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Here are two articles I recently submittted to Flying Magazine, about a
couple of my flying experiences. I hope the information is useful to you.
I don't know if Flying will publish them or not; so I thought I would
share them with the coupers lists.
Regards,
Fly Safe - Have Fun
Harry Francis
Blacksburg, VA
N-93530
I learned about Flying from that: A Dream Flight.
I recently scheduled a familiarization flight with my Instructor,
as I had not flown in several months. As he would be in the airplane, and
make it legal to take along passengers, I invited my wife and daughter to
go along for the ride.
We arrived at the airport late in the afternoon for the scheduled
flight; leaving about two hours of daylight - plenty of time for a
familiarization flight in the C-172.
On arriving at the field, the instructor met us and informed me
that he was tied up, but he had "fixed" the scheduled flight; as he knew I
was capable. After all, I had over 40 years of experience, and he would
sign off my log book.
I mentally questioned the legality of the situation and the safety;
but buoyed by his confidence, I decided to go along. In fact, he suggested
I do a short X-country and visit another familiar field - just for the
experience.
So, I quickly did a preflight on the 172, checked fuel, etc., but
questioned the Weight & Balance, as the airplane had several cases of soft
drinks in the baggage compartment. Again, my faithful instructor,
suggested - "No problem" for the 172... and I accepted it in my decision
to "Go flying" !
We were off - the first time behind the controls of an airplane in
several months
(and not in my Ercoupe, but a big 172). Yes, I was a little rusty, but
felt committed to make the trip and show just how good I was.
After departure toward the distant field - I had flown the trip
many times in the past - and recognizing I had not filed a flight plan;
the sun began to sink and it got darker and darker. Now I was flying in
the dark, no flight plan filed, to a small un-controlled field somewhere
due East. Not a good situation. Still, I was confident ( over confident?)
and didn't want to disapoint my Wife and Daughter, so I continued East -
and it got darker.
It's difficult to follow main highways in the dark. So, I did tune
in the VOR, and began tracking the needle. I was able to keep the 172
upright and on course, fairly well, but I really had to chase that needle.
It was a beautiful night, with lots of stars. My wife and Daughter were
enjoying all the stars and lights - just beautiful.
Then I realized I had tuned the VOR incorrectly - "From" instead of
"To" for my destination. No wonder I had had a difficult time chasing the
needle.....Soon, we were approaching the destination field, and found
there was no answer to the unicom.... perhaps the field is not manned at
night ?????. Now, what are we going to do, with no place to re-fuel, out
in the boondocks, at a deserted field two hours away from home?
Well this experienced pilot knew what to do...or did he ??? It
appears there is no option but to turn around without landing and head for
home. After all, we had over four hours of fuel - didn't we ? Hey, did I
really check the fuel in the tanks or just depend on those guages that
showed almost full ?? NO, I didn't, but I am sure there is sufficient fuel
to make it home safely.
I reversed course, checked to make sure the VOR was tuned properly
and headed back toward our home airport......
Again the wife and daughter were enjoying the smooth nightime
flight and the wonderful array of lights. I was beginning to sweat, but
said nothing.
About the time we were just passing over the surrounding mountains
near our home airport, the engine began to run rough, then quit! I checked
the guages...both empty. Quickly checking all controls, etc, I realized we
were into a very difficult situation. Dark night, mountains, engine not
runing, we were goiing down....somewhere..and foolishly all because I was
too proud to refuse such a flight.... Now I was going to put myself and
both my Wife and Daughter in inement danger and probably all of us will be
killed. Such Stupidity!
Then, in a sweat, I awoke from my dream! Wow, this had all been a
dream, thankfully.
I guess it was a sub-conscious lesson , reviewing all the stupid
things I had done over the last 40 years of flying. NO, I have never done
any of the above things. Never flown illegally, or committed such stupid
acts; in-dangering myself and family, yet.
I hope the Dream Flight has taught me to not ever do such stupis
things..... and that the story may also teach you to not ever do such
stupid things.
Fly Safe - Have Fun
Harry Francis
Blacksburg, VA
p.s. This story was based on an actual dream, but the dream was a little
different and more weird. However, the story was derived from the Dream.
During the dream, I weighed the possibilities of conducting the illegal,
unsafe flight and decided not to make the illegal, unsafe flight; and
refused my strong Macho desire to show I could do it. Only then (still
dreaming) did I realize that this was a test by my instructor. When I
refused to go it alone, illegally, he congratulated me on my decision, and
scheduled a flight for the next day. Nice to be awake and alive.
HF
I Learned about Flying from That: Iceberg in the tailcone.
Many years ago, I was training for my commercial license and
instrument ratings in the Charlotte, N. C. area. I was eager to log the
necessary time whenever I could fit in an hour or so of flight. I was
flying out of a small airport, using Cherokee 140s/180s and Arrows.
One winter day we had freezing rain that stopped all training and
flying in the area, only to be followed next by a gorgeous sunny day. I
immediately rushed to the airport to experience the freedom of flight in
such a beautiful day.
The Cherokee was tied down outside, but all ice had melted, and the
airframe was dry. I quickly preflighted the Cherokee, started the engine
and taxied to the takeoff position. After run-up, I applied power and
began the take off roll. I first noticed a longer take off roll then
expected, then when the Cherokee lifted off, up went the nose. I quickly
applied the necessary force to the controls to attain a proper climb
attitude, checked the trim position and found it in the "proper" position.
Wow!
I flew around the pattern, holding strong forward position of the
controls to keep the airplane in the proper attitude, turned final and
landed. Boy, it sure was easy to flare in to a nose high position!
I taxied back to the ramp, shut down the engine, exited and had a
good look at the tail, first thinking I had missed some possible damage.
No Damage was visible. BUT, on closer inspection inside the tail cone, I
could see a great chunk of ICE.
Yes, all ice had melted from the outside of the airframe, but there
was a large chunk of ice located in the tailcone.
I now realized how foolish it was to not have suspected the
possibility of ice being trapped in the tail cone. After all, the Cherokee
had sat outdoors during a freezing rain storm, and while the ice had
melted and dried off the exterior, the trapped ice in the tail cone was
still melting.
Now, talk about a weight & balance problem......WOW - Worst I have
ever experienced! Luckily I did not take friends for a ride that day.
Learned rule: Always suspect ice in the tail cone and fuselage
bottom after an airplane has been tied down outdoors during a freezing
rain/snow storm.....even it has all melted off the outside of the
fuselage.
An acquaintance recently destroyed his airplane on a bounced
landing - seemingly uncontrolled porpoising. This was a similar flight to
mine, just after a freezing rain episode, followed by a beautiful sunny
day. He removed ice from the airplane, and assured all surfaces were
clean, and went flying. On landing he had quite an experience! I suspect
he had a large block of ice floating in the tail cone - moving back on
landing attitude, making the airplane climb just as it touched down; then
as he quickly dropped the nose, the Ice floated forward causing a quick
nose down, followed by a quick control movement back to nose up, etc.,
etc., etc., until he finally trashed the airplane, MLG, Nose gear, prop,
engine mounts, etc. Luckily, he was not hurt....except for his pride and
pocketbook.
He never did acknowledge the possibility of a floating iceberg,
changing the W&B, as the airplane sat outdoors in above freezing weather
for several days before examiners had a chance to look; allowing the ice
to melt and disappear. The accident was deemed pilot induced; the owner
still blames an unstable type aircraft. I still suspect floating Ice and a
faulty preflight. Don't let it happen to you. Have a good look before you
fly!
I do, now.
Fly Safe - Have Fun
Harry L. Francis
Blacksburg, VA
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