http://flyingillusions.wordpress.com
Jim spencer
Friday, December 25, 2009
Transfer of Information - to FlyingIllusions
New site under development! I wil post here often as I develop the new site:
http://flyingillusions.wordpress.com
Jim spencer
http://flyingillusions.wordpress.com
Jim spencer
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Hanger Talk and Unusual Situations
In Michigan, Camp Grayling was the destination of The Michigan National Guard. Troop exercises and refresher work for the Air national Guard were common during the 50s just after the Korean War (United Nations Action - If you remember!) Just to the east of the current US-27 between Gaylord and Grayling (Inter-State 75 didn't exist then) was the bombing and artillery range practice area.
Pops and I used to sit down by Bradford Lake and listen to the explosions taking place by both artillery and aircraft. That same morning we decided to canoe for a bit before the chores. As we started out from the little cove we noticed three P-51s peeling off in a direction that was unusual for the bombing range pattern we observed many times before.
As we continued to canoe we found the three P-51s. From the north end of Bradford lake the three planes were leveling out of a co-ordinated dive just about at the surface of the lake. So close to the surface rooster tails of water trailed far behind the magnificence formation close to their attack speed. Pops and I were less than half a football field away. We watched in awe as the three sped by intent on buzzing the lake for some reason. At the end of Bradford Lake they suddenly applied climb power narrowly missing a bank of trees in front of a row of small cabins. They quickly climbed skyward disappearing just as fast as they appeared, just moments before.
We were breathless from just watching these powerful P- 51s slide by over the lake. The next day we discovered that a newly married couple occupied one of the cabins at the end of the lake. So much for peace and quiet on their honeymoon.
Isn't it wonderful to have friends that can fly P-51s!
jIM
Pops and I used to sit down by Bradford Lake and listen to the explosions taking place by both artillery and aircraft. That same morning we decided to canoe for a bit before the chores. As we started out from the little cove we noticed three P-51s peeling off in a direction that was unusual for the bombing range pattern we observed many times before.
As we continued to canoe we found the three P-51s. From the north end of Bradford lake the three planes were leveling out of a co-ordinated dive just about at the surface of the lake. So close to the surface rooster tails of water trailed far behind the magnificence formation close to their attack speed. Pops and I were less than half a football field away. We watched in awe as the three sped by intent on buzzing the lake for some reason. At the end of Bradford Lake they suddenly applied climb power narrowly missing a bank of trees in front of a row of small cabins. They quickly climbed skyward disappearing just as fast as they appeared, just moments before.
We were breathless from just watching these powerful P- 51s slide by over the lake. The next day we discovered that a newly married couple occupied one of the cabins at the end of the lake. So much for peace and quiet on their honeymoon.
Isn't it wonderful to have friends that can fly P-51s!
jIM
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Flight Attendant - Roused Pilots on Northwest Flight
The continuing news about the NW Flight that over-shot Minneapolis. Enjoy the link provided.
Link to Story
Jim
Link to Story
Jim
Monday, December 14, 2009
Pops and the B-29 on Gaum in WWII.
Pops was an MD with the 3rd Marine Division in the Japanese campaign. He was with the Marines from 1943 through 1945. His last island station was Guam in the Marianas Group. It was there where a little prank was played on Pops.
With other island bases in the Pacific, including Guam, the bombing of Japan increased as the possibility of invading Japan rose higher and higher as we prepared for that eventuality.
One very early morning my Dad took his morning stroll near the B-29s as they began to warm up for a morning flight to Japan. One of the pilots, who knew my Dads love for flying, asked if he wanted to go for a ride. It was, of course, a set-up. Dad said, "Sure."
He was told to climb up into the fuselage and take the seat in the upper bubble that didn't seem to have a gun. Evidently the intercom was active and everyone in the plane could hear the conversation.
Dad asked what the camera in the bubble was for? The pilot replied, "Once were airborne and you see several targets coming toward us, all you have to do is point the "little camera" and focus on the nearest rapidly approaching Zero and pull the trigger! You see Doc, that little camera co-ordinates every gun on the "29." You are the "main man!"
