Gift of Growth

Life has a funny way of unfolding, especially when we least expect it. In the past year, my journey with Sis, the 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza I have grown up with, has been a transformative experience. This period of growth, both for the plane and for myself, has opened my eyes to new skills and tools that extend beyond the realm of traditional knowledge.

This time last year, we had just begun to puzzle through Sis’s needs beginning with elimination of tail movement. I didn’t know how she would fly again, only that she would, and I would be a part of that.  

Focusing on Sis and her transformation, I am thankful for how much the process has allowed me to expand my horizons along the way.   Here are some of the gifts this experience has given me:

Preparing for Sis

As a child, I would wake up from naps in the back of Sis to the sounds of radio chatter. I knew I wanted to be involved in flying and aviation because of her. 

What started as expanding my knowledge base from my former professional life with manuals and procedures, this time from a maintenance standpoint has become more.

I understood the principles of flight but not the nuts and bolts of how the airplane worked.  Some parts under the cowling I could name, but most were a mystery.  Being a part of the process has allowed me to understand how Sis flies, and it’s more than magic.

Showing up for myself by publishing a piece each week here has given me a needed focus.  Documenting what we have found and done was a logical place to begin.  

Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

While what I am experiencing and sharing is nothing new to others, this is stepping outside my comfort zone, albeit with guidance.   

The restorers patience combined with his experience have been a breath of fresh air.  While it feels like I am not enough assistance for him on some days, most of the time a second set of hands and a reminder to take a break every so often prove to make a difference.

The Marathon of Progress

Most days, we spend at Sis’ hangar steadily knocking items off the restorer’s punch list.  As winter weather approaches, our goal is to relocate her to the restorer’s hangar, where she will undergo more care over time while flying when weather allows.

Yes, there are days that end in frustration with the realization that winter is coming and she is not yet flying.  Flight will happen when it’s meant to – progress is being made, though not always as quickly as we would like.

It’s become a routine reminder that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Falling back on my marathon training, breaks are scheduled every hour to have a snack or something hot to drink (our new gallon-insulated jug has been a great find for these cold days).  The moments of taking a deep breath allow for better focus afterward, which can lead to more progress overall.  

Flight only happens after parts are working correctly.  Everything, including the flight crew, has to be on point.  

Finding Joy in Small Moments

The holiday season has given us both moments to take a break with holiday parties at the restoration shop and the plant-based barnstormers.  Even the low cloud deck enhancing the holiday lights at Carillon Park brings a smile. 

A chance conversation with one of our airplane nieces about her recent encounter soaring with two bald eagles during a lesson reminded me to embrace the wonder a little more – life will happen regardless of how you look at it – the small moments like her flight truly are what makes life worthwhile.  

Preparing for Flight

Evenings after working on Sis have been a mixture of looking up guidance from sources like Beechtalk and CSOBeech and asking now what?!

Aside from refamiliarizing myself with Foreflight, we are taking the time to review and remind ourselves of procedures.  

We both love checklists, and in this case, there are several to review:  the Pilots Operating Handbook, the checklist my mom had typed up for everyday use, and the checklist I had previously created with my old chief pilot to include the fuel injection and panel upgrade.  We are looking closely at the engine break-in procedure from the manufacturer and power settings (75% power)  for the engine as we prepare for the engine break-in flight.   

I am also reminding myself of critical circuit breaker locations, like the gear and autopilot (if an aircraft is equipped with electric trim, I also make a point to memorize that location), and thinking through scenarios before engine checks begin. 

Tools for Effective Communication and Organization

Becoming more comfortable with Google Docs and Calendar on my phone has allowed for more focused notes while we are working steadily on Sis. I can focus on specific items we are working on during overlapping work blocks by using separate notes taken at time and then expounded upon when able to write more freely.  

Some others in my writing cohort use apps like Notion and Trello to organize their thoughts and research.  I like their results but have yet to understand how it can work for me.  

Embracing Technological Advances

My default note-taking app on the go has been the notes app on my phone. While that works well for a grocery list, it has outlived its usefulness for writing.

The ability to start on one device and transfer to another has been a breath of fresh air.  While this is likely old hat for some, this has been mind-blowing for someone who is used to using Word on a computer.

Learning how to update WordPress from other devices has been useful while working remotely. 

These feel like extensions of our combined effort to have all manuals on hand electronically as there will be times a quick reference can mitigate possible issues.

The confidence I’m re-finding in my abilities has allowed me to think more about how to communicate more effectively while at remote sites.  While both the restorer and I have backup copies of manuals available on our devices, I am only now taking other areas to that same level.  

The Gift of Change

As the story of Sis continues to unfold, I invite you to join me in cherishing the process of growth, both in aviation and in life. May we all find joy in the journey and appreciate the transformative power that each day brings. After all, life is not just about reaching destinations; it’s about embracing the flight, the growth, and the ever-unfolding chapters that make our stories uniquely ours.

What challenge has brought growth to your life? I would love to hear about your journey.