Stinsons to Oshkosh

I finally had time to edit the video I captured with my Go Pro last July as we flew into Oshkosh with 5 other Stinsons from Watertown, WI.  The fun begins as we approach Ripon and fly what is call the Fisk Approach into Oshkosh.  It is a special flight path so they can efficiently handle the large volume of airplanes arriving that week.

In the video, we are the second Stinson in the group and you will hear Debbie and I on the intercom, plus the chatter with Air Traffic Control by our lead Stinson, as well as several other airplanes.  The weather was marginal, so this was a "slow" time compared to the next day when the sun finally came out!

After watching it, I see a few things I would do different next time, but at least we made it in safely. None of us had much formation flying experience.....so next time I might just skip the "flight" idea and go it alone.....spacing would be better.  We will see.

Stinsons to Oshkosh

Enjoy nice weather while you can

I was coming back from the recycle center and noticed it was 63 degrees.  So, I decided it would be a good idea to pull the Stinson out and wash off the dust.  We have a cold front coming and it may be a challenge to wash the airplane after today....like until the spring thaw.

Just as I finished washing, our new neighbors stopped by.  They moved in about a month ago and have a Piper Saratoga.  I had promised their 13 year old a ride in the Stinson some day.  Today was that day.  I took Christian and his mom (Tammy) for a ride while Dad (Paul) shot video.  So, maybe I'll have a video to add in later.  We had a blast and Christian did a great job flying the Stinson! And it was a good way to dry the airplane off!

Stinson vacation fun

I am on vacation this week and the weather has been nice, so what better thing to do than go fly?  My friend Kumar came over yesterday and we went for a late day flight.  Kumar has flown once before with me, but it has been almost a year (last January 12).  Kumar practiced flying straight and level as well as left and right turns.  We also threw a few altitude changes.  He picked up the feel for the airplane pretty quickly.  I hope he goes on and learns to fly someday!

This morning my friend Dean came over and we did an early morning flight before the winds come up later today.  Dean hadn't flown in over 20 years, but at the time was a flight instructor.  He flew from takeoff at 1K1 to landing.  In between we did some airwork and touch and goes at El Dorado. The rust came off quickly and Dean did a superb job flying the airplane!

Kumar at the controls

Dean is all smiles.  

Who wouldn't flying a Stinson?

Coming in to land at Stearman.  Our house is in 

the distance towards the top center of the photo.

Found Treasure

Neil Armstrong was a Purdue graduate and also the first man on the moon.  I was an avid follower of the space program in the 1960's, my formative years.  That plus my dad's mentoring in all things airplane influenced me to the career I have had.  I went to Purdue to get a degree in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering from 1975 to 1979.  My senior year I was president of our chapter of Sigma Gamma Tau, an honorary society for Aero Engineers.

One role I had as president was to plan our fall and spring banquets.  I thought it would be really cool to get Neil Armstrong to speak at it.  For those too young to remember, after he walked on the moon, Neil was rather reclusive, not wanting to make a big deal about his fame. I sent a letter asking if he could attend, and he sent back a reply he had already committed to something else in that time frame.

I mentioned I had this letter with Neil's signature a few years ago right after Neil passed away.  The person I was talking with had personally known Neil and said that Charles Lindbergh (first to fly across the Atlantic solo in 1927) had advised Neil after his moon walk not to sign many items, so if I had such a letter, it would be rare.

I spent yesterday sorting through boxes of papers, some of which went back to grade school!  The goal was to minimize the amount of paper going forward.  In one box, I found the letter.  Sure enough, it was signed.  That made my day!!  Of course, it is now locked away with my other valuables, like my first log book, etc.  Here is a picture:

Envelope

Letter

First flight of the winter

Winter started this morning at 4:44 AM CST.  It has been really cold and windy the past few weeks. So, when this afternoon had light winds and temperatures in the mid 40's, I decided it was time to fly!
I re-installed the plates that block some of the air to the oil coolers that I made last winter and went for a hop.  The wind was strong at 4000 feet.  I was doing 135 knots ground speed coming back from  the El Dorado Lake region (only about 80 knots going there).  I had about a 45 degree crab once I turned west to keep the airplane going the direction I wanted.  But the air was smooth and light winds at the surface.

It is always fun to fly in the winter as the airplane really performs in the colder temperatures.

El Dorado Lake frozen partially

Level at 4000 feet

Ground speed is 130 knots (lower left corner)

Neighborhood coming back in.  Not 

much snow left from last weekend.