Oshkosh Pt. 2

I just realized that I'm about 4 months away from Oshkosh and I still haven't finished updating about my last trip!

Jokingly, I have said many times that Oshkosh was an aviation "summer camp" for adults and there's actually some truth in there as well. It ended up being more expensive than I anticipated, however, the education I received while I was there was invaluable.

Before I left, the organizers posted the schedule of events on the Airventure website. I printed it out and created a schedule of forums/events that I wanted to see while I was there. I even scheduled times to eat because I knew I just might be wrapped up in everything that I might forget to eat. Once I arrived, and especially as the week went on, I threw the schedule out the window. One thing I found was that you can learn more from one person than you could ever learn in a forum. A couple that I wanted to see were on engine-out procedures from someone who lost their engine and tips on how to get started in home building. Well, I have my mom to talk to about losing your engine in flight and I have my home building buddies to give me tips on building your own airplane. Some of the speakers/forums were great - the Tuskeegee Airmen, the WASP and aerobatic pilots. However, the best part was just sharing time and acquiring knowledge from others who share the same love you have for aviation.

That was my favorite. Since I basically came up there alone, I was more motivated to reach out and talk to people. If you know me at all, I can be kind of shy at first. Not so with aviation. Mention an airplane and I'm chattering away like a chipmunk on espresso, talking to the other person like they were an old friend. It was fantastic because you had the best ice-breaker questions in the world to ask the person riding beside you on the bus or your neighbor in the campsite -

"Where are you from?"... "Are you an aviation enthusiast, or pilot... or both?"..."What are your plans today?"..."What brought you here?"

I met people from all over the world and I know I've said this before, but we concentrated on what brought us together (aviation), rather than what tore us apart (politics, religion, etc).

Some of the highlights:

Meeting the Tuskeegee Airmen and hearing their story. I teared up at some points. The speaker said that some of them won't even speak about their experience because they are still bitter about the way they were treated. That's understandable. As he said though, it was all in the past and at some point you need to move forward, otherwise you will always be stuck back there. He said a lot of people could learn from his experience, so he was happy to talk about it. I got a picture with him... and had my sunglasses on top of my head while wearing my normal glasses. haha

I also got to hear one of the WASPs speak about her experience. During her presentation, however, we experienced some pretty rough weather. The forum building was just mostly a small covering with flaps on the side. It started to rain, so we tied down the flaps. However, while she was speaking, we could barely hear her over the amount of applause coming from the forum pavilion next door. Then it went on a little too long... so one guy lifted the flap to see what was going on. It wasn't applause, but rain hitting VERY hard. We all scooted inwards to avoid getting wet. Then the wind picked up and tore the flaps off. We scooted closer together. Then something out of the movie, Twister, the wind started picking up the empty chairs and throwing them. Another person told us to run up on stage - the only area that had the sides covered for protection. We watched, while holding onto our belongings as the wind came into the forum. It was like staring down a wild tiger. I briefly thought of my poor little tent... and then thought that it didn't matter - if I made it through this, then I'd sleep in the car. No biggie. I had one arm around my bag I carried around with me during the day and one hand on my hat. They were about to take off on their own. But just like that, it was gone. I've since learned what I saw that day was a micro-burst. It's kind of fun to study about them now as I lived through one to tell about it. An odd note about it - my Mom and one of my friends somehow knew I was in distress during the microburst and called afterwards to make sure I was okay. Pretty freaky...

Afterwards, I texted my buddies at the air show to see if they were okay and it turns out it only occurred in the one area I was in. My tent was fine. It was the perfect little $15 tent - withstood the wind and the rain the whole time.

Bernice Falk, the WASP who was speaking, asked afterwards if we wanted to continue with the talk, despite the weather. Sure!!! Are you kidding?!?! If you are willing to continue, then I'm willing to sit my butt on a wet chair and listen. She thanked all of us and said how brave we were. Pfft, you were the brave one for being a female pioneer in aviation. Sitting in a wet chair is nothing. I was a little concerned about my tent (as I didn't know it's status at that point, but I figured it'd be the same whether I stayed a little longer or not).

