Every time I go flying I am re-amazed at how much fun it is! This weekend was no exception.
I spent most of Saturday tinkering and installing my new Powerfin prop. I forgot my radio at home so I decided not fly. But, I did go through a test _run up_ for my new prop to verify that I had it adjusted okay. It was "perfect" on my first try! It took me a little longer than 5-min just to read the directions....but it took longer to read the instructions than to install and adjust the prop.
Yesterday I got to the airport and the battery on my radio died almost instantly.....which is very odd because I forgot it on Saturday because I had taken it out of my bag to plug it in to charge. I decided that I did not technically need a radio after all ;) There was no stopping me this time.
I went around the pattern twice to test out my new prop. Seemed just fine so I headed east toward a nearby reservoir/lake. I found that I enjoy "tracing" the contour (usually using left turns because it is easier on my arm) as a kind-of warm-up flying exercise. After about half an hour I headed back to the airport.
My second hop was around a small hill (~500 ft) surrounded by flat valley for miles all around. I followed a bulldozer trail up the back far side and up and over....and then back to the airport...about a 40min flight.
My friend Wayne was pulling his Quicksilver out of the hanger as I landed. That quicksilver is the only other UL at my airport (that I know of) that is slow enough to fly with. Wayne suggested that we fly south-east to an old dirt air strip he claimed to know about. I agreed and so off we went. I followed him for about 20 miles to a 150ft x 10ft overgrown "patch of dirt" just off the road (hwy J1). The strip I am used to is big enough for jets to land on....so it took me 2 passes before I felt I had everything lined up okay and set down. ;) It was not my best landing...but good enough.
On the way back to the airport I did my first "low flying". Wow, thats fun....only I was a little nervous about power lines. :-o
