CVRC 13 Mon Dec. 24, 2018
At the prompting of Lonnie Hagadorn and Bill Holder, we were going flying today. So, I show up at the field, and, as usual, I’m the gate unlocker (that’s a technical position). Anyway, as I’m driving up to the club house (car port), I notice the wind sock is straight at 9 o’clock, blowing so hard the pole is bending 10 degrees to the south. Now, before I left the house, the Hickory Accue Weather said 4-5 mph winds. According to the internet, with the sock doing what it doing, we’re sitting at 15-20 mph.
So, make lemonade out of lemons. I had brought a plastic Northern Tool tarp with me. I was using it as a wind break on the runway side of the carport. Spent some time getting it installed. Not pretty, but it sure blocked the wind from that side. 3 more sides to go.
Phone goes off, it’s a text from Lonnie, Bill and him after decided not to come to the field. dhjaskdfjpwuerp;ajwew. Once again, in a crowd by myself. Drag out the problem child Corsair and other “stuff” while having a coffee break. Well, there’s another faithful (out of his mind) flyer. Don Jerch shows up. Gets out of his truck, looks at the windsock, pulls out his phone, looks at the pilot’s information ap on his phone. According to it, the winds are at 15-20 mph. I guess they know what they’re talking about. Didn’t deter him. Brought out one of his sailplanes. Very nice rig. Gets it put together, ready to fly, but Don keeps looking at the windsock and shaking his head.
Looks kinda doubtful, even for a sailplane.
I text Dick Blackburn to let him know of the situation. Dick states it’s not a problem, and Jim Bates is coming out also. Go figure.
So, Don and I chew the fat (technical term) for a while. Neither one really brave enough to try to fly in a gale force wind (a little exaggeration). (not much).
Tim the farmer shows up to check on his cattle. Once again, if you’re out at the field, don’t be afraid to talk to him, great guy.
Dick shows up, opens his truck and pulls out 6’ plus Cub. Now I enjoy a cub, BUT!, this one has a Saito 4 stroke in it. Now, if you’ve ever heard a 4 stroke run, you’ll know what I mean. Almost as good as listening to Rolls Royce Merlin engine (nothing beats that).
As Dick prepares his Cub, Jim Bates shows up. Toboggan on his head, heavy sweater, and probably long johns (didn’t ask). Jeez it’s cold and windy. We all watch and help as best we can to help Dick with Cub. And then it happens, the Saito starts. Sweeter than a sweet tater pie from Georgia.
Before I can catch my breath, the Cub’s on the ground, blink and it’s in the air. Now, for a 30 year old plane it flew phenomenally. Had nothing to do with Dick’s skills. The wind didn’t seem bother the cub. Dick put it through it’s paces like it was a WW II war bird. Who says a Cub can’t maneuver.
Then, after pulling off a few super landings, Dick takes it out again. Now, because of his expert piloting skills, he shuts off the engine from about 100 yards out and brings it in for a perfect landing. Don and I pipe in about the same time about how he killed the motor. Big grin from Dick, that’s his piloting skills and smiled.
Once again, we’ve all had enough fun, wind and cold, then it’s the hangar talk time. Half hour later, it’s Christmas wishes all around and we leave.
As usual,
Al “new guy”