Practicing for Gaston's

[Rudy]

Well i got to do some good practice today. We went in the 182 and did short field landings. It was a blast, the plane flew really nice except for a few bumbs due to wind!! It was a good confidence builder and i think we are going up one more time for some more practice in it.
So i am looking for a 10 from the judges.

 

[gismo]

So i am looking for a 10 from the judges.

You'd do better to look down the runway.

 

[sshekels]

I'm easy, for every rep point between now and then, you get one landing point!

 

[Rudy]

I'm easy, for every rep point between now and then, you get one landing point!

Haha that is a good idea, i am gonna start trying that before i get my wallet out. God knows i can't earn a 10!! hah

 

[Rudy]

You'd do better to look down the runway.

haha so that is my problem, no wonder!! HAHA

 

[sshekels]

OOH! I have a feeling that Rudy is going to get a 10!

 

[Michael]

I think students or pilots who recieved their ticket within the last 6 months..have an unfair advantage on the rest of us, since they have been practicing landings. The rest of us just controll our crashes.
So i suggest a handicap based on number of landings in the last 90 days.
like 5 landings, would give you a 5 handicap, 10 landings would get you a 4. and 20 landings would net 3, and so on...
What do you think?

Michael

 

[Skip Miller]

I think students or pilots who recieved their ticket within the last 6 months..have an unfair advantage on the rest of us, since they have been practicing landings. The rest of us just controll our crashes.
So i suggest a handicap based on number of landings in the last 90 days.
like 5 landings, would give you a 5 handicap, 10 landings would get you a 4. and 20 landings would net 3, and so on...
What do you think?

Michael

I think that we should strive for perfection, not perfection handicapped by some basis.

This is easy for me to say, as I won't be able to make Gastons so I don't have to run the gauntlet of the lawn chair and video camera crowd!!

-Skip

 

[Michael]

I think that we should strive for perfection, not perfection handicapped by some basis.
-Skip

but the government does it....

 

[Ken Ibold]

Sure-fire 10

So i am looking for a 10 from the judges.

Just get there first.

 

[Rudy]

I think students or pilots who recieved their ticket within the last 6 months..have an unfair advantage on the rest of us, since they have been practicing landings. The rest of us just controll our crashes.
So i suggest a handicap based on number of landings in the last 90 days.
like 5 landings, would give you a 5 handicap, 10 landings would get you a 4. and 20 landings would net 3, and so on...
What do you think?

Michael

haha i can practice and practice and i don't think i will have an advantage, i am not worried so much about making a good landing, just as long as i don't hit a tree. Of course it would be nice to make one with all the people watching!!

 

[fgcason]

I think students or pilots who recieved their ticket within the last 6 months..have an unfair advantage on the rest of us, since they have been practicing landings. The rest of us just controll our crashes.
So i suggest a handicap based on number of landings in the last 90 days.
like 5 landings, would give you a 5 handicap, 10 landings would get you a 4. and 20 landings would net 3, and so on...
What do you think?

Interesting idea BUT; I think regardless of the handicap given, unless you get your act together and relearn to land before going, you're setting yourself up as prime bait for a couple days of getting ragged on by low time inexperienced pilots about your inability to put it where you want it...While they continue to rub it in by smashing the same blade of grass over and over and over and over...

+ :yinyang: + =

 

[bbchien]

Interesting idea BUT; I think regardless of the handicap given, unless you get your act together and relearn to land before going, you're setting yourself up as prime bait for a couple days of getting ragged on by low time inexperienced pilots about your inability to put it where you want it...While they continue to rub it in by smashing the same blade of grass over and over and over and over...

+ :yinyang: + =

So how many points for a doubly feathered twin? How many off if the aircraft is not resuseable? Will the Darwin committee be there, too? :-0

 

[Bones]

Awww Gastons...I miss flying in there. You'll do fine Rudy...lots of room at Gastons and it used to be pretty soft except for 1 bump in a spot...I called it the spring board. Hopefully I'll see some of you there.

 

[gibbons]

All scores are final and may not be revised for any reason except as determined by the lead scorer, who may opt to revise the score up or down depending on the joie de vivre and/or savoir-faire exhibited by the scoree.

I have sent SicSac bad reputation points for posting the names of foods those of us from Arkansas aren't familiar with. I suggest you all do the same.

