Two Pilots & an LSW: Warbird Groundschool Weekend, Check

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Warbird Groundschool Weekend, Check

First thing this morning, I started us off with the C-45 ground school. It went pretty well, I think. I didn't stumble and bumble too awful much, anyway. Steve says I sounded and looked like I knew what I was talking about at least, so that's a bonus. We took a break, and then Jordan Ray started in on the Engines & Props, which are the same in both the BT-13 and the C-45, and then transitioned into the BT-13 groundschool, which is pretty short. It still took all day, all told. After everyone left, we put the tables and chairs away and then put the 340 back in the hangar, and headed out just in time to get Ann's dinner. After Steve fed her, we went to Pastarrific for dinner, and we were starved. The CAF hadn't brought donuts or coffee for today like they did yesterday. Rick just ordered 4 pizzas and we ended up with a bunch more people than expected. So I got one piece of cheese pizza, all day. I waited until everybody else ate to make sure they were covered, and I got the last piece. So it was a long day with a lot of talking and adrenaline and being up front and in public for hours, public speaking, my least favorite thing. ;)

Since I've been home, I did a load of laundry and started packing my suitcase. Put Ann to bed, went online to the CAF's website and updated my groundschool dates. Called Nevada and ended up going online and making a reservation to get into Henderson, NV (Vegas). Flight planned the trip, which has to include a fuel stop in Pueblo, CO because of the nasty headwinds we have tomorrow. Filed the flight plans, checked the NOTAMs, gathered the wind and runway info, checked on landing fees, calculated how much fuel I needed to buy to get a lower rate on ramp and fuel fees and whether I could get that into the plane (how much I'd have to put in in Pueblo to get to NV and leave enough room for the fuel I have to put on). You know, all that good stuff. I placed an order with Meijer for free delivery because we're down to one can of one kind of cat food and we'll be gone for several days, and Steve's sister will be taking care of pet and Mom while we're gone. So I got that taken care of. Got Ann's credit card ready for Cathy. One funny thing, when I went next door tonight, Ann had no Boost drinks in her fridge. Yesterday she had 8. She really likes those, and she has figured out how to get in there and drink them, and she drank all 8 of them in one afternoon. So now we'll have to meter that out a bit. Those things are like $50 a case and she just drank most of one case in one day! lol I went online and paid my annual CAF pilot fee. I uploaded all the BT-13 information into the CAF "Dropbox", or put it online for everyone else to be able to access too. Cleaned up that folder some. So all in all, it's been a very productive evening. I'll have some groceries to put away, a bag to finish packing, something nice to figure out to wear in Vegas at the nice restaurant Tues night, and a little more planning. I've also got some C-45 stuff to clean up and do online if I get the motivation going on that. I'm pretty close to ready for my trip, I just have to figure out and throw in some clothes for 3 1/2 days.

On that note, I think I'll post some photos of today and then get back to work.