INTRUDER!

The Intruder performed flawlessly yesterday.  Only Ken, Bill, Don, and I showed up to fly.  That was likely due to the fog in the area.  It was a thin fog that had less ceiling than distance ,but it was flyable  so I was up first with the Intruder.  No problem but I did purposely stay closer for safety.  All my landings were on the mat...only the third one ran off the west end just a few feet.  The plane flew well.  The engine was fine except for a slight burble at the top of loops, which at that point put the OS90 four stroke upright.  Bill and I surmised that the engine is leaned out to run most of the time inverted, thus tends to be too lean when upright at the top of the loop.  I richened the engine one click and it seemed better on the third flight.  So I richened it one more click for the next outing.  Even though we were just four in number, it sure seemed to be one of the best days I have had there.  It was calm, the fog cleared but never went away, which probably helped to shield us from the sun which has been a PITA low in the southeastern sky, over the east end of the runway.  That resulted in the freedom to fly as far East as we wanted, a rarity.

Lots of flying and no blogging!

I have flown lots since last reported two weeks ago.  Can’t remember the days nor exactly what I flew, lol, and I am getting tired of this blogging. Attempting to sum it up, I have flown the helis (7HV, G700, G630, G500, X5 all at least a few flights each), plus a host of my planes including the Intruder, Dirty Birdy, Yak 54, and the  Bravata.  Yesterday the Bravata was just sublime for three glorious flights at Dallas.  What fun...it  started nice, ran well, flew brilliant.  That is indeed my favorite plane at this time.  It may not do great aileron rolls or inverted flying, but it is just a sweetheart plane that does its share of aerobatics gracefully in slow motion.  Playing with the flaps is so satisfying.  

Today I flew helis at keizer.  I have hit the wall on improvement.  Just cannot get the balls to do turns in forward inverted flight.  I got inverted many times today with the 500 and 700, did 180 or 360 pyros, then rolled or flipped out.  I tried to just yaw the tail each way and hold altitude and location, but doing a full circle inverted at one altitude is super hard for me.  The good news is I did not get disoriented and did not crash.

Intruder

Just two flights today at the Dallas field.   Nobody was there albeit decent conditions.  Actually the worst condition was lots of clumps of moss on the grass runway due to either a mower or ATV making turns.  I managed to miss them all on landings but decided not to risk the plane anymore and went home.  Takeoffs were easily accomplished off the mat runway.

Aloha T-28, boo hoo

Flew on Sept 26.  Had two flights almost.  First flight of the T-28 was nice and uneventful, just the same old reliable plane.  On the second flight, I was on the downwind leg for landing and lost all controls.  At the time, I had flaps deployed and was just puttering back with throttle for landing.  The plane just stopped responding, rolled slightly left and dove into the field.  Totaled in my book.  It lasted 8 years, a good life!  So at the crash site, I found the switch off on the plane because the crash took out the fuselage side and popped my switch to the off position.  This plane had the wire extension to the switch with pull off and push on.  Fuse side forced outwards took the switch to off.  I turned it back on and all controls responded.  I suspected battery but the servos were instantaneous and lively.  At home I ran the controls for a full seven minute flight with not a single weak or incorrect or lack of response.  No idea what happened.  My only guess is that usually crashes are pilot error and just maybe I did not realize the plane was going so slow at 200 yards out.  In the two seconds perhaps, before impact, I tried elevator, aileron, and throttle up.  I did not hear the engine sound increase nor see any responses to my inputs.   Well these planes all have an expiration date that is unknown when we build them.  I now know it for the T-28.  I don't feel so bad because it was old and fuel soaked.  I need a new warbird anyway!

Today is Sept 28.  I flew the Stinger II three times and the Intruder twice.  All good flights.  FAST!  Both planes like to whistle due to their speed, and maybe they just are dirty airframes, lol.  Had to fly today with rain forecasted for the next five days at least!  CRAP!

THE NEED FOR SPEED!

5 day flight log!

Lazy bones I am...forgot to record flights  for five days of flying!  I flew Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, and today Tuesday.  Today i flew the Bravata again, twice, at Dallas.  The DLE-30 ran well with the 1/8 turn of the high needle inwards to lean it.  Ran strong without the slight missing.  It also proved to be perfect for the idle and mid engine speeds with little to no missing that i can recall.  Yesterday I flew the Ministar four times and the Shoestring 60 twice.  The fix to the tank of the Shoe did the trick for obtaining full engine runs again.  On the weekend I flew the Goblin 500 about five times each day at the Keizer field with a couple flights of the X5 too on Saturday.  Both weekend days I also flew the Aerostar 40F five times.  And last Friday I flew the Intruder at Dallas for one flight, plus the SNAFU several times.  Hey, pretty good recollection after all!

Clear skies and clear vision

My new eyes sure work good after cataract surgery and new lens implants.  It is easy to see the planes and helis very clearly at a distance.

