stiknruda
12th May 2004, 17:57
I have just landed after probably my last flight in my pristine rebuilt vintage taildragger, having sold it to a nice chap from the West Midlands. I rang him this morning and asked if I could borrow his aeroplane for a final flight, before he collects it at the weekend.
The reason that I wanted to use it again is because I popped out to the pub a couple of nights ago and started talking to Peter, an old chap who I often see in the neighbouring village.
We were chatting away about the state of the barmaid, the temperature of the Adnams, the noise emanating from the public bar, etc. I asked Peter what he did before he retired.
"Oh I was in the Air Force for a long time and then I had a few years in civvy street working for a market research company before I retired in the late 70's."
"What did you do in the Air Force?"
"I was just a pilot"
"When was the last time you flew ... anything?"
"Summer of 1963, I commanded an overseas Elementary Flight Training School, we had Harvards."
"So if I threw you into a light aircraft tomorrow, could you fly it?"
"Dear Chap, it's been over 40 years!", he took a long swallow on his pint and then, with a twinkle in his eye, said, "I'm well over eighty - you know, I'd be a bit bit rusty and I'd need a few circuits and bumps to get my eye back in but yes, I'm sure I can just about remember how to do it!"
"Okay, then, my house Wednesday 1630, we'll give it a go!"
"Wait - what sort of kite do you have? It will have to be a tailwheel job!"
Half past four today and Peter roars up my drive in his baby Benz.
We agreed a route, he was happy in the RHS (there are only brakes on the left). A comprehensive cockpit brief, prime, swing and I'm buckling in next to him. We taxied to the end of my little grass strip, I did the run up and checks. Quick 360 to make sure that there is no other traffic and I took off into quite a stiff cross-wind.
At 200", "You have control, turn onto our agreed heading and climb to 1 000 feet"
"I have control" - Peter turned the aeroplane and levelled off at 1 000'.
And that went on for an hour and five minutes - I wasn't required to touch anything or help with the navigation. After our trip we returned to my strip and Peter gently landed my little toy in quite a nasty cross wind.
I was pretty impressed - Aerbabe/Arclite have flown this particular aeroplane and although not hard to fly or land it does take some finesse. Within I guess the first 3 minutes when he stopped chasing the controls around the cockpit, he'd worked out
exactly how much to allow for adverse aileron yaw and the flight was smooth!
Wg Cdr Peter Cundy, DSO, DFC, AFC, TD you made my day!
So who will lend me something with 2 seats to let him take me to Project Propeller? And it does have to be a tailwheel kite and he wants to do some aeros with me!
Stik
The reason that I wanted to use it again is because I popped out to the pub a couple of nights ago and started talking to Peter, an old chap who I often see in the neighbouring village.
We were chatting away about the state of the barmaid, the temperature of the Adnams, the noise emanating from the public bar, etc. I asked Peter what he did before he retired.
"Oh I was in the Air Force for a long time and then I had a few years in civvy street working for a market research company before I retired in the late 70's."
"What did you do in the Air Force?"
"I was just a pilot"
"When was the last time you flew ... anything?"
"Summer of 1963, I commanded an overseas Elementary Flight Training School, we had Harvards."
"So if I threw you into a light aircraft tomorrow, could you fly it?"
"Dear Chap, it's been over 40 years!", he took a long swallow on his pint and then, with a twinkle in his eye, said, "I'm well over eighty - you know, I'd be a bit bit rusty and I'd need a few circuits and bumps to get my eye back in but yes, I'm sure I can just about remember how to do it!"
"Okay, then, my house Wednesday 1630, we'll give it a go!"
"Wait - what sort of kite do you have? It will have to be a tailwheel job!"
Half past four today and Peter roars up my drive in his baby Benz.
We agreed a route, he was happy in the RHS (there are only brakes on the left). A comprehensive cockpit brief, prime, swing and I'm buckling in next to him. We taxied to the end of my little grass strip, I did the run up and checks. Quick 360 to make sure that there is no other traffic and I took off into quite a stiff cross-wind.
At 200", "You have control, turn onto our agreed heading and climb to 1 000 feet"
"I have control" - Peter turned the aeroplane and levelled off at 1 000'.
And that went on for an hour and five minutes - I wasn't required to touch anything or help with the navigation. After our trip we returned to my strip and Peter gently landed my little toy in quite a nasty cross wind.
I was pretty impressed - Aerbabe/Arclite have flown this particular aeroplane and although not hard to fly or land it does take some finesse. Within I guess the first 3 minutes when he stopped chasing the controls around the cockpit, he'd worked out
exactly how much to allow for adverse aileron yaw and the flight was smooth!
Wg Cdr Peter Cundy, DSO, DFC, AFC, TD you made my day!
So who will lend me something with 2 seats to let him take me to Project Propeller? And it does have to be a tailwheel kite and he wants to do some aeros with me!
Stik