Cold weather is good to fly in.. The dense air provides more power to be developed in the engine, and more lift from the wings. If I have the engine heater on for over 6 hours, the battery and engine are nicely warmed and starts easily. Cloud ceiling, visibility, and winds ate the primary variables for me. Also, availability of good food at other air fields.
Tales from the Log of the Ruptured Duck
- Thread starter Kayak Jack
- Start date
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ALMOST DONE BEING A HANGAR QUEEN!
When a plane is in maintenance a long time, it earns the moniker of "Hangar Queen". The Duck has been in captivity almost two months now, and I visited her again today. It's kinda like visiting your favorite, old aunt as she convalesces after say, a hip replacement. She's sad, but is also by god upbeat! That demeanor was displayed by the Duck.
The new seats will be more comfy on my aging rump. And - they are narrower than the old ones! That difference will be welcome in the busy cockpit. And - the wing! The wing!. I can't wait to get behind the stick on this new beastie, and coast down the tobaggon slide on final aproach at an achingly slower speed. Shucks, I may just take a nap on the way down. :wink:
When a plane is in maintenance a long time, it earns the moniker of "Hangar Queen". The Duck has been in captivity almost two months now, and I visited her again today. It's kinda like visiting your favorite, old aunt as she convalesces after say, a hip replacement. She's sad, but is also by god upbeat! That demeanor was displayed by the Duck.
The new seats will be more comfy on my aging rump. And - they are narrower than the old ones! That difference will be welcome in the busy cockpit. And - the wing! The wing!. I can't wait to get behind the stick on this new beastie, and coast down the tobaggon slide on final aproach at an achingly slower speed. Shucks, I may just take a nap on the way down. :wink:
Jack,
You picked a good time of year to put her in the shop. The “test flight” will no doubt be a bright sunny calm spring day, enjoy it!
You are going to love that wing, also increase your off field landing safety margin. I was just thinking the first true STOL flight for me was after a day flying the T 38, scared me at first, took a while to get comfortable.
Good Fly’n
Andy
You picked a good time of year to put her in the shop. The “test flight” will no doubt be a bright sunny calm spring day, enjoy it!
You are going to love that wing, also increase your off field landing safety margin. I was just thinking the first true STOL flight for me was after a day flying the T 38, scared me at first, took a while to get comfortable.
Good Fly’n
Andy
Thanks, Andy. An Air Force test pilot, Terry Lutz, wants to fly it with me. He was also a test pilot for Airbus, and built his RV. He will help me a lot, I think.
I'd been doing final at 75mph. It will be 10-15mph slower, I think.
I'd been doing final at 75mph. It will be 10-15mph slower, I think.
Hi, Tom. With the old wing, I did get it down to 19mph ground speed one day. This one just, may hover?
I reviewed three kits. One from Europe that added mechanical interlinks between ailerons and flaps to simultaneously droop both flaps and ailerons. That sounds wayyyy too mechanically complicated to me, and a ripe romping groubd for Murphy's Law to take effect. REJECT,
The next one barely changed the wing cross section at all, and boosted lift only abot 15-20%. Set this one aside as a "maybe".
The third one is Stene Aviation Sportsman Cuff. (Go to http://www.steneaviation.com. And look at SportsmanCuff). Testimonials sounded sincerely rock solid. It nearly doubles the lift coefficient of the original wing. One state game pilot said they had been shadowing radio tagged deer. They now can shadow radio tsgged fish. Fish??!!
When I called and talked with them (a small field in Montana) they told me that 25% of their work there is replacing other STOL Kits with this one. BINGO! We have a winner.
I'm like a kid the week before Christmas, who has just discovered a "bicycke shaped package" in the front closet.
I reviewed three kits. One from Europe that added mechanical interlinks between ailerons and flaps to simultaneously droop both flaps and ailerons. That sounds wayyyy too mechanically complicated to me, and a ripe romping groubd for Murphy's Law to take effect. REJECT,
The next one barely changed the wing cross section at all, and boosted lift only abot 15-20%. Set this one aside as a "maybe".
The third one is Stene Aviation Sportsman Cuff. (Go to http://www.steneaviation.com. And look at SportsmanCuff). Testimonials sounded sincerely rock solid. It nearly doubles the lift coefficient of the original wing. One state game pilot said they had been shadowing radio tagged deer. They now can shadow radio tsgged fish. Fish??!!
When I called and talked with them (a small field in Montana) they told me that 25% of their work there is replacing other STOL Kits with this one. BINGO! We have a winner.
I'm like a kid the week before Christmas, who has just discovered a "bicycke shaped package" in the front closet.
Thanks for the link, that's a nice and clean installation. When I hear/read STOL, I automatically think big flaps, or greater extension on the flaps. I landed a C210 with flaperons once and found the controls very heavy feeling on landing. I was not a fan at all, but I also had 5200 feet of pavement ahead of me. I would probably change my mind for short and rough.
