In honor of all our flying adventures last year (see MY POST), camping under the wing was definitely in order while Ryan was visiting. Off we went to Mad River Airport, Ryan in the Luscombe and I in the Champ with John (still have yet to solo)...
Starfighter washing day.
John hadn't washed the starfighter in five years?! Well, it was one of those surprisingly warm Ohio November weekends...
An oil change is first on the list, so what better reason to fly to the Plaza in Mt. Victory for breakfast than to warm up the engine. Did I mention they have the BEST homefries? AND they let me take home the mug!
Back at the hangar, we finish the day in piles of grease-covered paper towels. There has to be a better way of doing this. But the oil is out and the starfighter's belly is sparkly clean! Never mind that the flesh is peeling off my hands from the industrial strength de-greaser. Hmm, should I have worn gloves? Oh well.
Day two starts with a flying lesson, so what better reason to fly to the Airport Cafe for breakfast than to practice a landing? Hot cocoa was the first order of business.
I'd had it with squirt bottles and paper towels. I thought a good old-fashioned bucket of suds would be a better idea (and more fun). So, finally, off to the hose! It's a long way from the hangar.
Hmmm... guess who's doing all the work while the boys in hats stand around gabbing?
Just kidding. The inimitable John Popio appeared on his motorcycle to lend a hand and things went much faster. We even inspired Lee to wash his Cessna! I am looking forward to spring, when we can do this all over again (with more hose fights).
Portraits of my favorite plane.
One of those end-of-summer days with perfectly glowing light. Sometimes (well, all of the time, really) the Starfighter feels less like a machine and more like a living thing.
