Alrighty Guys,
It was good weather all day here in spite of the forecast. I got
the nose gear repaired and had every thing ready for a 4pm flight.
Take off was uneventful just like it should be and quickly climbed to
pattern altitude. I was staying in the pattern to practice approaches.
I turned down wind and started to wonder where all the breeze in the
cockpit was coming from. @$%@%^ the canopy is open -- I can't believe I
did that again. I left the pattern and slowly climbed to work at the
problem at hand. I finally was able to get one side latched and then the
other side was easier. After that I climbed to 3000' and headed out to
meet a balloon that was about 10 miles out to the west. I stayed well
away from him but it was sure pretty in the setting sun. I made a big
turn and headed back towards the airport. Again I was behind the curve on
keeping the bubble centered up and it has a real effect on the
performance. I did not fly above 125 mph today. But still flying for just
a few minutes concentrating on the rudder and watching for traffic. I
looked down for the airport and it wasn't where I thought it should be.
I looked forward and said to myself " ya know that lake there is a lot
further from the airport than this " I gave a glance back and saw that I
had over flown by several miles. So we made another big turn and started
to make practice approaches at 3000'. I took it to power off stall a
couple times and was able to keep it straight and level without much
effort. I gave it power and recovered after feeling the buffet for a few
seconds. The airspeed was indicating 40 mph during the buffet. Total
altitude loss was about 200'. ( sorry Mark L. still not ready for things
floating in the cockpit) I worked my way around and down to pattern
altitude and started a for real approach. I did not get it big enough and
ended up not turning to finial early enough. I was able to get lined up
in plenty of time to stabilize finial glide and set flaps. I still
crossed the threshold at about the right height but still a little fast.
I tried bleeding off the speed and I'm sure I could have gotten it down
and stopped but I made the decision to go around sooner and get it right.
She quickly climbed and we went round to do it again. This time I had
eighty on finial and then started putting in the flaps,
reduced power and started to pull back slightly and the speed started to
bleed off. Crossed the numbers at 70 mph and 15 ft above. Into ground
effect and keep adding back pressure. She went a long ways like this like
1200 to 1500 feet. And then it happened the sweetest two little chirps I
ever heard. I had to fight the urge to let the nose down and kept adding
more and more back pressure until she settled down on her own. The
coasting speed dissipated quickly and was very close to making the first
turn off. But I had not been trying to do that and I just ran her to the
end and turned off and cleaned her up. I called clear of active and
taxied back to the hanger.
The total time was 45 min. and the engine temps are acting great. Oil
today topped at 175 deg. Exhaust were running around 1150 and the highest
cylinder was 350. Number 4 cylinder is the coolest running about 50 deg.
under the others. The aerocarb is performing well for me and this engine
is incredibly strong. I'm getting happier every day.
Thanks to all who had advice on landing and speeds. Most of what
I was told I knew but I needed the positive reinforcement. to bring the
act together. I know how it feels and looks now and if things are not
going that way in the future I'll be going around to get it
right.
I may have to do this again in the morning. Have a good night
guys.
Joe Horton, Coopersburg, Pa.
joe.kr2s.buil...@juno.com