With a wing and tail full of vortex generators (VG), all it needs are tundra wheels. No plans for VGs any time soon. An STC kit for tail only could possibly be attractive. But all STCs for VGs have both wing and tail. Wasted money and extra bother on the wings with this STOL kit.
Me too. Last minute details got in the way - and today was CAVU weather. AARRGGHH!!
FAA didn't approve the throttle. Another AARRGGHH!! We'll try another source.
Supposed to be flyable Monday. I've already started making airplane noises - " EEEEeee-RROWWWWWerrrrrrr " as I drive along. sigh
FAA didn't approve the throttle. Another AARRGGHH!! We'll try another source.
Supposed to be flyable Monday. I've already started making airplane noises - " EEEEeee-RROWWWWWerrrrrrr " as I drive along. sigh
The Ruptured Duck Returns!
Yesterday, I again slipped the surly bonds of Earth, and took the Duck skyward. Todd flew her into Mason Jewett KTEW from his FBO at Charlotte KFPK. I saw him in the pattern, and contacted him on my handheld radio. "Hey, Tadd, how does she fly?"
The reply came quickly and pointedly, "Ohhhhh! I've got to get me one of these!"
As he taxied in and shut it down, he said, "I need this kit on MY 172. It flies way better. A whole new airplane." He flew left seat, as I observed on the way to teturn him home. He did a couple chandelles, and slow flight. With power on full throttle, IT WILL NOT STALL. Ii waddles along gracefully, hanging on the prop. Not an elegant way to travel, but it beats hell out of the performance of the original wing.
Today, my old instructor and I beat the pattern for a while. There was a straight crosswind that grew in strength as we were making more landings. I have to learn new throttle settings and airspeeds for downwind, base, final, and over the numbers. If I use the previous, faster speeds, then it continues to fly and needs a much longer runway.
Now, I need to fine tune the probe on the Angle Of Attack instrument. It's close, but too conservative. Once done, that will provide guidance for better air speeds. And reinforce better judgement when cruising over rivers and lakes and other waters to be paddled.
Oh! And we have a new, little refrigerator in the hangar. That will be handy this summer.
Yesterday, I again slipped the surly bonds of Earth, and took the Duck skyward. Todd flew her into Mason Jewett KTEW from his FBO at Charlotte KFPK. I saw him in the pattern, and contacted him on my handheld radio. "Hey, Tadd, how does she fly?"
The reply came quickly and pointedly, "Ohhhhh! I've got to get me one of these!"
As he taxied in and shut it down, he said, "I need this kit on MY 172. It flies way better. A whole new airplane." He flew left seat, as I observed on the way to teturn him home. He did a couple chandelles, and slow flight. With power on full throttle, IT WILL NOT STALL. Ii waddles along gracefully, hanging on the prop. Not an elegant way to travel, but it beats hell out of the performance of the original wing.
Today, my old instructor and I beat the pattern for a while. There was a straight crosswind that grew in strength as we were making more landings. I have to learn new throttle settings and airspeeds for downwind, base, final, and over the numbers. If I use the previous, faster speeds, then it continues to fly and needs a much longer runway.
Now, I need to fine tune the probe on the Angle Of Attack instrument. It's close, but too conservative. Once done, that will provide guidance for better air speeds. And reinforce better judgement when cruising over rivers and lakes and other waters to be paddled.
Oh! And we have a new, little refrigerator in the hangar. That will be handy this summer.
Over The River - Slowly
Yesterday, Julie and I again flew over the Maple River Valley. I've told about that river before - brushy and swampy. Today, I was able to slow down more than previously. Instead of an airspeed of 110, we did 100. Next time I try slower speed, it will be 95. Speeds much slower are possible in calm air. In bumpy air, it isn't comfortable to go real slow.
As we approached the SW'ly end of the river, where it joins Michigan's Grand River, turbulence began to boince us around. Then, I had two choices. Continue another 8 miles and turn S'ly to Charlotte and lunch, or turn now and have lunch a bit earlier. Now, there's a no brainer!
At Charlotte KFPK, I couldn't find the key for their courtesy car. Looking in the freezer, in the old coffee can where you put money for popcorn, I even tried the key locker where should have been. Nothing. I called Todd, only to find out that the old car had finally died, and was only waiting to be hauled away. (Short break for funeral music here). So, I called the restaurant to see if they would provide shuttle service back and forth.
Charlotte is the county seat for Eaton County. Our favorite restaurant in town - in their subtle play on words - is named The Eaton Place. Well, OK, not really subtle. I talked to Tim Jaquette, the manager there. "Sure! I'd be happy to pick you up. I'll be there in 10 minutes, in a white car." True to his word, there he was.
