Intruder-ing again!

Flew the Intruder 5 times today, and mowed the field between flights 3 and 4.  Tad came out too, arriving while I was mowing.  He flew his Mig just a short time till he detected the control horn was braking off from the right aileron.  Then he flew his ASK-21 a bunch of times.  I flew it twice, pretty cute, but it is so light it can hardly penetrate the air efficiently to create lift!  I think some ballast might be in order.  Still Tad got some nice high launches and the glider has potential in light air.  The Intruder ran and flew well.  I did about six 8-pt rolls with it today, and am getting the hang of it now.  Mental block before, even though I can do slow and 4-pt rolls easily.  Practiced some rolling circles and a bunch of landings.  Solid pattern plane.  Treated Tad to a nice Muchas Gracias lunch on the way home!

Intruder

Flew the INTRUDER today after mowing, but just one flight because it was getting windier and colder.  Shortly after arriving and setting up, Bruce showed up with a Bobcat and worker to blade down the dirt humps at the west end of the runway.  They did a nice job while Rudy and I kibitzed, haha.  Since they were working, I decided to mow the runway...I did it crossways/slanted to try to even out the bumpiness of our runway.  I think going lengthwise all the time might create ruts in the runway.

Sbach 342

Had fun with the Sbach 342 today.  It was nice to fly on a Sunday when some of the regulars like Rudy, Mike, and Joe are out.  AND  BEST of ALL, son Tad surprised me by showing up today!  I was flying and heard someone mention his name in vain, but they must have actually been saying hi to him on his arrival, lol.  We had fun with his new little glider that weighs next to nothing.  I helped launch a few times.  Looks promising for when the air is warm with some light thermals.  Back to the Sbach, the DLE-30 is such a friendly engine, started up easily for all three flights, and ran like a top.  I checked the muffler at the end of the 3rd flight and found it loose.  Found one bolt missing when I got it apart at home.  Amazing how that happens even though I threadlock the two bolts on.  This time, I used red threadlock, the supposedly "permanent" one.  After searching and finding an extra bolt at home, and finding a lock washer and thick flat washer, I got the parts all cleaned up, and the muffler, cowl, prop, and spinner back on the plane.  Simple work but it still took about 1.5 hours...nonetheless enjoyable time with the radio in the garage on, and the door to the kitchen open to let the aromas of supper waft out to me.   I am a lucky man.

Yellows and Reds Only

What incredibly and abnormally warm weather we had today.  Sunny and in the 50's when I headed to the field, and 64F when I came home and checked the thermometer again!  Geez, it was also mostly calm the whole time.  I took my Shoestring 60 and SNAFU, both are yellow and red planes.  EIGHT FLIGHTS, 4 on each plane today!  Both were a joy to fly, engines ran great, no issues.  Had a ball hovering the SNAFU today.  For some reason, it was just easier today than other days, and I had my longest hovers with that plane.  Also landed the SNAFU in every possible direction on the regular runway and the short N/S runway.  I leaned out the high end on the Saito 100 in the Shoestring today, and also fattened the low speed screw about 1/4 turn.  It seemed to give a better idle, same transition, and stronger high end.  Still running the high end kinda rich to keep well lubricated.  I don't like how Saito's seem to eat up bearings.

Flight Log: 02/12/2013

Blessed with over 50F and light wind, I took the Yak 54 out for a spin.  Three flights to be exact, with landing and takeoffs to the South on the short N/S runway.  OS 120 Surpass III needed the high needle opened about 1/2 turn and she ran well and strong.  Lots of fun.  Nobody else played today!  Did quite a few rolling circles counterclockwise, and tried going clockwise too.  Didn't make a full circle but it's coming along.

The Giles Files

Flew the Giles 202 today again since it was so much fun last time.  Had 4 flights.  3rd one was a deadstick.  Could not make it back to the runway, so just kept her flat over the sod farm, and landed luckily without doing any damage at all.  Had to tighten one wheel pants, but it was not cracked so maybe it was just loosening anyhow...I repaired it after the last outing.  Dead calm pretty much, lots of overcast, no fog, no rain, but chilly 43F or so.  Dick Smith was there enjoying the good day too, but we both had to get in our vehicles and turn on the engines and heaters now and then!  Loverly couple of hours of flying.

Flight Log: 02/04/2013

It was a perfect day for flying in the middle of our long Winter...just a breath of air from the West, 45F-50F, spotty haze and clouds blocking the sun, no rain, no fog.  Nobody else either, unfortunately.  I made 3 very smooth flights with the Giles 202.  The OS 160FX ran so fine today.  The JB mower came, but I was able to make a 4th and final flight before he hooked up and started mowing.  Gosh, I love the Giles 202 with that engine on it...so powerful for pulling off very large loops, going vertical with point rolls, high stall turns, spins. This plane is one of my most adept at avalanches, both single and double, because it tracks so well and carries speed so well over the top.  Also, it loves the long slow rolls about as well as my Intruder.  Landings are a piece of cake since it slows down but maintains complete control authority so well.  I was pretty ecstatic as I disassembled for the day.  :)

Flight Log: 02/02/2013

Wow it was nice again, so I got to fly for the 3rd day in a row.  No handwarmer needed at all!  Flew my Stinger II three times, and the 60 size Shoestring twice.  Both engines ran well and the planes flew nicely.  At least today more guys showed up...Bob R, Mike, Ken, and Dave.  Dick came by to say hi.  Wilfredo showed up late to fly his chopper.  The grass was short since Bob B mowed yesterday.

Flight Log: 02/01/2013

While there today, the weather at the field was not as good as yesterday.  47F and low haze kept me from flying for about 45 minutes.  After that I got in 3 nice flights on the Toledo Special.  My third flight turned out to be my last due to lack of depth perception and smarts...too rusty!  I landed fine from left to right, and thought I had cleared the right end of our protective fence.  Unfortunately, I had not, and the plane smacked into the orange netting.  Luckily there was not damage to the prop, cowl, pants, or wing tip that hit first.  BUT the tail gear must have caught the brunt of rebound from the fence because it broke the wire near a bend just below the hinge.  Anyway, I came home and found a decent wire that I hope will last as tail LG.  It may be a little too pliable because it is for control linkage use.  I had to figure out a new way to mount it since the stock tail gear is the type that goes through a plastic hinge glued into the fuselage.  Basically I just did some zigs and zags and CA'd (thick and thin) it into new holes drilled into the rudder.  Quick fix and maybe it will last.  If not, I will do something better next time.