Jaybird180
Final Approach
Aviation Enthusiasts are interesting people. One such interesting person I met here on PoA is Lance. Lance is this guy.
Nearly two years ago, I made this post about a "fitment issue" in a Mooney. Lance and I exchanged PMs, where he offered to allow me to experience his Mooney, if I was ever in the area.
I typically visit about once per year, but it has been a slow year...or two...or three and it was the first time I was there in awhile. I thought I'd give him a buzz and sure enough, Lance went out of his way to show me a good time, or that what was under his control; Lance forgot to do the ceremonial weather dance. But he was a good sport about it.
I got to his airport on 7/6/13 and went to his hangar where his M20J was parked alongside his hangar-mate's 1941 fabric covered, fully restored and documented Taylorcraft.
As it turns out, "Mr Taylorcraft" is retired, learned to fly in 2005 in his own airplane and is having a love affair with it. I learned a lot about aviation history and enthusiasm that day.
While Lance and I were watching the low ceilings slowly rise, I met another on-field pilot who wanted to show me his Arrow. It was probably one of the nicest Arrows I've ever seen.
After a few hours of waiting, Lance and I figured the ceilings were sufficient that if we departed IFR, we could at least get back in. A review of the local weather and we decided to remain in the pattern area instead.
Although I was glad to fly in Lance's Mooney (clearly of the cleanest I've ever seen recently), Lance took it a step further and offered me his left-seat. Unbeknownst to me, "Mr Taylorcraft" was shooting video of my contortionist impression. In retrospect, I think I should have asked for a boarding and disembarkation demonstration first (LoL).
Once inside, I learned that each Mooney cockpit is different. I had no obstructions with controls and no shoulder interference with Lance (I'm probably about 35lbs larger than he, but we fit well with space to spare).
Lance's Mooney started very easily and was quiet (I should have taken off the Lightspeed headset he lent me, but I nearly forgot they were there - kudos).
We taxied onto the 5,000ft runway and the Mooney moved out smartly after brakes release. I could feel that she was ready to fly as she got up on the wheel-barrow and I gave some positive pitch and we were up and on runway heading.
Ceilings were lower than reported, so we turned toward a gap in the cloud coverage, made a few turns and then decided to call it a day.
With a little breifing on pattern speeds, gear and flap letdowns, we were on final and then hovering above the runway at 65KIAS. She didn't settle until <55KIAS where I brought the pitch up to a wheel landing and easy nose-touch.
Lance had a motorized tow to back the plane into the hangar, and then he had to shove-off for his paid flight in a big metal tube, taking him over a large body of water.
I met a few other people that day. But the sentiment is that everyone I met was very hospitable. "Mr Taylorcraft" sent me a video of my Mooney landing.
I hope Lance gives me the opportunity to show him as much hospitality.
Thank you.
Nearly two years ago, I made this post about a "fitment issue" in a Mooney. Lance and I exchanged PMs, where he offered to allow me to experience his Mooney, if I was ever in the area.
I typically visit about once per year, but it has been a slow year...or two...or three and it was the first time I was there in awhile. I thought I'd give him a buzz and sure enough, Lance went out of his way to show me a good time, or that what was under his control; Lance forgot to do the ceremonial weather dance. But he was a good sport about it.
I got to his airport on 7/6/13 and went to his hangar where his M20J was parked alongside his hangar-mate's 1941 fabric covered, fully restored and documented Taylorcraft.
As it turns out, "Mr Taylorcraft" is retired, learned to fly in 2005 in his own airplane and is having a love affair with it. I learned a lot about aviation history and enthusiasm that day.
While Lance and I were watching the low ceilings slowly rise, I met another on-field pilot who wanted to show me his Arrow. It was probably one of the nicest Arrows I've ever seen.
After a few hours of waiting, Lance and I figured the ceilings were sufficient that if we departed IFR, we could at least get back in. A review of the local weather and we decided to remain in the pattern area instead.
Although I was glad to fly in Lance's Mooney (clearly of the cleanest I've ever seen recently), Lance took it a step further and offered me his left-seat. Unbeknownst to me, "Mr Taylorcraft" was shooting video of my contortionist impression. In retrospect, I think I should have asked for a boarding and disembarkation demonstration first (LoL).
Once inside, I learned that each Mooney cockpit is different. I had no obstructions with controls and no shoulder interference with Lance (I'm probably about 35lbs larger than he, but we fit well with space to spare).
Lance's Mooney started very easily and was quiet (I should have taken off the Lightspeed headset he lent me, but I nearly forgot they were there - kudos).
We taxied onto the 5,000ft runway and the Mooney moved out smartly after brakes release. I could feel that she was ready to fly as she got up on the wheel-barrow and I gave some positive pitch and we were up and on runway heading.
Ceilings were lower than reported, so we turned toward a gap in the cloud coverage, made a few turns and then decided to call it a day.
With a little breifing on pattern speeds, gear and flap letdowns, we were on final and then hovering above the runway at 65KIAS. She didn't settle until <55KIAS where I brought the pitch up to a wheel landing and easy nose-touch.
Lance had a motorized tow to back the plane into the hangar, and then he had to shove-off for his paid flight in a big metal tube, taking him over a large body of water.
I met a few other people that day. But the sentiment is that everyone I met was very hospitable. "Mr Taylorcraft" sent me a video of my Mooney landing.
I hope Lance gives me the opportunity to show him as much hospitality.
Thank you.
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