It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!

I just returned from a great flying session. Great weather for this time of year in this part of the world - maybe about 10 degrees C with light to next to nothing wind. Four of us were out today, Tim, Geoff, Eric and myself.

Tim had his new Smoothie with the warp largely removed flying 5 second laps with no line tension problems. By his second flight he was starting do do some fancy stuff.

Eric had his homebrew special with the comabt wing flying nicely doing all sorts of loops and lazy eights. It turns on a dime! Both these guys appear to be ready for Jim Walker competition next season (That's an event we fly in Canada that combines a few maneuvers with a speed run. There's an engine size handicap to even out the differences between larger and smaller engines. It's a great entry level event in which you can pretty well 'run what you brung' or you can get very competetive about it and build a plane/engine conbination to exploit whatever the rules allow).

Geoff had a bit of a rough day and augered in the old Ukey I sold him. The fuselage took the major hit - three pieces, but the wings and tail are intact so he's going to make a new fuse for it.

I had the fat Magnum (that's right, fat not phat) flying quite well today. Cool air does marvelous things for a less than optimum setup. I will spend the big bucks over the winter and get that three blade Bolly that Len recommends for the 53.

The day ended with a Champagne toast to Tim's new Smoothie, courtesy Geoff. Now I ask you, does it get any better than that?

Best, Hoovie

"By his second flight he was starting do do some fancy stuff."

Yeah, real fancy - some climb-and-dive, that's about it. On the third flight I was confident enough to try some wingovers, and they went pretty well. I do think this plane will fly pretty well when I get it trimmed out properly - it's definitely the sharpest-turning plane I've flown so far. Nice corners. Geoff really set a dangerous precedent with the Henckell. Not sure if we can keep that up, but it sure made a nice capper for the season.

David is right, though... it doesn't get a whole lot better...

My son who is now 24 and who has remained distant from me, called and said, "dad what are you doing today?". It was a Sat morn. blue sky and no wind. I answered nothing just playing in the garage, why?. He said, "I want to ask you a question" why have you never taught me how to fly control line?. I said because you are always busy chasing skirts and hanging out with your buddies. Dad, I'll meet you at the field in 1 hour. I took an old plane that I still have from when I was in my twenties. It has a fuse from a crashed Ringmaster and a wing from a crashed Flightstreak. The engine is a ST 35 that I had when I was around 16 years old and it still runs great. Grabbed my flight box and headed for the field. That day we spent about 3 hours together teaching him how to fly. The following weekend we spent all day at the field. He took off and landed on his own and I taught him how to do wingovers and how to do inside and outside loops. He missed the ground by 12 in. several times. We laughed until our sides hurt. At the end of the day we sat in our folding chairs drinking sodas and recapping the day and watched the sun set. I was exhausted, man, I'm telling you, it doesen't any better than this!!

Greg,

I don't think anything could be better than that.

> My son who is now 24 and who has remained distant from me,
>called and said, "dad what are you doing today?". It was a
>Sat morn. blue sky and no wind. I answered nothing just
>playing in the garage, why?. He said, "I want to ask you a
>question" why have you never taught me how to fly control
>line?. I said because you are always busy chasing skirts and
>hanging out with your buddies. Dad, I'll meet you at the
>field in 1 hour. I took an old plane that I still have from
>when I was in my twenties. It has a fuse from a crashed
>Ringmaster and a wing from a crashed Flightstreak. The
>engine is a ST 35 that I had when I was around 16 years old
>and it still runs great. Grabbed my flight box and headed
>for the field. That day we spent about 3 hours together
>teaching him how to fly. The following weekend we spent all
>day at the field. He took off and landed on his own and I
>taught him how to do wingovers and how to do inside and
>outside loops. He missed the ground by 12 in. several times.
>We laughed until our sides hurt. At the end of the day we

>sat in our folding chairs drinking sodas and recapping the
>day and watched the sun set. I was exhausted, man, I'm
>telling you, it doesen't any better than this!!

Greg, I love to hear about your time with your son. I have a 16 year old Son that I have shown him some starting lessons with a Cox Pt-19 trainer. He has done wing overs at best. I let him fly my Tanager .46 He did well, only level flight till a hard belly landing at full speed. Cracked the fuse but is repaired like new. He doesn't have an interest in flying them though, or building. I have hope that some day his interest will come soon before he becomes an adult. I'm competing with his playstation.

Beat up Ringmaster=6.95; Old ST .35=24.89; lawn chairs and soft drinks=16.95; spending time with son flying=pricless. Been there, done that, miss it.

I had a similar experience today at the field as well. 50 degree weather. Wind: variable 0-3mph. Good company of fellow pilots. Finally finding that extra something to bring the plane into perfect trim: the moment for Zen!
And to top it off, trying something new and finding it thoroughly enjoyable. I've flown a Fierce Arrow and a tuned pipe ship designed by Dave Cook and built by Rick Campbell. The ship was in perfect trim too! A couple of weeks ago, the same ship was a handfull for me. Today, I loved it!
I've discovered one of the secrets of why expert pilots consistently put up those beautifull flights: it's the trim, silly boy!

Yeah Steven,
I read a article once by Billy W were he said something like when your plane is trimmed right it flys like it has power steering. By George I think you've got it.

I have had the pleasure of flying with my son for quite a while now.
It started when "Mom" gave him a Cox PT-19 for Christmas years ago, which I didn't know about beforehand.
Now he's doing pretty good and moving up the PAMPA ladder. I feel good when it all goes well, and share the sorrow if it doesn't. We have the ability to *argue* and get over it, he is very competitive.
It has been a lot more enjoyable to share this hobby/sport with him.
A couple weeks ago we went out to the ballfield and spent the afternoon just hanging out and flying. It was a blast!
Oh yeah, he's 27 now and a Father, too!
Bill <><