Archammer
Cleared for Takeoff
So, it's funny the things you hear when you're a kid, that never resonate with you until you're much older. I guess the point is, that they do...
My point is, that I've been working very hard, and sacrificed a lot of outings, and "fun stuff" so that I can help build this business. My father told me when I got my first job, that "In order to do the things you truly enjoy, you must first work hard to earn them, so that you appreciate it."
Well, that paid off today, because I was lucky enough to fly a Meyers 200D today, and what a plane!! All steel body, IO-540 with cans the size of my head, flush retractable gear, and all the old school knobs and lights that should go on a plane like that.
Now, if you've never heard of a Meyers 200, don't feel bad. I had no clue what it was, until Dean gave me a great history lesson about it, and then of course the ol' Google filled in the gaps. I won't go into all the neat details, rather let you go check it out on your own.
Take off at maybe 500ft of rwy, with a nice headwind of course, but still just popped off the runway and wanted to climb, baby climb! 1500fpm at 125kts and she just kept getting faster. We leveled off at 3500, headed SE and we hit 185kts before we had time to dial the mixture back.
When we were doing pre-flight checklist, I couldn't believe how short the throw on the yoke was. I mean full deflection was maybe 20 degress at most. Not only that, he informed me that at full deflection, it's an aileron roll, period... WHAT?? Ya no ****. I just wanted to flash that info before the rest.
So, having known that information I was sure it would be extremely touchy and heavy hand flying throughout the run. Well boy was I wrong. Once he said "your airplane", I tried to wipe the drool off my mouth and grabbed a hold. That plane carries about 80 gallons, but we only had about 35 so we were light anyway, and she sat flat and plowed through the air like a thoroughbred horse. Hands off we were nice and straight, no baby controls. Then I made a turn, it took a nice hand hold and over she went. The turns were crisp and clean, but the controls felt solid in your hands, and the rudders let you know everything right at your toes. She spun around right on a dime, and back the other way.
Sidebar, before you say anything, I'm not wearing my headset, because he has Lemo plugs, and I didn't have an adapter OK, so SHUT IT!
hehe, I know I'm never going to live it down, but that's life. 
I'll leave it at that, but there were a few things in that plane that I found very cool and things I'd never seen before. First, was the 4th knob in the center panel. You have your Throttle, Prop, Mix and a 4th knob... It is for the elevator trim. I found that very cool, and the rule is that you "screw the nose down". In addition to that, the prop is not offset to counteract P-Factor. It's straight ahead, because it's more efficient, but that made for some serious rudder pushing on takeoff. The other cool thing was the air compression seals for the door. So once you get it and locked her up, he squeezed a little ball on his side and it sealed up. There were no co-pilot brakes, I guess they don't like shadow brakers... hehe. The gear was hydraulic, nothing special, but you load the line with hydraulic pressure by pulling the gear handle UP, then you push down to drop the gear. To put it up, you gear up, wait for it, and then the handle goes to a neutral position to turn the pump off. The last thing, was 40 degree flaps! Ya, that's right, we were pushing 185kts cruise and then slowed to 70 for final! Ha! I never ever would have thought that 70 kts was vref.
I had a great day today, and dammit I deserved it! I absolutely LOVE to fly, and it was wonderful to get back in the saddle today. Thank you Dean!
Thanks for reading.
My point is, that I've been working very hard, and sacrificed a lot of outings, and "fun stuff" so that I can help build this business. My father told me when I got my first job, that "In order to do the things you truly enjoy, you must first work hard to earn them, so that you appreciate it."
Well, that paid off today, because I was lucky enough to fly a Meyers 200D today, and what a plane!! All steel body, IO-540 with cans the size of my head, flush retractable gear, and all the old school knobs and lights that should go on a plane like that.
Now, if you've never heard of a Meyers 200, don't feel bad. I had no clue what it was, until Dean gave me a great history lesson about it, and then of course the ol' Google filled in the gaps. I won't go into all the neat details, rather let you go check it out on your own.
Take off at maybe 500ft of rwy, with a nice headwind of course, but still just popped off the runway and wanted to climb, baby climb! 1500fpm at 125kts and she just kept getting faster. We leveled off at 3500, headed SE and we hit 185kts before we had time to dial the mixture back.
When we were doing pre-flight checklist, I couldn't believe how short the throw on the yoke was. I mean full deflection was maybe 20 degress at most. Not only that, he informed me that at full deflection, it's an aileron roll, period... WHAT?? Ya no ****. I just wanted to flash that info before the rest.
So, having known that information I was sure it would be extremely touchy and heavy hand flying throughout the run. Well boy was I wrong. Once he said "your airplane", I tried to wipe the drool off my mouth and grabbed a hold. That plane carries about 80 gallons, but we only had about 35 so we were light anyway, and she sat flat and plowed through the air like a thoroughbred horse. Hands off we were nice and straight, no baby controls. Then I made a turn, it took a nice hand hold and over she went. The turns were crisp and clean, but the controls felt solid in your hands, and the rudders let you know everything right at your toes. She spun around right on a dime, and back the other way.
Sidebar, before you say anything, I'm not wearing my headset, because he has Lemo plugs, and I didn't have an adapter OK, so SHUT IT!
hehe, I know I'm never going to live it down, but that's life. I'll leave it at that, but there were a few things in that plane that I found very cool and things I'd never seen before. First, was the 4th knob in the center panel. You have your Throttle, Prop, Mix and a 4th knob... It is for the elevator trim. I found that very cool, and the rule is that you "screw the nose down". In addition to that, the prop is not offset to counteract P-Factor. It's straight ahead, because it's more efficient, but that made for some serious rudder pushing on takeoff. The other cool thing was the air compression seals for the door. So once you get it and locked her up, he squeezed a little ball on his side and it sealed up. There were no co-pilot brakes, I guess they don't like shadow brakers... hehe. The gear was hydraulic, nothing special, but you load the line with hydraulic pressure by pulling the gear handle UP, then you push down to drop the gear. To put it up, you gear up, wait for it, and then the handle goes to a neutral position to turn the pump off. The last thing, was 40 degree flaps! Ya, that's right, we were pushing 185kts cruise and then slowed to 70 for final! Ha! I never ever would have thought that 70 kts was vref.
I had a great day today, and dammit I deserved it! I absolutely LOVE to fly, and it was wonderful to get back in the saddle today. Thank you Dean!
Thanks for reading.
Last edited:
