In orbit resilience

Marcus lined up his Warrior II onto finals. He adjusted his flight path into the cross wind, angling his nose to the right. He increased his speed and kept the pressure on his rudder pedals. He looked left at the approaching runway – he knew exactly what to do. A quick check on his instruments – all good. He crabbed over the threshold, six feet off the ground. Then he kicked the left rudder hard, straightening up perfectly just before his wheels touched. No bounce. Taxiing along the strip, he held his stick over firmly to counter the wind.

Marcus killed his engine outside the clubhouse and completed his after-flight checks. Satisfied, he then sat for a moment savouring the experience. Memories flooded back. He opened the small side door and stepped down onto the grass.

“Nicely done there,” called out the chief instructor, pointing at the horizontal windsock. “And with the cross-wind approach! You’ve done that before, I can tell!”

Marcus smiled. “A few times.”

“I was about to change the active runway but saw you on approach.”

Marcus shook