No Airplane to Fly . . . .

I realized last weekend that, for the first time in six years, I couldn't just decide to go flying. Someone asked me if I could fly down to meet them at Boeing field and I had to say no, no plane, no can do. It was a strange sensation to not have something with wings at my disposal. Of course, I always said my planes were "working girls" (sort of making me the airport Madam, I guess) so they weren't always truly available at my leisure.

In the downtime, I am open to pity flights. I'm flying with some friends down to the conference this Saturday, and would love to share a flight with anyone else who occasionally has an extra seat.

I hope someday soon I'll own my very own aircraft. So, I have to start thinking about what I would get - what should it be?


If anyone has suggestions, I want to hear them!

Article about OOTBA

Here is an article about OOTBA you might enjoy. The guy did a nice job (making me sound so much better than perhaps is perfectly accurate . . . .)
Herald Article

Framing-Quality Memories!

Everybody signed my shirt the night of the Grand Finale Party (fortunately I had another one to wear!). If you didn't make it to the party, come by to sign it Tuesday or Wednesday of this week - we have a few more days before we vacate.


Coming soon, an excerpt from my book????

What a great Grand Goodbye Party we had Saturday night. There was good food, plenty of beer, and lots of pilot friends to celebrate the end of an era.

Several of us ended the evening sitting around playing guitar and singing and swapping more tall tales.

It has been a fun run! See you around, on the ground or in the air!

How Many Pilots does it Take to Replace a Battery?

Yesterday, the purchasers of N734SE had completed their inspections. The paperwork was done and the asking price had been paid. The two pilots went to start the engine for their long trip home to California, but the battery was dead, dead, dead. Wouldn't hold a charge. I started calling around to find a replacement. Paul N was out. I ran over to Abbatare - Jackson searched around - No luck. Craig ran over to Jerry's hangar to see if he could find one. Took a discarded battery back to the Navy hangar to see if it would hold a charge - No Good! I called the purchaser of N1151M and asked them to bring one up from KPLU, but they wouldn't be here for hours. Called Bill J. He said I could go scrounge around Terry B's hangar to see what I could find. I called Mike T. He headed to his hangar to remove the battery from his 172. Brought it over, charged it for a while - No Go! The three pilots from KPLU arrived with the battery - dry with no acid! So I start calling all over for acid. Can't find enough, so Bob heads out to see if he can buy some. Neal K calls back with the news that he has a used G25 battery that might work for us. Ron M and Keith rush it over and watch Klaus put it in.

So, counting the two pilots who unknowingly had their hangars searched, it apparently takes 17 pilots to change a battery.

To all the great people here who always were willing to help me when I needed it, a Huge Thank You!!! It truly does take an airport to raise a flight school.

I've spent all week packing up/selling out/saying goodbye to Out of the Blue. Although it is bittersweet to close the doors of this business I have loved so much for the last six years, it is also very exciting to be moving on to new adventures.

I have received dozens of emails, phone calls, and visits from people telling me what a great place OOTBA had been for them and how we had impacted their lives in one way or another. I give the credit to all the fantastic people who worked with me for so many years, helping me through my ignorance and occasional naivete. My heart is full with the affection of so many dear friends - customers, employees, fellow pilots.

Many have asked what I plan to do next. I have several different exciting possibilities. I will let you know about them, as I know them.

If you have not signed on to "follow" this blog, please do so so that we can stay "in touch."

Fondly, Cathy