Everything happens for a reason, as I've said before. After the microburst, I arrived back at camp to see my little tent flattened. It had survived, but someone else's tent was picked up by the wind and thrown on top of mine. One of my rods was broken. I grumbled, disassembled it, and one of my camp buddies and I tried to tape it back together.

A woman from the camping spot behind my tent came out to apologize. It was her family's tent that got tossed and landed on mine. By this time, we had everything fixed already. She felt really, really bad and asked if there was anything she could do. It was an accident and we had everything fixed. No big deal. Sure, I was ticked at first, but everything turned out okay and it wasn't her fault in the first place. I was actually just happy that my tent was still there. Earlier in the day, I had feared it wouldn't be there when I returned.

Later that evening, I had just returned from taking my shower and was sitting in the entrance of my tent enjoying the sunset. A shadow passed over my tent and it was the woman from the campsite behind me. She sat in front of me and we talked for a bit. She still felt bad and asked if I had had dinner yet. I hadn't - and was actually not wanting to get up and walk a mile for it (yes, the restaurant was about a mile from the campsite - I got really in shape that week). Plus, a warm, "home"-cooked meal was better than the fast-foody meals I had been eating all week.

She came to Airventure with her family - husband and three boys - from Minnesota. We ate breakfast and dinner together every day after that for the rest of the air show. They became my camp family during my stay. Their tent falling on top of mine was one of the best things to ever happen to me.

One day, I was wandering around the airport and decided it was time for some lunch. I got my food and looked for a place to sit. Meal times at the air show were one of my most favorite times because I was on my own and sitting at someone else's table gave me the chance to meet new people and talk with them. I looked over the crowd and saw a lot of groups of older pilots. I had hung out by the Warbirds already that morning and talked with a bunch of WWII pilots already, so I looked for someone different. My eyes fell on a couple who looked about my age. I asked if I could sit there and we started with the normal ice-breakers. After awhile, I noticed he had "Kevin Coleman Aerosports" , so I asked if he had an aviation business. "Sort of" he replied with a smile. His girlfriend smiled too. With more prompting, I found out he was an aerobatic pilot, although wasn't preforming at Oshkosh. "Only smaller airshows", he said. "Like Sun & Fun". (Btw, Sun & Fun is in FL and is probably about the same size as Oshkosh). WOW. And to think it was pure luck I just sat down next to him.

We talked some more and he said he was a student of Sean D. Tucker. "Would you like to meet him??" SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Would I like to meet him!??! Omigosh, omigosh!!! YES YES!!! So he told me to text him when Sean wasn't flying and he'd introduce me. I texted him as he asked, but nothing came of it.

He also said he offers flying scholarships that I should look into on his website. I didn't take him up on it at the time, as I had a private instructor, but I should look into it now that it looks like I may be going back to a flight school. It's amazing who you meet at these air shows.

And I did end up meeting Sean D. Tucker after all. Later in the week, he was scheduled to give a talk about how he got into flying and aerobatics. It was earlier in the day, so not many people were there. He encouraged questions and gave autographed hats to the people asking the questions. My shyness took over, but I wanted one of those hats. I thought of a couple of questions for him and fought the shyness to raise my hand. He didn't end up calling on me, but he stayed after to sign autographed pictures. It's one of my favorite pictures ever and one I still need to get framed. He's flying upside down in his biplane and signed it "To Heather, Sky Sister, Fly with passion. Sean D. Tucker". I quickly asked him a few questions during this time and briefly told him of my own quest to get my pilot's license.

Afterwards, I bounced out of the tent with my prized possession. I had a friend who had his plane on display at the air show and wanted to show him what I had just received. On the way there, I noticed in one of the booths, Greg Koontz's plane was on display. I had seen both him and Sean D. Tucker preform at the Dobbins airshow where I first got bitten by the aviation bug. I had always thought that if I ever got into aerobatics, it would be because of those two. Greg Koontz's plane was beautiful and I got a picture of it at the Dobbins airshow, but here it was - right in front of me. I had to stop and marvel at it. Maybe get another picture of it closer up. I stood on my tippy-toes to look at the instruments inside the plane. A head popped up on the other side of the plane: "Like biplanes do ya?". So I started talking to him about airplanes and flying. Turns out this guy works for and is a friend of Greg Koontz. He starts telling me that Greg has an aerobatic flight school at his house. NO WAYYYYYYYYY!!! This day just keeps getting better and better. We walk around the plane and who is standing on the other side but Greg Koontz. The guy I was speaking with said he'd introduce me and I could ask him more about the flight school. I was like a kid on Christmas who got to eat ice cream for breakfast. They both told me that November would be a good time to learn aerobatics from him and it was plenty of time to earn my license. I didn't make it back then, but am thinking I'll try again this spring. I can't train in aerobatics just yet, but I can still go for my first aerobatic flight. :)

