While I'm busy getting into my new job, I wanted to share a photo of a Stearman I made in the sand while on vacation in Hawaii (as you can see, it's not to scale). Time ran short as I built it too close to the quickly rising tide. One thing I learned is that building a biplane in the sand is tricky. Another thing I learned is that building a prop in the sand is darn near impossible.
Brian built something a little more permanent with graffiti, Hawaii style. He spelled out STEARMAN with coral on a lava rock cliff.
Yes, we admit it. We are hopeless stearmaholics. Any 12 steps to offer?

Last night brought weather perfect for flying and perfect for my first Stearman flight of 2010. Brian came up with me, and I added another hour to my pilot log. My take-offs were downright scary and my landings were even worse. But since Brian offered to go up with me again so I guess I didn't scare him too much.

It sounds like I missed some beautiful weather and great flying this weekend. But I'm not complaining. Really! I attended my first writer's conference this weekend and learned plenty of great things... and piqued the interest of an agent to boot. Woo hoo!
But anyway, this is an aviation blog, so I need to get my head back in the clouds... On Saturday, Brian, Dan Soko and Craig Sommerfeld got together to do a few fly-overs for a new assisted living home and land in Madrid donated by a retired Navy vet. Kudos to his big spirit! Michael Vogt from the Camp Dodge Museum rode with Brian in the Texan, and Dan caught his first ride in Craig's sexy new T-34. After some fly-overs with the Navy trainers, they enjoyed the Boone Hangar Dance. It was a full day of aviation activities.

I must admit something. I, Rachel Aukes, have been doing a horrible job at keeping this site updated. I vow to post more regularly. Of course, those posts may not contain much else besides an aviatrix's ramblings. :)

What's going on this weekend? I'm heading out of town, but Brian plans to spend most of the weekend flying, including a Navy veterans fly-over at Madrid on Saturday. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a weekend of blue skies and tailwinds for you all.

Brian and I have returned from a wonderful week in Hawaii. While I'm wiped from the long flight back, I wanted to leave a little something to whet your appetites from our island adventures...
This photo is from our flight to Hawaii, where another Boeing 757 decided to join up for a formation flight. The two planes flew in formation for some time and even did two crossovers with each other. I have never, ever in my wildest dreams imagined I'd see two large jets do formation maneuvers, but it was pretty darn cool!