dmccormack
Touchdown! Greaser!
- Joined
- May 11, 2007
- Messages
- 10,945
- Location
- Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- Display Name
Display name:
Dan Mc
I planned on flying to Greenville, PA and back today (annual check-up) but I felt a cold coming on last night.
I flew the airplane back from Fairmont yesterday (4G&) and it seemed fine. But it was only 0.5 flight so I needed a bit more time to get my confidence back (I kept waiting for another plug to shoot out and the engine to lose power -- not a thought you want at the front of your mind while flying).
I felt better this morning so I drove to the airport, pulled out the airplane, preflighted, started (one throw after 4 shots of prime and 6 cycles of the prop), and took off. Air was smooth, winds were calm at the surface but strong out of the Southeast 1000' AGL.
After 30 minutes of flying I was over Rostraver Airport (KFWQ) and decided to turn around -- I just didn't feel like flying much today.
I descended a bit and followed to Monongahela River a bit, then shot cross country towards Waynesburg. The airport was desolate so I overflew the field over 27 to check winds. Winds at 500' were now directly east so I did a 180 and landed gently on the grass along Runway 9.
The engine sounded fine and ran well with the normal tiny bit of oil dribbling beneath the cowling.
I put the airplane away and headed home where I'll rest a bit.
I must be pretty sick to cut a flight short.
At least I re-established confidence in the airplane's powerplant. It ran well, sounded good, and responded as expected. My IA was on the ground when I took off and I saw him afterward and he said, "It sounded strong and even." I agreed.
I flew the airplane back from Fairmont yesterday (4G&) and it seemed fine. But it was only 0.5 flight so I needed a bit more time to get my confidence back (I kept waiting for another plug to shoot out and the engine to lose power -- not a thought you want at the front of your mind while flying).
I felt better this morning so I drove to the airport, pulled out the airplane, preflighted, started (one throw after 4 shots of prime and 6 cycles of the prop), and took off. Air was smooth, winds were calm at the surface but strong out of the Southeast 1000' AGL.
After 30 minutes of flying I was over Rostraver Airport (KFWQ) and decided to turn around -- I just didn't feel like flying much today.
I descended a bit and followed to Monongahela River a bit, then shot cross country towards Waynesburg. The airport was desolate so I overflew the field over 27 to check winds. Winds at 500' were now directly east so I did a 180 and landed gently on the grass along Runway 9.
The engine sounded fine and ran well with the normal tiny bit of oil dribbling beneath the cowling.
I put the airplane away and headed home where I'll rest a bit.
I must be pretty sick to cut a flight short.
At least I re-established confidence in the airplane's powerplant. It ran well, sounded good, and responded as expected. My IA was on the ground when I took off and I saw him afterward and he said, "It sounded strong and even." I agreed.