There is no word in the English language sufficient enough to accurately describe my excitement and joy at that moment. I couldn't believe all of that had happened to me. I wanted to pinch myself because it couldn't have possibly been real. I also wanted to hug every stranger who walked by me and tell them what had just happened. I continued over to my home builder friend who had his plane on display and told him the good news. I think he knows all of these guys already, but still shared my excitement.

He built a beautiful airplane and was invited to have it on display. I had the chance to sit in it and take a few vanity pics in it. Even got the opportunity to clean her off in the morning after rain showers to make her shine.

One morning, he took a break and walked around with me to check out the other home builder's airplanes. I think I mentioned before about how sometimes the forums were good, but real world experience was better. For example, I could have sat in a "How to start home building" forum all day. Instead, I think I got a better education by walking around with an actual home builder, being introduced to others (and hanging out/eating lunch with them!!! Lunch time at the air show was one of my favorite times because of all the people I'd meet), and getting to know the stories behind a lot of the airplanes.

He was even nice enough to take me up for a flight around the airport in a Bell 47 Helicopter towards the end of the airshow. We got to see everything from up above and got some good shots of the airport and camping area. Both of us took pictures of the instruments inside the helicopter. I laughed - "Must be a pilot thing", I said.

I think that's really what I missed when I left. Sure, the air show was spectacular and I loved the planes. However, it was the people I met that made the trip. I've never made connections with people like that before and it was because of our mutual love for aviation that brought us together... and consequently tore me apart when I had to leave.

As of today, we're 150 days away and I can't wait to be a 2nd year Oshkoshian. As I reflect on all the adventures I had last year, I can't wait to have more. I can't wait to see my friends from last year and I can't wait to make even more.

Radioactive

I was excitedly nervous all of yesterday in anticipation of my first official night on the radios at the CAP meeting. As the day progressed, I became more and more hyper.

I also began to think how my buddies would all congratulate me for the new Observer rating and a knot began to form in my stomach. I emailed the pilot I flew with, thanked him for his time and said that I didn't want to insult him, but that I just didn't feel comfortable accepting the rating yet. One of the hardest emails I've ever had to write. Everyone here knows how much I want that rating and it caused my emotions to conflict to nearly have it in my grasp, only to hand it back. I knew I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror if I didn't tell them I wasn't ready for it. Like I told the pilot (and think I wrote here), I'd rather be an asset rather than a liability.

With both of these issues at the forefront of my mind, I went to the meeting early to set up everything on the radios. One of my buddies had already set everything up for me and tested it. I licked my lips nervously and focused on the radio room.

The pilot I flew with found me and asked to talk with me. The knot in my stomach tightened. Not now, dude, I gotta get mentally prepped for the radios. He said he respected my opinion that I didn't think I deserved the rating, but how he wouldn't have signed me off if he didn't think I could do it. Unfortunately, this squadron already recognized it. However, it wasn't on the website yet officially and I didn't have the wings printed on my shirt yet. So what we were going to do is take a few more flights (at my expense, but that's okay) to get me ready to my liking and before any potential real missions come up. He said he didn't know why I didn't think I was ready - that he had flown with people who have had their ratings for years and I did much better than any of them. So he told me not to worry and we'd work on it.

Good - one task down. I refocused on the radio room and walked in alone, which momentarily caused me to freeze. One deep breath, and I silently reminded myself that someone was going to sit with me. I wasn't going to be alone. I can do this. I can do this.

