing that if he had to land, he wouldn’t, couldn’t, even if he lost an engine, need the end of the runway where I would be holding. I saw the one break – but for a split second was not absolutely sure if it was the first or second plane so waited a little to make sure I saw both. Good idea.

When I saw the second one break, I called in: NC, Diamond 3 delta charlie, rolling…taking off 2-5 straight out, traffic in sight.

They called downwind, traffic in sight. Very pleasant. I was glad I hadn’t been distracted.

I then decided to fly out towards the practice area – bumpy! And it didn’t bother me at all. I even dropped about 2-3 feet. Woo hoo.

I thought about the radios. I hadn’t talked on them to ATC in months. So I practiced before I switched over – what to say.

Me: Approach, november 2 niner 3 delta charlie.

Approach: November 2 niner 3 delta charlie, state your intentions.

Me: Request flight following, just going to the practice area to practice maneuvers, 3 delta charlie.

Approach: &^&*%^&$ traffic (I think)

Hmmm.

Approach: Squawk 0344 (or something – I did remember and get it right then). You’re 1.5 miles north of Beale. Say altitude.

Me (woo hoo, I’m understanding this): four thousand 3 hundred 5 0.

Approach: mce_markeramp;%$*^

Me: Say again. (Uh oh).

Other plane: Norcal Approach, bla bla bla.

Ah, I forgot Norcal Approach. I also forgot my airplane type.

Approach: What type airplane.

Me: (smile – Gen Yeager often says he knows what they are going to say :-) hope this talent is rubbing off but he did mean it differently than the instance here): Diamond. 3 delta charlie.

I did some steep turns. Comfortable – so much so that I had to keep verifying I was steep enough. To the right – Near perfect – within the confines of VFR and of IFR except for about 2 seconds. Wow. Debated practicing some stalls but decided…not comfortable today or by….

The truth?

By myself.

Actually what I was most uncomfortable about was my lack of prep. I had intended to just do touch and go’s but then decided to just have fun and fly around locally. But I hadn’t checked for TFRs. While there are lots of places we can go that are Class E, I still would have needed to make sure I had frequencies readily available, winds aloft, TFRs, etc.

Thank goodness for GPS – while I saw Beale and turned away from in it plenty of time since I knew from experience, I was glad to have the GPS telling me how close I was. It’s also why I asked for flight following – to help me not violate any space and to watch out for traffic.

I considered doing some touch and go’s at Oroville away from the Nevada County air show arrivals.

Sigh. I didn’t have Oroville frequency and didn’t feel like asking Approach.

I heard Approach alert someone to my position, doing maneuvers.

Sort of.

I looked for a good spot to do some s turns and turns around a point but didn’t see any, couldn’t find the practice barn so decided to head back anyway before the traffic at Nevada County got too heavy.

When I got within 15 miles, I called Approach and asked to change freq.

Approved.

Me: Thank you.

I flew over our house. None of the neighbors were home – all away for the weekend.

There was no one on frequency, no one flying. Great.

I was quite alert, lots of activity on the ground.

ATIS told me higher density altitude and wind at 7kts at 170. Since I planned a touch and go, I decided on 2-5.

I did all my turns, all fine. Except on final I realized I was high. I tried slipping and was at a good speed (not too fast) but wasn’t getting down enough.

Me: Nevada county, 3 delta Charlie on the go.

That’s when I realized I hadn’t put in the second set of flaps.

I realized the wind was stronger aloft and blowing me into the runway so I had to crab and in fact, fly my downwind a bit away from the runway.

I got lower, which worried me, as it was bumpy – meaning some downdrafts too. But over that reservoir I took off a bit.

I got myself down – nice landing.

I powered up for the “go” when I lifted off quickly (often it is quick as you are already somewhat powered up) so I went with it.

Oops. I skipped the wheels on the ground as I very slightly lowered the nose and then took off with enough speed.

Someone on the radio – thought it was my instructor (it wasn’t): A bit windy, isn’t it?

Me: Yes, indeed.

For my next touch and go – I made all the calls in the pattern. On downwind, it was getting even windier and I had to fly almost 45 degrees out from the runway to keep from being blown in too close. I reconsidered – if my instructor (I was still thinking it was he) is mentioning the windiness – hmmm. It was supportive, but was it a strong suggestion?

This was right towards the edge of my envelope of learning and had there not been so much prepping for the air show the next day – I would have landed, gotten my instructor and gone for some good crosswind and slipping instruction.

Instead, after critical analysis – deciding it was getting windier so perhaps pushing my envelope a bit much (and they wanted to display this plane the next day – hate to do anything to it)…

I changed from “touch and go”, to “full stop”.

VERY lucky for me.

Just before turning onto base, a down draft dropped me five feet. OK that’s getting a bit much. Didn’t scare me at all, just a message, without an instructor, time to go in.

As I was on short final, after having sorted out getting low enough without too much problem from the down drafts, the huge uplift over the reservoir, on final, having made all my calls properly and timely, knowing I could probably land in time for a full stop but could always do a go-around;

I saw….

A P-51 HEADING STRAIGHT FOR ME, losing his already low altitude for either landing or doing a low fly by.

Me: Nevada County 3 delta Charlie, I am on SHORT FINAL ON 2-5, GET OUT OF MY WAY NOW!

He was still heading for me. Trees to my right, people and buildings to my left, a P-51 straight ahead. No chance for a go-around. No options but to land ASAP and get under him.

I did. It was not my best landing. I bounced – more like clunked – as he disappeared overhead – (he had finally seen me and finally decided to pull away (or had just completed his fly-by) – and clunked again…

And clunked one more time before I got my wits about me to put on some power to smooth out the landing. I was now mad I hadn’t concentrated on a smoother landing. It wasn’t bad; the dropping/clunking was just a foot.

