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Although I didn't think I would be, I am now! After putting off learning to fly until after the big 4-0, I've jumped in with both feet and haven't looked back since. However, somewhere along the way I've veered off into aerobatics (to my great surprise!). Here's a time line of how this particular turn of events unfolded:
Got my PP-ASEL
in May 1994.
Bought my first
airplane (1976 Piper Archer II) in June 1994. Had a lot of fun flying all
over the desert Southwest.
Got my IA rating
in March 1995. Had a lot of fun doing simulated instrument approaches in
our otherwise VFR paradise.
Got my tailwheel
endorsement in June 1995 while the Archer was down for painting and found
out what those rudder pedal things are for. Also found out what a REAL slip is!
Had a lot of fun flying low and slow in a Piper Super Cub with the windows
open.
hmmm ... getting a bit off track
here!
Started aerobatic
training in September 1995 for reasons of pilot proficiency only. Finished
in January 1996 with solo privileges in an open cockpit Great Lakes biplane
and found out to my great surprise that I like flying upside down!
... Now we're in serious trouble!
Sold the Archer
and bought a very nice 1970 Beechcraft V-35B Bonanza with an IFR panel
to die for in February 1996. Had a lot of fun getting my complex endorsement
and flying a lot more quickly around the desert Southwest in a lot more
comfort.
ahhh ... back on track!
Started seriously
practicing for aerobatic competition in the Spring of 1996 in the Great
Lakes, joined the local
aerobatic club, and competed in my first contest in December 1996.
Did OK, had a lot of fun.
and right back off track again!
Flew 2 more
contests in February and April this year. Improved my scores, but still
looking for the "wood" (finishing in the top 3). Tried to put together
an Intermediate Category Freestyle sequence. Vertical rolls are no fun
in a Great Lakes. Maybe I'd do better in a higher performance airplane?
... Now we're considerably beyond
what could be considered the deep end!
Bought 20% share
in a 1992 Pitts Special S-2B in April 1997. Serious aerobatic airplane,
serious aerobatic fun, serious pucker factor on landing! Oh well, getting
used to the landings and sensitive controls. Vertical rolls now are no
problem ... well they still are but now it's my problem
:^)
Married Jan Markham,
who I met at my 1st contest back in December 1996. She's also a pilot and
interested in aerobatics ... this aerobatics stuff can have some interesting
side effects!
Wood at last!
The airplane shouldn't make the difference, but the combination of the
Pitts and critiquing from the ground did the trick ... 1st Place Sportsman
at the 1997 Arizona State Aerobatic Championships. ... and the Aviat Pitts
Trophy for the High Scoring Pitts Pilot! On to the Intermediate Category
(and the dreaded avalanche)!
Passed the
negative-G virus on to my wife, Jan. She now plans to fly the Basic
Category (loop, spin, and slow roll) in the Bill Briski Akrofest in
late February using 1JH with me as safety pilot in the back seat. She received
excellent training for her PP certificate last year, including spins (Thanks,
Eric!), so we think that with a little coaching from the back seat
(before the contest ONLY!) and critiquing from the ground she'll be competitive!
Jan flew
her first Basic competition at the Bill Briski Akrofest, placed third,
but wasn't very happy with her performance (first contest nerves!). Without
much extra practice, she flew much better at the Copperstate Regional Aerobatic
Championships and placed first. On the other hand, I flew the contest
in the Contest Director Category (on the ground!) ... lots of fun,
but all in all I think I prefer to fly Intermediate in the air instead!
Flew intermediate
finally at Victorville CA ... zeroed a maneuver on the Known(!).
Did somewhat better at Tequila Cup in Tucson and at the Arizona State Championships
(improved the scores and at least got a Patch with Stars). After
watching and flying the known for a year, I've concluded that the Avalanche
(loop
with an inside snap roll on top) is truly ugly as flown by your
average intermediate pilot!
(myself definitely included) Meanwhile, Jan is working
on moving up to Sportsman.
Lost the
use of 1JH due to an off-runway excursion during a training flight (no,
not me!) It was sent back to Aviat in Afton WY for lower wing replacement,
recover, repaint, avionics upgrades, and a 0 time engine. Meanwhile
flew a very nice B model that was taken by in Chandler Air Service as a
trade for a "C" model in the lasts two contests of the year. When
that was sold, was forced to fly a "C" model for a few months ... it's
true that it really does fly better and land easier ... oh no. here
we go again!
Flew 1JH
back from the factory (5.2 hours through snow covered mountains and
over some of the most desolate landscapes you can imagine).
It's beautiful after the factory got done with it! X-countries
in the Pitts aren't fun ... something about the unintentional aerobatics
while trying to read or fold a map! Did fly over the Grand Canyon
and saw rapids of the Colorado through the lexan floor panels. Thought
of rolling inverted for a really good view about 15 miles after the crossing
... oh, well! Now to rediscover the secrets of the "B" versus
the "C".
Can't leave
good enough alone ... the partnership upgraded our pristine "B" for an
identically painted brand new S-2C. Once you're used to rolling at 360 deg/sec, a
doggy 240 deg/sec seems slow! ... and Jan likes flying it a lot better
as well. It's true, you can't go back home again!
What's next?
... only time will tell!
Well, that's our story. Beware, the negative-G virus is out there waiting for you! So, if you'd like to talk about either catching or avoiding it ... contact me!
If you'd like more information on local aerobatics, you could
also take a look at this article
See
How It Flies -- a very good book by John Denker on aerodynamics
ONLINE!
FAA
Knowledge Test ONLINE (Private Pilot)
Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
Experimental
Aircraft Association (EAA)
International
Aerobatic Club (IAC)
General
Aviation Servers
www.landings.com ... (if you can't find
it here, it's REALLY hard to find!)
Phoenix
Scottish Pipe Band no, this isn't an aviation link! Just my
other hobby... see below
My favourite co-pilot
Jan and myself at the 1996 Bill Briski Acrofest
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