Flight Log: 12/27/2012

It was too sunny and rainless to pass up.  With temperature about 42F, I headed out and had a quick couple of flights with the Shoestring 60.  Naturally, nobody else was there!  Wind was at least 5mph as our windsock was straight out, and of course it was crosswind from the South.  Takeoffs and landings were on the N/S runway headed due South with a slight curve to the East as needed.  I am really liking the Shoestring 60 with the Saito 100 in it.  The match is perfect and results in a wide speed range.  The plane flies very well, better than the 46 size due to the ability to slow down much more for landings.  It must be slightly rearward on the CG as evidenced by the bouncy tail during taxiing on the grass...full up elevator holds the tail down, but the tail bounces up and down readily!

Christmas Eve

The wind was over 5mph based on our windsock, temp was 42F at home, but it was not raining and the flying was good.  Nobody else at the field, except towards the end when a potential new member and his dad showed up to ask questions.  Looks like another new member to me.  Flew the Toledo Special 3 times and due to the south wind, I used the short runway.  I haven't really done that with the TS before and I had my slight doubts about doing it safely, but it worked out that the runout after touchdown was just short enough to fit on the runway.  The Saito 82 ran well and the plane flew just like usual.  Good stuff.  I am hoping for equally decent weather on Dec 31 and/or Jan 1 to do an individual "polar bear" day at the field.  It really won't be a polar bear day if I fly, because I won't fly if it is under 40F or snowing!

42F Flight Log: 12/13/2012

It was 42F at most and did feel chilly at the field but I got in 4 nice flights on the Sbach.  I wondered if the gas engine, DLE-30, would balk on a colder day, but it acted the same as usual...GOOD!  Nobody else came and I was done in about 90 minutes.  Wind was from the SE, so I landed from the west, and all landings were nice and light.  This plane will float in and sail right by the field even on lowest idle, so I do have to ease in some down and then flare out to get the plane to touch the ground.  Pretty amazing how slow and floaty it gets, while maintaining full flight control.

Flight Log: 12/10/2012

Blessed with another decent day, I flew the Yak 54 four times today.  It reminded me how good it is, and that maybe I should not sell it!  Ran fine and flew great, floating in for light landings.  Dick, Joe, and Rudy also showed up and flew today, trying to get some fun in before the next rains sweep in.

Flight Log: 12/08/2012

Woke up to calm air, no rain, overcast, and 41F.  Waited till 9:30 when it was a whole 43F, then headed to the field.  Flew my 60 size Shoestring three times, eight minutes per flight.  The CA held the two lower cowl mounting blocks to the firewall securely.  This Shoe flies on rails like the smaller one, but definitely slows better for landings.  I like it very much.  The Saito 100 has good power, and gives the Shoe a wide speed range.  I was able to just putter around upright and inverted at half throttle or so, further demonstrating the speed range of the airframe.  I probably can increase rudder throw for tighter turns on the ground, and also to kick the tail over with more conviction in stall turns.  There is a little roll coupling when the rudder is deflected in knife edge, making the plane want to roll to upright.  Might just leave it as is for now.  So far so good with this plane...it looks great on the tarmac and in the air, and flies like a good sport plane.

Flight Log: 12/05/2012

For this time of year, it was a miracle day for flying...over 50F, slight southerly breeze, no rain, and blue skies.  I even saw a bald eagle winging by right over the runway!  I got in 6 flights with the SNAFU, and did lots of touch and go's, loops, rolls, inverted flight, etc.  I just wanted to keep the fingers nimble and the brain from forgetting.  I mowed  the field before flying.  Dick came today too, and flew a small electric (of course) Reactor.  I think it flies better than the larger glow version I have seen!  Seems to be on rails and like a big plane.  It was impressive tracking through loops.   Looks like rain tomorrow again, durn it.