Another member arrived. My ears perked up at hearing her say, "Communications". I poked my head out and asked if she was running comm too. She looked more nervous than I did and said she was just here to train, but didn't know about it. I laughed, and told her it was my first night on the radios. What a team, huh? Fortunately, the main guy showed up and sat in the back, ready to jump in if I needed it.

We got out the script and I asked questions before going live. My eyes kept nervously flicking to the clock and the sound of each second ticking by was deafening. Finally, 7:15 - show time.

I hit the button and followed along on the script, silently reminding myself to try to go slow (and not to suck all of the air out of the room). Reading the script was easy. It got more complicated when people would call back in. I turned to the main guy on more than one occasion - "What do I say to that?!?!". LOL I was feverishly writing down what they told me too. After awhile, he said that it may help to have the other woman training to write down everything and I just handle the radios. He said we should switch off too and she shook her head with a firm "NUH-UH!". haha

Now, basically all I'm doing is setting up so other stations can call and check in. Usually we run one of these on our meeting nights and we have to check in to the other two. Well, I hit the lottery and I had to set up 3 check-in sessions! The guy watching me said it was a hard night to be scheduled on, although I thought that having 3 was good practice even if it seemed like a lot. I got more and more comfortable with each session.

At one point, he tells me that I don't need to worry so much about terminology and be so formal all the time; I can also be friendly by saying "hello" or "good evening" too. So I threw a couple of those in. By the time I was doing the 3rd time through, I felt like a radio DJ by adding inflection so it didn't sound like I was just reading and being friendly to everyone else on the channel.

A few stumbles, a few messing up on terminology, but not too bad.

I wrapped up by checking into a repeater, which was pretty easy and that was it - I was done! I was feeling pretty good about everything when the guy (who didn't have to lift a finger during my time on the radios) says to me that I did a really good job! He said that he's never seen anyone do so well on their first time (Thank you to Auntie for showing me the ropes a few weeks ago!)  and how I felt more comfortable as time went on. The other woman training with me said I sounded clear & smooth, spoke neither too fast nor too slow, had good volume, and was articulate. BOO. YAH.

Walking out of the radio room absolutely on Cloud Niner (haha), I couldn't wait to celebrate with everyone. It was quite a big deal for me. I was smiling ear to ear and greeted everyone enthusiastically. Once again though, I was pulled aside from one of the higher ups. Oh no, here we go... are we gonna rehash the Observer thing again? Please don't tell me I'm wrong...

No, he didn't want to talk about that. Apparently someone told him that another member was going after me and telling me he'd put me on a 'no-fly' list. Umm, that's news to me. He was concerned that the other guy was picking on me. I told him that it wasn't the case and the other member had been nothing but nice to me. He looked puzzled, but thanked me for my time and let me go. Seems they have lots of problems with this other member and even though I said everything was cool, they took him aside and basically gave him a "Don't you dare harm a hair on her head or tell her she can't fly or you are gone" speech. I felt a little bad, as nothing like that happened. Although makes me wonder if maybe it was said behind my back? I don't know...  However, it was kind of nice that I had people looking out for me, I guess.

So we went out for drinks after again and it was good to spend time with me. As cool as working on the radios was, it keeps you isolated from everyone else for a little bit.

On the way home, I turned up every dance song I heard and cruised all the way home. Nothing like doing well on something that once made you nervous. I'm still riding my high today and tried explaining my happiness to my co-workers, but they just don't seem to understand it. I can't wait until I go on the radios again!!! <3

Elevation

el·e·va·tion

/ˌɛləˈveɪʃən/ Show Spelled [el-uh-vey-shuhn]   

noun

1. the height to which something is elevated or to which it rises: The elevation of the tower is 80 feet. 

2. the altitude of a place above sea level or ground level.

3. an elevated place, thing, or part; an eminence.

4. loftiness; grandeur or dignity; nobleness: elevation of mind.

5. the act of elevating.

Last week consisted of a CAP meeting, an EAA meeting and a FLIGHT (!!!!), so lots of aviation goodies to update on.