 

[Toby]

What do you think?

I think I am very happy you changed your avatar.

 

[Toby]

Like Toby mentioned previously, the scoring at Gaston's will be based on a very complex set of criteria.

Environmental conditions, such as windage, sun angle, grass height, and cow pies on the runway will all be factored in.

Tactical approaches will score higher than airliner approaches.

Dead stick with the prop stopped on downwind get automatic bonus points.

Dead stick with the prop stopped on downwind and you actually make the runway will get double bonus points.

Dead stick with the prop stopped on downwind, you make the runway, and the airplane is capable of a normal takeoff after it comes to rest will get triple bonus points.

Various other factors and criteria will come in to play at the whim of the scorers.

The actual scoring algorithm employed is vastly too complicated to explain in mere layman's terms and will therefore be completely indistinquishable from being totally arbitrary.

Inducements for higher scores offered the diverse judging committee will simply not be tolerated unless they involve flight time, food, beverages, or cash.

All scores are final and may not be revised for any reason except as determined by the lead scorer, who may opt to revise the score up or down depending on the joie de vivre and/or savoir-faire exhibited by the scoree.

Windage. I like that.

Yes, as Steve has indicated, the complex system involves many factors, only one of which is the pilot. Of course environmental conditions contribute to the picture. And, as I learned yesterday at the Professional Bull Riding competition, one's mount has much to do with the score of the mounter. For example, a docile bull who doesn't buck violently means a lower score for the cowboy who so bravely rides him with one hand tied down for those eternal 8 seconds. Real wild bucking bulls and the cowboys who stay on them mean a high score and lots of money. Therefore, if your aircraft exhibits any unusually challenging behavior during landing, and you still land well, you will get more points.

And the judges like chocolate. Did we mention that already?

 

[gibbons]

Therefore, if your aircraft exhibits any unusually challenging behavior during landing, and you still land well, you will get more points.

You mean like not being able to see the runway?
Ah ha! There's my advantage!!

But I still have to land well? Crap!

 

[Toby]

I have sent SicSac bad reputation points for posting the names of foods those of us from Arkansas aren't familiar with. I suggest you all do the same.

Funniest post today!!!

 

[Toby]

You mean like not being able to see the runway?
Ah ha! There's my advantage!!

What? Your aircraft has eyes?

 

[wsuffa]

Watch out for the gopher holes and tunnels!

 

[Michael]

seriously, will someone survey the turf before we all fly in? I plan on arriving Friday afternoon. If the conditions are hard and short. (god i cant believe i said that), then I will land at gastons, if its mushy and bumpy i will go to the nearby paved strip.

 

[Bones]

The Gastons people are usually really good about giving you an accurate report on the grass condition if you call them on the phone before you leave. At least they were several years ago when I flew in and out of there.

 

[pete177]

I think I am very happy you changed your avatar.

Was he the dude with the flaming stick guy? Considering the way Mooneys leak fuel, I found that rather disturbing as well.

 

[Toby]

Was he the dude with the flaming stick guy? Considering the way Mooneys leak fuel, I found that rather disturbing as well.

Yes, it was giving me nightmares.

 

[Diana]

seriously, will someone survey the turf before we all fly in? I plan on arriving Friday afternoon. If the conditions are hard and short. (god i cant believe i said that), then I will land at gastons, if its mushy and bumpy i will go to the nearby paved strip.

Last year, Dave Taylor gave me updates before I got there on Saturday. Then as most were flying in on Sunday, I gave them updates on the phone and also on my handheld radio from the runway. The runway was very, very wet last year.

Tom and Carol and Toby and I plan to get there Friday morning.

 

[Michael]

Last year, Dave Taylor gave me updates before I got there on Saturday. Then as most were flying in on Sunday, I gave them updates on the phone and also on my handheld radio from the runway. The runway was very, very wet last year.

Tom and Carol and Toby and I plan to get there Friday morning.

Thanks Diana.
The main concern of mine is prop clearance. Not a whole lotta room, as you saw, and if it is a bumpy strip, that would cause me to go elsewhere. If its smooth, Im all for it.

Michael

 

[Diana]

Therefore, if your aircraft exhibits any unusually challenging behavior during landing, and you still land well, you will get more points.

