Different kind of flying!!
Had a great evening out the other night with about 20 guys/gals from the Flyer forum. I discovered that several forumites live close by, and after contacting one of them, self and Mrs CF were invited to a forum Xmas dinner that very night. We had a superb evening, and it was very good to meet so many fellow flyers. The chap I originally contacted flies A340's around the world, and has a share in a Maule. As my flying was canned the following day due to the bloomin' weather (again, will I ever get the QXC done?), I was invited to fly with him and another forumite. The plane is kept in a hangar at a private strip, so we turned up, pushed the plane out, warmed it up, taxied and took off. No ATC, nothing!!
Boy, do those things go!! It is a very rugged "Land Rover of the skies" tail dragger. Tough and light with a big six cylinder engine and BAGS of poke. The lift off came VERY quickly, and the initial climb rate was phenomenal!! We flew cross country, and landed at another strip by a resovoir in Northants - absolutely wonderful approach. Upon landing, the farmers wife ran out and invited us in for a cuppa. Half an hour later, we took off and landed at a strip behind a pub in Keystone (Northants) with a massive crosswind taxing the pilot somewhat. Following a superb lunch, and a great couple of hours of flying talk, we took off, and flew back to the homebase strip, pushed her into the hangar, and simply went home!!!.
Absolutely brilliant day out. I could well be converted to this kind of flying. So different to flying in and out of a busy commercial airport. Can't wait to go again (I've already invited myself!)
Our intrepid captain had to shoot home, and prepare to take 300 people to Los Angeles the next day!! Envy him? You betcha!!