Archive for month: August, 2015

It was initially bit gusty at the field so we spent some time talking about the ultra exam which Jeff is going to attempt soon. The wind came down a bit and Jeff proceeded with five flights using reverse inflation. We have also practiced numerous engine out procedures including a real one. That was when Jeff has tried the big ears. Well done but he accidentally killed his motor. No big deal, jeff made uneventful landing about half a kilometer away then we walk the equipment back to our grass runway. After this Jeff managed five quick flights using forward inflation which he has finally mastered. Jeff has now 34 flight in his log and has completed the course 30 flight requirement. Congrats Jeff and finishing practical part of the course.

I got my ass handed to me in Goderich. The wind was gusting to 20 KTS from 240 so I had a choice of paved runway 28 with a lot of crosswind or short grass runway 23. Since I have never landed the Cherokee on grass before, I went for the 28 but it was a big mistake, I barely managed to set her down in major gusty cross wind. It took all I got to settle her in! After that I took off and landed on the grass which was real freaky for the first time with the plane fully loaded for sight seeing flight and only 1800 ft of grass to get off. I did text book soft field take off with two notches of flaps, full back pressure then once couple feet off the ground I held her in ground effect until we accelerated enough for me to pull her up an pull up she did. We shot up over the trees at the end of the grass strip with lots of spare altitude. Coming back, I landed on grass too. OMG, much better then fighting the crazy cross wind. Nice lunch in Godferich with friends then very bumpy flight back to St. Catharines.

I like grass!

Another 4.3 hrs in my log

In Goderich

Our route

See the short gras 23?

Flew two intro Tandem flight this morning. Excellent conditions. We had 100 ft leader of very cold air on the ground but 100 ft up it was so warm…and…sooo…calm. It was just beauty!

Here is a video of take off in slow motion.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/fmheoez35h4ho4p/IMG_3981.MOV?dl=0p;

and another one from the whole flight

https://www.dropbox.com/s/795zwke4v4vs9vf/Ppgclips.mov?dl=0

Very nice night at the field. Initially quite windy but after 30 min break near perfect conditions. Jeff added 6 more flights to his log book and is now completely independent. He has got 24 on his belt now. His landings are super split and so are his take offs. He also practiced engine out procedure and passed.

Gregor flew 4 times. He likes to take it easy and enjoy flying it self. He has now 12 flights and he can land on his own as well. I do not think he was in the beans once. ;-)

We had some very nasty clouds at the field at 4:30 when have arrived at the field. We had to sit around for about an hour with dark clouds above us spitting occasional drop of water. At 6 o’clock the massive cumulus finally started to break down and disappear and was time for us to fly. Gregor managed two flights both of them quite long – it was spectacular night to fly. The wind has died off rather rapidly so instead of trying for more takeoffs and landings I let Gregore to enjoy the perfectly smooth air…