Pietenpol-List: Sat. Both sad and happy
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2003 5:31 pm
Original Posted By: flyboy_120(at)webtv.net (Ed G.)
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Sat. Both sad and happy christinedigsjazz(at)shaw.ca, wayfollower(at)cox.net, claudiabartlett(at)austin.rr.com, T_FIN(at)Compuserve.com, hmposer(at)charter.net, Howdyhilary(at)aol.com, fleece(at)cox-internet.com, NewtonIvy(at)webtv.net, jamestownesimmons(at)yahoo.com, jbrainis(at)sport.rr.com, LCJELKS(at)aol.com, JimNikls(at)aol.com, Herzog807(at)msn.com, Jajouett(at)aol.com, Leeortho(at)aol.com, LGililland(at)msn.com, Linda(at)huarch.com, tvlux(at)cox.net, MAGSOUR(at)aol.com, Marionle35(at)aol.com, Mvphipps39(at)aol.com, rchapman(at)andersonsmith.com, RobertBeachbum(at)aol.com, nfn00979(at)naples.net, TomTravis(at)aol.com, wbeevans(at)worldnet.att.net, craigwilcox(at)peoplepc.comPieters and Friends,Yesterday began very sad for our country and some space participants and their families. This we all regret deeply.Yesterday, my test pilot Mr. Edwin Johnson, finally agreed to let me fly in my airplane. Sounds funny doesn't it. He had test flown the first 25 hrs and 36 minutes as required by the FAA before carrying a passenger ( that's me). Earlier in the afternoon I had cranked up N41CC and taxied up and down the runway waiting for him. The tailwheel didn't answer to helm as I wanted it so I came in and made some changes. Finally he arrived and said he would ride front hole and I would fly from the rear, where else? It took him 2 prop swings before it started. ( I started it on the first swing earlier). We talked about our signals etc before we taxied out for run up. Finally I went to the north end of Lucien and did a few vrooms eased the throttle forward and felt that 65 Continental try to force me through the seat back. Didn't even forget to pressure the rudder to the right when the tail lifted. Didn't know when we left the ground as it was so quick. Kicked in a little right crab, ( SW wind), and she climbed like an angel on her way home. Made my left climbing turn and the ball stayed centered. Man, I was livin. Went up to 1K, 130 deg, to go chase hundreds of white pelicans down on the roaring Red. A beautiful bird, most people have never seen them from above to see the beautiful black-top wing tips. Anyway my front holer directed me to Desoto Parish Airport for some attempts to land this airplane. I had failed to tell him that I had not landed a tail wheel airplane since 1972. Oh well, he would soon find out. I made my usual Kamakazi approach as he just sat up there stunned. Came on down to 18 and leveled off to land as if I had been landing a big bird. Was pretty high and did I ever spread the gears, ( dropped in). I was embarrased. We went around again and on base he took it to show me how well a Piet would slip. On final I slipped it and it was like the old L-16 in '51. He applauded this landing. Hell, any landing would have beat that first one. We left Desoto. Forgot to mention that between the Pelicans and Desoto we went up to 2500 for some steeeeeeeep turns, sslooooooooooow flying and some stalls, power on and half on.All went well. I felt right at home.Next we went to a sod duster operation strip. First landing, kinda bad, again flairing out too high. Next one he applauded me once again. By then the sun had set and it was beginning to cool down in 41CC so we came home. Landed at Lucien, again kinda high but ground control was OK. That Lucien runway can't be any wider 12 or 15 feet.I guess you might say this was part of what they call a bi-annual. His only comment was that we need to do it again as soon as we can get another beautiful day. As all of you noted, the skies in East Texas and Western La yesterday were as clear as I ever remember.I ended the day feeling like a popsickle but very pleased to have piloted our own creation. Joe Czalicka and I. Those building Piets, don't stop, it's worth all the work.Corky in La________________________________________________________________________________
Subject: Pietenpol-List: Sat. Both sad and happy christinedigsjazz(at)shaw.ca, wayfollower(at)cox.net, claudiabartlett(at)austin.rr.com, T_FIN(at)Compuserve.com, hmposer(at)charter.net, Howdyhilary(at)aol.com, fleece(at)cox-internet.com, NewtonIvy(at)webtv.net, jamestownesimmons(at)yahoo.com, jbrainis(at)sport.rr.com, LCJELKS(at)aol.com, JimNikls(at)aol.com, Herzog807(at)msn.com, Jajouett(at)aol.com, Leeortho(at)aol.com, LGililland(at)msn.com, Linda(at)huarch.com, tvlux(at)cox.net, MAGSOUR(at)aol.com, Marionle35(at)aol.com, Mvphipps39(at)aol.com, rchapman(at)andersonsmith.com, RobertBeachbum(at)aol.com, nfn00979(at)naples.net, TomTravis(at)aol.com, wbeevans(at)worldnet.att.net, craigwilcox(at)peoplepc.comPieters and Friends,Yesterday began very sad for our country and some space participants and their families. This we all regret deeply.Yesterday, my test pilot Mr. Edwin Johnson, finally agreed to let me fly in my airplane. Sounds funny doesn't it. He had test flown the first 25 hrs and 36 minutes as required by the FAA before carrying a passenger ( that's me). Earlier in the afternoon I had cranked up N41CC and taxied up and down the runway waiting for him. The tailwheel didn't answer to helm as I wanted it so I came in and made some changes. Finally he arrived and said he would ride front hole and I would fly from the rear, where else? It took him 2 prop swings before it started. ( I started it on the first swing earlier). We talked about our signals etc before we taxied out for run up. Finally I went to the north end of Lucien and did a few vrooms eased the throttle forward and felt that 65 Continental try to force me through the seat back. Didn't even forget to pressure the rudder to the right when the tail lifted. Didn't know when we left the ground as it was so quick. Kicked in a little right crab, ( SW wind), and she climbed like an angel on her way home. Made my left climbing turn and the ball stayed centered. Man, I was livin. Went up to 1K, 130 deg, to go chase hundreds of white pelicans down on the roaring Red. A beautiful bird, most people have never seen them from above to see the beautiful black-top wing tips. Anyway my front holer directed me to Desoto Parish Airport for some attempts to land this airplane. I had failed to tell him that I had not landed a tail wheel airplane since 1972. Oh well, he would soon find out. I made my usual Kamakazi approach as he just sat up there stunned. Came on down to 18 and leveled off to land as if I had been landing a big bird. Was pretty high and did I ever spread the gears, ( dropped in). I was embarrased. We went around again and on base he took it to show me how well a Piet would slip. On final I slipped it and it was like the old L-16 in '51. He applauded this landing. Hell, any landing would have beat that first one. We left Desoto. Forgot to mention that between the Pelicans and Desoto we went up to 2500 for some steeeeeeeep turns, sslooooooooooow flying and some stalls, power on and half on.All went well. I felt right at home.Next we went to a sod duster operation strip. First landing, kinda bad, again flairing out too high. Next one he applauded me once again. By then the sun had set and it was beginning to cool down in 41CC so we came home. Landed at Lucien, again kinda high but ground control was OK. That Lucien runway can't be any wider 12 or 15 feet.I guess you might say this was part of what they call a bi-annual. His only comment was that we need to do it again as soon as we can get another beautiful day. As all of you noted, the skies in East Texas and Western La yesterday were as clear as I ever remember.I ended the day feeling like a popsickle but very pleased to have piloted our own creation. Joe Czalicka and I. Those building Piets, don't stop, it's worth all the work.Corky in La________________________________________________________________________________