Waiting for days had become a game of sorts. Getting little things done while waiting for the weather to improve into an area we were comfortable with operating Sis in for her first flight since maintenance on her cylinders and tail.
Sis is a 1947 Beechcraft Bonanza model 35 that has been in my life since I can remember; for all intents and purposes, she is my big sister.
The aviation forecast (TAF) yesterday looked like another day of yuck but a note in the forecast discussion saying low confidence on the timing of ceilings brought hope.
Finally waking up to sunshine, it was apparent that this was the day for her freedom flight.
The ceilings would return later in the day, but our window is right before us. Cold, but it’s a window.
Satisfied with the weather, we packed our iPad and headsets and headed to Moraine (I73).
Arriving at Sis’s hangar, the restorer and I do a thorough preflight. Another quart of oil is added, which is to be expected.
Everything is looking good.
The restorer puts the adapter into the cowling and rests the top cowl over it then starts the heater.
20 – 30 minutes should do it.
The restorer will start off in the left seat this time, as he wants to be at the brakes for the higher power run and to condition the brake pads.
After we are satisfied with the run, we will shut down and refuel before departing.
Looking at the weather again while everything is warming up, the possibility of ceilings coming down sooner rather than later begins to enter our conversation. If so, we will get as much in as possible before landing at New Carlisle.
The restorer was happy with the temperature of the engine compartment, so he shut off the heater, and we opened up the hangar.
Sis is pulled out and pointed towards the taxiway for startup. The restorer gets in the left seat, and I follow, finding my way into her right seat. We close the door.
The restorer bumps the starter a couple of times before Sis starts. Oil temperatures are looking better than earlier runs thanks to the preheating. Oil pressure is not as high and is staying close to normal areas.
The restorer taxis toward the runway and applies the brakes several times to ensure they are gripping appropriately and to condition them.
He then conducts the high RPM engine test. This is close to what the engine will produce under takeoff power. He’s happy with everything and motions to the fuel pumps.
After shutting down the engine, we refuel topping off both main tanks.
While we were fueling, an airport friend stopped by to say hello asking if we would be flying today which I was excited to say yes we were. He said he had some time before his next appointment and would stick around to watch us take off.
We got in and closed the door. It didn’t seem real that we would be flying, but it felt right to be there and ready to go. Oh well, let’s get on with it. I was in the left seat and the restorer in the right.
Sis didn’t want to start as she had just been running but got her started using a hot start procedure and headed to the end of the runway.
Radio chatter indicated traffic would arrive shortly; a student would arrive into the pattern and a Careflight helicopter would be inbound to their maintenance facility. Happy radio sounds indeed.
After the runup, we held short of the runway for the student to land and depart the runway then took position for takeoff.
Applying full power, Sis started her roll down the runway as if nothing had happened. Pulling back slightly on the control yoke, Sis flew off the runway when she was ready.
Like before, the restorer monitored the engine instruments and I would concentrate on airspeeds and flying the airplane.
The first engine reduction after takeoff was usually when any issues would appear. Departing to the west of Moraine, we were lucky enough to have open fields below us in case of any issues.
First power reduction after takeoff power occurs before leaving the airport environment.
Everything was looking good so the restorer reduced to a high cruise setting, I turned on course towards our first checkpoint, Middletown (MWO).
Cylinder head temperatures were not getting as high as the restorer wanted because of the outside temperatures. I was hesitant to put on cabin heat as I was concerned with taking heat away from the engine.
So even though at altitude we were close to freezing, we kept on with the flight without heat.
Time both sped up and slowed down over the course of the flight.
We flew to a family friend’s home by Wilmington (I66) and then to the plant-based barnstormer and Finfinella’s home.
Not long after passing over their place, we received a text asking if we were flying over. I responded positively to which the plant-based barnstormer responded we sounded amazing.
Looking off to the northwest, ceilings were indeed beginning to drop, and visibility was also coming down. Though we were looking forward to heading to Urbana, that would have to wait for another day.
We changed course for New Carlisle. The restorer helped me find landmarks in this area that were still new to me while we both got comfortable with the view from Sis.
Coming into the vicinity of the airport, we slowed Sis down and lined her up to land. The sight picture was completely different from flying the Cub but still manageable. Why was I worried?
Landing just after the beginning of the runway, held back pressure on the nose to bleed off airspeed, she slowed down without issue with plenty of runway remaining.
Taxiing up to the fuel pumps at New Carlisle, I’m certain Sis was smiling.
After refueling, the restorer taxiied Sis to her new home in his hangar. Pushing her into the hangar, I felt more relaxed with the environment than where she had been before.
As we closed the hangar door, rain began to fall.
Tucked in, safe and sound.
It has been two years, nine months, and twenty-three days since her last flight. As the hiatus goes, it wasn’t that long- just long enough to change priorities and perspective.