And then finally smoothing it out. But I’d have to work on my fighter pilot skills and not get so easily distracted!

As I rolled out, someone – again I thought it was my instructor – it wasn’t, it was the airport manager: Victoria, are you going to quit?

Everyone on radio had heard me and knew something very serious was up.

Me: Yes.

As I was taxiing in, the P-51 driver: I called at 10 miles out, 7 miles out, 5 miles out, didn’t you hear me?

Me (I said something like the following): NO! No one heard you. It still would not have given you the right to do what you did. Didn’t you hear me? I was in the pattern! I was on short final! Didn’t you look? Didn’t you see me? (What were you thinking? – but I didn’t say that :-).

P-51 driver: I’m sorry.

As I heard later, MANY people were horrified by this P-51. They saw his low fly by, then me taxi off the runway. Gulp. And they were impressed I did an excellent landing with all this distraction (including my instructor). Excellent landing – you can use the plane the next day.

I went into the office after I put the plane to bed. Everyone told me they heard me – I did all the right calls. However, no one heard him.

Even so, calling from 10 miles out doesn’t give you right of way.

Just another rich guy with a P-51, arrogance, and no sense is what several people told me.

I waited in the office – a few people did, but he didn’t come in. Heck I probably wouldn’t have either. Yes, I would – I don’t avoid apologizing for my mistakes.

I asked a few likely suspects on the way to the office if they were the one on radio.

I#1: No. Told you to look out for warbirds! (He said smiling – glad I was okay. Told me about some of his distractions and how he handled them, to make me feel better).

Airport Manager: Not the first one. I was the one who asked if you were quitting.

I saw Sherm – another employee at the airport – nice fellow. The light went on. He confirmed he was the first one on radio saying “Windy out there.”

Now Sherm said: Pretty good landing for the gusts you were getting.

I told him: Actually my landing was fine, what you saw was my take-off.

He laughed understanding.

I started some analysis: 1. My trim may not have been set right….No! Right! It was a gust from behind that lifted me and I thought it was the airplane ready to take off!!! OHHHH!

I thanked Sherm for the clue.

I sure wish I could recognize that more quickly than an hour later! I handled it. I actually learned a lot and so loved it!

I didn’t realize until later that I was very angry. I get angry when my life has been put in danger (especially thru stupidity). I didn’t realize the distraction was that I was trying to figure out my options and I had only one – get on the ground ASAP and off the runway, and maybe even onto the dirt, if need be ASAP. Turns out I didn’t need to get off the runway asap or go in the dirt.

Even now thinking about it….gives me the chills.

c. GCYI

1. Healthy Fear 2. Slow Down so You can Get There Faster

January 22nd, 2011 . Posted in Daily Life with Chuck Yeager, Flying lessons | Comments Off on 1. Healthy Fear 2. Slow Down so You can Get There Faster
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Chuck Yeager, the famous test pilot and first man to fly faster than the speed of sound, says that he knew he could die. He used this fear productively:

“I was always afraid of dying. Always. It was my fear that made me learn everything I could about my airplane and my emergency equipment, and kept me flying respectful of my machine and always alert in the cockpit.”

I remember being on the flight line with Gen Yeager. He was like a llama I once hiked with – alert like danger might be close. He was listening intently. I stopped in my tracks and watched him. I knew I’d learn something important if I just waited.

After the plane had taken off and you could hear  human speech, he said: Why does he abuse that engine? Just ramming that throttle to full speed.

And he mimed shoving the throttle with a scowl on his face.

He cares about and for his engines. And he says, if you do, they won’t bite you.

Gen Yeager has always instructed me to gently, smoothly push the throttle to full speed. Save your engine. And I think you’ll also feel any problems with the engine sooner.

He reminds me when I feel I’m in a hurry to get an errand done and am running out the door: Don’t power down on the gas pedal while the car is still cold going up that hill.

I really appreciate his reminders – they makes me slow down so I can get there faster.  :-)

c. GCYI

Leftovers/Biology Experiments

January 22nd, 2011 . Posted in Adventures in food, Fresh vegetables | Comments Off on Leftovers/Biology Experiments
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General Yeager doesn’t care much for my petrie dishes in the refridgerator. :-)

He really didn’t care for the one on the stove. I guess that hot cereal had no preservatives. It grew mold within 15 hours.

Seriously, I always take left-overs if we go out to dinner or lunch. And then there are times that I don’t get around to eating them later.

And they sit.

I call them my biology experiments.

General Yeager calls them garbage for the wild animals.

Often he’ll throw the food off the back deck, bang on the railing, and deer will come running to see what goodie has been thrown out.

It amazes me that something that would give us tummy trouble like mold doesn’t bother them at all.

One time I threw some food over the railing – didn’t realize the deer were already there.

They ducked and went running.

Oops.

They eventually drifted back in when they figured it was safe – they checked my hands – empty  = I looked like I was done throwing.

Our cat, every time I come outside with a container, looks hopeful. Then she comes to her senses and realizes she doesn’t like our food. She only likes the juice from the fish. Seriously, she’ll lick all around the salmon, and won’t eat the leftover little pieces.

The latest petrie dish in the fridge was a raw foods dolmas – veggies in a raw grape leaf. That one is taking a while to decompose.

It’s on day 7 and I’m afraid to look in. I think I’ll wait till it starts outgrowing its container.  and then put on thick rubber gloves and a mask and take it to the backside of the property for the bear.

It keeps the bear from wanting to come any closer to the house. And that’s a good thing.

c. GCYI

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