My Citabria likes to bounce back up into the air at least once (especially if Chip is in back). She is SO enthusiastic! Do I get extra credit for that?

 

[Toby]

My Citabria likes to bounce back up into the air at least once (especially if Chip is in back). She is SO enthusiastic! Do I get extra credit for that?

Not if I'm in it!

 

[Diana]

Not if I'm in it!

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Oh, Toby!

 

[gibbons]

The main concern of mine is prop clearance. Not a whole lotta room, as you saw, and if it is a bumpy strip, that would cause me to go elsewhere. If its smooth, Im all for it.

Michael

Michael,
If it were me in a Mooney I'd opt for one of the paved airports nearby, then take a good look at the Gaston's runway once I arrived by car. I'd try to grab a ride from someone and see what the runway felt like. Then, if I felt comfortable, I'd go get the Mooney and bring it over. I would definitely NOT want to take a prop strike anywhere - especially at Gaston's.

Meeting everyone at Gaston's will be a great time either way.

$.02

 

[Michael]

Michael,
If it were me in a Mooney I'd opt for one of the paved airports nearby, then take a good look at the Gaston's runway once I arrived by car. I'd try to grab a ride from someone and see what the runway felt like. Then, if I felt comfortable, I'd go get the Mooney and bring it over. I would definitely NOT want to take a prop strike anywhere - especially at Gaston's.

Meeting everyone at Gaston's will be a great time either way.

$.02

Thanks Chip, as always, Great advice.

 

[pete177]

In the film that Diana posted (really cool vid by the way) the occupants mention that it's bumpy. Besides the obvious, bumpy can cause fuel tank leaks in Mooneys and there is an SB about inspecting for spar cracks near where the flap assembly screws/attaches into the spar (manual flaps only I think). Not sure if bumpy has anything to do with that or not but considering the first time I landed on grass the wings did not look happy as they flexed rather violently.

 

[Moxie]

Michael,
If it were me in a Mooney I'd opt for one of the paved airports nearby, then take a good look at the Gaston's runway once I arrived by car. I'd try to grab a ride from someone and see what the runway felt like. Then, if I felt comfortable, I'd go get the Mooney and bring it over. I would definitely NOT want to take a prop strike anywhere - especially at Gaston's.

Meeting everyone at Gaston's will be a great time either way.

$.02

I haven't measured the distance from Hammer's prop to the ground, but on my last Mooney it was only 9 1/2", and that was AFTER I had replaced the struts..... wouldn't take much of a bump at all to have a prop strike with that little clearance.

Not to mention what a pain it is cleaning the dirt out of the wheel wells after a grass landing. Blech.

No thank you!

 

[Diana]

In the film that Diana posted (really cool vid by the way)

Well, as much as I would like to take credit for the video, (and that VERY nice Bonanza would be GREAT to own) I must tell you that we should thank Dave Siciliano for the footage.

 

[Michael]

I'm cornfuzed.

I thought Mooneys were just the greatest plane ever.

Don't know that I'd want a plane that can't land on grass.

:froggie:

Ok the plan is...Were going to cut the engine on downwind, and deadstick it in the grass. Woot, That outta get us a 8 right there...err, if we make it.
:dance:

 

[SkyHog]

Ok the plan is...Were going to cut the engine on downwind, and deadstick it in the grass. Woot, That outta get us a 8 right there...err, if we make it.
:dance:

ummm....I think I'm gonna walk.

 

[pete177]

I'm cornfuzed.


I thought Mooneys were just the greatest plane ever.

Don't know that I'd want a plane that can't land on grass.

:froggie:

Cant land on snow or water either....why would you need to? Lots of old mooney drivers land on grass, some say its easier on the plane than hard top.....just gotta be smoooooooth

 

[Ed Guthrie]

I'm cornfuzed.

I thought Mooneys were just the greatest plane ever.

Don't know that I'd want a plane that can't land on grass.

:froggie:

Steve, as a Mooney owner I love reading all of the wive's tales regarding what a Mooney can't do. Best laugh I've read in a week or two. Definetly identifies who has flown a Mooney and who hasn't.

See y'all at Gaston's.

 

[Rudy]

I am getting real excited to meet everyone!! It is going to be a blast!! I hope everyone who is planning on going gets to and i think i am going to start praying to the weather gods right now, that way we will have perfect weather for flying in.