Flew my G500 and X5 four times each this morning, followed by the Intruder for a single flight.  Just got tired!  With my better vision, I have more confidence, and should be able to try some inverted forward turns with the helis very shortly!  I got inverted lots today and did some minor adjustments to maintain straight flight paths, which were without panic, so full fledged turns are next.  (Of course I said this last year too!)

GREAT day of flying today with little to no wind, a few puffy clouds, no JB workers, no sprinkling, and pleasant temperatures!

Someone's fat fingers almost messed up this pic!

I got 4 packs through the Gaui X5, followed by 4 flights on the Compass 7HV, and then topped with two long flights of the Intruder!  Very nice outing.  While the helis made me nervous, the Intruder relaxed me and wowed me with its stunning sound and missle like flights.  Felt good to carve up the sky with lots of rolls, knife edge, huge loops, fast
passes, inverted flight.  And then it came in nose high on landings for beautiful touchdowns.  On the first flight the OS 91fs kinda missed a few times during straight up and over the top inverted manuevers.  Before the next flight, I turned the high needle just one click richer, and the engine ran great the second flight, so much so that I did not even think about the issue on the second flight.

Just 4

Got in four flights on my 7HV this morning. I only took one heli because I intended to fly my Intruder plane to no end, but alas JB messed that plan up by dawdling around near the runway, running the sprinklers near the runway, and just being annoyances.  I don't really think they intentionally mess with us although I would not put that pass them to do so simply due to lack of thoughtfulness through ignorance and not meanness.  Anyway I got in the four fun flights on the heli, with many flips to inverted at various altitudes.  I did not even assemble the Intruder today.

Another 7

Today i got 7 flights again, but distributed differently than last time.  Flew 4 flights on the 7HV, 2 on the G500, and one on the old Intruder plane.   It was overcast, foggy, hazy when i got to the field. Put inthe flights on the 500 first, then four in a row on the 7HV.  While not my fave sky conditions, i did not lose perspective due to now flying lower than i used to when going inverted!  Did get into trouble a few times as i did roll flips...for some reason i had brain farts and fed in left rudder like i would in a plane doing a right roll!  That caused the tail to really kick out and look crazy!  Luckily i recovered each time.  After that i had to tell myself to stop feeding rudder, and instead feed negative pitch.  All went well after that but wow what a lame brain.

I also flew the good old Intruder pattern plane once.  It was great and i need to get it out again.  I wanted to fly it more but the JB worker was vacuuming the cut grass with the tractor.   It was just great to do very axial slow rolls and 4 point rolls with a neutral aerobatic plane!  GOOD GRIEF it has been 14 months since last flying this fine plane!  Need to take it out again in the next week then.

Triple Treat

Had lots of fun this morning.  I call it a triple treat day, flying a glow plane, electric heli, and a hand launch glider!  I ran 5 packs through the Gaui X5, had 3 flights of the Intruder pattern plane, and launched the Apache discus launch glider about a dozen times.  It was a gorgeous day, with very little company.  Rudy came out for a few flights before going to have his teeth sharpened.  Dean flew his Yak-55 a couple times.  And that was it, just three of us.

The X5 continues to be a real joy.  Stick time is piling up, and I am feeling more comfortable with the big helis each time.  I did my practice move a couple times, tried some more inverted hovering, and executed many flips...back, front, left, right.  I am trying to prevent myself from favoring one direction like I do with planes.  No misorientations today!

The Intruder was its old self.  The OS 91 four stroke sputtered a little on the first flight.  With one click of the needle to richen the mixture, the engine ran nice and smooth for the other two flights.  Sure is fun doing slow rolls, point rolls, and large loops with this plane!

I caught a 5 minute ride on one launch of the Apache, but that is the best I could do today.  No boomers for me, shucks!

Tied the record of the day before!

Yes, I had another 15 flights today on a day that duplicated yesterday's weather.  I had the same three helis, but today the plane was my Intruder, and it had 4 flights.  Tad was able to fly today, and his repaired Goblin 500 flew great.  Looked just about as good as new, but he sensed a slight backward drift that was not there before, so he'll check that out in the IKON programming.  My helis all flew well except for one weird episode where both 450's would not respond to throttle after plugging in their batteries for flights.  I can only guess I did something different on the transmitter, but soon they were both working again, and off they went for more flights.  The Goblin was sublime again, and I had another 10 or so flips on it.  No cajones to stop it inverted and try to hover yet...Tad did that lots today with his and looked very steady.  The Intruder was still on rails and had many rolls, fast and slow and 4 point.  Good plane.  Good helis.  Good Day!

Too Zonked

After having Skylar overnight, keeping us awake to tend to her needs, I flew today but just a short time due to being too zonked!  Had one flight with my Intruder, and two packs through the Star.  I got there around 10AM, and most guys were already winding down, haha.  I stayed till 12:30 and headed home, but that includes mowing the field for the last half hour that I was there.  Did a bum job, but at least it is shorter.