I got all of the sign-offs I needed to become a Mission Observer, however, I still don't think I'm ready to be qualified. First, I may have completed the tasks, but I don't perform them perfectly. The pilot I flew with said you didn't need to and each flight would be a learning experience. Getting my rating was like getting my license - doesn't mean you know everything, but is a license to learn. Still, an Observer is supposed to be in charge of the mission and help the pilot. I'm more of a liability than an asset to the pilot right now. We're going to be a team up there, trying to help someone on the ground who needs help. I won't be much of help to someone on the ground if I don't know my stuff and have to have someone else take away time from trying to help someone on the ground if they have to help me.

Plus, I wanna be happy when I get my rating and feel like I've actually earned it. Perhaps I've internalized Merlin too much inside my head. The pilot on Sunday said I did a fine job and it was just a matter of doing things over and over and over. Merlin would have yelled at me for my performance. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you want to look at it), I was/am much harder on myself than Merlin ever was.

The pilot I flew with knows of Merlin quite well and was surprised to hear that I knew him (and flew with him for about 6 months). I told him he was my former flight instructor. He winced and asked how my experience was. I dodged the question, half-jokingly answering "I take the 5th". He laughed and tried again. More seriously, I said how things may not have worked out for me, but I wasn't going to say anything about it. It was in the past and over with now. I just wanted to keep moving forward and leave that all behind me. It wasn't worth it. He was shocked and said how good it was/how much control I had to be able to do that. lol If only you read my blog... haha. No, I'm done with that. No more negativity in this blog.

After the flight, the pilot got a call from one of the guys on the ground radio. "The person you flew with...", he said. "Who WAS that? She sounded so confident...". That was a pretty nice ego stroke. I did feel more comfortable on the radios this time. Although, what they don't know is that it was my best acting to date. I didn't feel confident. Just tried to act it more. lol Oh well, fake it till ya make it, right?

I got to fly a little bit as well. Having to do my job while flying was a little bit crazy. I've been told trying to do both IS crazy, but you never really know until you are put in that position. Plus, it was from the right seat, so that's disorienting as well. The pilot would switch my display (we were in G1000) from the PFD (primary function display - where all the instruments I need to be looking at are) to the MFD (multi-function display - where all the nav instruments are... which I didn't need at the moment). That would throw me off a bit - airspeed would speed up or slow down and I'd get off course. I need to be looking out the window anyways.

At the EAA meeting, upcoming activities were discussed. Lots of talk about fundraising, which I am more than happy to help out with. Aaaaaaaaaaaaand then came the mention of building a plane together. I nearly blasted off in my chair I was sooooooo happy. I tried to sit still to not look like a total goober. Squeeing, acting like a little kid on Christmas morning and bouncing up from one's seat with a giant WHOOP!!!! are somehow not seen as professional. lol  I understand it, but I wish being excitable wasn't so frowned upon in society.

So the President mentions how he wants us to think of "wives activities" to have at the plane building sessions because "no woman wants to help build a plane or watch you build one". That comment was met with an intense glare. I'm sure he felt the heat from it because he looks over, laughs guiltily and says "Oops, sorry, except maybe you". I suggested that perhaps we try to get the wives involved. They may not be interested, but if you isolate them, then they definitely won't be interested. Show them what you are doing, put a wrench in their hand, or do something to get them involved if even for only a few minutes. Even if they aren't interested, they will appreciate being involved. Plus, who knows, you may awaken a love for aviation in someone who never knew they had it. If you only reach one, then you would have done your job.

The President also mentioned fly-in days and Eagle flights, where they take adults up for a flight who have never flown in a small aircraft before. I already talked with another group I'm apart of - The Geek Girls - about coming out for it. We're a group of females who love geeky things - science, museums, comics, etc. Collectively, they seem very excited about it. I'm excited too! I can volunteer that day and make sure all of my friends get to experience the magic of flight.

Last CAP meeting was on the G1000. Lots of good information, although mostly geared towards the pilots. Just think - when I'm a pilot, look at all the free resources available to me and I'll actually understand it all!!! I understood most of this presentation... but the presenter lost me towards the end. I feverishly wrote all of the terms I didn't understand to look up later. Once again, the only student pilot in the room... and the only one taking notes. haha  Guess I should be used to that by now.

