dmccormack
Touchdown! Greaser!
- Joined
- May 11, 2007
- Messages
- 10,945
- Location
- Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
- Display Name
Display name:
Dan Mc
Personal family issues ('nuff said) have been placing quite a bit of stress on Janet and I the last few weeks.
She's not a big fan of flying so when I offered to take her tonight she predictably said, "That's ok -- I'll work in the garden -- you go."
Today is one of those perfect summer days -- dry, not too hot, not many clouds, light winds.
I drove 30 minutes, opened the hangar door, and dropped everything else from my mind as I preflighted, pulled, checked, tied down, propped, and listened.
All systems go, untie, pull chocks, climb in.
She seems eager to go. Oil temps and pressure good. Taxi to the end of 27, announce, full power -- roll -- tail up (still makes me smile), roll, roll -- airborne.
We climbed out the usual I'll-get-there-don't-rush-me way and soon had 1000' of air between the wheels and most of the stuff below. Pressure good, RPM good, trim off pressure, enjoy the view.
I could see the ridge all the way to Elkins, WV to the south, and thought I could see Pittsburgh to the North. I flew due east, got close to the river, and descended to enjoy some low-level flying over the treetops. We have lots of nothing out here with the only obstacles the odd cell tower here and there.
Laurel Ridge was bathed in perfect late-day light, and even Uniontown looked sparkling this evening.
I did a few practice turns about a point at 70 MPH (do the math, Comm students) and waved to Janet down below. Winds were steady out of the south but not enough to cause problems.
I took the long way around town and overflew a few familiar houses, then headed west, opting to stay low since I could barely see a thing with the sun in my eyes. From time to time I slipped so I could look straight ahead through the open side window.
Too soon I was entering a left downwind for 27. I pulled the power to 1500 RPM and turned in early so I could slip my way down. On final I pulled power to idle and enjoyed the view out the left side window, the tree tops sweeping beneath, the grass next to the paved runway perfectly trimmed and beckoning.
I picked a line made by cut grass and placed the right wheel on it to accommodate the very light crosswind. Soon the wheels were rumbling and the world slowed down and once again I was a normal ground-bound creature.
I considered going up for one more pattern but it would be hard to top that last light touchdown -- we'll end it this way.
Putt-putt to the hangar, maneuver around a beautifully painted C150, cut off the fuel and wait for the click-click.
I pushed her in, wiped her down, and gave the old lady a pat on the cowling.
Proficiency and training and precision and all that is great.
But sometimes it's nice to just fly.
She's not a big fan of flying so when I offered to take her tonight she predictably said, "That's ok -- I'll work in the garden -- you go."
Today is one of those perfect summer days -- dry, not too hot, not many clouds, light winds.
I drove 30 minutes, opened the hangar door, and dropped everything else from my mind as I preflighted, pulled, checked, tied down, propped, and listened.
All systems go, untie, pull chocks, climb in.
She seems eager to go. Oil temps and pressure good. Taxi to the end of 27, announce, full power -- roll -- tail up (still makes me smile), roll, roll -- airborne.
We climbed out the usual I'll-get-there-don't-rush-me way and soon had 1000' of air between the wheels and most of the stuff below. Pressure good, RPM good, trim off pressure, enjoy the view.
I could see the ridge all the way to Elkins, WV to the south, and thought I could see Pittsburgh to the North. I flew due east, got close to the river, and descended to enjoy some low-level flying over the treetops. We have lots of nothing out here with the only obstacles the odd cell tower here and there.
Laurel Ridge was bathed in perfect late-day light, and even Uniontown looked sparkling this evening.
I did a few practice turns about a point at 70 MPH (do the math, Comm students) and waved to Janet down below. Winds were steady out of the south but not enough to cause problems.
I took the long way around town and overflew a few familiar houses, then headed west, opting to stay low since I could barely see a thing with the sun in my eyes. From time to time I slipped so I could look straight ahead through the open side window.
Too soon I was entering a left downwind for 27. I pulled the power to 1500 RPM and turned in early so I could slip my way down. On final I pulled power to idle and enjoyed the view out the left side window, the tree tops sweeping beneath, the grass next to the paved runway perfectly trimmed and beckoning.
I picked a line made by cut grass and placed the right wheel on it to accommodate the very light crosswind. Soon the wheels were rumbling and the world slowed down and once again I was a normal ground-bound creature.
I considered going up for one more pattern but it would be hard to top that last light touchdown -- we'll end it this way.
Putt-putt to the hangar, maneuver around a beautifully painted C150, cut off the fuel and wait for the click-click.
I pushed her in, wiped her down, and gave the old lady a pat on the cowling.
Proficiency and training and precision and all that is great.
But sometimes it's nice to just fly.
Usually, checking out insurance rates for my supposed next step up cures me for a while. That, and flying.