Up Up
and Away!!!!
(Updated October 6, 2005 )
NEW FLIGHT VIDEOS!!!!
I just had the opportunity of a lifetime. I got to fly a WWII fighter-trainer, the T-6 Texan. I found out about the flights and went down to Fairmont Airport expecting a trip or 2 around the airport, not really expecting too much...maybe getting to grab the stick and fly for a bit. I arrived and told the pilot that I was a pilot and had my tailwheel endorsement. Well, I hopped into the plane and got strapped in...to the plane, I thought. Nope...the first thing I was strapped to was a parachute and was told what to do if the pilot yelled "bail , bail, bail". Ummmm..ok...then I got strapped into the plane...tightly. What was going on?? Well off we went and boy was I in for a surprise. Not only did we get some great flight time AND I got to fly the plane most of the time, but I also got an introduction to aerobatics. I flew loops, rolls, barrel rolls and even got to experience a hammerhead. I tried to videotape the flight, but experienced technical difficulties...they are called G-forces. It was totally not what I thought it would be like. I couldn't keep my arm up to hold the camera real steady. Anyway, I did get some footage and here is the BIG FILE ...it will require some waiting while it downloads, but the quality lets you see what I was seeing. I just wish I could post something here so you could feel the forces...just incredible. For those of you that cannot wait, here is a smaller version...just do not maximize it to full screen...the quality just aint there. Here's a couple of pics of the plane.
Some video of some local flights. I have been doing some flight work for a local production company and have been flying the photographers over top of Nemacolin Woodlands for some promotional stills and video. I got to keep the raw footage and will be making small clips when I get the chance. Here is the first one....the J-3 Piper Cub in action. This really gives you a good feel for what its like to fly in a small plane like the Cub. This clip is big for you cable guys (and even big for you actually)...and then here is a watered-down version for any dial up folks. They are the same...just different quality and size.
The Whole Story
I finally did what I have wanted to do since I can remember. I am finally learning how to fly. The kids and the wife decided it would be nice to get me a flight lesson for fathers day, 2002. She obviously had no idea what she was getting herself into.
The Plan
OK…heres
the general requirements for learning.
NO class time…first lesson I strapped in and went up. Once up, the instructor told me to find my
house. I flew from Waynesburg to
Uniontown …found my house…circled…and flew back…that was lesson # 1. The plan was to get me to solo…to fly by
myself. I was shocked and a bit
apprehensive when I was told that I would need 10 hours of flight time before I
could solo. 10 hours????!!! Ummmm…don’t you
mean 100??? Nope 10. It didn’t sound like a lot until I started
the lessons…its a lot.
So after the first lesson….I was pretty much stuck at the airport taking
off…and landing….again and again and again.
That’s pretty much what ya gotta
learn. The flying stuff isn’t that
hard….but landing and taking off….it takes some practice. So practice I did. On
On
The First Plane-J-3 Cub
The plane that I am learning
in is called a J-3 Piper Cub. Once
again….knowledge can be a little concerning.
I have learned that if you don’t want to worry…don’t ask questions. The plane was built in 1946….weighs 700 pounds..and is powered by a 100 hp
motor. To start the thing you have to
hand-prop it…ie…hand spin the propeller (like in the
old movies…”brakes…contact…”..you actually do say
these things…) . The high-tech gas gauge is a
wire stuck in a cork that floats in the fuel which is placed in front of you by
the propeller The plane is completely
covered in fabric…no metal skin…just fabric.
The landing gear shocks are
actually large bungee chords wrapped in a black bag. It seats 2….one
in front of the other…and when flying by yourself…you fly from the
backseat. Which brings
up a problem that I had…and most other students have when trying to fly this
thing. The plane is what is called a tail-dragger…the landing gear are
situated so that it sits with the tail low/nose high. Which put the pilots view when taxing, taking
off, and landing at about zero forward visibility…especially with a flight instructor
in front of you. A bit
unnerving…not seeing where you are going. The thing putts along at about 60-70 mph….and
will stay flying as long as you go faster than about 30 mph. In a nut-shell, that’s it.
If you want to read a great and comical article on flying the J-3 Cub…you gotta check this link out. Even if you have no interest…the author is a hoot…trust me.
A real plane to fly...not that the Cub is not a real plane...it is..and I think much more fun to fly, but if I want to get somewhere, the 172 is the plane that I will be flying. There are radios, navigation equipment, a transponder...in short, what you need to fly in controlled airspace (around airport with operating control towers). This one seats 4 and the dual controls are side by side. Here's a short movie of a flight in the 172 with me at the controls and Tim Nurkiewicz as co-pilot. Scary to think about, those who know us, isn't it???
The 172 taxiing in
All smiles....
This is what long final approach for runway 27 coming into Waynesburg -Greene County looks like.
That's the runway in the center.
Here is short final for runway 27.
I was invited to head out to Oshkosh Wisconsin for one of the worlds biggest and best airshow.
Here are some pics of the planes
The best seat in the house. Now THATS a big tail!!!
The aerobatics were simply amazing.
Some Good-ole boys from West-by-God-Virginia flew up for the show
A Messerschmidt 109. There aren't too many of these puppies left in the world.
A B-25...You are lucky to see one at any airshow...there were about 10 of them here.
If only I knew how to hotwire this thing...seriously, if anyone wants an idea for a gift for me for next Xmas....this would be it.
This is the interior of a B-17 Flying Fortress (WW-II bomber) They look so big from the outside, but they are TINY on the inside. This is the radio room looking forward into the bomb bay and cockpit
A twin Beach...these things are not MEANT to roll like this...but this guy did it.
..................drool...a P-51 Mustang...there were like 12 of these things there..unbelievable!!!
The business end of a Supermarine Spitfire.
This is a Wildcat engine....looks like it was fresh off the assembly line...but its over 55 years old.
yep...someone on top of that wing.
ok...I wanna try this..I'll fly..anyone want to get out on the wing????
A B-17
Bombadier and cheek and chin gunner station on a B-17.