Intruder and Showtime

I broke out the Intruder for 3 flights today, and the repaired and regapped OS 91 Surpass II is making the plane sing like when it was new.  I can hear the whistle of the plane during the whole flight when at WOT.  I also flew the mini-Showtime to see if it would do the Hop and Stop task, but I don't think I like for that task because the plane noses over easily.  That would result in DQ points of -100, so I think I will stick with the Star for the finals two weeks from now.  Gorgeous cloudless day with very light winds.

Intruder

Finally got to fly again after Skylar's birth!  Just got in two flights with the Intruder which is flying like a champ again, whistle and all as she sails by low and fast.  It's a confidence inspiring blast to fly.  Off to see Skylar again in an hour or so!

Good Switch!

I fixed the Intruder last night by switching the entire cylinder head, with the valve springs, etc, from a spare engine to the OS 91 Surpass II on this plane.  While at it, I gapped the valves, and put in a new OS Type F glow plug.  The repaired engine ran MOST EXCELLENTLY today, and the Intruder even had its familiar whistle back, from whence it was brand new!  YES!!!  I had one short test hop, then a full flight, and it is back on fast rails again.  I decided to not fly it anymore and save it for this Saturday's event.

Instead I flew the Star for my 3 packs, and also flew the MCPX Blade for 3 flights.  I tried my first full circle with the MCPX and crashed...too much bank, not enough rudder, full throttle into the grass, but there was NO damage.  Gotta love it.  Took off again immediately and I executed a full turn, but it was 50' away so too hard to even tell.  I did another with smaller diameter and just 25' away, most pleasing to do so!

Early on, Ashton and I hammered in at least a hundred 6" staples to hold edges and overlaps of the new mat down and to prevent tripping hazards.  Looks good and I am surprised we were able to do it in about an hour.  It was just the two of us till Dean arrived and helped for perhaps 10 minutes.

BTW Ashton totaled his Uproar out on the sod farm grass today.  Something happened to aileron control and he went in full bore.  He thinks maybe it was mechanical failure of the control rod keepers on the servo arm...in other words the allen screw might not have been tight enough.  Rudy had a couple flights then tore up his LG on landing the big Osiris...came in too slow.  He says it should be an easy repair.  Dean  flew his Corby Starlet with great success today, finally.  Mike brought his Pawnee to practice for Sat.

It was a great day at the field, having fun and accomplishing needed maintenance.

Practice day for WOK

Practiced with Tad for our duet demo on Saturday.  Flew my Intruder twice but came in deadstick on the 2nd flight.  Checking at the field, it looked like either a sticky lifter or a broken valve spring in the OS 91 Surpass II.  At home with a flashlight, I confirmed the latter.  Too bad I don't have extra springs, but I do have extra engines, haha.  I practiced the duet with my RV-8 after the Intruder came up lame.  We did ok, but not great.  Hopefully the spectators will still be entertained by the flight.  I think I got about 5 flights in with the RV-8.  Tad's Kaos Two ran and flew well.

Father's Day!

Had a great day of flying on Father's Day, made totally special by all 3 sons coming out to fly with me!  That was really special.  Tad flew his Kaos Two, Jer flew the rejuvenated Extra Soucy, Alex flew his Alpha trainer, and I flew my Intruder.  It was an exceptional day in another way...Alex qualified for his gold star on his membership card, meaning he can fly alone anytime.  He took three flights today where I did not have to handle the sticks at all.  He took off, flew, and landed on his own.  His landings were very good.  One takeoff was a little sketchy when the Southwind brought the plane over to the fence on the takeoff roll and lift off, but he escaped unharmed with good reactions to keep the plane away from the pits, unlike another pilot at the field today who let his plane go deep over the pits.  Not a good thing by Dave. Alex made lots of loops and rolls, and even extended inverted flight, wonderful flying for not having flown since last Fall!  I made about 5 flights today, a couple with Tad and Jer, making passes together over the field.  I think the Soucy is the fastest, while the Kaos and Intruder are pretty even in speed.  WHAT FUN.  Total satisfaction.

I also flew my Blade 130x for two packs, and had fun with it.  No crashes, and feeling good about it.  Watch out, something bad will happen soon, haha.  Jer flew his Hyper Taxi too, pretty crazy thing.

Intruder

Yay, finally lighter winds today!  And so nice and cool requiring just a vest over my shirt.  A JB guy was  mowing, but most times far away, so Dave and I flew carefully.  Got my Intruder tuned in better so that it whistles again on low passes.  I made two flights and loved the rail like tracking.  Loops were huge and rolls of all kinds were on a string.  Landings were easy from the East, being careful to land slow and short due to irrigation pipes laid completely across the West end of the runway, lol.  Before the Intruder, I flew the Blade 130x twice since that is all the batteries I have for it.  FUN, and I am getting more comfortable with turning the sides of the chopper to  me.  Did the tail in orbit of the chopper around me too, like control line.  It has to be helping me somehow, haha.  I feel the full circle out away from me coming soon if I can keep the little beast in one piece long enough!

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.