After a series of "unsuccessful experiences" at the TEMAC Field since last year, I was grounded by wind yesterday (Wednesday) however picked up a lot of pointers from closely observing Andre & his student pilot.
Today (Thursday) I arrived late afternoon, straight from work. The windsock was nearly straight out, so I took a nap in the car for an hour. Several others were flying faster aircraft with good penetration.
The wind dropped and Rick Ramsaran stood by and assisted me. Michael, your GWS 380 Tiger Moth finally had several successful flights.
The glitching problems that I had experienced in the highschool gym (FEATHER receiver) did not show up. I had purchased several new nicad packs and they provided adequate power for handlaunches. Climbout was modest but circuits were done and there was sufficient power to fight back into the wind. I managed to stay east of the flightline. She is a joy to land, virtually hovering into the wind, then dropping the last 6" of altitude when the throttle is cut.
Only one flight ended off-runway; being genetically the son of a farmer, I was able to carefully pick my way thru the soybean plants so as to not damage any, and retrieve the ship.
Adam & yourself are still in the cockpit altho tired after multiple long flights (well, they seemed long to me !)
Rod Clark
EMFSO/TEMAC/LSF/MAAC
edited 2005/08/24 to thank Rick Ramsaran for being my copilot that day.
Edited by - warthog on 24 Aug 2005 5:13:23 PM