This restaurant meets all of my criteria: first and foremost it's clean. No amount of low prices or pretty waitresses can make a dirty restaurant acceptable. Here, their food is good, salad bar is expansive, service is good, and prices are reasonable. Our lunch was simple and tasty.
After lunch, Tim returned us to the field. I asked, "Tim, would you like a short ride in the Ruptured Duck?"
"Sure." Was his ready reply. So we strapped him in, gave him a passenger safety briefing, and took off. I'd offered to circle the town so he could see his restaurant. But, that turbulence had advanced into the area while we were eating lunch. I really didn't want to fly low and slow over a "densely populated area" with this stuff. So, I had to retract that offer. We circuited the pattern and made the crosswind lamding. Even in these gusty winds, this new wing was more controllable.
Our ride home was bumpily uneventful. Back at Mason, winds were quartering in from the left, but still a good headwind. Squeak - squeak, taxi back to the barn. I'd already cheated Death three times today, now it was tme for a cuppa tea.
Yesterday, Julie and I again flew over the Maple River Valley. I've told about that river before - brushy and swampy. Today, I was able to slow down more than previously. Instead of an airspeed of 110, we did 100. Next time I try slower speed, it will be 95. Speeds much slower are possible in calm air. In bumpy air, it isn't comfortable to go real slow.
As we approached the SW'ly end of the river, where it joins Michigan's Grand River, turbulence began to boince us around. Then, I had two choices. Continue another 8 miles and turn S'ly to Charlotte and lunch, or turn now and have lunch a bit earlier. Now, there's a no brainer!
At Charlotte KFPK, I couldn't find the key for their courtesy car. Looking in the freezer, in the old coffee can where you put money for popcorn, I even tried the key locker where should have been. Nothing. I called Todd, only to find out that the old car had finally died, and was only waiting to be hauled away. (Short break for funeral music here). So, I called the restaurant to see if they would provide shuttle service back and forth.
Charlotte is the county seat for Eaton County. Our favorite restaurant in town - in their subtle play on words - is named The Eaton Place. Well, OK, not really subtle. I talked to Tim Jaquette, the manager there. "Sure! I'd be happy to pick you up. I'll be there in 10 minutes, in a white car." True to his word, there he was.
This restaurant meets all of my criteria: first and foremost it's clean. No amount of low prices or pretty waitresses can make a dirty restaurant acceptable. Here, their food is good, salad bar is expansive, service is good, and prices are reasonable. Our lunch was simple and tasty.
After lunch, Tim returned us to the field. I asked, "Tim, would you like a short ride in the Ruptured Duck?"
"Sure." Was his ready reply. So we strapped him in, gave him a passenger safety briefing, and took off. I'd offered to circle the town so he could see his restaurant. But, that turbulence had advanced into the area while we were eating lunch. I really didn't want to fly low and slow over a "densely populated area" with this stuff. So, I had to retract that offer. We circuited the pattern and made the crosswind lamding. Even in these gusty winds, this new wing was more controllable.
Our ride home was bumpily uneventful. Back at Mason, winds were quartering in from the left, but still a good headwind. Squeak - squeak, taxi back to the barn. I'd already cheated Death three times today, now it was tme for a cuppa tea.
It's A DELI Thing
Today, I took Julie first to a small air park just S'ly of Flint MI. Next to the town of Linden, is Price's , Linden Price Field, with homes nestled around it. Their homes have hangars as a ground floor. These lucky folks can get up in the morning, have breakfast with a view, go downstairs and crank up their aeroplane. Tough duty, but someone's got to do it - I guess.
We just turned around and taxied back down the runway. Taking off on runway 27, we were under Flint's airspace, and had to stay below 2,100 feet for a few miles of W'ly travel. Then, we turned NW'ly to Owosso, KRNP. After landing there, I called a Lodge Brother who owns a deli here in town.
Kevin came out to pick us up, and we had a Rueben sandwich at his shop, named "It's A DELI Thing"". Dawn, Kevin's wife, works alongside him, and they're a good team. A couple of other Lodge members were there too, and they got to telling outlandish tales. These fellows just didn't know what to make of my true, honest stories! They hadn't ever heard how, over two hundred years ago, Cap'n Meriwether had taught me to tell only the truth, and that ever since then - I have!
Three landings today, and I'm still working to fly the pattern slower to land slower, and thus shorter. The Duck is noticeably more stable in flight. It no longer skitters around in turns, but remains steady in the turn. It used to feel like a bicycle with a weak, flimsy frame as it flips and flops undernesth as you lean harder into a turn. Raised the pucker factor a few times. The Angle Of Attack indicator seems almost spot on. I still need to stall it in flight to confirm that, but will domthat maneuver with Terry on board, not with Julie. I'd already cheated Death three times today.