Next week... or rather, this week... GAH!!! Tomorrow!!!!, I'll be on the radios. It's okay - I felt very lucky to have sat with someone who could show me the ropes a few weeks ago. Glad I did it when I did because I got sick after that and missed that week's meeting. I think this is actually good -- the way to become more in-charge in the airplane is to increase my confidence and I increase my confidence by doing things that I'm not comfortable doing. Besides, I rocked the communications in the plane on Sunday. It'll be okay, I can do this. I'll have a script in front of me this time. ;)

Born to Shimmer, Born to Shine

I think the best moment is whenever everything finally comes together, especially after challenging times. It's like seeing the clouds finally break after weeks of torrential downpour and not being able to do anything but smile from ear-to-ear when a rainbow appears.

All the tears. All the frustrations. I wouldn't have gotten to this point if I hadn't gone through them. And ever last one of them makes this all worth it. I'd go through them again if I had known that this was the end result of all of that.

...now I just gotta remember that when the tears and frustrations come again. THAT'S the tough part.

I showed up to the CAP meeting early last night. My plan was to catch Auntie (the woman who acts like an Aunt of mine, and has basically adopted me already) as she came in and to see if I could sit with her as she did the radios. I'm running them at the end of the month, so I figured I need to sit in with people before it's my turn. She was more than delighted to help me. I even got to use it a bit. It seems intimidating, but it's really not - just basically reading off a script. I forgot "copy" at one point and the guy I was talking to laughed at me because I said it like a minute later. haha Oh well, it's a learning experience, like she said.

Afterwards, the guys picked on us for having our own private "Girls' club". A few of the guys came up to me to congratulate me about doing so well at the last SAREX. I still have no idea what they are talking about. Seems Buzz was bragging on me a little, maybe even the Commander too. One of my buddies ribbed on me (good-natured, of course) about messing up on the radios, because he overheard it in the other plane. We went out for drinks afterwards and he mentioned some trainee calling messing up on the radios with a direct look in my direction, followed by a wink. Then he asked me what we call an ELT during a training mission. "Practice beacon", I said with a mock sigh.

Then I talked with the person in charge of safety - seems I need to make a presentation in the near future. Just 5 minutes or so for the first one. I asked him if we had a fire/tornado drill set up and if so, have they practiced it in awhile? Yes, they have one; no, they haven't practiced it.

Next, I talked with the guy who was saying he wanted to fly with me. I emailed him the remaining sign-offs I needed to get my Mission Observer rating. He's going to work with me to get those done. Something clicked when I was up in the air this last weekend - something I haven't felt in a long time. I need to get back up in the air as soon as possible. I've started craving it again.

Another thing all of this has taught me is to try to be more supportive and encouraging of other people. People flourish more in a positive environment. Why not try to help to bring them up, rather than bring them down? I mean, don't coddle them or be fake about it. We just never know how being someone's cheerleader could help them shine.

In other news, training hard for the Spartan 5k and a race this Saturday and prepping/picking a date for my practice MAT. So lots going on, a lot to prepare for and lots of fun to be had! :)

CAP and Another SAREX

Finally back in the air again today - the first time this year and since the last SAREX.

Never really know how much you miss it until you get into the air again. It's cliche, but it really does feel like coming home. It's almost like I'm sleepwalking on the ground and don't wake up until I'm in the air again. Riding on the back of the wind is just such a spiritual experience. I'm in this man-made machine, yet somehow I feel closer to the elements of the Earth.

Only one possible sign-off today. They didn't need the other tasks that I needed, so no chance to get them crossed off. I'm disappointed, sure... but at least I know it's because of that and not because I didn't know how to do them. I still learned a lot and still had fun, so that's all that should matter. Got a lot of fanfare today, too, so you know I'm happy about that... ;)

Our pilot send out emails earlier in the week, detailing everything he expected of me and it made me very nervous about today's flights. I'd tried psyching myself up with epic-sounding music and a couple of friends gave me some much needed words of encouragement.

