First flight of the New year in Alaska

[l & d lewis]

This thread doesn't get enough action. I could have gone flying sooner but I like to pick my days carefully.

Although not a flight in an RV, (I’ve built benches and bought tools, but have yet to order the empennage kit), a memorable first for the new year.

On January 23, I took the short drive to the airport. My Suburban was already parked in front (windward side) of my Varga 2150A (1940’s version of an RV-4), as were many other plane owner’s cars. Several days of snow had given way to a week of 45 knot winds with gusts to 59. The runway had been blown clean of snow, and aside from drifts the ramp was clear. Several days earlier I’d been to the airport to see all the supercubs and Cessna 140/170s surrounding the Varga tiptoeing on their mains, tails flying high in the winds. With a tail-stand in place, ratchet-strapped to the ground, and dressed in wing-covers with lift spoilers the Varga survived the wind.

Today the wind was calm, and the temperatures have risen into the teens. The sky is high scattered to broken. After starting the engine preheat I commenced a thorough preflight.

The airport lies along the Matanuska River near its confluence with the Knik River. After contacting flight service I taxied to the south end of the runway. Taking off to the north the airplane lifted off in about 200 feet and climbed at 1500+ fpm in the cool winter air. Departing downwind, and turning east I entered the Knick river valley. The valley is normally taken up by a wide braided glacial river, but now is frozen over creating highways for numerous snow machines and dog sleds, which barely notice as I glide past overhead. In about 30 miles I reach the foot of the Knick Glacier. I climb higher over the ice fall now softened in appearance by fresh snow through The Gorge, and reach Inner Lake George with a little open water showing. The melt water on the glaciers is clear and blue/green compared to the silted rivers at the base of the glaciers. The contrast of the water and the snow in the sunlight is striking. I continue climbing higher onto the Lake George Glacier and the glistening white snowfields above. I turn southwest descending into the Twentymile River valley. The bears are holed-up for the winter but several moose feed in the willows next to the frozen riverbed. I exit the steep walled Chugach Mountains, which are young and still growing, near the Portage Glacier at the east end of Turnagain Arm. The Arm was named by Captain Cook during his exploration of Alaska, and during late summer churns with Beluga and Pilot whales feeding on salmon. I turn the plane back into the mountains following the Iditarod trail northeast to the Eagle River valley. From there I descend past a hanging-wall glacier following the river northwest to where the river meets the Knik Arm. It’s a short flight northeast to the airport. The whole flight has taken about an hour, so I have time for some much needed touch and goes. Just a typical winter local flying day in Alaska.

[darrylDog2000]

All I can say is, Wow! I could almost picture the flight as I read. Bet you can't wait to do that in an RV.
Incidentally, I did much of my training in a Varga Kachina. Also, I almost bought one a couple years back. That’s when I decided to build.

[l & d lewis]

My wife thought buying the Varga would cure the urge to build. Didn't work, but she has come around and looking forward to building with me. She's been very supportive even though she's somewhat of a white-knuckle flyer. We rented a Varga a number of years ago and just liked the plane. Kind of an old version of the -4.

[darrylDog2000]

I was actually the last to fly the Varga in which I was training over ten years ago. I was doing touch and goes with my instructor when a main wheel came off. The left wing touched but was not heavily damaged. The plane still sits waiting for repair, and I had even offered to buy it. The owner is a very busy training and rental facility but I don’t understand why they haven’t fixed it by now.
Worked on my RV8 today. I’m getting close to finishing the wing kit. Still have to finish the flap, rivet the bottom skins and do the wing tip. After that I’ll be dead in the water until I save enough for the fuselage kit. Hopefully, not too long though.
Have you ordered a kit yet?

[l & d lewis]

Right now I'm working in FL until Thursday, back to AK on Friday. On Monday I'm sending the check for the empennage. Plan to have the empennage done by the end of summer and the wings ready for next winters project. I really like the Varga but it doesn't have the performance I want. We'll probably keep the Varga until the fuselage is about finished then sell it to buy the engine and instruments. If I could I'd keep it to teach the grandkids to fly.