Old Man Flies Airplane, Crashes

[W.D. Roland]

NEWS from the FRONT YARD

The grass at the field is growing nicely.

Finally after 3+ gallons of Super Fuel I have 3 engine ,airplanes and a pilot that can do the novice pattern sort of mostly.

Dad turned 75 years young last week.
Came out for a visit Saturday while I was flying.
He watched a few flights and then said he felt up to trying a flight on the Shoestring.
Has not flown since 1977 but felt he could take it  off Ok.

Take off was good and level flight was commenced, WOW this is cool... second time I have watched someone else fly in 30+ years.

Figured I should go out to center circle should I be needed.
Dad said hes doing good and no not feeling dizzy! cool.

After about 3/4 tank He wanted to hand off so I got the handle and that when the crash began.
Rapidly off to the down hill side at a steady increasing angle of no longer vertical his face met the dirt at a fairly reasonable velocity, about 20 feet from me.
Now laughing my you know where off for the next 3/4 lap as I come around again see that hes holding his knee and rocking back and forth so now concerned that Hey, he hurt his self----well he is 75!
He said he thinks he's ok.
He layed back to watched me fly.

Finally the Fox dies and I land and give him a hand up and we both start laughing and hugged each other and laughed till we cried.

It only hurts when the flying ends.

Pictures are from today's pratice.

David

[W.D. Roland]

Another.

[johnbyrne]

Great story.  It really is more fun to fly with someone else isn't it.  The circle is really looking much better than the last pics you posted.  I believe it was just dirt back then.  Coming along nice.

When you gonna make it up here to Vicksburg?  Our field is always open you know.  I plan on making Baton Rouge again this year.  Hope to see ya there.

[Larry Fulwider]

. . .
Dad turned 75 years young last week.
Came out for a visit Saturday while I was flying.
He watched a few flights and then said he felt up to trying a flight on the Shoestring.
Has not flown since 1977 but felt he could take it  off Ok.

Take off was good and level flight was commenced, WOW this is cool... second time I have watched someone else fly in 30+ years.

Figured I should go out to center circle should I be needed.
Dad said hes doing good and no not feeling dizzy! cool.

After about 3/4 tank He wanted to hand off so I got the handle and that when the crash began.  . . .
 . . .
 . . .

David

Well, looks like Dad just needs a little more handle time  . I'd call the flight a success (no damage to the airplane), so put him up again 

       Larry Fulwider

[Tim Wescott]

One of the guys in my RC club has started flying control line after giving it up for RC in 1968.  He's in his late seventies.  He's flying a babe-bee powered trainer that really, really zips -- a good flight is one that you don't fall after.

He's building a three-wire for his first new 'big' plane.

[W.D. Roland]

Larry
As soon as I can get him back out will get him back up!

Thanks John!
Hope to make B.R. if nothing goes wrong. This will be 3rd year in a row I have hoped to make it.
How they say it? Third time is a charm?

Tim
That .049 is going to scramble your friends head!


Turns out that Dad hurt his knee, elbow and has sore ribs. Face is no worse for the wear.
He enjoyed flying enough to want to do it again!

David

[Tim Wescott]

Tim
That .049 is going to scramble your friends head!

But when he gets his Veco Chief done, he won't get dizzy nearly as fast.

[JamieHolford]

Ahh a few cajun fliers I see eh. Might do Baton Rouge pending on dates and work. But I hate to show up with a lil satan and a baby ringmaster lol.

Oh Im from Mamou by the way!

[dale gleason]

Hey, Li'l Hawklet! Good to hear you got your pa in the air.  I haven't seen you since you were less than a year old, and haven't seen Bill since he was about twenty or so, back at Tech in Ruston. Get him up in the air often, bring him him to BR and we'll talk about some dem olden days. I can still speak a little dat language if I'm around it for a while.....dale g

[john e. holliday]

David great story.  Nest time set the needle a little richer so it doesn't motivate so fast.  Wan't so far I'd come join you guys.  Also glad Dad is not hurt too bad.

[W.D. Roland]

Hi Dale
Dad said Hi!
He still asking about Chuck Anderson(and the duck)

Veco Cheif.
Had one of those, enjoyable.
He proly won't get dizzy now.

John
If set richer or leaner it dies.
Out of a box (for $25) of 50s-60s engines the 5 Fox .35 stunts are all still so new they are putting black out the exhaust! Same for the O&R .33RH. I think the Mcoy .35 is dead.
Getting better every tank!

Li'l Hawklet( you know that was 53 years ago?)