Monday, July 29, 2013

Headin' North

Arrival at Creve Coeur at 0630...little bit froggy.

 
What a pretty site! Sky took this one.

 
Steve Thomas took this one for us at Poplar Grove.

 
A new tradition at Poplar Grove; posing with Elray Jeppesan.
Steve took this one also.


Saturday, July 27, 2013

In a place called Wisconsin there is a magical city known as Oshkosh.

It's push time again as we get ready to go to that mystical place called Oshkosh. Many of you know that I disagree with the direction the Association has taken over the past several years and that I was boycotting in protest of that direction.
 
However, I can't sit idly by and watch the Fracked-Up Aviation Administration rape my fellow pilots by charging the enormous and totally unjustified sum they are charging the EAA for their services.
 
And besides, Glenn asked me to fly chase for the Monosport and who can resist that?
 
 
Glenn props the Monosport on an early-morning test flight

 
Taking Off.

.
 
Sky tries out Ken Thomas's Bird's front cockpit. He says it's plenty roomy.

 
Ken practices hard surface landings in the Bird.

 
Beautiful, billowy, white puffy clouds fill the sky as Glenn makes a fly-by.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Photo-shoot: Luscombe 8a

Went out and shot Rob Stegman's Luscombe 8a tonite.
Although I got some great shots, I didn't have as many keepers as I'd hoped.
In my defense, it was my wife's Rebel, it was my first shoot of the year and the light was poor.
I know, whine, whine, whine, I sound like a jet engine....
Here are some of the ones I liked;
 







Saturday, July 20, 2013

Stearman Formation Practice

I was lucky enough to be out at the airport early this morning when I noticed the Stearman guys were going up to practice their formation flying skills. The guys had a couple empty seats and asked if I wanted to fill one of them. Yea! You bet!
 
I didn't have my air-to-air lens with me, so all these pictures were taken with my little Panasonic point-n-shoot camera. I think it did a wonderful job considering the circumstances.
 
 
Taxiing out.

 
Lined up on the runway, we were No. 3 in the flight.

 
Les Heikkila's Recall Stearman forms up.

 
Changing formations.

 
Les is closer than he appears in this wideangle shot.

 
Cross-under.

 
Flying wires frame Rods Stearman.

 
Headed home.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Getting used to flying the Monosport.

 
Glenn decided to take the Monosport out this morning to
get some time on and in it in preparation for our
upcoming trip.
 
 
Fast-taxi.

 
Takeoff

 
It's a cute little bugger!
 
 
A real "Field of Dreams."

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Finding the oil leak

Glenn Peck hand-props the Monosport to get its engine started. He's hunting
down an oil leak which needs to be fixed before the first flight this year
of the airplane.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Around the Patch: Flying a J-3.


Ron Magos came by and asked if I wanted to go flying in his Cub this morning. I hemmed and hawed, murmur something about helping Glenn and two-milliseconds later accepted his offer.
 
 
Armstrong Starter: Ron engages the Cubs 65hp Continentel engine.

 
Ron flying.

 
Turning final to Runway 16 at Creve Coeur.

 
We did 3 landings, two full-stalls and he got out.


A little inspiration to finish mine.