Dad asked where they were going? Pilot replied, "Japan Doc, Japan!" Lots of laughter ensued as my Dad was yelling about a possible court martial and was quickly finding his way out of the stationary B-29 warming up!
Humor had its way of easing the tensions for all involved on the dangerous formation soon to take off toward Japan.
Jim
With other island bases in the Pacific, including Guam, the bombing of Japan increased as the possibility of invading Japan rose higher and higher as we prepared for that eventuality.
One very early morning my Dad took his morning stroll near the B-29s as they began to warm up for a morning flight to Japan. One of the pilots, who knew my Dads love for flying, asked if he wanted to go for a ride. It was, of course, a set-up. Dad said, "Sure."
He was told to climb up into the fuselage and take the seat in the upper bubble that didn't seem to have a gun. Evidently the intercom was active and everyone in the plane could hear the conversation.
Dad asked what the camera in the bubble was for? The pilot replied, "Once were airborne and you see several targets coming toward us, all you have to do is point the "little camera" and focus on the nearest rapidly approaching Zero and pull the trigger! You see Doc, that little camera co-ordinates every gun on the "29." You are the "main man!"
Dad asked where they were going? Pilot replied, "Japan Doc, Japan!" Lots of laughter ensued as my Dad was yelling about a possible court martial and was quickly finding his way out of the stationary B-29 warming up!
Humor had its way of easing the tensions for all involved on the dangerous formation soon to take off toward Japan.
Jim
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
1964 S Model Bonanza to 1946 Piper Cub- Bouncy Bounce!
Transitions! Transitions! When the Beech was sold I invested in a 1946 clipped wing Piper Cub with a 90 Hp engine and a metal prop. transitioning from a high powered V-tail Bonanza to a tail-dragger was a fun sight at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport as I attempted to perfect the technique for landing the Piper.
The Lipert-Reed clipped wing Cub has, essentially, the same wingspan as the Piper Tri-Pacer. It didn't float and, believe it or not, landed like the SeaBee. It was a smaller version of the "Flying Rock!"
The Cub was outfitted with the original bungee cord suspension and large balloon tires characteristic of all Cubs from that era. Now you are anticipating where the "Bounce-Bounce" from the title came from. That is exactly what happened to me as I practiced the proper attitude to place the Cub into as I landed. Take-offs were not a problem.
The tower remarked, on more than one occasion, here comes the local BB guard ready to bounce down the runway !! One miscalculation and the Cub would sail into the air before settling down for another "touch and go" until I finally learned to fly again.
I am sure none of you went through this embarrassing ritual as you transitioned down to a great little tail-dragger from a more advanced aircraft.
It was a bare-boned Cub with an illegal gravity tank, in the wing, that would drain fuel into the original tank when you opened a valve. If you remember, there was a cork attached to a wire that indicated your approximate fuel left in the original tank right in front of the pilot. When I opened the valve the only way you knew the original tank was full was when a few drops of fuel splattered onto the windshield. Real safe! Had to be quick on the fuel shut-off valve.
It gave this Cub about a five hour flight time. It was a wonderful dawn patrol plane that I used extensively and incorporated it into Civil Air Patrol searches.
Stories still are told about me and the Cub as we learned together how to really enjoy flying as it was meant to be!
Jim
The Lipert-Reed clipped wing Cub has, essentially, the same wingspan as the Piper Tri-Pacer. It didn't float and, believe it or not, landed like the SeaBee. It was a smaller version of the "Flying Rock!"
The Cub was outfitted with the original bungee cord suspension and large balloon tires characteristic of all Cubs from that era. Now you are anticipating where the "Bounce-Bounce" from the title came from. That is exactly what happened to me as I practiced the proper attitude to place the Cub into as I landed. Take-offs were not a problem.
