1/8/25

Well, here we are heading into a new year, and we should hear the roar of a Pratt & Whitney 985 rattling off the hangar walls here at Livermore Airport. Here’s some updates, and a few other things…!

It seems that the radio gremlins have taken up residence in Annie, and I’m getting to the point of getting a Witch Doctor to come over and chase out the evil spirits. Those out there that deal with “electrical stuff” I’m sure will understand. We have new avionics coming, and there’s hope that’ll solve the problems, but still, I’m keeping “The Doc” on call.

I REALLY hope it doesn’t come to this.

Our “Stick Actuators” have been busy getting updated on their BT flying skills, and practicing all that fancy pilot stuff, like strutting around telling everyone, “yea, I fly that…well, there I was”......then the stories come out. These are the necessary skills needed by any pilot that flies warbirds…in fact, it’s in the checklist upon exiting the aircraft after landing…REALLY, I’m not kidding!

Sr. Stick Actuator Alex with MASTER Stick Actuator Daniel Wotring before a training flight.

Since the very first flight, there’s always been that different thought process between pilots and the people that fix airplanes that has made the fun of flying so much of an adventure. The people see the dashing pilot (Top Gun comes to mind) as the hero that flashes through the sky, gets the girl, and lives happily ever after! I have ZERO problems with any of my “Stick Actuators”, in fact, I think they’re the greatest ! We need to educate the public that it takes a dedicated ground crew (in our case, 3 and a half of us) to maintain an airplane of this type, and hundreds to make planes like airliners safe to fly. Maybe National Airplane Mechanics Day….got a good ring to it, eh?

With the other Stick Actuators getting currency training, Taurus helped out with more engine runs.

OK, ‘nuff of that. Have a great New Year out there, and keep the pointy part with the spinny thing forward, unless you’re in a helicopter, and if you are, well, good luck.

Cheers The Great G & Asst. Crew Chief Leo