Aloha Fly,
Welcome aboard! Glad you found sailing. Knowing a bit about aerodynamics and how to do a checklist helps a lot.
I was once stationed at Whiting Field a bit east of you. VT2. That was mid 60s so I'm certain things have changed a bit. My admin officer took me up in a T-28 Trojan and let fly a bit. I'll bet the aircraft are a bit newer. 400
knot single reciprocating
engine aircraft was lots of fun.
Hope you learn to enjoy sailing as much as I do.
kind regards,
JohnL