Picture added below
Hello to all! It's been awhile since I've posted anything. I'm starting to really miss hearing the sound of twin 185's with Prince props. Here is summer flying in my area. Shorts, sandals, mountains, lakes, and a Lazair ...ahh the good life.
This has been a long winter. I haven't flown my Lazair since last October. I am suffering major withdrawals when I look at all the fun I had last summer with my fantastic set of wings. I gathered some totals for those who like numbers and fun facts:
For 2004:
211 hours flight time
38 mph ave speed
8000 miles traveled
13,660 ft msl altitude record (engines had more in them, I needed a little john)
Flew from home base and landed at the most remote place in the lower 48 states
Landed on a solid sheet of salt (looked exactly like ice, but tasted different)
Those were some of the cool things that happened. Here is a list of the "interesting" experiences:
2 engines failures (both preventable - sparkplug cap came off, points corroded)
Getting stuck in the mud - in the middle of nowhere
Taking off with rain on Lazair wings (tried - didn't get much more than 5 feet)
Watching sacred Tedlar get torn up in an afternoon hailstorm up in the mountains
Of course there was a lot more that happened during those 8000 miles. For the most part though, I had a great first year owning a Lazair and am very glad I fly what I fly. The cross country flights were a lot of fun for me. Yes, 38 mph is not going to get you anywhere fast. In fact, it may not even get you anywhere (if the wind is blowing) Took me all day to get nowhere coming home from one such cross country. I just couldn't resist flight seeing around Palasades lake (the lake in the picture). Time I got back sight seeing and got fuel, it was past the magic hour. I ended up getting caught in the afternoon prevailing winds trying for home.
But what fun it is to be flying along and not only see a forest, but hey, look at that tree... see the squirrel...oh wait, there's a deer over there. I think I'll give it chase. No, I don't want to bother it. But that fox on the other hand... Let's fly up this canyon. Looks a little narrow, oh wow this thing turns on a dime. Man this thing takes forever to get up to that mountain peak. Maybe I can find some lif... WOW...there is some grrrreaat lift right here. I think I'll stay and circle for awhile. Cool peak. Look at that glacial lake right there. The water is teal green. Neat. Wow look at that valley. Holy cow I'm pretty freeaakin high. I wonder if I can fly this airplane with the engines only...Yep! both engines I go up. Left engine I go right. Right is left. Sweet. I love this Lazair. Time for some sideways flying along this road. I'll bet that car is wondering how an airplane can fly sideways. Look at those cool props a spinin'. Those engines sure do run smooth...
Everyone should own a Lazair.
George, I'm looking forward to some formation flying THIS year.
Calm winds,
MarkDJ.