Return to the Air
| Date | Aircraft | Route of Flight | Time (hrs) | Total (hrs) |
| 10 Jan 2025 | N21481 | SDC (Sodus, NY) - FZY (Fulton, NY) - B16 (Weedsport, NY) - 0G7 (Seneca Falls, NY) - SDC | 1.5 | 2946.7 |
BRRRRP-BRRRRP-BRRRRP-BRRRRP-BRRRRP-BRRRRP
Warrior 481's boost pump ran longer than usual to pressurize the fuel system, a wordless critique on how little flying has happened in recent weeks. It seemed awfully passive aggressive for an assemblage of metal components, but the appearance of personality goes toward explaining why pilots so often anthropomorphize their aircraft.
Eventually, the pump slowed and ran more quietly, drawing my eye back to a fuel pressure gauge now indicating that the system was finally pressurized. After a few priming shots, I engaged the starter and the preheated engine caught within a couple of blades to purr smoothly at idle.
I had three objectives for my time off during the recent holidays.
1. Get out and hike in the woods.
2. Fly.
3. Complete a volunteer writing project that I had undertaken for the betterment of my profession.
Unfortunately, I was sick and couch bound for the entire break, which meant that #1 and #2 did not happen. I completed the writing assignment, but that was mostly because I had a deadline to meet. At least my brain started working again after I weaned myself from the cough medicine.
Warrior 481 climbed rapidly in the smooth, 25 °F air. I turned toward the lakeshore and departed eastbound. A narrow cloud band cut across my path at 3,000 feet, crossing over an ice-choked Sodus Bay and a Lake Ontario shoreline accumulating fractured ice floes driven there by the wind.
I flew first to the Oswego County Airport (Fuzzy) and set up for a landing on runway 33. Roughly 15 feet above the surface, I heard Damian DelGaizo's voice in my head. "Break the glide." I smoothly pulled Warrior 481 into a level pitch.
Sinking lower, I heard his voice again. "Keep it flying...keep it flying...all the way back." The airplane did not merely settle to the ground, but literally rolled her wheels on in what was my most gratifying landing in a while. Concentrating on the moment of reuniting with the Earth, I felt my mind clearing of clutter and stress from work.
Torn between wanting to enjoy cruise flight versus practicing additional landings, I chose to land at a few other local fields while cruising between airports as the smoothly humming Lycoming pulled me through the air.
When I finally settled the Warrior back into the hangar after sunset, I was satisfied that I had enjoyed some Zen time and meaningfully exercised both myself and the airplane.
Return to the Woods
THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP
I toiled up a snow covered slope as my heart beat harder than normal, my body's wordless critique on the lack of physical activity while sick. But as I hiked through the winter landscape, my heart rate began to slow, my breathing returned to normal, and my circulatory system pumped warmth into my ears and finger tips.
I am fortunate to be surrounded by some excellent parks within a few miles of home that feature hiking trails varying from flat to reasonably hilly to arduously hilly. In addition to the sky, these are Zen spaces for me as well.
I chose a mildly hilly tail, my feet eventually finding an old, comfortable rhythm. I slid a few times on hard packed snow, but never fell. It is startling how quickly stamina is lost after relative short bouts of inactivity.
Resolutions
After time in both woods and sky, I felt much more like myself again. It was a reminder that I need to make -- and protect -- time for these kinds of activities. While time spent in the air benefits the airplane by circulating oil and fending off corrosion, time hiking benefits my physical well-being. Perhaps most importantly, both activities are important self-care for the mind and become even more important when life is hectic or stressful.
Best wishes to everyone for a happy, productive, and healthy new year!