The tower remarked, on more than one occasion, here comes the local BB guard ready to bounce down the runway !! One miscalculation and the Cub would sail into the air before settling down for another "touch and go" until I finally learned to fly again.
I am sure none of you went through this embarrassing ritual as you transitioned down to a great little tail-dragger from a more advanced aircraft.
It was a bare-boned Cub with an illegal gravity tank, in the wing, that would drain fuel into the original tank when you opened a valve. If you remember, there was a cork attached to a wire that indicated your approximate fuel left in the original tank right in front of the pilot. When I opened the valve the only way you knew the original tank was full was when a few drops of fuel splattered onto the windshield. Real safe! Had to be quick on the fuel shut-off valve.
It gave this Cub about a five hour flight time. It was a wonderful dawn patrol plane that I used extensively and incorporated it into Civil Air Patrol searches.
Stories still are told about me and the Cub as we learned together how to really enjoy flying as it was meant to be!
Jim
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Acrobatics - the Piper Super Cub
Back in the days when I was a cocky little SOB and very sure, at the age of sixteen, that I knew everything I was shown that I didn't. I experienced another rude awakening. This time the scene of my demise was at the Waters, Michigan Airport near the famous Bottle Fence next to the Old Waters Hotel that later burned down, years later.
If you remember, Waters was the site of a lumbering empire. The story goes that the empty bottles of booze that Mr. Stephens drank, during his life, made up the fence. It was at this grass strip that I had my experience with acrobatics.
The Regional Manager from the Piper Aircraft Company was in Gaylord to visit. Bob Nichols, the Gaylord Airport Manager, at the time, brought him down to Waters to his home.
He was flying a Piper Super Cub. Of course, I tried to tell him things about the Super Cub. He asked my Dad if he could show me a few things about the Super Cub! "How about a quick flight with me?" said the Regional Manager. I said, "Sure!"
Waters Airport was just a single runway grass strip running parallel to Old US 27. There was a paved road at the south end of the strip with high electrical wires running up the road.
The Cub, with me in the front seat, gained speed quickly and was airborne moments later. Instead of a slow gain in altitude the gentleman kept the Cub just above the runway going faster and faster. I watched, apprehensively as the end of the runway and the high electrical wires were coming up quickly. I made the mistake of asking when we were going up!
At the mention of "up!" he put the plane into a vertical climb and executed a perfect acrobatic loop that had me pulling my stomach back into my body and spent the next half hour surviving a series of wonderful aerobatic flying that I knew nothing about but enjoyed thoroughly.
Jim
If you remember, Waters was the site of a lumbering empire. The story goes that the empty bottles of booze that Mr. Stephens drank, during his life, made up the fence. It was at this grass strip that I had my experience with acrobatics.
The Regional Manager from the Piper Aircraft Company was in Gaylord to visit. Bob Nichols, the Gaylord Airport Manager, at the time, brought him down to Waters to his home.
He was flying a Piper Super Cub. Of course, I tried to tell him things about the Super Cub. He asked my Dad if he could show me a few things about the Super Cub! "How about a quick flight with me?" said the Regional Manager. I said, "Sure!"
Waters Airport was just a single runway grass strip running parallel to Old US 27. There was a paved road at the south end of the strip with high electrical wires running up the road.
The Cub, with me in the front seat, gained speed quickly and was airborne moments later. Instead of a slow gain in altitude the gentleman kept the Cub just above the runway going faster and faster. I watched, apprehensively as the end of the runway and the high electrical wires were coming up quickly. I made the mistake of asking when we were going up!
At the mention of "up!" he put the plane into a vertical climb and executed a perfect acrobatic loop that had me pulling my stomach back into my body and spent the next half hour surviving a series of wonderful aerobatic flying that I knew nothing about but enjoyed thoroughly.
Jim
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Downwind Landings at Night - Visual Illusions
In a much earlier post we talked about what happens if you use the runway lights in your peripheral vision, in a night landing, to judge your height above the runway before you flare out prior to landing.
