RE: the gusting winds, I have gained a lot of respect for the wind in the past few flights. My instructor says, learn to fly when it's windy (within reason, not hurricane forces :^)and you'll be able to fly a lot more days out of the year. It is kind of fun to throttle back going into a headwind and watch the plane just sit still, (or go backwards) and the gust reallllly keeps you on your toes. I am finding that the typical underpowered trainer with a lot of dihedral in the wings is not really a suitable plane in the wind though, as it seems to get tossed around a lot more than my instructors 4* does. I am going to a 4* next, but will fly my trainer quite a bit more before I take the new plane up by myself.

Desert Ratt, it sounds like you and Cody are building some great memories right now. To find a mutual hobby that you both enjoy is one of the greatest things a young man and his dad or grandad can share.

Have fun and keep us posted,

Dwight Hayden