After we put the Duck into the barn,we again went to the Bestsellers Coffee Shop to relax. Aahhhhh.
Today, I took Julie first to a small air park just S'ly of Flint MI. Next to the town of Linden, is Price's , Linden Price Field, with homes nestled around it. Their homes have hangars as a ground floor. These lucky folks can get up in the morning, have breakfast with a view, go downstairs and crank up their aeroplane. Tough duty, but someone's got to do it - I guess.
We just turned around and taxied back down the runway. Taking off on runway 27, we were under Flint's airspace, and had to stay below 2,100 feet for a few miles of W'ly travel. Then, we turned NW'ly to Owosso, KRNP. After landing there, I called a Lodge Brother who owns a deli here in town.
Kevin came out to pick us up, and we had a Rueben sandwich at his shop, named "It's A DELI Thing"". Dawn, Kevin's wife, works alongside him, and they're a good team. A couple of other Lodge members were there too, and they got to telling outlandish tales. These fellows just didn't know what to make of my true, honest stories! They hadn't ever heard how, over two hundred years ago, Cap'n Meriwether had taught me to tell only the truth, and that ever since then - I have!
Three landings today, and I'm still working to fly the pattern slower to land slower, and thus shorter. The Duck is noticeably more stable in flight. It no longer skitters around in turns, but remains steady in the turn. It used to feel like a bicycle with a weak, flimsy frame as it flips and flops undernesth as you lean harder into a turn. Raised the pucker factor a few times. The Angle Of Attack indicator seems almost spot on. I still need to stall it in flight to confirm that, but will domthat maneuver with Terry on board, not with Julie. I'd already cheated Death three times today.
After we put the Duck into the barn,we again went to the Bestsellers Coffee Shop to relax. Aahhhhh.
On Silent Wings
Tomorrow, the Ruptured Duck will carry us to a small, turf runway, 2,471'X100', near an equally small town of Gregory, Michigan - and a whole new area of flight. Richmond Field 69G has "extensive glider operations".
Today, Julie's Son Jon, visited us and went to our EAA Chapter55 pancake breakfast with us. Weather was perfect for a flight, and I'd planned to take him for a short, 40 minute ride after breakfast and our business meeting. 69G was to be only a turning point, then fly 8 miles N'ly to overfly a private field named "Field of Dreams", and home again. Turns out Jon had to remain on the ground, and within telephone contact of work. So, we never got airborn.
As a precaution, I'd already contacted the field manager, John Harte, to ask about how firm or soggy the turf was after a few, rainy days. "We have a lot of sand here, so it's pretty firm. Drop in and see us." Then, we talked gliders a few minutes.
Well! Since tomorrow's weather promises to be even better than today, Julie and I plan to fly to Richmond Field and learn about flying gliders. I'm seriously thinking of adding a glider endorsement to my license And, I'd like Julie to take some lessons too. It is the purest of stick and rudder flying available.
So, from an aborted flight today, we are starting into a totally new adventure tomorrow to explore non-powered flight in heavier than air aircraft. We'll be cheating death a in a whole new way!
Tomorrow, the Ruptured Duck will carry us to a small, turf runway, 2,471'X100', near an equally small town of Gregory, Michigan - and a whole new area of flight. Richmond Field 69G has "extensive glider operations".
Today, Julie's Son Jon, visited us and went to our EAA Chapter55 pancake breakfast with us. Weather was perfect for a flight, and I'd planned to take him for a short, 40 minute ride after breakfast and our business meeting. 69G was to be only a turning point, then fly 8 miles N'ly to overfly a private field named "Field of Dreams", and home again. Turns out Jon had to remain on the ground, and within telephone contact of work. So, we never got airborn.
As a precaution, I'd already contacted the field manager, John Harte, to ask about how firm or soggy the turf was after a few, rainy days. "We have a lot of sand here, so it's pretty firm. Drop in and see us." Then, we talked gliders a few minutes.
Well! Since tomorrow's weather promises to be even better than today, Julie and I plan to fly to Richmond Field and learn about flying gliders. I'm seriously thinking of adding a glider endorsement to my license And, I'd like Julie to take some lessons too. It is the purest of stick and rudder flying available.
So, from an aborted flight today, we are starting into a totally new adventure tomorrow to explore non-powered flight in heavier than air aircraft. We'll be cheating death a in a whole new way!
Buzzard chasing would be fun. There is another Wannabe thing. Take pictures if possible and enjoy.
Bob
Bob
It's always bothered me that a bird brained buzzard could out fly me. Now, I'll learn about what they do instinctively. sigh
Kayak Jack said:It's always bothered me that a bird brained buzzard could out fly me. Now, I'll learn about what they do instinctively. sigh
One Old Buzzard chasing some other Buzzards. :lol: :roll: Just don't hurt the real ones they are protected in most states.