The last two weeks at Tailwheel Town
Copies of "Swoop" are still available! Here's the link to take you right to Amazon if you'd like to get a copy for yourself. If you'd like an autographed copy, just email me and I'll get one to you.
Weather has slowed us down a bit, but Jess is doing great and trying some things that she'd never done before.
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Jess in the Irrigation Pivot. Now THIS is a lot of fun!
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More Tailwheelers are scheduled for the future. Now, HERE'S the fun news!
I Just Dreamed Up Another One! Or "The Forward Slip with a Constant Course"
A little while ago, there was some talk about the duck box crash which was such an important part of the airshow comedy Act I performed so many years ago. It was Angela who said, "That'd be fun... I'd like to do that!"
So, I built a cardboard holder and I just found a source for cardboard so I've cut a few pieces that are four feet square. They fit into a simulator for duck box crashes that I built so we are ready to fly.
Building the Duck Box Crash simulator
So, in thinking about how I would prepare some Tailwheel Town flyers to do the crash, I realized how important it was to be able to slam left rudder and right aileron in order to maintain the course on short final and not change the course through the impact with the box and beyond.
The maneuver is complicated somewhat at Sisters because one doesn't want to allow the airplane to go to the left on 02 and smack the line of trees (note to Dave: Don't worry; It's all "dual") It's no problem for some of us, but it might be a problem for those who are doing it for the first time.
And "Voila!" In order to practice that maneuver, we simply have to line up at a safe place and understand the forward slip. So, on my next flight I'm going to work on a variation of alternating forward slips and concentrate on full rudder slips without changing course. Woo Hoo, this should be fun! Walt
Laseki has volunteered to take some pictures and will take a turn at smacking the simulated duck box!
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Janet on the way to Madras.
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Daughter Janet made a deal with Skydive Awesome for some parachute canopies. We had a tiny weather window on a Thursday, so Janet and I took the PA12 over to Madras. I personally think that flight was a great moment in aviation history.
Janet flew so well that I didn't do a thing. I sat in the back seat and just went along for the ride. Could this be a portend of things to come? Could be! When we got back, Janet and her pooch, Mickey worked on the brakes a bit. Well, Janet did all the work and Mickey just supervised!
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Janet works on the Super Cruiser Brakes while Mickey supervises
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I finished the latest draft of "Airshow Pilot". Man, what a big job that was!
Many and BIG thanks to Gayle Crowder for agreeing to help prepare it for posting on Amazon.
Finally, the weather has cooperated and some pilots who had been delayed got to fly. Taylor Edwards has started his
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Taylor in the irrigation pivot.
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tailwheel endorsement and is doing great! In addition, some of our previous applicants like Jess and Ella, are coming back for Spin Endorsements. It's going to be an exciting time at Tailwheel Town! I'm really looking forward to flying with such terrific applicants!
A new article on the Tailwheeler's Journal
"Sometimes Ya Just Can't Win" is this week's new article. It deals with "Haters". You know, they are the bane of every pilot and move to the area close to an airport, then complain about the airplanes. Lots of times they win and the airport closes. I hope they don't succeed here, 'cause this is a wonderful airport!
An older article worth another look...
Here's an article that deals with some of the maneuvers taught at Tailwheel Town. Personally, I think everyone should be able to perform them, but I'm afraid they can't. See what you think, after reading "The three amigos..."
January 25, 2019
Remember, every pilot who completes a Tailwheel Endorsement or Stick and Rudder Master Class at Tailwheel Town will receive a complimentary Gift Certificate from Oregon Aero.
