Saturday, November 18, 2006

Nice Fall Saturday

Usually if I don't get to fly first thing in the morning, it doesn't happen. The wind usually picks up as well as the temperature. Today, though, I went to work and when I came out at noon, it was a beautiful, calm day. It was 75 and absolutely no wind.

As you've seen in previous posts, my EGTs have been running high. I adjusted the needle and added a little oil to my gas mixture and wanted to try it out. I did an unusually long run-up to make sure everything was okay. I put on my seatbelt and helmet, checked my helmet one more time to make sure it was tight, looked to make sure the dogs weren't on the runway and pushed the throttle to the limit. I was off in no time and I knew I had picked a great day. I circled the field a couple of times to make sure everything was okay. If I reduced or increased my throttle from my normal cruise RPM the temps were fine. I will still need to get a new needle, but it was okay for today.

I quickly grew tired of circling the field, so I headed West toward Florence. It's a small town just west of Georgetown. I circled the town a few times, waving at people and then headed back toward my field. I decided I would climb for awhile. I reached about 5,000 feet and it was very cold. I would fly with one hand and then switch off. I quickly reached the field, so I decided I would fly up and down I-35 for awhile.

I was still high, so I flew a wide, long pattern and as I lined up on final, I noticed something on the runway. I decided to land a little long and sure enough it was one of the big black dogs that lives there. He never even moved! I had a nice landing and laughed at a car that was driving next to the field when I landed. I don't think he expected something to drop out of the sky!

All in all, a good day. Nice to be in the air again.

This field actually looked blurry, it's not the photo!


Looking back.








My field.


Wayne's house and runway.


A couple of tractor shots for Robert Laird!