What is the visual illusion, if you mistakenly land with the wind (downwind landing) at night? In this case, looking at the runway lights in your peripheral vision, the lights appear moving quite fast. This is due to the increase in the planes actual speed over the ground caused by the tail wind. You may think you are closer to the ground than you actually are.
If you are at an altitude of fifty feet AGL but the plane seems much lower, due to the illusion caused by the runway lights, you may flare to a landing too soon and too high.
Net effect is a possile stall, too soon, and you nose the plane down into the runway for your first accident report.
As always, visual illusions can create situations where an accident is possible if you are unaware of what is happening.
Please discuss these situations with your flight school instructor. You can also email me or leave a message for me on this blog to discuss theses visual illusions anytime.
Jim
Birds of a feather fly!
What is the visual illusion, if you mistakenly land with the wind (downwind landing) at night? In this case, looking at the runway lights in your peripheral vision, the lights appear moving quite fast. This is due to the increase in the planes actual speed over the ground caused by the tail wind. You may think you are closer to the ground than you actually are.
If you are at an altitude of fifty feet AGL but the plane seems much lower, due to the illusion caused by the runway lights, you may flare to a landing too soon and too high.
Net effect is a possile stall, too soon, and you nose the plane down into the runway for your first accident report.
As always, visual illusions can create situations where an accident is possible if you are unaware of what is happening.
Please discuss these situations with your flight school instructor. You can also email me or leave a message for me on this blog to discuss theses visual illusions anytime.
Jim
Birds of a feather fly!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Residential Noise Pollution from Commercial Aviation
Lake Harriet is a beautiful jewel of a lake nestled in the City of Minneapolis. A favorite pastime, for me, is fishing the south side of the lake for bass near the weedline and shore. I knew when to scramble home when a large Boeing 747 loomed nearby on its approach to MSP. Right on time -5:40 PM the big boy tip-toed through the suburbs toward a landing.
For a short period of time a conversation below was impossible to hear. Think of the number of approaches and takeoffs the people below endure just for the priviledge of living on the shore of the lake each day. Take offs are noisier.
The power reductions imposed by the major jetports are effective on landing and takeoff but the decibel level makes ordinary conversation limited. What you and I need to remember is what we can do to reduce noise to acceptable levels to "keep the peace" with the public surrounding an airport we use.
Low and slow approaches by conventional small planes with small, frequent power adjustments is not the way to keep the peace.
Not quickly gaining altitude within the airport boundries after takeoff is another way to expose those underneath to unnecessary noise pollution.
Busy airports will incur the wrath of the "polluted" that may lead to legal sanctions to reduce noise levels. Ann Arbor airport had a continuing problem with City Council to reduce expansion plans of the airport and times of use. Good flying procedures reduced the complaints and pressure.
Co-operation is the key between the public and the flying community, both commercial and private aviation interests.
We can do our part.
Jim
"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take." - Adlai Stevenson
For a short period of time a conversation below was impossible to hear. Think of the number of approaches and takeoffs the people below endure just for the priviledge of living on the shore of the lake each day. Take offs are noisier.
The power reductions imposed by the major jetports are effective on landing and takeoff but the decibel level makes ordinary conversation limited. What you and I need to remember is what we can do to reduce noise to acceptable levels to "keep the peace" with the public surrounding an airport we use.
Low and slow approaches by conventional small planes with small, frequent power adjustments is not the way to keep the peace.
Not quickly gaining altitude within the airport boundries after takeoff is another way to expose those underneath to unnecessary noise pollution.
Busy airports will incur the wrath of the "polluted" that may lead to legal sanctions to reduce noise levels. Ann Arbor airport had a continuing problem with City Council to reduce expansion plans of the airport and times of use. Good flying procedures reduced the complaints and pressure.
Co-operation is the key between the public and the flying community, both commercial and private aviation interests.
We can do our part.
Jim
"In America, anybody can be president. That's one of the risks you take." - Adlai Stevenson
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