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[Michigunner]

fly,

You are so cool.  I was dying to ask you what type of flying apparatus you had, but didn't want to get too personal.

Thanks a million for the pictures.  Much appreciated.

I've flown in a Cessna Skyhawk ? ?  I believe that's a 172.  ?

A-36 somehow seems like it might be a Bonanza.  I flew the T-34 which is kind of like the Bonanza, but is stressed for aerobatics, etc.

On the subject of computers, I've failed for two years to get my wireless router to work on WPA which has the stronger encryption.  Only WEP would work.

Today, I bought a Linksys router and notebook adapter card and it is up and running wonderfully.

Of course, the technology will immediately be obsolete.  I'm always in on something the last day!

Thanks again for the pictures.  I can talk airplanes for hours and hours.  They are great fun.

After seeing the 172 panel, I started making airplane sounds.

Bill

[Richard S]

You probably could if you practiced it.

Tracker:

You're kind, but to quote "Dirty Harry," a man's got to know his limitations."  

I can strap on a well-tuned sports car and it becomes a part of me.  I can take the helm of a sloop-rigged sailboat, and make it sing.  (Once, bareboating a 37' sloop out of St. Thomas in the aftermath of a tropical storm, I slipped anchor on the north side of Virgin Gorda before dawn, caught a coaster wave with the right wind conditions, and was able to surf the boat for 20 minutes -- bow out of water, rudder in the wave -- all without waking anyone down below.)  

I flew recreationally for three years in the Washington, D. C., area (single-engine Cessnas).  In spite of its having been a pain in the ### to stay out of all the restricted zones (of which there are a lot more now), I enjoyed it.  But I never felt that the plane was a part of me.  I never felt that I could make it sing.  And I was always pleased when I got it back on the runway with no parts bent of missing.

Still and all . . . .  

[tracker]

Richard,
If you can do all of that, I can assure you that if you had
spent a commensurate amount of time in an airplane, you
would feel that same oneness: it is a great feeling no matter
what you are driving, flying, riding, skiing, skating, or sailing.

[Michigunner]

Richard,

My wife and I enjoyed sailing trips on the Maine coast twice.  First time, it was the Victory Chrimes, and then the Adventurer.

You spend a week sailing around the coast.

I eventually got sea sick.  Never thought it would happen, since my experience with airplanes was always satisfactory.

That business about eating when you are below deck is too much for me.

I was in the back seat of an F-89 one day on an aerobatic flight  over Lake Huron, and the day before some gentleman threw up in the oxygen mask.  It had been fully cleaned and was sanitary, but it still smelled yucky.  Rather unpleasant.

I got sick when we returned to Detroit Wayne Major, now called Detroit Metro.

Bill

[tracker]

Bill,
It may be called Detroit Metro but the airport ID is DTW--
so Wayne is still in there.

I landed there many times but one cold winter night a snow
storm delayed our landing 1 hour while they plowed the
runway. When we landed the R/W was fine but when I
taxiied off onto an intersecting R/W there was 12-18" of
snow there. I didn't know what to do since no one ever
talked about the pros and cons of taxiing inbound in those
conditions. I though about it, poured the coals to it and
taxiied slowly to the gate. I really liked going to Grand Rapids,
though.

[Michigunner]

That must have really been something, tracker.  I can just imagine getting stuck in that much snow!

My relatives north of Grand Rapids usually have much more snow than SE Michigan.  Probably lake moisture that comes off Lake Michigan.

I bet they have some major snow problems at that airport.

Bill

[flyandscuba]

Richard,
If you can do all of that, I can assure you that if you had
spent a commensurate amount of time in an airplane, you
would feel that same oneness: it is a great feeling no matter
what you are driving, flying, riding, skiing, skating, or sailing.

I agree.  The more time you spend in the cockpit, the better it gets -- as in anything you do.  The most important key to makng the aircraft "sing" -- is to make the transition from riding in the airplane, to strapping the aircraft on and becoming part of the airplane itself.  Eventually, when you "think" a maneuver -- the airplane responds...rather than making the airplane "do' something.

Here's my next adventure -- building my own airplane.  A plans-built airplane, not a kit.  I'm just beginning the process and chose a design created by a local pilot.  He has the onlyflying example, but there are about 100 projects in various stages of construction around the world.  Mine is #74.




www.thatchercx4.com

[Michigunner]

fly,

That's a mighty fine looking airplane.  I hope you will decide to show some pictures of your progress.

tracker,

Did you ever join the Caterpillar Club?

Bill

[Richard S]

Fly:

That is one georgeous design!  It reminds me of a small P-51D Mustang.  

Photo from Air Force Link, http://www.af.mil/history/aircraft.asp?dec=1940&pid=123006547

[tracker]

Never did a nylon letdown, Bill; and I don't believe in jumping
out of perfectly good airplanes, either.

A friend of mine had an A-7's engine come apart during the
catapult stroke one night off Vietnam. His chute did two
swings at most prior to splashdown. His next major concern
was being run over by the ship or getting caught in the
screws but the bowwave kicked him off to the side; he
was picked up by the planeguard helo.

Incidents like this one are why carrier pilots fear the night
cat shots much worse than the landing.

[tracker]

Sky,
What is the HP and cruise speed on the Thatcher?

[flyandscuba]

http://www.thatchercx4.com/specifications.htm

[tracker]

Thanks, Fly; that will be one that you strap onto yourself.