Finding balance between restoration, flying, and life
Sis, our Bonanza, has been standing by while other projects pulled us in different directions.
A kiss on her spinner and a quiet hello in passing were my way of keeping her close, even when time didn’t allow for flying.
My earliest memories of Sis are tied to the safety I felt in her back seat, cradled by the hum of her Continental engine. That sound takes me back to a time before it was just the two of us in the sky, when flying meant being carried rather than commanding.
Resetting with the Seasons
The cooler summer days mean open hangar doors, conversations with airport friends, and the chance to catch up on projects.
Over morning coffee, the restorer and I have been outlining a plan for a deeper flying restoration — something more thorough than Sis’s annual.
It’s about making the best use of our resources, focusing on projects that matter most.
One of the young volunteers at the shop recently shared advice he’d been given: focus your efforts where you’ll see the greatest return.
Work smarter, not harder.
With summer’s unofficial end, that wisdom feels like a reset—a chance to re-engage in the work that matters.
Projects in Motion
Mama’s Chief is progressing at the welder’s shop and will return to our hangar before long.
In the meantime, flying season is here, and we need to embrace it.
The Cub is perfect for savoring the day—those low and slow flights that keep us sharp and joyful.
Before Mama’s Chief is ready to fly, my own tailwheel game needs to be stepped up. More time flying, taxiing, and staying ahead of the airplane.
Sis, on the other hand, demands a different kind of attention. Her sleek design doesn’t like to slow down, and every flight requires careful planning.
As an early Bonanza, she carries the limitations of a 100-mph gear and flap speed. Managing energy, bleeding off speed before the pattern—it’s all part of the process.
Lately, I find my mind going back to those procedures, wondering if it’s Sis calling me to fly more often.
Balancing Resources
Being intentional with resources—time, energy, finances—is something all of us face.
Airplanes need fuel.
People need purpose and rest.
Spend too much of either, and replenishment is required.
Otherwise, it leads to burnout.
But with balance, we can do more than we think.
By shaping our environment for success, encouraging what brings joy, and pruning back what doesn’t, we make space to keep moving toward our dreams.
Before I even knew what dreams were, Sis was my north star. She was here before I was born, already a part of the path I didn’t yet know I would walk.
A complex machine, yes—but also a compass, pointing me toward a life of aviation.
Day by Day
For the restorer and me, it’s a balancing act. Some days we win. Other days, we take a breath and regroup.
Right now, the cooler evenings are calling for the slow cooker to come back out and for us to focus on the small actions that let us live—not just exist—while keeping space for our projects.
The other evening, after closing Sis’s hangar door, I heard a radial engine approaching.
Too much energy for landing, but enough to get my attention. From the glow of the setting sun, a New Standard flew by in a wave of sound and motion.
Life is better at the airport.
Related Posts You Might Enjoy
First Chief Flight Reflection – experiencing the Chief for the first time and lessons learned
Mama’s Chief Alignment – progress updates on Mama’s Chief at the welder
Returning from Oshkosh – reflections on the reset after AirVenture
Mount Victory and Milestones – early flights in Sis and the Cub, and airport memories
IA Renewal and Symposium – learning more about aircraft care and long-term preservation