Great story, thanks for sharing. I should be taking my check ride before too much longer, and I think it will be with Annabelle. So that gives me some idea of what to expect.
My favorite app is AirWX (This program alone makes the phone worth having).
Others I have are:
FlightPlan
Nav Clock
FltPlan
PilotWiz
AeroWeather
FlightTrack
That is some great info to think about.
I've been taught that Flaps are a tool to use and if I don't need them then there's no need to add them just because.