Flight Planning

I like aviation charts—they suggest a voyage that is exciting and a little dangerous. Chris is taking some students on another cross country training exercise this weekend and he spent the last half of the week planning routes to three destinations. Anything can happen on a cross country. Bad weather can divert the initial route, something can break and make the next practical landing spot the new final destination, and delays coming home can mean unexpected detours. 

One time Chris had his searchlight burn out in Savannah as he taxied out for the final leg to Charleston, meaning they were unable to take off. Another weekend, he and his students made it to Charleston, but a series of thunderstorms blocked their return home, prompting a last-minute reroute to our old haunt St. Augustine. They went to one of our favorite restaurants, Columbia, and Chris went for a run on the beach the next morning. 

“That’s one thing I really like about the Navy,” I said. “There’s always that element of surprise adventure.” 

“Well I’m glad you like it,” Chris said. “It’s stressful trying to fly around this many dangerous storm systems. I don’t even know if I’ll get back tomorrow, and I’ve been wearing the same flight suit for four days.” 

“Oh, gross.”