Support on the home front

Eric,

Sounds like you found the right wife. Keep her!

I had a similar moment when I told my wife that I wanted to build a plane. Her reply was: "I'm not giving up my garage . . . we'll have to build you a workshop first!"

I've heard lots of horror stories about AIDS (aircraft-induced divorce syndrome). I'm glad to hear about your supportive homefront.

Anybody else here have a story to tell?

Hangar currently under construction.

You betcha.

When I owned a 172, my wife would fly with me regularly. She figured that even a 100mile/100 $ hamburger run was better than sitting around the house. 

One day, as we're driving out to the hangar, she says, "How come some of those hangars have 2nd-story windows and balconies on them?"  I tell her how some people live in their hangars.  After a few secs, she thoughtfully says, "Why don't we sell *our* house and buy one of those?"  What a keeper.

Then there was the time when, turning crosswind, the engine decides to take a vacation. At least, that was the first 0.10 sec worth of thought (turns out was a stuck valve). Even after that (my first engine issue), she continued to fly with me. She *did* make sure that I test-flew it a few times after it was fixed, though.

Lastly, when we decided to build our Sonex, we went to the builders workshop in Oshkosh on Super Bowl weekend (as in, February). As we're driving on the snow-packed streets back to our hotel after the first day, she turns to me and says, "How about if I go with you this year?" Exact quote. I knew, however, that she meant AirVenture. After recovering from a sideways slide induced by my head snapping around to look at her to see who was sitting next to me, and what did they do with my wife, she mentioned how during the workshop she had been chatting it up with the other women who were not the primary builders, and they each gave stories about how they passed the time when the men were drooling on airplanes.

So she went with me. After the first day, she made me extend our dorm reservations for the following year. Her dad worked for Braniff in '40-'41, so her entire life was spent listening to stories about the DC-3. She was in hog-heaven at AirVenture. 2011 will be her 4th year, and we now go for 9 days. I'm out the door at 7:30 for forums, etc.; she sleeps in late, takes her time, and hits up the museum, warbirds, and antique aircraft. She's flown on the Tri-Motor by herself as well as the chopper tour. Sometimes, I don't see her all day until we meet at the bus park to head back to the dorms.

I'm blessed.  Oh, BTW; #1 son is an air traffic controller, and #2 son is a CFI/I.  It's really great when we all get together and she can converse with the men-folk, completely understanding the aviation discussions.

 Hey Eric!  Does she have a sister?  You are a lucky guy.  Whatcha building next?

   The big pile of tubes is for a Sherwood Ranger .

My project. 

My FIRST wife never flew with me--I did get her to sit in the right seat while I taxied around the ramp once.  My second & current wife has been co-pilot for at least three "medium" emergencies.  One partial flameout--stuck valve on takeoff in the mountains--Raton new mexico.  One alternator failure VFR but scud-running.  And the one she gets most of the credit for.

There we were no xxxx, we got an alledged Center frequency from FSS when we filed IFR on the phone.  After we launched, instant soup and nobody home on the frequency.  We found out later there were problems with the frequency chart that Center gave FSS.  Wife looks up likely frequencies from the enroute chart and puts them in the radio.  I call, no answer.  Finally we get Peoria Approach, they give us a squawk and tell us the correct frequency for Center where WE are.  I looked at Comm-2; she had already put THAT frequency in--it was the next logical one from the chart.  Called center and picked up my clearance.

Significant Other == Second Officer.

   2 conversations that ACTUALLY happened in the Last week .

        Wonderful Wife asks me if I want her to move her things off the Dining Room Table .....  I reply  , " No Dear I think I can do what I need to with 90 % of the table " My Rib Jig has taken  been there for about  2 months .

      On my announcement that the Rib Jig is finally completed , she said .. " But I didn't get to help  !" ..I found something ELSE that NEEDED done to it .. she put the FINAL screw in .

Maybe I cheated a lil ...I took her Flying on our First Date ..over 27 Years ago ! .... she still  likes to go flying .... our 2 daughters want to take Flying Lessons .....we have been to ALOT of Airshows and Airventure...  Family Time has included stopping small at airports while traveling....   

I'm LUCKY .....  Just  HAD to Brag on Her !!!  

Thanx  Deb !!!