Best birthday ever
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 9:58 pm
So as you may know, finished 40hrs yesterday. Today is my 50th Birthday, the weather was perfect, I had the day off AND Kris needed to turn in her 150page Master's portfolio to her Professor's. 2.5hr drive or short hop in a brandnew RV.....what to do, what to do? Kris has never ridden in any RV, only the nasty club 172, 182 and a friends Bonanza.
We launched at 1120 from Townsend(8u8) and in front of a few airport bums I flew down the runway at 120kts or so and pulled up for an initial 3000fpm climb, banking hard to the downwind. She swallowed and said well that's a little different. Headed toward KHLN, then pointed Aurora towards Missoula(MSO) while we climbed through some bumps leveled off at 10500 in smooth air.
Here's a pic she snapped with my cell phone.
43minutes later made a nice wheel landing at MSO. Got the red carpet service at NorthStar Jet. they gave us a courtesy car to run to the University. We were very popular with her Professors as the word had spread that Kris had a private pilot fly her over just for them.
By the time we headed home the wind had picked up along with the turbulence. We hit a big sinker and I managed to smack the canopy, Kris had her belts good tight.
We ended up climbing above 13K for a few minutes to beat the bumps. Here's a dynon snapshot.
And the corresponding GPS pic, GS=205kts Man I love this plane.
When we started dropping into the valley, things got rough again and I had to slow up to 150kts. Kris loved the experience, said the plane felt very solid and safe. She even complimented me on the landings, even though we had a 10kt crosswind when we got home.
Life is good, better after 40 and even at 50.
We launched at 1120 from Townsend(8u8) and in front of a few airport bums I flew down the runway at 120kts or so and pulled up for an initial 3000fpm climb, banking hard to the downwind. She swallowed and said well that's a little different. Headed toward KHLN, then pointed Aurora towards Missoula(MSO) while we climbed through some bumps leveled off at 10500 in smooth air.
Here's a pic she snapped with my cell phone.
43minutes later made a nice wheel landing at MSO. Got the red carpet service at NorthStar Jet. they gave us a courtesy car to run to the University. We were very popular with her Professors as the word had spread that Kris had a private pilot fly her over just for them.
By the time we headed home the wind had picked up along with the turbulence. We hit a big sinker and I managed to smack the canopy, Kris had her belts good tight.
We ended up climbing above 13K for a few minutes to beat the bumps. Here's a dynon snapshot.
And the corresponding GPS pic, GS=205kts Man I love this plane.
When we started dropping into the valley, things got rough again and I had to slow up to 150kts. Kris loved the experience, said the plane felt very solid and safe. She even complimented me on the landings, even though we had a 10kt crosswind when we got home.
Life is good, better after 40 and even at 50.
