Original Posted By: javcr(at)prodigy.net.mx
Subject: Pietenpol-List: IFR in a PietenpolI did a flight yesterday that I just had to pass along to the Piet group. I departed Cook Airfield to the Southwest, following the RR tracks. I saw 3 hotair balloons on the ground, ready to launch. I could see the flames going on and off every few seconds, so I entered a pattern overhead, at about 4 or 5 hundred feet, and blew a BIG smoke ring around the balloons for them to go up through !! The smoke ring hung in there very well in the no wind condition, till I completed the circuit, as the first balloon launched. It also served them to tell which way the wind was blowing up there. Then I picked up the Arkansas River, and dropped down to the deck, less than 100 feet above the water,and followed the river for about 30 miles. I saw lots of deer, and birds, anda beaver, but didn't see a single person along the entire length of the river flight. Gives the meaning to IFR - 'I Follow Rivers' !! Steep bank turns, maintaining 70 mph on the indicator, just below the tree tops for much of the flight, to follow the sharp turns in the river...Way Cool !! There are 3 places where wires cross the river, and 2 bridges, which I'll have to note morecarefully on subsequent flights. It's a somewhat shallow river, with lots of sand bars to make an emergency landing. The river carries away lots of sand andsilt, much to the farmers dismay. Down below Oxford, I pulled up out of the river bottom, and saw a crop duster just turn off the sprayer bar, and pull upvertical. Stayed out of his way, and made the return trip up the river. The balloons were all down in a different field, about 20 feet off the ground. They stayed very close to each other for their whole flight. I think this IFRcourse is going to be a regular !! What a Hoot !!Chuck G.________________________________________________________________________________Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 19:30:17 -0600