NetHeads, Today I flew over to Moontown Airport to get my BFR. Since it's a grass strip 2100' long, my CFI buddy (who gave me my tailwheel endorsement) thought maybe we ought to take something that he knew would get us both off the ground, considering the 3000' density altitude. There was an old doggy C-150 close by, and the owner threw him the keys. This is one of those planes that looked like it'd been sitting at the tiedown for 30 years without a single bit of attention. Fuel caps were rusty, windshield was cloudy and crazed, every piece on it looked like it was about to fall off. I sumped it and there was a half inch of rust flakes in the bottom. 10 more tries and it finally got down to only a few flakes per, so he said that was good enough. We took off and got an astounding 200 ft/min climb out of the thing. We couldn't have gotten to pattern altitude using a 5 mile downwind! Eventually we did all the usual BFR stuff, and I was quite amazed at the "unusual attitudes" this thing would get into. It never seemed coordinated, but I guess that was my fault. But I'm used to the KR just staying "right" all the time. In my KR, the only time I use the rudder is on takeoff and climb, and then just a slight push. This 150 was a whole different story. What a dawg! I never cease to be amazed at the stuff some folks sign off as airworthy! But I'm good for two more years, so I guess it'll work.
Moontown was also having a breakfast, and KR builder/pilot Ken Thomas was there. He has something like 360 hours on his Jabiru now, and loves it. "Nothing but gas and oil" was the way he put it. He had a Sube, but it was one thing after another, so he stepped up to the plate and went "maintenance free". Maybe we'll see him at the Gathering. It sure sounded sweet as he took off and headed for home. So later I flew the KR around some, and decided it was high time I did a roll. I went to 8000' 120 mph, pitch up, full left aileron, and YEEEEEHAAAAAAA! Did it. Pulled 3.5 g's pulling out, but for a first time, it certainly worked, but I did lose 500'. I did 5 more, and before it was over, I had the "positive g" roll down to only 1.5 g's on pullout, with none negative, so I'm happy with that, and altitude loss was down to 200' or so. Since I was soo high anyway, I decided I'd do some more testing, so I started doing slow speed (turn to final with flaps) 45 degree turns to see what indicated airspeed I fell out of the sky. Indicated was under 70 mph, which in reality was about 55 mph true airspeed, so I feel a lot better about that now. Nothing like a few minutes of flying on the edge to get the feel of what it's like right before the bottom falls out. I also finally answered the question of "cruise speed", which I assume is WOT at 7500'. Today's number was 155 mph true airspeed. I was coming back from Guntersville headed to M38, and realized that I Moontown was having a hangar party, so I dropped down and buzzed the field at 200 mph, right between two Yaks who were busy doing the same. What a blast! My fun-meter was pegged. Gap seals are finished, skin bubble repairs just need a little final sanding, and I'll throw some more primer on it next week so it won't be quite so embarrasing, but I'm basically ready for OSH. 271.2 hours and counting... Mark Langford, Harvest, AL see homebuilt airplane at http://www.N56ML.com email to N56ML "at" hiwaay.net
