All Seasons Flyers, Jan. 09

[bill marvel]

That was a close one.  Have not flown since before Christmas.  The Midwest has been having lots of cold weather with snow and ice.  Mostly it has just been too darned cold or windy or both to fly.   We got a break in the temperatures and wind and gave it a try.

Steve Smith, Joe Thompson and I scraped out a take-off strip in the 4" of snow and a flat place in the center.  Ted Winterman showed up to coach and pit.  All of the engines needed coaxing from a starter.  Each one started without much fuss and ran well.  The temperature was about 40.  The wind was about 10 mph but forecast to be much worse.  We each got a couple of flights in.  Landings were relatively soft.  As we were wrapping up lines and putting things back in our vehicles, the winds began to increase quite rapidly.  We were lucky.

That takes care of January.

regards,
bill marvel 

[john e. holliday]

Look at all that beautiful snow.  Glad you guys got your flights in.  The grandson and I just got back from the field.  He now has a solo flight under his belt.  Then it went down hill from there.  The wind was starting to pick up and he manage a half a flight before he pancaked the plane.  The last attempt the wind got him and the plane.  It is repairable, "Flight Streak Trainer" that has been repaired before.  On the way home I told him if we can get out each month we can get an All Season Patch.  He just kind of snickered.  Having fun,  DOC Holliday

[Paul Taylor]

Ryan and I just got back from the field.

Pictures will follow later tonight, along with a short blurb.

[the original Steve Smith]

Here's a couple of pics I took today at Buder - yes we are crazy  .... and desparate!

[Dan McEntee]

  Hi Bill!
   I was wondering if the sun had cooked off the snow from the square pad. Guess it didn't huh? I was thinking about getting out myself to try out the Hanger 9 PT-19 that I finally put together, buy got hung up with a guy looking at one of my motorcycles that I have for sale, and that pretty much killed the day. Wound up tinkering on bikes the rest of the day, just enjoying the sunshine! I hope to have the PT-19 broken in and flown by the time Ice-O-Lated rolls around
   I'm good for 2008, and I got my January flight a week or two ago when we had a 45 degree day and flew off my stooge at a local park before I left for work. One of the few perks of working second shift!
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

[bill marvel]

  Hi Bill!
   I was wondering if the sun had cooked off the snow from the square pad. Guess it didn't huh?
***SNIP***
   Dan McEntee

We had to search for the edge of the square pad and then search for the center.  The snow was almost free of even animal tracks.  The sky was clear and blue.  The sun was nearly blinding off that white snow.  I got a bit of sunburn on my face.  All in all, it was a fun day.  Missed seeing you there.

bill

[Rudy Taube]

Hi Doc,

RE: your quote: ".... On the way home I told him if we can get out each month we can get an All Season Patch."

I called the AMA and asked if I could get an All Season Patch, they looked up my address and said ____ NO! They do not allow them to be sent to anyone in the SW. They said it would not be fair, and something about me being a wimp for even asking! 

Even though it was 75 and sunny, I didn't fly yesterday because of high winds. It was blowing at a miserable 7 mph (our limit here is 5 mph or less). .... I wonder why they called me a wimp?? 

Regards from the Beach, 

[Alan Hahn]

Hi Doc,

RE: your quote: ".... On the way home I told him if we can get out each month we can get an All Season Patch."

I called the AMA and asked if I could get an All Season Patch, they looked up my address and said ____ NO! They do not allow them to be sent to anyone in the SW. They said it would not be fair, and something about me being a wimp for even asking! 

.....<snip>

Regards from the Beach, 

I knew there were disadvantages of living in the Southwest. But until just now, I wasn't sure what they were!

[Rudy Taube]

Hi Alan,

Your comment: "....I knew there were disadvantages of living in the Southwest. But until just now, I wasn't sure what they were! ...."

Your right Alan, it is a major distadvantage. Just the other day I was asking my wife if she would mind if we moved to the NE so that I could earn my AMA "All Season Badge". Her answer was (insert colorful language here   ) .... NO!!!!! 

I did pay my WX dues as a child back east. I remember packing down 2' of snow to make a flying circle in our back yard to fly our 1/2 As in the winter. We did not even feel the pain of the prop cuts in our fingers it was so cold, and I still have the scars.   

Maybe I can ask the AMA for a retroactive badge? 

Regards, 

 

[Steve Helmick]

Pete Peterson and I flew both yesterday (Sat.) and today at Tacoma Narrows Airport. Mike Haverly joined us Saturday, and Ranty Powell today. Schultzie showed up today, but we couldn't get him to fly my "Pro-vile". Next time, it may be suggested at gunpoint...

It was pretty nice yesterday, but bloody cold today. I got in two flights each day. Not bad, considering that I had to get my daily IV dose of antibiotics at 4pm...lots of fun!  Steve

[john e. holliday]

Rudy, did you point out the high heat and wind in the summer?  Sometimes that is worse than dead calm and 20 degrees.    DOC Holliday

[Busby]

Mack Henry and myself flew yesterday as well , although the temp was in the high 50s the wind was about 20 and gusting. I got blown out of the overheads twice before I got smart enough not to try again.
We flew the combat planes instead, at least they have plenty of drive through the wind.
Tight wind aided loops were fast , they picked up enough speed that otherwise would have slowed them down,
five consecutive loops picked up about 10 to 15 mph from start to finish.
At least we were out and got some handle time.
Busby

[Rudy Taube]

Hi Doc,

".....Rudy, did you point out the high heat and wind in the summer?  Sometimes that is worse than dead calm and 20 degrees.    DOC Holliday..."

Doc, you have a very good point. There are some areas in the SW that have those issues. Here at the beach we don't have any of those. Our average temps in Aug. are 77, light winds in the AM 95 % of the year and a nice 10K sea breeze in the PM for sailing or slope soaring. 

The local chamber of commerce has an arrangement with the WX gods: that if we keep sending cute young starlets to Hollywood from the beach, then they will only have it rain, our annual 13", between the hours of 11 PM and 6AM, and give us perfect model flying WX 95% of the year.

The other 5% of the year we complete our "Honey Dos", do maintenance on our other toys, and what time is left over (a few hours) is our total years model building season! 

Regards,