I thought I would relate to all, what I think Coupers do... I had been talking to Leigh about her M-10 with takeoffs and landings and with her canopy open,,speeds etc... So Sat. I decided to play and gave it a try..(having only opened 6516Q in flight with an instructor and closing her before Landing). So Saturday seemed like a good day except for some "intermittent periodic air pocket displacements". After runup and zip-up of the "beloved leather jacket" I pushed her full and with canopy back for the first time, rolled out over the displaced threshold. I had about full fuel and my 205 (or slightly so) frame down the dashed white line. With just a tad of quatering head wind she spent a bit more time on the black top but left terra firma with all the hopes that this 18 hr. Alon experience could believe in. My usual 650fpm (canopy closed) single person expectation was re-alinged. Above the trees the down drafts and updrafts made me thing I was on the Joker's hook. I was at 80mph and climbing between 200fpm and jumping to 600fpm with gusts skidding me around like a hocky-puck on slap stick heaven...But this was open canopy coupe at it's best and I "flew the plane" at the pattern I adore at N85 and brought her bobbing in at 80mph on final(to a bunch of onlookers) possibly wondering about the leather jacketed guy enjoying the fall colors in open cockpit flying. (didn't embarace myself on the touchdown), Really.. a bit bouncy for a first time, but loved it. After buttoning up 56Q I was heading to an afternoon of work,,BUT Greg caught me and offered me a ride in 06H over to Quakertown..(a trip I will have to make soon for radio and transponder)...so how can I refuse...(NOT)..and off we went in 06H, his lighter coupe really felt the thermals..but above the fall colors and sailboats on the lake it was what we rush to experience.. I had to hold onto my cap in his open canopy (even with headsets on) but I would not traded this for all the tea, well you know how I feel....Thanks Coupers, thanks Greg, Best to all.
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