The pilot got sick and was changed out last minute. I knew the new pilot more than the previous one. I'm actually assigned to work with him at the squadron. He didn't seem to remember me though. From the start, he started showing me stuff and asked what I knew/ didn't know. Our communication was good and after we set boundaries a little (as you don't want to step on the pilot's toes in the cockpit), we worked pretty well together. Once we got to the training mission base, our task was to just hang out until it was time to go home. So we got to talk a lot too. He works with brains and stuff during his day job - when he told me this, I gasped like a little kid and excitedly said: "Wow, that's soooooooo cool!!! Do you get to dissect them and everything?!?!". He didn't, but looked appreciative (or at the very least, amused) of my enthusiasm. We became basically inseparable all day. He showed me how to fill out forms, taught me a few things and put up with all of my questions

There were other members of our squadron there too. Saw the Commander, who said he was happy I was there. Then later, after our mission, someone came up to me and said they heard me on the radio. He said I sounded really good, but just needed to increase my volume a little. That sort of thing can be hard to hear in the plane - you may sound alright to the people in your own plane, however, sound different to people on the ground/in other planes. I thanked him and said I'd keep volume in mind. Then the Commander over heard him telling me I was a good Mission Observer and said "Of course she's good, she's from our squadron, isn't she? All of our people are".

I was so happy after the flight! I walked around their building and greeted everyone with an enthusiastic "Good Morning!" and every familiar person I encountered from my squadron or from a previous SAREX, I greeted like I hadn't seen them in ages. I was the only female (except for the woman who cooked us hamburgers & hot dogs for lunch), so I guess I kinda stood out (what else is new?).

Buzz (the new pilot friend that I flew with) and I were talking and this guy comes up to me that I've never seen before. He shakes my hand and says, "I wanted just to say hello to you. Are you the famous one they talk about?".

Blink.

Excuse me, what? Famous??? I get this a lot at SAREXs...and even sometimes at airshows. I told him I hoped I was famous for something good. He didn't answer. I told my Mom how much this reaction puzzles me. Don't get me wrong - I love it, but I don't understand it sometimes. I told her I thought it was because I stand out because I'm young and female. I don't know. Honestly, after he said that, my brain raced through all the mistakes I made, wondering if he might be referring to one of those. Sometimes I wonder if they may be humoring me. I really don't know why they act that way towards me.

Speaking of mistakes, I made a few on the radio. I need to work on my terminology. Called something I shouldn't have - blah. In spite of the mistakes, everyone kept telling me how good I was. It creates kind of a cognitive dissonance for me because I don't equate good with making lots of mistakes.

But overall it was a good day. There's another SAREX in a few weeks; maybe I'll try again then.

I got home absolutely exhausted because I started the day at 0530. Curled up for a nap and dreamed about airplanes. I thought about my day and how everyone behaved towards me. I started to worry a little, as we all know what happened with the last person who took interest in me. I just don't want something like that happening again. I thought it through and the last time, I had alarm bells going off in my head that I ignored. There are no alarm bells now. My intuition serves me well and will let me know if something seems amiss... I just need to let it do its job and I need to do mine: fly.

Last CAP meeting went well also. We had a guy come in from the FAA and talk about safety. I introduced myself to the hottie I saw the other week - he's Russian. Another one of my buddies was talking about how he got a new state-of-the-art sim system on his computer (pedals, joystick, etc) and was throwing out his old one. He looks over at me and said he should really give it to someone who would appreciate it, then asked me if I wanted it! Omg... did I want it?!?! I've slowly been turning my living room into an airplane hanger and have dreams about getting a house, just so I can build a life-sized F-18 sim in my garage (and build an RV in the basement...) - did I want it?!?! He's bringing it for me next week. Haha- they'll need to set up a noise complaint line for all the ruckus I'll be making, pretending my computer is an airplane.

Afterwards, we all went for drinks like always. The woman who reminds me of my Aunt stayed by my side... and the FAA dude plopped himself in front of me. I knew of him beforehand and he attends meetings regularly. I know he knows of me too, but he made no indication that he recognized me. We all started talking politics and it was good to find like-minded people... but then he took an odd turn and started speaking badly about certain races. sexual orientations, etc. It just reminded me that there's no one on this planet that we agree 100% of the time with.

I can't wait for next Tuesday! I really love this squadron and most of the people I've met. I can't believe one little thing like aviation can create such strong bonds so quickly. This squadron really does overall embody the Spirit of Oshkosh.

... I need to fly more...