5 at Taylor

Last Saturday was a long one for me. I got up to go fly, had to be back for my Daughter's Birthday party, then I went to the University of Texas football game to see them destroy Missouri!!

We intended to fly at OSP, but the park was closed for a bicycle race, so we headed to Taylor. I met there with Travis, Scott, and Chris and Bruce showed up just as we were taking off.

I would have been the second to launch, but the wing went drastically to the left, then to the right and back to the left. I pulled the power and steered under it, and got it under control just as I almost made it to the cars! Oh well, I had to start over. It was bound to happen someday.

It was a good day to fly, but maybe a little windier than I prefer. It wasn't bad during the flight, but it was cutting my speed down to 12 mph. I prefer the carefree, no wind days.

When we headed back, I stayed in the back to let everyone else land. A Cessna got between me and Travis, so I decided to give him some room. After Travis landed, the Cessna came in to land and I did a 360 to let him land so I wouldn't get caught in his wake. That's when I got a little scared. It got rough, very rough. I was swinging wildly. I continued to make slow progress to the airport, getting bashed all the way. When I got close to the ground, it got calm and I had another perfect landing. I think someday I'll get used to getting tossed around!

Bruce decided to stick around the airport for touch-n-goes. He ended up flipping his PPC and damaging it, so he didn't get to do much flying. He'll be back in the air soon.




Chris with engine off, trying to stall the wing.


Still with engine off.






Scott and his son.





Umm, does anyone else see the Texan bearing down on me?




Keep the shiny side up.... Jack.

Windy Day

Travis and I got a chance to fly last Saturday. It was cold, but calm. Well, at least it was calm on the ground! We setup facing the South at Taylor Airport and while we setup, three planes took off, also to the South. Of course as we got ready, a Cessna decided to do touch-n-goes to the North, so we had to take off right after he touched down. When I got into the air, I quickly lost speed and went down to 8mph!! I was trying to get out of the way of the Cessna and Travis, so I drifted to the East. Once I saw Travis was in the air, I turned North and my speed jumped to 52mph! The good part was that it was smooth. We went around Taylor to the East and headed South so we could get back to the airport quickly if it got worse. All in all, not a bad flight, even if it was a short, sometimes scary one!

Sunrise as I was taking off.


Travis climbing higher.


Rays of sunshine.


Old cemetary in Taylor.

Old Downtown Taylor

This would make a good ultralight strip!

No, he wasn't over houses. Check out his prop.

Early morning shadows.

We're heading up Saturday if the weather holds out. Should get some good photos then, so keep checking back.

Jack

Chip's Place

There's a story to be told here, but I'm tired! Chris had to get his plane inspected, so since he had to go, Scott and I decided to go too. It was predicted to be very windy and so I decided not to take my PPC and neither did Scott. Sounds like we missed some good flying!! Isn't that the way it always goes? Anyway, I got a few photos, slept under the stars which I haven't done in years, and got to hang out with good friends, so it was a lot of fun.

Chris's PPC ready to go.


Chris right after takeoff Friday afternoon.


Chip right after takeoff.


Chip rebuilt this PPC and was testing it.


Chris or Chip Saturday morning. Not sure who was faster!


They're back...


Chris spiraling with Chip above.



Chip landing in stealth mode.


Jack