Hi Marty:
Great story! I have found that every once in awhile you talk to a
controller that is interested in the machines he or she orders around the sky!
It sort of reaffirms ones faith in people!
See-ya sometime: Maynard.
==========================
----- Original Message -----
From: Marty Duke
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2008 6:39 PM
Subject: [ercoupe-flyin] McCord Air force Base Buzz Job
On the way to Spanaway Airfield this afternoon, which lies under McCord Air
force's control zone, I decided to cut through McCord's airspace rather than
slip under it as I have always done in the past. I made the call to the tower
there, and they cleared me towards Spanaway. Then called me back and asked if
I'd do them a favor. I was surprised at their request. They asked if I would
mind "buzzing by the tower" so they could check out what an Ercoupe was, as
none of them up in the cab were familiar with it. We had a pretty long
conversation about how it lands in a crosswind without rudder pedals, incapable
of spinning or stalling, etc. I showed them the fast Ercoupe slip maneuver, as
I turned base to final with my arm out the left window and dropping even more
like a rock. I scooted down , just west of the runway, by the tower so they
could check it out as I flew by with the top down and waving to them (Brrr!).
They said they were on the internet in the tower cab checking Coupes out on the
internet. I told the controller how little fuel it burned per hour and he
said he could even afford to fly one. It was a pretty memorable day for me.
Marty Duke N846MD KRNT
